If you are looking for the ultimate directory for best cheap meal ideas for large families, be sure to check our out below!
Cheap meals at home are the new normal nowadays. If you are in charge of managing your household like I am, then you know how precious time can be. Especially on those nights where you have parent-teacher conferences or you are carting your kids all over town after school for activities.
Pondering is eating out a waste of money and not sure, just meal plan for one month and see your savings for the month instead of out to eat. Planning meal prep in and of itself sometimes can be a challenge. Hunting down the recipes can be time consuming and is half of the battle.
That is why I have put together one of the best reference lists available with over 270 cheap meal ideas most of which can be ready in 30 minutes or less! A lot of these receipes utilize staples found on our basic college grocery list for convenience.
The easiest way to use this directory is to use the table of content icon to find cheap meal ideas by dish.
I get it though, sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking. Between travel soccer and running kids all over town, the convenience of eating out wins sometimes.
Want to save some money eating out?
Be sure to also check out our cheap meal ideas for restaurants where kids eat free (or really cheap!)
Cheap Dinner Ideas for Families
There is no fluff here for you to sift through, just raw access to recipes and cheap meal ideas for your family.
Below you will find a collection of inexpensive meals that will not only help you save money on groceries, but will also make you feel like royalty.
In addition to these cheap meal ideas below, there are also other tools that will help you save money for your family when it comes to meal planning.
Use the best cash back apps for groceries and shopping available to keep your costs down for food.
To save more money on the food for these recipes, look into using Amazon’s Prime Pantry service.
Amazon’s Prime Pantry service is a great deal.
Be sure to check out our guide on “how does Prime Pantry work” if you have questions about the service!
These are cheap meal ideas that any family will love and there is something here for everyone.
Who said you have to sacrifice quality for the best price?!
With these cheap meal ideas, you can have quality and quantity.
Happy cooking!!!
(Be sure to check out our 185+ frugal living tips as well)
Cheap Meal Ideas with Chicken
Creamy Chicken Piccata by Cooking Classy
Southwestern Bean Chicken by The Gracious Pantry
Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala by Dinner at the zoo
Crockpot Sweet Hawaiian BBQ Chicken by The Frugal girls
Grilled Chicken Wraps by My Kitchen Escapades
Crockpot BBQ Ranch Chicken Drumsticks by The Frugal Girls
Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker by Freebie Finding Mom
Homemade chicken noodle soup by Simplistically Living
Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy by The Country Cook
Black Pepper Chicken by Rasa Malaysia
Chicken Cordon Bleu Wraps by The Best Blog Recipes
One-Pan Chicken Burrito Bowl by No. 2 Pencil
Easy Greek Roasted Chicken by Lauren Greutan
Baked Chicken Parmesan by Cakes Cottage
Homemade Chicken Tenders by Six Dollar Family
Easy Chicken Bake by Ann’s Entitled Life
Lemon Chicken by Hillbilly Housewife
White Chicken Chili Crockpot by Gluten Free Daddy
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken & Rice by Family Fresh Meal
Quick Chicken and Dumplings from Betty Crocker
Easy Garlic Chicken from Allrecipes
One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice from Creme de la Crumb
15 Minute Healthy Roasted Chicken and Veggies from Gimme Delicious
Grilled Lemon Chicken and Asparagus from Delish
Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid from Wine and Glue
Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole from Food.com
Honey-and-Lemon Baked Chicken from MyRecipes
Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders from Pillsbury
Crunchy Pan-Fried Chicken from MyRecipes
Chicken Crescent Roll Bundles from Lil Luna
BBQ Chicken Pizza from MyRecipes
Chicken Pot Pie Rice Bake from Plain Chicken
Easy 3-Ingredient Ritz Cracker Chicken from Stockpiling Moms
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta from Pillsbury
Mushroom-Herb Chicken from MyRecipes
Maple-Glazed Skillet Chicken Breasts with Sweet Potato Hash from Whole and Heavenly Oven
Crispy Onion Chicken from Life in the Lofthouse
Winger’s Sticky Fingers from Creme de la Crumb
Baked Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard from Delish
Buffalo Chicken & Potato Skillet from The Wicked Noodle
Baked Honey-Garlic Chicken from Delish
One-Pot BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pasta from The Recipe Rebel
Easy Chicken Fajitas from Averie Cooks
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas from Nums The Word
BBQ Chicken Tostadas from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from The Wanderlust Kitchen
Chicken and Black Bean Nachos from The Baker Mama
Chicken-Tortilla Pie from MyRecipes
Chicken Enchilada Skillet from Buns in My Oven
Creamy Southwest Chicken Alfredo from Good Cook
Chicken, Bean, and Cheese Burritos from Good Cheap Eats
Spicy Skillet Chicken from Betty Crocker
Cheap Meal Ideas with Italian Chicken
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken from The Recipe Critic
Mozzarella Chicken in Homemade Tomato Sauce from Little Spice Jar
Tuscan Chicken Simmer from Kraft
One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Penne from Pillsbury
Mozzarella Chicken in Homemade Tomato Sauce from Little Spice Jar
Chicken Carbonara Deluxe from Betty Crocker
Parmesan Chicken Breast Tenders from MyRecipes
Pesto Chicken and Pasta from Kraft
20-Minute Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta from Gal on a Mission
20 Minute Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan from Mom on Timeout
Parmesan Chicken Fettuccine from Pillsbury
Skillet Chicken Marsala from $5 Dinners
Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta from Lil Luna
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Florentine Pasta from Pinch of Yum
Chicken Picatta from Better Homes and Gardens
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups from Like Mother, Like Daughter
Crispy Chicken Parmesan with Tomatoes and Mozzarella from Delish
Brown Sugar Italian Chicken from Plain Chicken
15 Minute Chicken Alfredo from Eazy Peazy Mealz
Cheap Meal Ideas with Asian Chicken
Sweet, Sticky and Spicy Chicken from Allrecipes
Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Vegetable-Chicken Stir-Fry from Betty Crocker
Coconut Chicken Tenders from Yellow Bliss Road
Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles from Natasha’s Kitchen
12 Minute Chicken and Broccoli from Gimme Some Oven
Fast Chicken and Rice from Better Homes and Gardens
20 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken from Betty Crocker
Cheap Meal Ideas with Beef
Cheap Meal Ideas with American Beef
Cornbread and Beef Skillet Pie from Woman’s Day
Family Favorite Sloppy Joes from High Heels and Grills
Mini Meatloaves from Betty Crocker
Beef & Macaroni Chili from All She Cooks
Country-Fried Steak with Mushroom Gravy from MyRecipes
Easy Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet from Kim’s Craving
BBQ Sloppy Joe Muffins from Cookies and Cups
Ground Beef and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes from Food.com
Easy French Dip Sandwiches from Allrecipes
Sloppy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches from 5 Boys Baker
Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy from MyRecipes
Southwestern Beef Chili With Corn from Real Simple
Salisbury Steak Casserole from Nums The Word
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet from Pillsbury
Baked Chili Dogs from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes from Bellyfull
Country Fried Steak from Allrecipes
One Pot Chili Mac from NumsTheWord
Cheap Meal Ideas with Italian Beef
Easy Goulash from Mandy’s Recipe Box
Beef Stroganoff from SimplyRecipes
Skillet Meatballs in Marinara Sauce from Recipe Runner
One Pot Beef Penne from Girl Gone Gourmet
One Pot Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff from Budget Bytes
Meatball Bombs from The Novice Chef
Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteaks from Easy Peazy Mealz
Poverty Meal from Food.com
Cheap Meal Ideas with Asian Beef
Quick Beef Stir-Fry from Allrecipes
Sweet and Sour Meatballs from Allrecipes
Broccoli Beef from Allrecipes
Ten-Minute Beef and Broccoli from Pillsbury
Mongolian Beef from Chef Savvy
Crispy Sesame Beef from Damn Delicious
Asian Orange Beef from Chew Out Loud
Asian Beef & Noodles for Two from Kraft Recipes
Cheap Meal Ideas with Tex-Mex Beef
Beef Burrito Skillet from Bread Booze Bacon
Taco Pie from Allrecipes
Taco Spaghetti from Plain Chicken
Easy Beef Nachos from Old El Paso
Flank Steak Fajitas from Country Living
Taco Bowls from Busy Budgeter
One Pot Taco Rice Skillet from Sweet C’s
Mexican Pasta Skillet from Pillsbury
Simple Oven Tacos from Simplistically Living
Quick Taco Salad from Kraft Recipes
Cheesy Nacho Beef Skillet from Pillsbury
Frito Pie from Chef in Training
Skillet Burritos from Diethood
Taco French Bread Pizza from Life in the Lofthouse
Crispy Southwest Wrap from Tastes Better from Scratch
Cheap Meal Ideas with Plain Ol’ Beef
Quick and Easy Taco Salad from Daily Burn
Penne Pasta With Beef by Simply recipes
Cheeseburger Casserole by Written Reality
Beef stroganoff by The Spirited Violet
One Pot Tortellini and Ground Beef Casserole by Foody Schmoody
Sloppy Joe Quinoa Pitas by Fabulessly Frugal
Doritos Taco Salad by Life in the Lofthouse
Cheese Steak Casserole by Who Needs A Cape
Korean Beef by The Girl Who Ate Everything
Crock Pot Beef Tacos by Frugal Foodie Mama
Taco Spaghetti by Plain Chicken
Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats by Gimme Delicious Food
Old Fashioned Goulash by My Incredible Recipes
Pepper Steak and Rice by South Your Mouth
Mongolian Beef by Savory Tooth
One Pot Lasagna by Carl Bad Cravings
Classic Baked Ziti by Budget Savvy Diva
Pizza Casserole by Allrecipes
Beefy Cheesy Tortellini Bake by Five Hear Home
Baked Spaghetti Pie by Mom 4 Real
Easy Baked Ziti by The Country Cook
One- Pot Eggplant Pasta by Buiton
Cheap Meal Ideas with Vegetarian Dishes
Vegetarian Chili by Cookie and Kate
Broccoli Fettuccine by Budget Bytes
Spinach Lasagna by Savor and Savvy
Vegan Chickpea and Rosemary Soup by The Blender Girl
10 Minute Pasta by Oh She Glows
Protein-packed twice baked potatoes by Pass the Plants
Vegan Corn Fritters by The Stingy Vegan
Easy Veggie & Black Bean Enchiladas by Vegan Insanity
Vegan Fried Rice by One Ingredient Chef
Pizza Pockets by Hot for Food
Buffalo Chickpea Lettuce Wraps by Pass the plants
ChickPea Salad by Whole Living Lauren
White Mac & Cheese by The Savory Vegan
Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas by Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
Cauliflower Buffalo Pizza by This Savory Vegan
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger by Happy Healthy mama
Vegan Lasagna by Vegetarian Gastronomy
Vegan Mashed Potatoes by Emile Eats
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Quesadillas by This Savory Vegan
Hummus Vegetable Wrap by Emile Eats
Balsamic Roasted New Potatoes by Wallflower Kitchen
Avocado and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta By Crazy Vegan Kitchen
Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Peas and Crayons
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites by Veggie Inspired
Sweet Potato and Kale Chilli by Wallflower Kitchen
Creamy Vegan Corn Chowder by Crazy Vegan Kitchen
White Bean and Avocado Baked Burritos by Ceara’s Kitchen
Vegan Black Bean and Veggie Enchiladas by Full of Beans
Loaded Cauliflower by Low Carb Maven
Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo from Budget Bytes
Creamy Garlic Pasta from Budget Savvy Diva
Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower, Tomatoes, and Pepperoni from Delish
Pasta Primavera Alfredo from Delish
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta from Budget Bytes
Angel Hair with Tomato and Basil from Betty Crocker
To Die For Fettuccine Alfredo from Allrecipes
Spinach Pesto with Pasta from Delish
One Pot Baked Ziti with Ricotta from Kitchen Nostalgia
Easy Eggplant Parmesan from Kraft
Cheesy Baked Ravioli from Food.com
Ricotta and Spinach Calzones from Kitschen Cat
Tortellini Primavera from Eating Well
Italian Mac and Cheese from POPSUGAR
Tomato and Olive Penne from Martha Stewart
Baked Penne Rigate from Memories By The Mile
Easy Pantry Pasta from Country Living
Cheap Meal Ideas with American Vegetarian
20-Minute Mac and Cheese from Betty Crocker
French Bread Pizza from Love Bakes Good Cakes
Macaroni and Cheese with Mixed Vegetables from Better Homes and Gardens
Cheesy Veggie Pasta Bake from The Domestic Superhero
Mac and Cheese Spaghetti from Better Homes and Gardens
One Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac from Kristine’s Kitchen
Vegetarian Black-Bean Chili from Martha Stewart
Cheap Meal Ideas with Asian Vegetarian
Peanut Noodles from Allrecipes
Dragon Noodles from Budget Bytes
One-Pot Spicy Asian Noodles from Babble
Simple Sesame Noodles from The Pioneer Woman
Vegetable Stir Fry with Noodles from Budget Bytes
Vegetarian Fried Rice from Hurry The Food Up
Spicy Sesame Noodles from Living Sweet Moments
Spaghetti with Vegetables and Peanut Sauce from Martha Stewart
Easy Lo Mein from Damn Delicious
Thai Peanut Noodles from Budget Bytes
Cheap Meal Ideas with Tex-Mex Vegetarian
Black Bean Burritos from Allrecipes
One Pan Crack Bean Burritos from Heather Likes Food
5 Ingredient Black Bean Enchiladas from I Heart Vegetables
10 Minute Oven Baked Tostadas from Yellow Bliss Road
Black Bean Quesadillas from Eating Well
Poor Man’s Burrito Bowls from Budget Bytes
Black Bean Nachos from Kraft
Refried Bean Tostadas from MyRecipes
Crispy Black Bean and Rice Burritos from Gimme Delicious
Corn & Black Bean Chili from Living Well, Spending Less
Black Beans and Rice from Allrecipes
Avocado Black Bean Quesadillas from Gimme Delicious
Creamy Black Bean Taquitos from Budget Bytes
Cheap Meal Ideas for Seafood
Lemon Garlic Tilapia from Allrecipes
Skillet Shrimp Tacos from Country Living
Fish Stick Tacos from MyRecipes
Tuna Croquettes from Food Network
Pan-Seared Tilapia from Allrecipes
Five-Spice Tilapia from Eating Well
One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp from Dinner, Dishes and Desserts
Lemon Caper Tuna and Noodles with Alfredo from Better Homes and Gardens
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia Fillets from Allrecipes
Skillet Shrimp and Rice from MyRecipes
Crisp Catfish with Apple-Celery Slaw from Better Homes and Gardens
Sweet & Spicy Tilapia from Farmgirl Gourmet
Easy Tuna Patties from Allrecipes
Tuna Salad Crescents from Pillsbury
Skillet Shrimp, Sausage, and Rice from Country Living
Fish Tacos with Lime Sauce from Better Homes and Gardens
Salmon Patties from Allrecipes
Cheap Meal Ideas for Turkey Dishes
Turkey Stroganoff from Better Homes and Gardens
Ground Turkey Cabbage Skillet from Primavera Kitchen
Turkey Chili from Food Network
Turkey Tetrazzini from Savory Nothings
Turkey Meatballs Over Zucchini Noodles from Country Living
Cheap Meal Ideas for Pork & Sausage Meals
Kielbasa, Peppers, and Potato Hash Skillet from Mom on Timeout
Skillet Sausage ‘n’ Rice from MyRecipes
One Pan Sausage and Tortellini from Yellow Bliss Road
Sausage, Potato & Pepper Skillet Dinner from $5 Dinners
Bacon Tortellini Bake from Fake Ginger
Quick and Easy Calzones from Six Sisters’ Stuff
Spaghetti and Sausage Meatballs from Delish
Ham & Cheese Tortellini from Kevin & Amanda
Easy Stromboli from Southern Bite
One-Pot Pizza Pasta from Fake Ginger
Rigatoni & Italian Sausage Skillet from Who Needs a Cape
Sausage Alfredo Pasta from Shugary Sweets
One-Pot Sausage Pasta from Melanie Cooks
Bacon, Chicken, and Spinach Spaghetti from Delish
Oven-Fried Pork Chops from Allrecipes
Country Ham Carbonara from MyRecipes
One Pot Lasagna from Damn Delicious
Texas Toast Pizzas from Crafty Morning
English Muffin Pizzas from Once Upon a Chef
Spaghetti With Sausage and Peppers from MyRecipes
Asian Pork Skillet from Better Homes and Garden
Deep Dish Mini Pizzas from One Little Project
Pizza Pull-Apart Sliders from The Country Cook
Cheap Meals at Home
These are some of the best cheap meals at home around. If you would like your favorite recipe added, reach out to me in the comments below!
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