27 Easy Meals That Wont Break

The Bank
Theres no shame in the cheap dinner game.
posted on Oct. 27, 2015, at 9:37 p.m.

Melissa Harrison
BuzzFeed Staff
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Amy Sefton / for BuzzFeed

We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to share

their favorite budget-friendly dinner staples. Heres
what they said:
1. Crispy Cheddar Chicken

jamiecooksitup.net

jamiecooksitup.net
jamiecooksitup.net

Super easy: Just halve some chicken breasts, and dip them in milk, cheddar, and crushed
Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs. Then bake. powitspaige
Recipe here.
2. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
domesticsuperhero.com
Ground beef can be expensive, so I substitute half the meat for minced mushrooms, and
nobody ever notices. Just toss mushrooms in a food processor and pulse. After you brown
the beef, add the mushrooms, seasonings, and tomato sauce. This also works with taco
meat, chili, and sloppy joes. MarcosMommy
Recipe here.
3. Slow Cooker Enchilada Soup
gimmesomeoven.com
For leftovers, shred the chicken and use it for burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or
tostadas. Lori O.
Recipe here.
4. Fish in Lemon & Butter Sauce
primalpalate.com
So simple, and works with with pretty much any white fish. Annie Galveston,
Facebook
Recipe here.
5. Easy Fried Rice

rachelschultz.com

This takes less than 10 minutes if you use day-old rice and frozen peas and carrots.
Jamie Silver, Facebook
Recipe here.
6. Pesto Chicken Bake
thepinningmama.com
I love the store-brand pesto at Trader Joes and Whole Foods, but its also pretty cheap
and fast to make your own. Elizabeth Nadal, Facebook
Recipe here.
7. Whole Wheat Penne With Sausage & Peppers

ohsweetbasil.com
ohsweetbasil.com

I use any produce thats about to turn, always with lots of garlic and olive oil.
Rhiannonelan
Recipe here.
8. Crock-Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
skinnytaste.com
Two ingredients: salsa + chicken. Thats it! Use it for tacos, salads, or even by itself.
Kenzie G.
Recipe here.
9. Shakshuka
nourishatelier.com
The best part is the rich, tomato-y sauce with eggs baked right in. Imit2
Recipe here.
10. Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork
thepioneerwoman.com
thepioneerwoman.com

Sweet and spicy. You can use a cheaper cut of meat and know that the Crock-Pot will
break it down over several hours.Diana Mia Gonzales, Facebook
Recipe here.
11. Cheesy Olive Bread
thepioneerwoman.com

thepioneerwoman.com

Olive bread is a big favorite with my family. Cheesy, salty, bready goodness. Jessica
B.
Recipe here.
12. 15-Minute Penne Rosa

backtoherroots.com
Its very similar to the penne rosa at Noodles and Company. But I leave out the shrimp
and use frozen spinach, unless the fresh stuff is on sale. venus236
Recipe here.
13. Tuna Casserole
gimmesomeoven.com
This version is a little healthier (no canned soup or heavy cream) but still just as tasty as
the stuff I ate growing up. Jan Bennett, Facebook
Recipe here.
14. Curried Chickpeas With Spinach

budgetbytes.com
This was my go-to cheap meal in college. Lisa Arielle Evans, Facebook
Recipe here.
15. Homemade Chicken Shwarma
budgetbytes.com

budgetbytes.com

This too! Lisa Arielle Evans, Facebook

Recipe here.
16. Slow Cooker Pinto Beans With Rice and Salsa

gracefullittlehoneybee.com
Every month, I make a big batch of brown rice and a big batch of (dried) pinto beans in
the Crock Pot. Then I portion both of them out in 16-ounce containers. For a quick meal,
toss one serving of rice, one serving of beans, and 8 ounces of your favorite salsa in a
skillet. Heat through, and serve with your favorite taco toppings in a tortilla.
Samantha T.
Recipe here.
17. Easy Rigatoni Bake
prouditaliancook.com
You can change it up by adding Parmesan cheese, meat (like ground turkey), or bell
peppers for sweetness. Kristine Elizabeth L.
Recipe here.
18. Chicken or Turkey Lettuce Wraps
damndelicious.net
Topped off with ranch or Sriracha. Aymee Jay
Recipe here.
19. Sloppy Joe Casserole
cravingsofalunatic.com
Even better on the second day. Lydia Blake, Facebook
Recipe here.
20. Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

cookingclassy.com
Spend a few minutes chopping, then pile everything onto a baking sheet and roast.
Pauline Moran, Facebook
Recipe here.
21. Baked Tilapia in Foil or Parchment
28cooks.blogspot.com
Serve with a green salad and enjoy! Leah L.
Recipe here.
22. Vegetarian Lentil Chili
littlebroken.com
Cheap, filling, and even my carnivore husband doesnt miss the meat. Mary Shipley,
Facebook
Recipe here.
23. Easy Chicken Curry
food52.com
Cilantro on the top, over rice, and boom. Chelsea T.
Recipe here.
24. Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

simplehealthykitchen.com
Top off with Parmesan cheese or prosciutto. So easy! Jessica Pick, Facebook
Recipe here.
25. Red Beans & Rice
onecrazyhouse.com
Adding chorizo makes this even better. Lindsay Biram, Facebook
Recipe here.
26. Sweet Potato, Shrimp & Kale Skillet
primaverakitchen.com
Ill buy fresh shrimp if theyre on sale, otherwise, frozen works just fine. Diane
Barney, Facebook
Recipe here.
27. Kielbasa Hash
thetwobiteclub.com
Serve over rice, with noodles, or on its own. Leftovers are still good reheated at work
the next day. Mabel
Recipe here.