Eat well on a budget with these super cheap meals. There are easy and cheap recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a busy parent looking to reduce grocery costs, or simply someone passionate about saving money without sacrificing the joy of good food, these budget-friendly recipes will leave your stomach and wallet full. These frugal recipes feature simple, inexpensive pantry staples that are probably already hiding in your kitchen.
From refreshing breakfast ideas to energizing lunchtime staples and hearty dinners, these cheap and easy meals are guaranteed to provide balanced nutrition while keeping your grocery expenses to a minimum.
Whether you are looking for cheap crock pot meals or cheap freezer meals, these meals prove that a tight budget doesn’t mean tight flavor.
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Breakfast Super Cheap Meals
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal from Seduction in the Kitchen
- Baked Eggs in Tomato Cups from Diethood
- Fried Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Great Grub Delicious Treats
- Roasted Apples from Cooking in Stilettos
- Cheesy Egg Baked Toast from Crazy Adventures in Parenting
- Freezer Breakfast Burritos from Budget Bytes
- Omelette from RecipeTin Eats
- Easy Homemade Biscuits from Sugar Spun Run
- Easy French Toast from Simply Recipes
- Simple Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits from Simply Sissom
- Easy Three Ingredient Healthy Muffins from Savvy Saving Couple
- Scrambled Egg Muffins from Allrecipes
- Breakfast Quesadillas from Tastes Better From Scratch
- Egg in a Hole from Allrecipes
- Ham and Egg Cups from Our Table of Seven
- Mexican Egg Scramble from The Cozy Cook
- Basic Crepes from Allrecipes
- Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole from Family Fresh Meals
- Breakfast Casserole from Kevin and Amanda
- Breakfast Grits from Allrecipes
- Tomato Cheese Toast from Eat Good 4 Life
- Breakfast Cookies from A Big Man’s World
- Flourless 3 Ingredient Pancakes from Chocolate Covered Katie
- Fried Cornmeal Mush from Allrecipes
- Classic Waffles from I Wash You Dry
- Homemade Cereal Bars from Healthy Food for Living
- Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal from Delish
- Apple Toast from Allrecipes
- Scrambled Egg and Cheese Bagel from My Recipes
- Scrambled Egg Muffins from Allrecipes
- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Pizza from Betty Crocker
- Frittias from Budget Bytes
- Hash Browns from All Recipes
- Easy Homemade Yogurt from Wellness Mama
Lunch Dirt Cheap Recipes
- PB & J Banana Sandwiches from Delish
- Fried Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Great Grub Delicious Treats
- Fried Bologna Sandwiches from Food.com
- Three-Ingredient Tomato Sandwich from Cup of Jo
- Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Quesadillas from Budget Bytes
- Apple and Peanut Butter Wrap from Ready Set Eat
- Peanut Butter Banana + Honey Roll Ups from Nutrition Experts
- Egg & Tomato Sandwich from Food.com
- Classic BLT Sandwich from Through Her Looking Glass
- Chicken Salad Spread from Allrecipes
- Bagel, Cucumber, Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Sandwich from Food.com
- Leftover Stuffing Muffins from Budget Bytes
- Classic Tuna Salad from Dinner, Then Dessert
- Stuffed Pepper Tuna Melts from Kirbie’s Cravings
- Black Bean Burger from Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Black Bean Soup from Honey and Birch
- Egg Salad Sandwiches from Allrecipes
- Tuna Melts from Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes from Eating on a Dime
- 3 Ingredient Tomato Soup from Inspired Taste
- Easy Taco Lettuce Wrap from The Girl Who Ate Everything
Dinner Super Cheap Meals
Mexican Dinner Ideas
- Bean Burritos from Taste of Home
- Poor Man’s Burrito Bowl from Budget Bytes
- 10 Minute Oven Baked Tostados from Yellow Bliss Road
- Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas from Dashing Dish
- 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas from Southern Bite
- Creamy Black Bean Taquitos from Budget Bytes
- Chicken Quesadillas from The Spruce Eats
- Salsa Chicken from Gimme Some Oven
- One Pan Crack Bean Burritos from Heather Likes Food
- Mexican Rice and Beans from Simple Green Moms
- Paprika Chicken from Allrecipes
Italian & Asian Dinner Ideas
- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce from Ready Set Eat
- French Bread Pizza from Budget Bytes
- 5-Ingredient Spinach Parmesan Pasta from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Butter Noodles from Foodie Crush
- 3 Ingredient Ravioli Bake from Instrupix
- Stuffed Bell Peppers from Creme De La Crumb
- English Muffin Pizzas from Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Creamy Tomato Angel Hair Pasta from The Comfort of Cooking
- Texas Toast Pizza from Crafty Morning
- 3-Ingredient Italian Chicken from Pillsbury
- Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti from Damn Delicious
- Garlic Chicken from Allrecipes
- Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches from Home Cooking Memories
- Pasta with 5 Ingredient Butter Tomato Sauce from Budget Bytes
- Italian Mac and Cheese from Popsugar
- Crispy Baked Tofu from Cookie and Kate
- Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles from The Salty Marshmallow
- Easy Fried Rice from The Country Cook
American Dinner Ideas
- Chili Cheese Hot Dog Bake from My Incredible Recipes
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Broccoli and Cheese Potatoes from Budget Bytes
- Hamburger Casserole from Tried and Tasty
- Beans ‘N Franks from Allrecipes
- Two Ingredient Crispy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken from Bowl of Delicious
- Cheesy Chili Spaghetti from The Hungry Hedgehog
- Ground Beef and Potato Casserole from A Taste of Madness
- Grandma’s Salmon Patties from The Farmwife Cooks
- Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet from Budget Bytes
- Ham and White Beans from Plain Chicken
- Chicken and Stuffing Casserole from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Tuna Casserole from Allrecipes
- Chili Dog Biscuit Casserole from The Salty Marshmallow
- Hamburger and Potato Casserole from South Your Mouth
- Butter Chicken from Allrecipes
- Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheesy Rice Casserole from Allrecipes
- Mac and Cheese from Sweetest Kitchen
- Black Beans and Rice from Allrecipes
- 5 Ingredient Chili from Gimme Some Oven
- Easy Chicken Parmesan from Crazy for Crust
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings from Allrecipes
- Tater Tot Bake from Allrecipes
- Lazy Beef and Noodles from The Frugal Navy Wife
- Poor Man’s Husband Casserole from From Gate to Plate
Side Dish Dirt Cheap Recipes
- Oven Fries from Taste of Home
- Skillet Green Beans from Healthy Seasonal Recipes
- Pan Roasted Corn from Ready Set Eat
- Simple Sheet Pan Roasted Carrots from The Chunky Chef
- Classic Potato Pancakes from COOKTORIA
- Homemade Cornbread from Budget Bytes
- Roasted Cabbage Slices from Wellness Mama
- Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries from Cookie and Kate
- Buttery Cooked Carrots from Allrecipes
- Homemade French Bread from The Frugal Girls
- Corn on the Cob from Spicy Southern Kitchen
- Southern Fried Apples from Divas Can Cook
- Cheesy Pinto Beans from Budget Bytes
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes from Gimme Some Oven
- Seasoned Rice from Budget Bytes
Super Cheap Snacks
- Perfect Stovetop Popcorn from Simply Recipes
- Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananas from Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Baked Cinnamon Banana Chips from Popsugar
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oat Squares from Listotic
- Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips from Budget Bytes
- 2-Ingredient Banana and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bites from The Baker Mama
- Healthy Three-Ingredient Rice Krispie Treats from The Big Man’s World
- Homemade Potato Chips from As Easy As Apple Pie
- Simple Strawberry Smoothie from A Spicy Perspective
- Homemade Applesauce from The Forked Spoon
- Apple Nachos with Peanut Butter and Chocolate from Trial and Eater
- Homemade Hummus from Allrecipes
- Homemade 3 Ingredient Guacamole from Pillsbury
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars from Budget Bytes
Dessert Dirt Cheap Recipes
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies from Yummy Supper
- Grandma’s Bread Pudding from Live Well Bake Often
- Easy Apple Crisp from Land O Lakes
- Banana Bread from Simply Recipes
- Vanilla Pudding from Allrecipes
- Easy Sugar Cookies from Spend with Pennies
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookies from Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Desserts from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Peach Cobbler from Life in the Lofthouse
- Oatmeal Muffins from Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Butter Cookies from Cup of Jo
- Brownies from Good Cheap Eats
- Creamy Rice Pudding from Allrecipes
- Peanut Butter Fudge from Brown Eyed Baker
Do you have a super cheap meal that you would like to share? Please let me know in the comments!
Super Cheap Meal FAQ
Breakfast: Eggs and toast are both classic and one of the cheapest breakfast options. Eggs are a great source of protein and can be cooked in various ways – scrambled, fried, or boiled. Pair them with a slice of toast to have a nutritious and filling start to your day. To mix things up, add a sprinkle of herbs, a slice of cheese, or a few spinach leaves for an extra nutrient kick without breaking the bank.
Lunch: A tuna salad sandwich is your wallet’s best friend. Canned tuna is incredibly affordable and packed with protein. Mix it with some mayo, chopped celery, and onion for crunch. Spread it on bread and top it with some lettuce, and voila – a simple, satisfying, and cheap lunch. If you’re not a fan of tuna, canned chicken or chickpeas are great alternatives and just as budget-friendly.
Dinner: When it comes to dinner, pasta is the star player in the budget meal lineup. It’s cheap and filling, and the variations are endless. You can toss in whatever vegetables are on sale at your local grocery store. Zucchini, bell peppers, and canned tomatoes are excellent choices. Boost the nutritional value with a sprinkle of cheese or a handful of leafy greens, and you have an economical and crowd-pleasing meal.
There you have it! Three cheap meals that are easy to make. Remember, budget-friendly recipes don’t have to be boring – a little creativity goes a long way in the kitchen!
More Cheap and Easy Recipes
- 100 Cheap and Easy Crockpot Recipes
- 100 Cheap and Easy Freezer Meals
- 120 Cheap and Healthy Dinner Recipes
- 50 Best Poor Man’s Recipes
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Sis says
“Katsudon” from college days: Make rice. Cook pork chops or steaks until cooked thru. Cut into strips or bite-sized pieces. Set aside. Slice 1/2 head cabbage and 1 whole onion into thin slices. In the same pan, cook cabbage and onion in 2 cups water with a generous sprinkling of soy sauce (about 15 minutes). Combine meat with cabbage to reheat. Serve over rice with more soy sauce if desired.
Note: I cook the meat first and slice cabbage/onion. Then, i cook the cabbage/onion while the rice cooks. I’ve used more meat and less meat, depending on $ – always good.
Anna Spooner says
A lot of these links don’t work anymore — I think it’s time to update this list.
Amanda Geering says
Your creative posts are so inspiring, I really love how down to earth you are with your writing and cooking style!
Capt Alan Deutschmann says
Capt Stephy
Like your 150 Recipes
I was thinking this morning.
The food banks that give away boxes of food should put your CD in every box!!!
A old proverb: Teach him to fish and ……………………….
Another tip from Uncle Alan
Heather Boyce says
Any recipe with parmesan cheese is not inexpensive.
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Heather,
You can get parmesan cheese shredded or grated for under $2 at Walmart or even ALDI. Of course, this varies by state, but I’m in the US south, and it’s as cheap as any other cheese here.
Hope that helps,
Stephy
Heather says
Yes you can
Teresa Martin says
One of my favorite side dishes is what I call Tex-Mex mac and cheese. Use jarred chili con queso (I like Tostitos) instead of regular cheese sauce. Guaranteed to knock your socks off. I also make a cheap mac and cheese dish using either hamburger or tuna. Boil the noodles from the cheap kind of boxed mac and cheese. Add meat, cream of mushroom soup and cheese packet. Then add milk a little at a time til you get the right consistency. Heat to boiling and serve. I don’t like hot tuna, but I love this.
Tytania says
Thanks for these ideas, friend! I’m really broke this month… When I can’t make ends meet, some of my favourite budget recipes are tabbouleh salad, corn chowder, butternut squash risotto or chicken wings paella.
This is my recipes blog:
http://micocinitadejuguete.blogspot.com
Samantha Jackson says
I’m surprised there weren’t too many casserole dishes on this list. Every time I’m poor I literally just bake a leftover casserole. It uses up the majority of my leftovers so I’m saving my money:)
Kelley says
BBQ chicken cornbread bake. You can use either leftover chicken if you have enough or just boil some & then save broth to make chicken soup for another meal. Shred cooked chicken combine with bbq sauce put in med size baking dish. Make cornbread mix. Sometimes I add mild cheddar cheese or small can of corn. Pour over bbq chicken bake till cornbread is fully cooked serve with a side salad. A 9 by 13 pan can feed up to 4/6 depending how big an eater they are.
Vanessa says
This is a good list! I like that there are dessert ideas too!
Sue Stoppard says
An English staple egg and chips and peas….a fried egg any way you like serve with some french fries on the side and some drained heated canned green peas. I usually top with ketchup.
prudentpennypincher.com says
Oh yum! That sounds like a cheap and easy recipe. I will have to try that sometime! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
bhurg says
Ewww! Ketchup on eggs? No!
Joe Mama says
Listen, who cares if you like it? Keep your childish comments to yourself
Turd Burgher says
spoken like a true toddler