17 Wallet-Friendly Dinners For The Whole Family

Making great meals for your family does not have to be expensive. These recipes are all about saving money while still eating well. You can make simple soups, tasty tacos, and filling casseroles that everyone will enjoy. They use low-cost ingredients but are still full of good flavor. The best thing is that they are all very easy to put together, even on a busy weeknight when you are short on time.

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Table of Contents

1 Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)
2 Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake
3 Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice
4 Enfrijoladas (Bean Enchiladas)
5 Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
6 Bean Pozole (Pozole de Frijol)
7 Brown Gravy Smothered Hamburger Steaks
8 Potato Tacos Dorados
9 Baked Tortellini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella
10 Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Potato Patties)
11 High Protein Pasta Salad
12 Espagueti Verde (Green Spaghetti)
13 Vegan Southwest Salad with Cilantro Jalapeno Cashew Dressing
14 Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
15 Tostada de Atun (Tuna Tostadas)
16 Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake
17 Hamburger Noodle Casserole with Cheese

Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)

A colorful plate holds a crispy tostada topped with layers of guacamole, black beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, fresh cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. The vibrant ingredients create a visually appealing and appetizing dish. — Tostaguac. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Tostaguac is a fun meal where crunchy tostadas are topped with creamy guacamole. It is a simple dish that is perfect for a quick and tasty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tostaguac

Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

A baked lasagna in a white rectangular dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh herbs. The dish is surrounded by a small bowl of grated cheese, another bowl of chopped herbs, a woven basket, a plate, and a folded orange cloth. — Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake. Photo by

This baked pasta dish uses cottage cheese to make a super creamy sauce. The Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake is a budget-friendly meal that the whole family will love.
Get Recipe: Cottage Cheese Pasta Bake

Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice

A red bowl filled with vegetable fried rice garnished with green onions, peas, and carrots. Wooden chopsticks with a red patterned handle rest on the bowl's rim. The bowl is placed on a dark wooden surface. — Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice. Photo by Masala Herb

You can make this fried rice taste just like the restaurant version at home. This Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice uses leftover rice and basic, affordable vegetables.
Get Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Fried Rice

Enfrijoladas (Bean Enchiladas)

A plate of enfrijoladas, topped with crumbled cheese and cilantro, is displayed on a wooden table. Nearby are bowls containing sliced jalapeños and crumbled cheese, with a keychain and cilantro leaves scattered alongside some pinto beans. — Enfrijoladas. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

For a meatless meal, try these Enfrijoladas where tortillas are dipped in bean sauce. They are stuffed with cheese for a simple and very satisfying dinner.
Get the recipe: Enfrijoladas de Queso

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

A bowl of chicken and rice soup garnished with chopped parsley. The soup contains shredded chicken, diced carrots, and celery, in a seasoned broth. A spoon rests in the bowl, and additional soup and lemon wedges are visible nearby. — Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup. Photo by One Pot Only

This soup is a comforting meal that you can make quickly in your Instant Pot. The Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is filled with tender chicken, rice, and vegetables.
Get Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Bean Pozole (Pozole de Frijol)

A close-up of a bowl of Mexican pozole verde, showcasing a hearty soup made with hominy, pinto beans, and shredded cabbage. The dish is topped with sliced radishes, jalapeños, and cilantro, with a hint of lime visible on the side. A spoon rests in the bowl, ready to eat. — Bean Pozole. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Bean Pozole is a hearty and meat-free soup that is full of great flavor. It uses simple things like beans and hominy to make a big, comforting pot.
Get Recipe: Pozole de Frijol

Brown Gravy Smothered Hamburger Steaks

A cast iron skillet containing Salisbury steaks in rich brown gravy. The skillet is topped with several patties smothered in the thick, glossy sauce. A deep red napkin is wrapped around the handle of the skillet, resting on a white surface. — Brown Gravy Smothered Hamburger Steaks. Photo by Razzle Dazzle Life

These Hamburger Steaks are a classic meal made with ground beef patties. They are smothered in a rich brown gravy that makes the whole dish feel special.
Get Recipe: Brown Gravy Smothered Hamburger Steaks

Potato Tacos Dorados

These are crispy fried tacos that are stuffed with delicious mashed potatoes. Potato Tacos Dorados are a cheap and tasty option that everyone enjoys.
Get Recipe: Potato Tacos Dorados

Baked Tortellini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

A close-up view of a baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh basil leaves. The pasta appears to be tortellini coated in a rich tomato sauce, served in a white baking dish. — Baked Tortellini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella. Photo by Where Is My Spoon

This easy dish features cheese-filled tortellini baked with tomatoes and mozzarella. The Baked Tortellini is a comforting pasta meal that comes together with very little effort.
Get Recipe: Tortellini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Tortitas de Papa con Atun (Tuna Potato 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

You can make these crispy patties by mixing mashed potatoes and canned tuna. These Tuna Potato Patties are a cheap meal that still feels like a treat for dinner.
Get the recipe: Tortitas de Papa con Atun

High Protein Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with penne, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, red onions, and bell peppers, tossed with herbs and dressing. A fork rests in the bowl. — High Protein Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Olivias Kitchen

This High Protein Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh veggies and chickpea pasta. A light Greek yogurt dressing makes it a healthy and filling meal any day.
Get the recipe: High Protein Pasta Salad

Espagueti Verde (Green Spaghetti)

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 a tasty pasta dish covered in a creamy green sauce. The herby sauce is made with spinach and gives the pasta great flavor.
Get the Recipe: Espagueti Verde

Vegan Southwest Salad with Cilantro Jalapeno Cashew Dressing

A bowl of salad with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, radishes, red onion, yellow bell peppers, and lettuce, topped with a creamy green dressing. A fork rests inside the bowl. — Vegan Southwest Salad. Photo credit: Resplendent Kitchen

This Vegan Southwest Salad is both light and packed with bold flavors. It gets a creamy and tasty kick from its cilantro jalapeño cashew dressing.
Get the recipe: Vegan Southwest Salad with Cilantro Jalapeno Cashew Dressing

Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

A bowl of creamy orange soup garnished with a swirl of white cream, black pepper, and small green sprouts, sits on a dark blue, textured surface. The soup appears smooth and appetizing. — Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup. Photo by Happy Kitchen

This soup is both nutritious and filling because of the lentils and sweet potatoes. The Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup tastes rich but is made from cheap ingredients.
Get Recipe: Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

Tostada de Atun (Tuna Tostadas)

Tostada de Atún on a wooden surface surrounded by avocado, cilantro, and a decorative blue plate. — Tuna Tostadas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Tuna Tostadas are a light meal that uses canned tuna and fresh veggies. They come together in just minutes, which is perfect for a fast and easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tostada de Atun

Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake

A close-up of a baked pasta dish with rotini noodles, creamy sauce, melted cheese, mushrooms, and spinach. The dish is in a white casserole dish placed on a floral-patterned cloth with a wooden spoon partially visible on the side. — Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake. Photo by Rachel Hartley Nutrition

This baked pasta gets its creaminess from a sauce made with cauliflower. The Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake is a tasty way to include more veggies in your meal.
Get Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Pasta Bake

Hamburger Noodle Casserole with Cheese

A round, white dish filled with baked pasta, topped with melted cheese, ground meat, tomato sauce, and garnished with chopped green onions, sits on a marble surface. A slice of bread and green onions are beside the dish. A white cloth is partially visible on the side. — Hamburger Noodle Casserole with Cheese. Photo by

This casserole is pure comfort food with ground beef, egg noodles, and cheese. The Hamburger Noodle Casserole is a simple and affordable meal that families always love.
Get Recipe: Hamburger Noodle Casserole with Cheese