Grocery prices are climbing, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good meals. These 19 cheap and easy recipes make the most of simple ingredients without stretching your budget. From hearty dinners to quick-prep favorites, these meals prove that affordable cooking can still be satisfying. Try them now before prices go up, and keep your meals budget-friendly without giving up great flavor.
Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers
This Instant Pot chicken with sweet peppers is an easy way to create a flavorful meal without stretching your grocery budget. Ready in just 45 minutes, it delivers tender chicken and a rich, savory sauce that feels like a restaurant-quality dinner. It’s proof that simple, affordable ingredients can still bring big flavors to the table. With prices rising, this meal is a smart way to eat well without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers
Savory Galette with Caramelized Onions and Pumpkin
This savory galette layers caramelized onions and roasted pumpkin in a flaky crust for a budget-friendly dish that feels like a special treat. Ready in under an hour, it makes use of seasonal produce and pantry staples to keep costs low. It’s a smart way to serve up something impressive without stretching your grocery bill. With food prices climbing, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something worth savoring.
Get the Recipe: Savory Galette with Caramelized Onions and Pumpkin
Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
This Moroccan salmon sheet pan dinner is a low-cost way to bring bold flavors to your table. In just 35 minutes, it combines seasoned salmon with roasted vegetables for a meal that feels far more expensive than it actually is. With a simple spice blend and affordable ingredients, it’s a great way to enjoy seafood without overspending. The sooner you try this, the more you’ll save before prices climb higher.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
This buttermilk chicken and potatoes dish brings rich, comforting flavors without the high cost of takeout. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken while roasting the potatoes to crispy perfection, making a full meal with minimal ingredients. Ready in about an hour, it transforms basic staples into a dinner that feels more indulgent than its cost. As grocery prices go up, this is the kind of meal that makes every dollar count.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan
A sheet pan dinner with chicken sausage and vegetables is a practical way to keep meals simple and affordable. Everything cooks together, cutting down on prep time and keeping cleanup easy. The combination of roasted sausage and colorful veggies creates a filling meal without extra costs. With inflation creeping up, this one-pan recipe is a budget win.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
This slow cooker chicken marinara turns inexpensive ingredients into a rich, comforting meal with minimal effort. The slow cooking process enhances the flavors, making it taste like it’s been simmering all day. With just a handful of pantry staples, it keeps grocery spending low while delivering a meal that feels homemade. With prices rising, this meal proves that simple cooking can still feel special.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
This cheesy cabbage casserole stretches affordable ingredients into a dish that feels hearty and filling. The cracker topping adds crunch, giving this meal texture without requiring extra costly ingredients. It’s an easy way to turn a budget-friendly vegetable into something that works as a main course or a side dish. As grocery prices rise, this dish helps make the most of every grocery trip.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping
Baked Oat-Crusted Cod Fillets
These baked oat-crusted cod fillets are a cost-effective way to bring seafood to your table. The crispy oat coating makes them feel like a high-end dish without the restaurant price tag. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re an easy solution for busy nights when you need a quick and affordable meal. With grocery prices on the rise, this recipe proves that budget-friendly meals can still feel special.
Get the Recipe: Baked Oat-Crusted Cod Fillets
One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner
This one-pan garlic pepper pork dinner brings bold flavors without the extra cost of takeout. In just 30 minutes, pork, garlic, and peppers come together for a meal that feels fresh and satisfying. The simple ingredients keep costs low while making sure there’s plenty of flavor in every bite. With prices rising, this meal is a smart way to keep home cooking both easy and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner
Breaded Panko Pork Chops
These crispy breaded panko pork chops turn an affordable cut of meat into a meal that feels like a treat. The golden crust locks in flavor, making every bite worth savoring. Ready in under an hour, it’s a great way to make a satisfying dinner without expensive ingredients. Before grocery prices go up, this is one recipe worth keeping in rotation.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a timeless way to turn simple, low-cost ingredients into a meal that feels rich and filling. The creamy chicken filling and flaky crust make it a comfort food classic without the high price tag. It’s easy to make in batches, ensuring leftovers stretch your grocery dollars even further. With food costs rising, this dish is a smart way to feed a crowd without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
French Onion Chicken Skillet
This French onion chicken skillet delivers the deep, rich flavors of classic French onion soup in an easy-to-make skillet meal. Caramelized onions and melted cheese transform simple chicken into something that feels far more indulgent than its cost. Ready in under an hour, it’s a budget-friendly way to bring bold flavors to the table. As prices continue to rise, this dish proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be expensive.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken Skillet
Spinach Lasagna Rolls
These spinach lasagna rolls offer all the comfort of traditional lasagna while keeping costs low. With just pasta, cheese, and spinach, they deliver a hearty meal without pricey ingredients. Ready in 45 minutes, they’re great for weeknight dinners or meal prepping for busy days. With inflation affecting grocery costs, this dish is a smart way to stretch your budget.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Lasagna Rolls
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These BBQ chicken drumsticks turn an inexpensive protein into a flavorful, crispy meal in just 35 minutes. The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping the skin, making them feel like a treat without extra cost. They work just as well for quick dinners or game-day snacking, making them a versatile budget-friendly option. With grocery prices on the rise, this recipe proves that smart cooking keeps meals both affordable and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast With Vegetables
This Cajun-style baked turkey breast is a smart way to serve up a flavorful meal without overspending. The bold seasoning adds depth, while the roasted vegetables make it a complete dinner with minimal effort. It’s perfect for small gatherings or meal prepping for the week ahead. Before grocery prices go up, this meal is an affordable way to bring big flavors to the table.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Style Baked Turkey Breast With Vegetables
Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
This ground beef, zucchini, and rice casserole stretches a small amount of meat into a filling, budget-friendly meal. Cheesy and baked to perfection, it’s ready in just 30 minutes. The combination of rice and vegetables makes it a great way to feed a family without overspending. With grocery costs climbing, this casserole keeps dinner both affordable and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
This cheesy beef and rice casserole transforms simple ingredients into a meal that feels rich and hearty. The melted cheese and seasoned beef bring bold flavors while keeping the cost low. It’s a great way to make leftovers stretch, making it an even smarter choice for tight grocery budgets. With rising prices, this casserole is a must-try for keeping meals both easy and affordable.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This tuna noodle casserole is a go-to meal when you need something budget-friendly and filling. It comes together quickly and reheats well, making it great for leftovers. The combination of creamy sauce, noodles, and canned tuna keeps costs low while delivering big flavor. Before grocery prices rise, this is one dish worth keeping in your recipe box.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
This ground beef pasta skillet is a fast, affordable way to put dinner on the table. Any pasta works for this dish, making it a flexible option based on what’s already in the pantry. Ready in under 30 minutes, it delivers deep flavors that feel like they’ve been simmering all day. As grocery prices rise, this dish proves that good food doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
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