The 12 Best Budget-Friendly Meals

Brierley Horton, M.S., RD is a dietitian nutritionist, content creator and strategist, and avid mental health advocate. She is co-host and co-creator of the Happy Eating podcast, which breaks down the connection between food and mental wellness.

Cutting back on food costs doesn’t have to mean cutting back on flavor. Some of the most popular budget-friendly pantry and fridge staples also happen to be ingredients we all know and love — like cheese, rice, pasta, and beans— that can easily be turned into delicious dishes (like this One-Pot Cheesy Rice & Beans dish pictured above!)

In fact, we went ahead and did some of the heavy lifting for you and pulled together this collection of our top 12 budget-friendly meals.

Baked Chicken Florentine

Baked Chicken Florentine is a hearty dish that feels fancy, but doesn’t require fancy ingredients. This baked chicken dinner is perfect for feeding a hungry crew a well-balanced dinner without overspending. Look for chicken breasts that are on sale or bulk-buy when possible to save.

Broccoli, Chicken and Cauliflower “Rice” Casserole

Chicken and rice is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food! And this Broccoli, Chicken and Cauliflower “Rice” Casserole recipe is both a little healthier (thank you cauliflower “rice”) and calls for simple ingredients that are wallet-friendly like frozen broccoli, canned chicken, onion, etc. 

Cheddar Spinach Egg Bites

Skip the pricey coffee shop version: these cheesy Cheddar Spinach Egg Bites are easy to prep in bulk and made with just a handful of affordable ingredients that you likely have on hand already. Don’t have spinach? Substitute with another leafy green like kale or Swiss chard, or try shredded Brussels sprouts. 

Chicken Corn Tortilla Soup

Cooking chicken breasts is the most affordable route, but if you’re short on time you could easily substitute with rotisserie chicken for this Chicken Corn Tortilla Soup. Then add in pantry staples like canned beans and corn and you have a flavorful, filling soup the whole family will love. Affordable, comforting, and ready in 45 minutes.

Shepherd’s Pie with Cheddar Crust

Both easy to prepare and delicious to eat, this Shepherd’s Pie with Cheddar Crust recipe is a huge crowd-pleaser. Or, prepare it for a family dinner and eat the leftovers for lunch. To keep costs in check, opt for ground beef (versus lamb) or use beans as your primary protein.

Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is not only an affordable, low-calorie veggie, but it’s also a tasty way to have a “noodle” style dish without the noodles. Repurpose leftover chicken in this Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash recipe, or lean on chicken breasts (over tenders) to keep your budget in check.

Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

Made with frozen broccoli and shredded cheddar, this classic quiche recipe is a cost-effective way to serve up veggies and protein (nearly one third of your daily value) in one craveable slice.

Taco Waffle Fry Nachos

Sometimes simplicity in a recipe is all you need to cut costs. Turn frozen waffle fries and basic taco fixings into a fun, budget-friendly meal or game-day snack for a crowd - Taco Waffle Fry Nachos! This recipe would also be delicious with other leftover meats like seasoned, shredded pork or chicken.

Frozen Bean & Cheese Burritos

This recipe puts budget-friendly beans front and center, then takes it up a notch with a big-batch format so you cook once and eat for days. Your family will love these Frozen Bean & Cheese Burritos.

Baked Cheddar Frittata

This hearty Baked Cheddar Frittata turns simple budget-friendly staples—like eggs, potatoes, and Cabot cheddar—into a satisfying meal. It’s also a great way to use up fridge leftovers because the base can use whatever extra ingredients you have on hand. It’s also big on flavor and light on your grocery bill.

Cheesy Lentils and Rice

Lentils are another budget MVP—and unlike most dry beans, they’re quick-cooking. In this wallet-friendly combo of Cheesy Lentils & Rice, there’s no advance cooking needed: just stir together lentils, rice, and the rest of the ingredients, then bake for an easy, hearty meal.