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20 Budget-Friendly Meals
Tools needed:
1. Garlic Toast Pizza
This garlic toast pizza is super easy to throw together. All  you need is garlic toast (I like the great value ones) Mozzarella cheese and pizza sauce. If  you want  to  add any seasonings that would only enhance the flavor even more! Serves 4 Cost of meal: $1.42 Per Serving
Ingredients:Â
8-10 Garlic Toasts
4 oz. Pizza Sauce
6 Â oz. Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Eatingonadime.com has some great recipes, this being one of them! I love sweet and simple recipes and this only has 4 ingredients and tastes absolutely divine! Serves 6-8. Cost of meal: $.76 Per Serving
3. Chicken & Gravy
This is a favorite of ours because of the simplicity of it. You can put this over rice or over mashed potatoes! So good! Serves 8-10 Cost of meal: $.71 Per Serving.
Ingredients:
2 Packets of Chicken Gravy Mix
2 Pounds of Chicken Breast or Thighs
1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup of Water or Chicken Broth
I love a good chicken noodle casserole and this one hits the spot! Â It is super creamy and full of flavor! Serves 6-8 People. Cost of Meal: $1.45 Per serving.
5. BBQ chicken sliders
This is a perfect meal to throw together if you  have leftover chicken and turkey that you are needing to use up. Just throw some BBQ sauce in it and put it on some slider buns, and you have a delicious lunch or dinner that is very cheap and easy to make. Serves 6 Cost of meal: $1.32 Per Serving
6. Manhattan beef
Probably one of the easiest meals to make in this whole meal plan. You  can put it over homemade bread or even just cheap sandwich bread, both are great options! Serves 6-8 Cost of meal: $1.03 Per Serving
Ingredients:
1 Pound of Ground Beef
2 Packets of Brown Gravy Mix
2/3 Cup Water (or more depending on your taste)
BBQ chicken chili is something I would never have thought of, but it works! It had a wonderful tangy taste to it that was very enjoyable and not to mention very low budget. Serves 6. Cost of meal $1.30 Per Serving.
8.Chili
One of my favorite go-to dinner options is chili. It’s low carb, hearty, extremely cheap and you can doctor it up in so many ways! Serves 10-12 People. Cost of Meal: $.76 Per Serving
Ingredients:Â
2 Pounds Breakfast Sausage
1 Diced onion
1 Bell Pepper
2 Can Chili Beans
1 Can Tomato Sauce
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
2 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
Don’t underestimate the deliciousness of creamy ramen. This was the best ramen I’ve ever had! It was so creamy and had great flavor! Serves: 4 people Cost of Meal: $.50 Per Serving
10. Ham & Cheese quesadilla
I love to make these for lunch for my kiddos. I love how easy they are to make and extremely inexpensive!
Ingredients:Â
1 Pound of cheese (whichever cheese you enjoy)
1 Pound of Ham deli meat
10 tortillas
Serves 6-8 People
Cost of meal: $1.19 Per serving
11. Creamy Ham & Broccoli Fettuccine
This dish was so creamy and really didn’t seem like a budget meal AT ALL! Serves 6-8 People. Cost of Meal: $1.14 Per Serving.
Ingredients:Â
2 Tablespoons of Butter
2 Tablespoons of Flour
1 Cup of fresh Broccoli cut into small pieces
8 oz. Diced Ham
10 oz. Fettucine Noodles.
2 Cups of 1/2 & 1/2
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Oregano
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
12. lazy Chicken Pot Pie
I love minimal ingredient dinners that are both simply and cheap to throw together. This serves 4-6 People and the overall cost of this meal is $.92 Per Serving.Â
Ingredients:Â
2 small can of Biscuits or 1 large can of biscuits
1 1/2 Â Cups Rotisserie Chicken
2 cans of Cream of chicken Soup
1 1/2 Cups Milk
2 Cups of mixed Vegetables
1/2 Teaspoon Black PepperÂ
1/2 Teaspoon Thyme
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13. White chicken spaghetti
Anything spaghetti already sounds amazing, but this one is top notch. It’s super cheesy and has great flavor! Serves 8 people. Total Cost of Meal: $.78 Per Serving
Ingredients:
16 oz. Spaghetti Noodles
1 Can Rotel
2 Cups Italian cheese or any white cheese will work
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 oz. Taco Seasoning
1 Cup Sour CreamÂ
14. Bbq chicken pizza
Mix up your pizza routine with this wonder! BBQ Pizza is a must try! Serves about 6 People. Total cost of meal: $1.12 Per Serving
Ingredients:
Bread Dough (I use a homemade one)
Mozzarella Cheese
BBQ Sauce
Chicken Breast (Rotisserie Chicken would be awesome as well)
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15. Chicken & Broccoli Mac N cheese
Need meal ideas to pair with your Mac and cheese that you have in your pantry? This Broccoli Mac and cheese hits the spot! Serves 4-6 people. Total Cost of meal: $.87
Ingredients:Â
2 Boxes of Mac & Â Cheese
1 Cup Broccoli
1 Can of Diced Chicken Breast
3/4 Can of Evaporated Milk
2 Tablespoon Butter
1 Cup Shredded Cheese
16. Tuna Casserole
Get rid of all that Mac n cheese in your pantry and try this tuna casserole, it just might surprise you! Serves about 6 people Total cost of meal: $.63 Per Serving
Ingredients:Â
2 Boxes of your favorite Mac and cheese
1 cup of peas
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese
1 12 oz. Can Tuna
3/4 Can of Evaporated Milk
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17. Cheeseburger Mac n cheese
If you like hamburger helper then this one is for you! This meal serves about 6 people. Total cost of meal: $1.37 per serving.
Ingredients:Â
1 Pound of Ground Beef
1 Cup Shredded Cheese
1 Can Rotel
2 Boxes of your favorite Mac n Cheese
Salt & Pepper for taste
Nothing better than a hearty soup and this one hits the spot. This Corn chowder is packed with tons of veggies and is rich in flavor and creaminess.
19. Southwest Chili
The Southwest Soup is loaded with tons of meat, beans and veggies. It is super hearty and one that you’ll love. Serves 10-12. Total Cost of meal: $.80 Per serving.
Ingredients:
1-1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Large Onion
2 Cans Diced Tomatoes
1 Package Frozen Corn
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Chicken Broth
1 Can Rotel
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 1/2 Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
1 1/2 Cup Rice (optional)
1/4 Cup Shredded Cheese
These Pepperoni & Cheese Sliders were a huge hit with my family. They loved everything about it! You can make ths for lunch or for dinner, both would make great meals. This serves about 5 people. Total cost of meal: $1.44 Per person.
Hello! My name is Danielle and I love to be in the kitchen! My mission is to help busy cooks create something fast, easy and budget-friendly! I have 4 kids who also love to help me out in the kitchen as well. If you enjoy simple cooking, then you have come to the right place.