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17 Delicious Meals That Are Easy on Your Wallet

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Making a delicious dinner doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. These recipes are all about using simple and affordable ingredients to create a really tasty meal. They are simple to follow and perfect for feeding your family without any extra stress. Good food really can be both cheap and delicious with the right recipe.

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Bean Tostadas (Tostadas de Frijoles)

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

Bean Tostadas are like crunchy little pizzas made with tortillas that you pile high with toppings. They’re perfect when you want something quick and cheap for a meal.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Frijoles

White Chicken Enchiladas Skillet

A white plate with a serving of cheesy Mexican white chicken enchiladas topped with chopped red onions, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and crumbled cheese, next to a skillet of the same dish and scattered cilantro leaves.
White Chicken Enchiladas Skillet. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

For a weeknight win, try this White Chicken Enchiladas Skillet that’s creamy, cheesy, and full of Mexican flavor. It all cooks in one pan for a meal that’s easy to make and clean up.
Get Recipe: White Chicken Enchiladas Skillet

Peanut Butter Chicken

A plate of brown rice and stir-fried chicken with red bell peppers, snow peas, and peanuts in a sauce. A fork is placed beside the rice.
Peanut Butter Chicken. Photo by 100 Days of Real Food

This Peanut Butter Chicken tastes just like takeout but it’s better for you. It has juicy chicken and crunchy vegetables covered in a super tasty, unique sauce.
Get Recipe: Peanut Butter Chicken

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

Queso con Chile is like the best cheese dip ever with melty cheese and roasted peppers. It’s great for any time you want something warm and cheesy to eat.
Get the recipe: Queso con Chile

Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas

A bowl of whole wheat penne pasta mixed with peas, spinach, and green beans, topped with grated cheese and black pepper.
Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas. Photo by My Chef’s Apron

Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta with Peas is perfect for busy nights and ready in twenty minutes. It mixes pasta with green veggies and garlicky Parmesan cheese.
Get the recipe: Easy Spinach Garlic Pasta With Peas

Grilled Country-Style Ribs

Grilled Country-style Ribs on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs. The meat has visible grill marks, indicating it has been cooked on a barbecue or grill. Some pieces are slightly thicker than others.
Grilled Country-style Ribs. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

These Grilled Country-Style Ribs are super tasty and won’t break the bank when you buy them. They cook up super tender so that everyone will want more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Country-Style Ribs

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 like the best tuna patties ever, crispy and golden on the outside. Everyone loves them as a simple and affordable dinner.
Get the recipe: Tortitas de Papa con Atun

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 and only needs one pot. You get a super cheesy, gooey pasta that everyone in the family loves to eat.
Get the recipe: Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Baked Chicken Tacos

Four crispy tacos filled with shredded meat are served on a white plate with lime wedges and cilantro garnish. More tacos, cilantro, and a small bowl of salsa are visible on the side.
Baked Chicken Tacos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

These Baked Chicken Tacos are cheesy, crispy, and full of great flavor your family will love. They make a perfect dinner idea because they are ready in thirty minutes or even less.
Get the recipe: Baked Chicken Tacos

Potato Tacos Dorados

Potato Tacos Dorados on a white plate topped with green lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled red onions.
Potato Tacos Dorados. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Try Potato Tacos Dorados when you want something crunchy and delicious for dinner. They’re easy to make, super crispy, and taste awesome with your favorite salsa.
Get Recipe: Potato Tacos Dorados

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus

Baked salmon fillets on a tray, topped with lemon slices and garnished with parsley, surrounded by roasted asparagus. A wooden spoon and checkered cloth are beside the tray on a marble surface.
Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus. Photo Living Chirpy

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Asparagus is perfect when you don’t want to wash lots of dishes. Everything cooks on one pan and comes out lemony and tender.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus

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 isn’t your regular pasta because it has a creamy green sauce. The sauce is made with poblano peppers for an extra special taste.
Get the Recipe: Espagueti Verde

30-Minute Chili Mac Recipe

A baked macaroni casserole in a white square dish on a gray cloth. The dish contains elbow macaroni mixed with ground meat and topped with melted cheddar cheese, creating a bubbly and golden-brown crust.
30-Minute Chili Mac Recipe. Photo by Chew Out Loud

30-Minute Chili Mac is like a big warm hug in a bowl and quick to make. It’s so yummy that you’ll probably want to go back for seconds.
Get the recipe: 30-Minute Chili Mac Recipe

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 in tacos or as a side dish. They’ll make any meal taste more like real Mexican food.
Get the Recipe: Papas a la Mexicana

The Best Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

A sloppy joe sandwich with seasoned ground meat and melted cheese on a bun sits on a wooden plate. It's accompanied by wavy potato chips and pickle slices. A glass of a dark-colored beverage is in the background.
Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes. Photo by Busy Creating Memories

Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes mix two awesome foods into one easy sandwich. They’re ready in thirty minutes, don’t cost much, and everyone loves them.
Get the recipe: The Best Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joes

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 dish. You just need pantry stuff and fifteen minutes to make this spicy, garlicky meal.
Get the recipe: Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

A savory muffin filled with creamy chicken, melted cheese, and pieces of colorful vegetables like peas and carrots, showing a gooey interior, placed on a white plate.
Mini Chicken Pot Pies. Photo by Semi Homemade Kitchen

These Mini Chicken Pot Pies are like having your own personal pie filled with tender chicken and veggies. They get topped with a fluffy biscuit and are so good.
Get the recipe: Mini Chicken Pot Pies

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