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13 Quick & Easy Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

When life gets busy, it can be hard to figure out what’s for dinner! So in the holiday season of parties and lots of spending – these quick and easy meals you can make on a budget will save you. Many rely on pantry staples or less-expensive proteins so you can get a balanced meal on the table without breaking the bank – they are perfect for weeknights or whenever you need something fast.

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

Chicken teriyaki stir fry with green beans on the side.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This 20-minute stir fry makes a great weeknight dinner. The sweet and savory chunks of chicken taste just as good as the dish from your local Chinese restaurant. Serve it over rice or with stir-fried veggies for a take-out fake-out dinner that the whole family will enjoy.ย 

Get the Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry.

Dorito Taco Salad

Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you love a classic taco salad, you will always be happy to see this recipe on the menu. It’s quick, easy, and always hits the spot. Ground beef cooks super fast, making it a great weeknight option.

Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad Recipe.

Easy Udon Noodles

A bowl of udon noodles with vegetables and chopsticks.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Save your time and money on a busy weeknight. These easy udon noodles taste even better than takeout! Made with snow peas, broccoli, and peppers, this pan-fried noodle dish is loaded with veggies and flavor. Naturally vegetarian, you could add some protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu if desired.

Get the Recipe: Easy Udon Noodles.

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

A pile of noodles on a plate, topped with chicken and gravy, with peas to the side.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This crockpot chicken and gravy recipe is a great choice for weeknights when you want something comforting, filling, and delicious โ€“ without a lot of prep time or work to make it happen. Chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy gravy and served over tender egg noodles with a veggie on the side. Itโ€™s the ultimate comfort food dinner!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken and Gravy.

Bean and Cheese Burritos

Burritos on a plate with bean and cheese filling.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Bean and cheese burritos are always a good idea for weeknight dinners. These are so easy to wrap up for a meatless meal that is filling, budget-friendly, and best of all, delicious. Put out some fresh toppings or add them inside so your family can dress a simple bean burrito up if desired.

Get the Recipe: Bean and Cheese Burrito.

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

This ground beef stir fry is delicious, but itโ€™s also nutritious and has protein, produce, carbs (energy), and flavor! This ground beef and broccoli checks all the boxes. This easy meal comes together in just 20 minutes by utilizing some quick kitchen shortcuts (ground beef cooks so quickly) and can also be prepped ahead if thatโ€™s your style.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.

Chicken Lo Mein

A bowl of chicken lo mein with veggies.
Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

Save your time and money and make some homemade chicken lo mein. With tender noodles, chunks of flavorful chicken, and plenty of veggies like mushrooms, snap peas, and peppers, this one-dish dinner satisfies while faking out your family who will swear this tastes just as good as your local Chinese restaurant.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Lo Mein.

Slow Cooker Brats

A tray of brats with kraut over the top.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

If you have ten minutes and a slow cooker you can make this Wisconsin-style brat recipe. You will appreciate this recipe as the temperatures dip below freezing, and you can get the flavor you crave without freezing over the grill!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Brats.

Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadilla

Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

The whole family will love this cheesy beef quesadilla meal! It’s comforting and delicious; easy and ready in 20 minutes. The ground beef is cooked and then itโ€™s layered with two layers of cheese for the ultimate layered gooey cheese quesadilla. YUM!

Get the recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas.

Ground Beef Ramen Noodles

A skillet of ground beef ramen noodles with carrots and peppers.
Photo Credit: Recipe Runner.

This homemade dinner rivals takeout from your local Chinese restaurant. With bell peppers, carrots, and ground beef, this easy dish delivers great flavors in a budget-friendly package. This dish is ready from start to finish in 35 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Ramen Noodles.

Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup

A bowl of cabbage and ground beef soup with carrots.
Photo Credit: The Roasted Root.

Make some hearty and healthy ground beef and cabbage soup for dinner tonight. This recipe uses onions, tomatoes, and carrots to offer plenty of color and texture to this simple and wholesome meal. This soup can feed a hungry family and will help stretch your grocery budget.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup.

Chicken Egg Roll In a Bowl

A wooden spoon lifting ground chicken egg roll in a bowl.
Photo Credit: Extreme Couponing Mom.

This is one of the best recipes for chicken! It makes a wholesome and filling meal, that happens to be low-carb and incredibly easy to prepare. Grab some ground chicken and veggies like coleslaw mix to get this on the table in just about thirty minutes.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl.

Dinner-Worthy Snack Board

A charcuterie board with meat, olives, nuts, cheese and fruit.
Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Who says you can’t have a mini charcuterie board for dinner! This snack board has such a delicious assortment of deli meats, cheese, fresh fruit, and veggies. To really make it budget-friendly, use it as an opportunity to clean out the fridge with random bits of leftovers, ends of cheese, fruits and veggies that are on their last leg and anything else you can find.

Get the Recipe: Dinner Worthy Snack Board.

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