15 Easy Dinners That Save Money but Not Flavor

You can make delicious and satisfying dinners without spending a lot of money by trying out these cheap and easy recipes. They are all full of great flavor and are simple enough for any night of the week. This collection shows that you do not need a lot of time or cash to feed your family well. You can choose from comforting classics like chicken pot pie to crispy and crunchy tostadas that everyone will enjoy eating together.

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Table of Contents

1 Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chili Mac
2 Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)
3 Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
4 Queso con Chile (Chile and Cheese)
5 Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe with Biscuit Top
6 Potato Tacos Dorados
7 Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino
8 Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican Potatoes)
9 Peanut Butter Chicken
10 Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Patties)
11 Creamy Lemon Chicken
12 Grilled Country-Style Ribs
13 Mexican Green Spaghetti (Espagueti Verde)
14 Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas
15 Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chili Mac

A bowl of cheesy taco pasta topped with melted cheese and herbs. The dish features pasta shells mixed with ground meat and a tomato-based sauce. A fork is placed on the rim of the bowl, which is set on a white cloth. — Gluten-Free Chili Mac (Dairy-Free & Keto Options). Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

This Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chili Mac is like a big warm hug in a bowl that is quick to make and so yummy you will want seconds. It is a perfect example of how inexpensive dinner recipes can be incredibly tasty and filling for the whole family without needing a lot of expensive ingredients.
Get the recipe: Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chili Mac

Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)

A bean tostada served on a decorative blue plate. — Bean Tostadas. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

You can pile crunchy tortillas high with yummy toppings to make Bean Tostadas that are perfect for a quick and cheap lunch or dinner. They are like little crispy pizzas that you can customize with your favorite beans, cheese, and vegetables for a meal everyone will like.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Frijoles

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

A close-up of a sloppy joe sandwich with a hearty meat filling on a sesame seed bun, served on a white plate next to a pile of potato chips. — Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe. Photo by Quiche My Grits

This Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe is ready in about thirty minutes and does not cost much to make. They are a messy and fun dinner that everyone loves, and they are great for a busy night when you need something fast.
Get the recipe: Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe

Queso con Chile (Chile and Cheese)

Queso con Chile served in a decorative blue plate next to pinto beans and a cactus salad. — Queso con Chile. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

The best cheese dip ever is Queso con Chile, which has lots of melty cheese and the great flavor of roasted poblano peppers mixed right in. It is a warm and cheesy dish that is great for dipping chips or for making any simple meal feel a little more special.Get the recipe: Queso con Chile

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe with Biscuit Top

A white casserole dish filled with creamy chicken pot pie topped with golden-brown biscuits. Peas, carrots, and celery are visible among the filling, with a serving already taken out, revealing the rich, savory mixture beneath. — Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. Photo by The Slow Roasted Italian

This Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe with Biscuit Top is filled with tender chicken, creamy soup, and melty cheese. Topped with a fluffy biscuit that makes it so good and a very comforting meal for a family dinner any day of the week.
Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe with Biscuit Top

Potato Tacos Dorados

If you want something crunchy for dinner, you should try Potato Tacos Dorados because they are easy to make and super crispy. They taste awesome with salsa on top and are a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes you might have in your fridge.
Get Recipe: Potato Tacos Dorados

Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

A bowl of spaghetti aglio e olio topped with grated cheese, sliced red chili peppers, and parsley. A fork is tucked into the pasta. A small dish of red pepper flakes is visible in the background. — Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Photo by The Healthful Ideas

Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Pepperoncino is a fancy name for a super simple pasta that you can make with stuff from your pantry. It only takes about fifteen minutes to make this spicy and garlicky dish that tastes amazing and is very light on your budget.
Get the recipe: Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Papas a la Mexicana (Mexican Potatoes)

Two Papas a la Mexicana tacos served on a green plate and surrounded with bowls of potential toppings. — Papas a la Mexicana. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Papas a la Mexicana are Mexican-style potatoes that taste amazing and are great to put inside tacos or to serve as a simple side dish. They will make any meal taste more like real Mexican food and are a very cheap and flavorful way to feed a group.
Get the Recipe: Papas a la Mexicana

Peanut Butter Chicken

Grilled chicken skewers with red bell peppers, garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served on a wooden board with orange slices. — Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Two Kooks In The Kitchen

This Peanut Butter Chicken tastes just like takeout but is better for you, with juicy chicken and crunchy vegetables in a tasty sauce. You can eat it with brown rice, noodles, or just by itself for a perfect family dinner that is both delicious and simple.
Get Recipe: Peanut Butter Chicken

Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Patties)

A white plate holds five golden-brown potato cakes garnished with fresh cilantro. The plate has a blue floral pattern along its border. Next to the plate are three lime halves and a small bowl of green salsa on a light wood surface. — Tortitas de Papa con Atun. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Tortitas de Papa con Atun are the best tuna patties ever, with a crispy and golden outside that everyone loves to eat. They are a very affordable and tasty meal that is perfect for a cheap dinner recipe that feels a little bit special and different.
Get the recipe: Tortitas de Papa con Atun

Creamy Lemon Chicken

A plate of spaghetti topped with sliced, creamy lemon herb chicken. The dish is garnished with parsley and lemon wedges, with a fork resting on the plate. — Creamy Lemon Chicken. Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

Creamy Lemon Chicken comes out super lemony and tender, and the clean-up afterward is super easy and fast for a busy weeknight. Serve with pasta or potatoes and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Creamy Lemon Chicken

Grilled Country-Style Ribs

These Grilled Country-Style Ribs are super tasty and will not break the bank, especially when they are cooked just right so they become very tender. They are a great choice for a barbecue and are a meal that everyone at the table will want more of.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Country-Style Ribs

Mexican Green Spaghetti (Espagueti Verde)

Espagueti Verde is a creamy and savory dish that will make you beg for seconds. Spaghetti tossed in a delicious poblano sauce. This Mexican recipe is great for Meatless Mondays or any day of the week. Watch the Video. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen — Espagueti Verde. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Espagueti Verde is not your regular pasta because it has an awesome creamy green sauce made from poblano peppers that makes it special. This Mexican Green Spaghetti is a fun and different way to serve pasta that has a unique and delicious flavor your family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Espagueti Verde

Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas

A bowl of whole grain penne pasta mixed with fresh spinach and green peas, sprinkled with grated cheese and black pepper. The dish has a light and healthy appearance, with vibrant green vegetables contrasting against the pasta. — Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas. Photo by My Chefs Apron

Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta with Peas is perfect for busy nights because it mixes pasta with green veggies and garlicky Parmesan cheese. You can make the whole dish in just twenty minutes, which makes it a very quick and healthy option for a weeknight meal.
Get the recipe: Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese on a marble surface. The pasta is covered in a rich, orange cheese sauce, with a spoon resting in the bowl. Shredded cheese is scattered in the background, and part of a striped cloth napkin is visible. — Stovetop Mac and Cheese. Photo by Everyday Family Cooking

Making Stovetop Mac and Cheese is super easy because you only need one pot to make this super cheesy and gooey pasta. It is a dish that everyone loves, and having less dishes to wash means you get more time to sit down and eat with your family.
Get the recipe: Stovetop Mac and Cheese