Struggling to feed your family without overspending? Dirt cheap meals can be your saving grace, but finding ones that are actually easy and tasty can feel impossible.
Between busy schedules and rising grocery prices, weeknight dinners can feel more stressful than satisfying.
These dirt cheap meals are quick, delicious, and budget-friendly, making dinner time simple and affordable. Get ready to discover meals your family will love without breaking the bank!
Key Takeaways
- Plan Ahead and Stick to Your List: Planning weekly meals helps you avoid impulse buys and stick to your budget. Check your pantry first and build meals around what you already have.
- Embrace Slow Cooking: Slow cooker recipes use affordable ingredients and save time. Dump everything in the pot in the morning, and dinner is ready when you are.
- Shop at Budget-Friendly Stores: Stores like Aldi offer low-cost options that make meal planning a breeze. Need inspiration? Check out my Aldi meal plans for budget-friendly ideas to plan all month long!
- Use Pantry Staples and Frozen Veggies: Beans, rice, pasta, and canned goods are cheap, versatile, and filling. And don’t knock frozen veggies- they’re just as nutritious as the fresh stuff without the cost.
- Stretch Meat with Fillers: Ground beef, chicken, or pork can go further when combined with rice, beans, or pasta. This keeps meals hearty without stretching your budget.
- Cook Once, Eat Twice: Make double batches of your favorite meals and freeze half for later. This saves time and money while keeping your family fed.
These tips and meal ideas can help you create delicious, stress-free dinners without breaking the bank!
35 Easy Dirt Cheap Meals to Feed Your Hungry Family
1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
I’ve never had a complaint at the table throwing some chicken and rice together in a cheesy sauce like this! It’s a hit with kids because it’s soft and familiar, and it’s easy on the wallet with basic ingredients like chicken breasts and rice.
2. Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Veggies
When chicken is on sale, I know this is on the top of my list to make for dinner! The chicken is nice and flavorful and cheap sides like potatoes or tater tots are classic in our house.
3. Crockpot Meatball Subs
Frozen meatballs, slow-cooked in marinara sauce and then stuffed into buns, are a quick and inexpensive meal to get on the table. Kids love the tasty and messy sauce, and frozen meatballs keep it cheap and easy.
4. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow-cooked pork shoulder smothered in sauce makes sandwiches everyone will love- and your budget will love, too. Pork shoulder is the best pick since it’s one of the cheapest cuts of meat, and it goes far to feed a crowd.
5. Baked Mac & Cheese
Simple and delicious, pasta and cheese can fill us up and keep us satisfied when our wallet is worried about going the distance.
6. Vegetable Frittata
Eggs and veggies can come together for any meal, and getting things on sale or in season means it’ll be cheaper to make. Perfect for breakfast-for-dinner nights, and eggs are always budget-friendly.
7. Slow Cooker Chili
My hearty chili is a budget win because beans are filling and affordable, and it’s fun for kids to top with cheese, crackers, and whatever toppings they feel like.
8. Baked Ziti
Layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese baked to perfection make an easy meal that is great to meal prep. It’s like lasagna without the fuss, and it feeds the whole family on a budget.
9. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Juicy chicken, peppers, and onions wrapped in tortillas — a kid-approved dinner that’s both colorful and fun. Plus, chicken thighs are cheaper and just as tasty as breasts so you can spend a little less to get the same flavor.
10. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
A classic combo that’s easy, comforting, and dirt cheap. Kids never say no to melted cheese on bread!
11. Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Pasta night made easy! Let the sauce simmer all day, and dinner’s ready when you are. Ground beef or turkey keeps it affordable, and spaghetti is a kid favorite.
12. Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken
Sweet and savory chicken with a touch of pineapple. Kids love the hint of sweetness, and it’s budget-friendly with simple pantry staples.
13. Ramen Stir-Fry
Upgrade cheap ramen noodles with some meat and extra sauce. Quick, easy, and way better than plain ramen.
14. Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Top bagels with marinara and cheese, then pop into the air fryer or broil until bubbly. Kids love making (and eating) their own mini pizzas with their favorite toppings.
15. Egg Fried Rice
Leftover rice gets new life with scrambled eggs and veggies. A complete meal for pennies, and it’s fun for kids to eat with a spoon.
16. Slow Cooker Taco Soup
All the flavors of tacos in a hearty soup! Ground beef, beans, and corn make it filling and inexpensive. Top with cheese and chips for a fun dinner.
17. Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Pizza
Sheet pan BBQ chicken pizza is a quick, family-friendly meal that combines smoky BBQ chicken, melty cheese, and crispy crust — all baked in one pan for easy cleanup. It’s the perfect way to enjoy pizza night at home without the hassle or cost of delivery!
18. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Creamy and mild with tender chicken and white beans. It’s an affordable twist on classic chili, and kids love the creamy texture.
19. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Just beans, cheese, and tortillas — ready in minutes. Kids love the gooey cheese, and beans make this meal both affordable and filling.
20. Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Creamy, cheesy potato soup topped with bacon bits. Potatoes are one of the cheapest ingredients, and kids love the creamy, cheesy goodness.
21. BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes
Messy, fun, and super affordable whether you use ground beef or turkey- and trust me, it’s worth some extra cleanup. Just don’t forget some pickles on the side.
22. Shepherd’s Pie
Ground beef can go further when in a tasty sauce, mixed with veggies, and smothered in mashed potatoes. Hearty, filling, and great for using up leftovers.
23. Healthy Stuffed Bell Peppers
Colorful bell peppers stuffed with rice, ground beef, and tomato sauce. A fun way for kids to eat veggies, and rice stretches the filling.
24. One-Pot Jambalaya
A one-pot meal with sausage, chicken, and rice. Full of flavor and budget-friendly since you can use whatever meat you have on hand.
25. Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef in a creamy sauce served over noodles — it’s like fancy comfort food but without the fancy price. Kids love the creamy sauce, and you can use budget-friendly beef cuts.
26. Bacon and Egg Breakfast Burritos
Scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese can get wrapped in a tortilla can make for an easy meal any time of day. Cheap, easy, and portable for busy nights.
27. Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce
Ravioli with brown butter sauce feels fancy but takes just 10 minutes — perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and delicious. The kids will love the rich, nutty flavor, and you’ll love that it’s budget-friendly and effortless!
28. Tater Tot Casserole
This is a kid-approved classic that combines ground beef, veggies, and crispy tater tots on top. It’s warm, filling, and uses budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have in your freezer.
29. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Comfort food at its finest! Chicken, veggies, and biscuits come together for a warm, filling meal. Using canned biscuits makes this cheap and easy.
30. Crock Pot Apple Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin paired with sweet apples creates a flavor-packed dinner that tastes like fall. It’s an affordable way to make a meal that feels special but takes almost no effort.
31. Homemade Hamburger Helper
Skip the boxed stuff! This homemade version uses ground beef, pasta, and a creamy sauce — it’s cheaper, tastier, and ready in under 30 minutes.
32. Best Classic Meatloaf
Juicy, flavorful meatloaf made with simple ingredients like ground beef and breadcrumbs. It’s a nostalgic, budget-friendly dinner that even picky eaters can’t resist.
33. Garlic Pasta With Broccoli
Pasta tossed with sautéed garlic and steamed broccoli is a cheap, healthy win. It’s quick, satisfying, and a sneaky way to get some greens into dinner.
34. Beef Fajitas
Sautéed beef, peppers, and onions wrapped in tortillas make a fun, hands-on meal. Using budget-friendly cuts of beef and simple seasonings keeps it easy on the wallet.
35. Low-Carb Italian Wrap Recipe
Deli meats, cheese, and crisp lettuce wrapped up for a quick, low-carb dinner. It’s affordable, filling, and perfect for nights when you want something lighter but still satisfying.
Cheapest Groceries to Buy on a Budget
Stocking up on these affordable essentials can help you create delicious, dirt cheap meals without overspending:
- Apples – A versatile fruit for snacks, baking, or adding to salads.
- Bananas – Cheap, filling, and perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks.
- Beans (Canned or Dried) – Packed with protein and great for soups, chili, or burritos.
- Bread – Use for sandwiches, toast, or simple meal ideas like grilled cheese.
- Cabbage – Inexpensive, filling, and great for stir-fries or slaws.
- Carrots – Budget-friendly for snacks, soups, or roasting.
- Eggs – A protein powerhouse that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Frozen Vegetables – They’re half the price but full of the same nutrition as fresh veggies.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken – A cheaper protein alternative for burgers, tacos, or pasta.
- Lentils – High in protein, super filling, and perfect for soups or curries.
- Oats – Great for breakfast or baking, and they last a long time.
- Pasta – A pantry staple that’s cheap, filling, and endlessly versatile.
- Peanut Butter – Affordable, protein-packed, and perfect for sandwiches or snacks.
- Potatoes – Super versatile for mashing, roasting, or frying.
- Rice – A cheap staple that pairs with almost any meal.
- Tomatoes (Canned) – Perfect for sauces, soups, and casseroles.
These budget-friendly groceries can help you stretch your meals and keep your family happy without breaking the bank!
Final Thoughts
I know how hard it is to balance everything while staying on budget — every little bit saved helps.
These dirt cheap meals are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or quality to keep your family full and your wallet intact.
You can make great things come together with a few simple and inexpensive ingredients, a bit of planning, and easy recipes, you can make dinners that are quick, delicious, and satisfying.
Save money, save time, and most importantly, enjoy those stress-free dinners with the people you love!
