12 Easy Budget Friendly Dinner Ideas

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Do you struggle coming up with dinner ideas that you can squeeze into that tight budget? Are you searching for some recipes to help with your busy week while also saving you money? In this post, I have included some of my favorite budget dinner ideas to help you out.

It is possible to cook delicious meals on a budget. The recipes I have included in this round-up are some of my family’s favorites.

Since food is the largest budget line item we have in our family, I have struggled with cutting my grocery bill down. It wasn’t until I sat down and started looking into it that I realized it was a problem that needed to be addressed.

Check out A Simple Grocery Budget You Can Stick With if you need help cutting your grocery bill down too.

Some of my Quick Tips for grocery shopping are :

  • Know what you already have
  • Stick to your list
  • Use coupons and grocery apps
  • Meal plan

Saving money is everyone’s favorite but making budgets isn’t easy. They are not at the top of anyone’s “want to do list”.

My favorite resource for cheap meals is The $5 Meal Plan!

If budgeting is something you struggle with check out The Easiest Budget for Beginners or Simple 50/30/20 Budget Method Explained

Here are 12 of Our Favorite Budget Friendly Dinner Ideas

1. Cheeseburger Cups

Cheeseburger Cups in muffin tin
Image by tasteofhome.com

2. Taco Pasta

taco pasta in skillet
Image by Motherthyme.com

3. Easy Chicken Fried Rice

chicken fried rice on plate with chop sticks
Image by iowagirleats.com

4. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

pulled pork snadwich and sauce
image by tablespoon.com

5. Beef Stroganoff

beef stroganoff in bowl with spoon
image by Pillsbury Kitchens

6. Sloppy Joe Casserole

sloppy joe casserole in glass pan
image by cravingsofalunatic.com

7. Chicken & Rice

chicken and rice on plate
Image by thecountrycook.com

8. Crockpot Potato Soup

crockpot potato soup in bowl with spoon
Image by thegirlwhoateeverything.com

9. Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti on plate with salad and toast
Image by cookingwithcarlee.com

10. Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole on plate
Image by momontimeout.com

11. Easy Tuna Patties

Easy Tune Patties in skillet
Image by familyfreshmeals.com

12. Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli in dish with serving spoon
Image by damndelicious.com

Thank you for checking these out.

For more helpful content see these below:

Frugal vs Cheap: How to Tell the Difference

Why Time Blocking Increases Productivity

5 Tips to Minimize Distractions and Get Back on Task