The best budget friendly dinners to make that cost under 20 dollars for the entire meal and less than 5 dollars per serving. Choose from my family's favorite cheap dinner recipes made with beef, pork, chicken, or seafood. I break down the cost for each protein so you can get your grocery list ready to go!
Check out my budget-friendly casseroles or my budget Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner menus for more cheap meal ideas.
Jump to:
- How It Works
- Beef & Ground Beef
- 1. Ground Beef Tacos
- 2. Slow Cooker Goulash
- 3. Creamy Beef and Shells
- 4. Ground Beef Taquitos
- 5. Chili con Carne
- 6. Ground Beef Stroganoff
- 7. Beef Enchiladas
- 8. Beefaroni
- 9. Baked Scotch Eggs
- 10. Chicken Fried Cube Steak
- 11. Beef with Garlic Sauce
- Chicken
- 12. Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
- 13. Chicken Schnitzel
- 14. Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
- 15. Shredded Chicken Enchiladas
- 16. Chicken Quesadillas
- 17. Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
- 18. Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- 19. Crispy Panko Chicken Tenderloins
- 20. Mushroom Chicken
- 21. Cream Cheese Chicken
- Pork
- 22. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
- 23. Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs
- 24. Pork Picnic Roast
- 25. Air Fryer Pork Steaks
- 26. Cajun Sausage Pasta
- 27. Baked Ziti
- 28. Grilled Pork Steaks
- 29. Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
- 30. Air Fryer Baby Back Pork Ribs
- 31. Broiled Pork Chops
- 32. Slow Cooker Pork Loin
- Seafood, Fish & Shrimp
- 33. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
- 34. Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
- 35. BBQ shrimp
- 36. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
- 37. Creamy Seafood Pasta
- 38. Air Fryer Tilapia
- 39. Pan Seared Salmon with Crispy Skin
- 40. Grilled Haddock
- 💭 Tips For Making Dinner On A Budget
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 39+ Budget Friendly Dinners To Make With Chicken, Beef, Pork, or Seafood!
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
As an adult, I've come to realize some of my favorite childhood meals were budget recipes that mom or grandma had to throw together when we were pinching pennies. It just goes to show that it's not the price of the ingredients but the comforting flavors and love poured into the meal.
So, I decided to break down some of my family's favorite recipes and narrow them down to a list of inexpensive and delicious dinners for anyone on a budget. Each recipe costs under 20 dollars in total and is less than 5 dollars per serving!
I hope that this list can be of help to everyone that's struggling with job issues, inflation, or whatever hurdle life has thrown at you!
How It Works
I categorized the list by protein, with the current price per pound in April 2024 for each protein used. The recipes are in descending order from the cheapest per serving to the priciest (but still reasonable)!
Be aware that these prices can vary by region, and they only reflect prices in the U.S. Also, I did not include cooking oil or seasonings in the total price for each recipe because these are things that most people have on hand already.
Beef & Ground Beef
Ground beef is going to be one of the most cost-efficient protein options and it's great for stocking the freezer. Other cuts of beef can be economical, like top sirloin, if you are using it in a recipe that doesn't have additional expensive ingredients.
Here's an average U.S. price per pound for the beef proteins I use in the following recipes:
- Ground Beef - $5.88/lb
- Cube Steak - $5.91/lb
- Top Sirloin - $9.99/lb
1. Ground Beef Tacos
Ground beef taco meat is easy to make with a pound of beef and a packet of taco seasoning (or my homemade beef taco seasoning). A box of hard taco shells is only a few bucks and you can call it good there, or add cheese and your favorite taco toppings.
Average Price: $7.97 for 6 tacos
Price Per Serving: $1.33 per taco
2. Slow Cooker Goulash
Crockpot recipes aren't just convenient; their method of slow cooking draws out flavor, allowing you to achieve great taste with fewer ingredients. Goulash is an all-in-one meal with tender macaroni noodles, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of seasoned beef and melted cheese.
Average Price: $11.45 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.91 per serving
3. Creamy Beef and Shells
Creamy beef and shells is one of my daughter's most requested dinners. It's so simple that I never mind whipping it up. It features seasoned ground beef in a creamy tomato sauce tossed with pasta, and it's on the table in 20 minutes!
Average Price: $15.51 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.94 per serving
4. Ground Beef Taquitos
Everyone's tried the frozen taquitos, but nothing compares to crispy fried ground beef taquitos made from scratch. All it takes is corn tortillas, onion, ground beef, seasonings, plus cheese if you like (I do)!
Average Price: $10.39 for 6 servings ($12.36 if adding optional cheese)
Price Per Serving: $1.72 per serving ($2.06 per serving with cheese)
5. Chili con Carne
My meaty chili con carne has beef, beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and a perfect level of heat from my signature blend of herbs and spices. Chili recipes are great for feeding large families and planned-overs because they taste even better after refrigeration and reheating!
Average Price: $20.00 for 10 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.00 per serving
6. Ground Beef Stroganoff
My 30-minute beef stroganoff recipe uses ground beef in place of the sliced steak used in traditional beef stroganoff, but it has all the same flavor at half the price. My guide on how to make the best beef stroganoff still applies to this ground beef version, and has helpful tips on making the best sour cream sauce!
You don't need side dishes necessarily, but if you want some, see my beef stroganoff side dish suggestions here.
Average Price: $17.88 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.24 per serving
7. Beef Enchiladas
I often use my homemade red enchilada sauce, but sometimes I take a shortcut and grab a good quality can of sauce at the store for just a couple of bucks. Beef enchiladas are delicious and a super easy weeknight dinner if your family enjoys Mexican recipes.
Average Price: $18.43 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.30 per serving
8. Beefaroni
Cheese, ground beef, tomato sauce, and pasta is a classic combo that never fails. My homemade beefaroni tastes even better than the canned version you might remember from childhood!
Average Price: $14.69 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.54 per serving
9. Baked Scotch Eggs
Sometimes, I serve baked Scotch eggs as an appetizer, but they're incredibly filling and packed with protein, so they make a great main course, too. I almost always have a batch of my homemade Panko breadcrumbs on hand, but still included a store bought container of Panko in the total price.
Average Price: $11.48 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.87 per serving
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
10. Chicken Fried Cube Steak
Chicken fried steak is classic Southern comfort food made with battered and fried cube steak that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Homemade white country gravy is quick and inexpensive, or you can buy a package of white gravy mix for under a dollar.
Average Price: $12.38 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.09 per serving
11. Beef with Garlic Sauce
My beef with garlic sauce recipe can be made with flank steak or top sirloin, top sirloin being the more inexpensive option. Sliced and wok-fried with mushrooms, onions, and soy sauce, it's a great family dinner for when you're craving Chinese takeout.
Average Price: $15.80 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.95 per serving
Chicken
On top of being one of the most popular protein choices in the world, chicken breasts, thighs, and tenders also tend to be fairly inexpensive. I like to keep chicken on hand always, so I buy large 'family-sized' packages to separate and freeze them in portions.
Here's an average U.S. price per pound for the cuts of chicken I use in the following recipes:
- Bone-In Chicken Thighs - $3.99/lb
- Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts - $4.94/lb
- Chicken Tenderloins - $5.99/lb
12. Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are less expensive than chicken breasts and have much more flavor, needing nothing more than a little all-purpose seasoning. Chicken thighs taste great with almost everything - I usually opt for some quick vegetable side dishes, white rice, or oven-roasted potatoes.
Average Price: $10.16 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.69 per serving
13. Chicken Schnitzel
Anyone who enjoys crispy fried chicken will love chicken schnitzel made with thin chicken cutlets that are battered, breaded, and fried. For sides, check out my page on what to serve with chicken schnitzel.
Average Price: $8.98 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.25 per serving
14. Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
Tender chunks of cooked chicken breast, broccoli florets, fluffy brown rice, and melted cheddar in an easy set-it-and-forget-it crockpot casserole. No side dishes are necessary!
Average Price: $13.59 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.26 per serving
15. Shredded Chicken Enchiladas
I like using shredded chicken thighs for enchiladas because they have so much flavor, but you can also use leftover rotisserie chicken, chicken breasts, or whatever you have. Mix it with cheese and green chiles, wrap in tortillas, cover in enchilada sauce, and bake.
Average Price: $19.02 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.38 per serving
16. Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken quesadillas are great for using leftover cooked chicken. They are completely customizable, from the cheese to the veggies and even the spice level. The recipe is a great base, plus I have a guide on how to make quesadillas for any unanswered questions.
Average Price: $10.76 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.69 per serving
17. Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
Fire up the grill or heat a grill pan for my quick and flavorful teriyaki-glazed chicken skewers! Homemade teriyaki sauce works if you have the ingredients, although I did include a bottle of store-bought teriyaki sauce in the total price for convenience.
Average Price: $18.00 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.00 per serving
18. Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Juicy chicken, salty bacon, ranch seasoning, creamy alfredo sauce, cheese, and noodles cooked to perfection in the crockpot. There's practically no prep work if you skip the homemade alfredo sauce and go for a jar of pre-made.
Average Price: $19.70 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.29 per serving
19. Crispy Panko Chicken Tenderloins
Chicken tenderloins make for the best chicken tenders, and who doesn't love golden and crunchy white meat chicken tenders? I'm partial to the crispy Panko coating, but you could always save a few dollars if you go the low-carb route with seasoned and baked chicken tenderloins.
Average Price: $14.49 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.62 per serving
20. Mushroom Chicken
Crimini mushrooms in a velvety cream sauce over juicy pan-fried chicken breast cutlets. You can even double up on the mushrooms if your family enjoys them - it will bulk up the meal! Serve over rice pilaf or any of my favorite chicken side dishes.
Average Price: $18.69 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.67 per person
21. Cream Cheese Chicken
My cream cheese chicken thighs have a rich and tangy sauce made from cream cheese, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and cheddar. Swap the thighs for chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts, and the recipe works all the same!
Average Price: $19.08 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.77 per serving
Pork
Pork tends to be more inexpensive than beef and sometimes cheaper than chicken. You have a lot more options when shopping for pork on a budget, and each offers a different texture and flavor.
Here's an average U.S. price per pound for the cuts of pork I use in the following recipes:
- Pork Shoulder - $1.99/lb
- Pork Picnic Roast - $2.44/lb
- Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs - $2.99/lb
- Pork Loin - $3.40/lb
- Andouille Sausage - $3.97/lb
- Baby Back Pork Ribs - $3.99/lb
- Pork Steaks - $4.27/lb
- Pork Chops - $4.54/lb
- Italian Sausage - $4.99/lb
22. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
If you can get your hands on a 6-pound pork shoulder, grab a packet of taco seasoning, a can of chiles in adobo, and two oranges for the easiest slow-cooker pork carnitas recipe. We often like to make carnitas tacos with flour tortillas, but it also makes a great topping for salads or burrito bowls.!
Average Price: $16.18 for 10 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.62 per serving
23. Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs
Country-style pork ribs cook up nice and juicy, plus there are no pesky bones to worry about- they're all meat! If you want to round out your rib dinner with a few sides, see what to serve with pork ribs.
Average Price: $7.49 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.87 per serving
24. Pork Picnic Roast
If you want a hearty roast dinner without breaking the bank, I recommend a pork picnic roast. At only 2.44 per pound, it's perfect for feeding a crowd and only needs a little pork roast seasoning and some time in the oven.
Average Price: $11.32 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.89 per serving
25. Air Fryer Pork Steaks
Pork steaks are incredibly underrated in the world of steak dinners, and they are pretty inexpensive for a large cut of meat. When I'm short on time, I quickly cook them to perfection in the air fryer because it's less mess and hassle than grilling!
Average Price: $7.76 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.94 per serving
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
26. Cajun Sausage Pasta
With andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning, this creamy Cajun pasta has no shortage of flavor. It's a quick one-pot meal you can whip up any day of the week.
Average Price: $12.86 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.14 per serving
27. Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is an Italian classic that costs more to order out than it does to make from scratch at home! With my tasty ricotta cheese filling and ground Italian sausage, this easy pasta bake always hits the spot.
Average Price: $19.47 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.43 per serving
28. Grilled Pork Steaks
If you have time, you can't beat the smokey flame-kissed flavor of pork steaks hot off the grill. This is a better alternative to the air fryer version above if you need to cook more than two steaks.
Average Price: $10.04 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.51 per serving
29. Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops
Canned cream of mushroom soup comes in handy for last-minute inexpensive meals and is a great ingredient to keep stocked in your pantry. These saucy cream of mushroom pork chops are the perfect example!
Average Price: $15.76 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $3.94 per serving
30. Air Fryer Baby Back Pork Ribs
It's hard to believe you can get succulent, fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs on a budget, and even more unbelievable that you can make them in the air fryer. Slather them in your favorite pork dry rub and BBQ sauce for a finger-licking rib dinner!
Average Price: $16.00 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.00 per serving
31. Broiled Pork Chops
My oven-broiled method makes the perfect pork chops that are nicely seared on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside. All you need is the pork chops, a baking dish, a little butter, and some pork seasoning.
Average Price: $16.34 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.08 per serving
32. Slow Cooker Pork Loin
Pork loins are tender and easy to cook, and you can oftentimes find them already seasoned though I like using my own pork roast seasoning. Toss it in the crockpot with carrots, onions, and potatoes, and let it cook undisturbed until dinnertime.
For side dish suggestions, check out what to serve with pork tenderloin here.
Average Price: $19.28 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.82 per serving
Seafood, Fish & Shrimp
When you think of cooking on a budget, seafood might not be the first protein to come to mind. However, shrimp, some fish, and frozen seafood can be pretty inexpensive and it's a bonus that it's easy to prepare.
Here's an average U.S. price per pound for the seafood I use in the following recipes:
- Frozen, Peeled, Tail-On Small Shrimp - $5.00/lb
- Frozen Seafood Mix - $5.17/lb
- Frozen Salmon Filets - $4.99/lb
- Frozen, Peeled, Tail-On Extra Large Shrimp - $5.99/lb
- Fresh Salmon Filets - $6.99/lb
- Frozen Haddock - $10.00/lb
- Smoked Salmon - $14.00/lb
33. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
I love sheet-pan fajitas because you can just toss everything together—shrimp, peppers, onions, seasonings—and pop it in the oven. Serve with flour tortillas for quick fajita tacos ( I included tortillas in the average price).
Average Price: $15.97 for 8 servings
Price Per Serving: $1.97 per serving
34. Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
My favorite thing about smoked salmon, besides the incredible smokey flavor and flaky texture, is that you don't have to cook it. It's fully cooked already and can be flaked and stirred right into this rich cream cheese pasta for a quick and easy seafood dinner.
Average Price: $13.38 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.23 per serving
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
35. BBQ shrimp
For a quick summertime meal, I like to skewer up some shrimp, slather them in BBQ sauce, and cook them on the grill. Wooden skewers are inexpensive if you don't have metal ones handy.
Try it with some of my BBQ side dishes for a full barbecue experience.
Average Price: $13.97 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.33 per serving
36. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This shrimp spaghetti with tangy lemon garlic sauce is one of my go-to quick and easy shrimp recipes for busy weeknights. It's simple and satisfying, with only a few ingredients and lots of grated Parmesan!
Average Price: $9.52 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.38 per serving
37. Creamy Seafood Pasta
While the ingredients in frozen mixed seafood might be pricy on their own, this blended bag lets you get a taste of everything for a fraction of the price. Things like squid, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and imitation crab or pollock, which isn't crab but still tasty!
Toss it with butter, heavy cream, and seasonings, let the sauce thicken, and serve over your favorite type of pasta.
Average Price: $14.45 for 6 servings
Price Per Serving: $2.41 per serving
38. Air Fryer Tilapia
Tilapia is going to be the most inexpensive option for white fish and will more than likely be sold frozen. The air fryer is perfect for quickly frying up a couple of filets.
You can make more tilapia as long as you work in batches and don't crowd the air fryer basket. You can easily double the recipe, keeping it under 20 bucks.
Average Price: $7.45 for 2 servings
Price Per Serving: $ 3.70 per serving
39. Pan Seared Salmon with Crispy Skin
The great thing about salmon is that it is widely available and reasonably priced for the most part (some varieties, like King salmon, can be quite pricey). You want to purchase filets with the skin on from your local grocery store to achieve the delicious delicacy that is crispy fried salmon skin!
Here's what to serve with salmon for some side dish inspiration.
Average Price: $9.00 for two servings
Price Per Serving: $4.50 per serving
40. Grilled Haddock
Haddock is not the cheapest fish, but it is a great option for flaky white fish if you aren't a fan of tilapia, and tends to be cheaper than cod (cod may win depending on the day). My recipe also includes a lemon cream sauce for serving that is calculated in the total price and so worth the few extra dollars.
Average Price: $19.03 for 4 servings
Price Per Serving: $4.76 per serving
💭 Tips For Making Dinner On A Budget
I cook for a living, and because it's a labor of love, I have been known to over-splurge at the grocery store a time or two...or ten.🤪 I had to really organize my recipe planning to make cooking for you guys a job opportunity, and here are my top tips for budgeting meals:
- Go in with a plan: The most important part of sticking to a budget, especially if you tend to go nuts in the grocery store like me, is planning ahead. Choose your recipes, make a grocery list, and stick to it.
- Don't shop on an empty stomach: I know, I know. It sounds cliche, but it is entirely true. If you're hungry, you're much more likely to indulge in a bit of impulse buying.
- Stock up on seasonings: If you have salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning, you can make most things. All-purpose seasoning and taco seasoning (homemade or packets) are another two of my must-haves. These go a long way, and you can find them pretty cheap at the dollar store.
- Catch sales and coupons: Your local grocery store more than likely has an app under the same name where you can add coupons and catch sales. This makes a huge difference in my weekly grocery bill and is like free money, just waiting to be collected!
- Freeze: When on sale, stock up on chicken, beef, pork, or seafood and freeze it for later. Any time there's a BOGO (buy one, get one) sale, I load up the cart.
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card
39+ Budget Friendly Dinners To Make With Chicken, Beef, Pork, or Seafood!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet, hot, or mild, or use a 50/50 combination of ground beef and sausage)
- ½ cup white onion (diced, or yellow onion)
- 24-28 oz pasta sauce (or marinara)
- 14-15 oz crushed tomatoes (do not drain, or use petite diced tomatoes)
- ⅔ cup water
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoon parsley (fresh, chopped)
- 1 large egg (beaten, at room temperature)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided into two equal 1 cup portions)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
- 16 oz ziti (cooked, drained, and rinsed)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5) and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Make the Gravy Sauce
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb Italian sausage and ½ cup white onion, crumbling the sausage as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add 24-28 oz pasta sauce, 14-15 oz crushed tomatoes, ⅔ cup water, and ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning. Stir to combine, and then bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered to thicken the gravy, about 15 minutes.
Mix The Cheese Filling
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together 16 oz ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoon parsley, 1 large egg, 1 of the 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese until well combined. Set aside.
Assemble The Casserole
- Assemble the layers by starting with some sauce mixture (about 1-1½ cups), half of your 16 oz ziti, and the ricotta mixture.
- Continue layering by adding the rest of the cooked ziti, the remaining sauce, and the final 1 cup of mozzarella.
Bake & Serve
- Bake at 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5) for 40-45 minutes and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be sure that your skillet is large enough to allow the sauce to simmer without overflowing. If necessary, you can use a saucepan or Dutch oven.
- When cooking your pasta, only cook it until it is al dente, usually 1-2 minutes less than what is on the packaging.
- Place a sheet of aluminum foil on a lower rack to catch any liquids that may boil over while baking.
- Prepare your ziti in advance by assembling it as directed, covering it with plastic wrap, and storing it in the fridge for up to one day.
- This pasta recipe is another dish that's ideal for freeze-drying for long term storage and great camping meals. Spread the leftovers (about half the casserole) out on 3-4 small Harvest Right trays. Pre-freeze overnight, then set for a 20-24 hour freeze drying cycle.
- Your unbaked ziti can be wrapped in plastic cling wrap and heavy-duty aluminum foil and then frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
- Reheat small portions in the microwave or the entire pan in the oven at 300°F (150°C/Gas Mark 2), covered with foil, until hot.
Nutrition
Originally published April 15, 2024
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