Eat Like a King on a Pauper’s Budget with These 17 Dinners

Finding time to cook a great dinner on a budget can be a challenge. We’ve rounded up our favorite recipes that are cheap, fast, and easy, so you can eat like a king without breaking the bank. These meals are perfect for busy weeknights and minimal cleanup, making your life a little easier and tastier.

Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Blackened Cod

This blackened cod uses simple pantry seasonings and a quick pan-sear, making it a great choice for a cheap, fast, and easy dinner. You’ll get a flavorful meal without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Chicken and sweet potatoes with pecans on a plate. — Chicken and Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken and sweet potatoes with caramelized pecans all cooked on one sheet pan. It’s super simple and quick, with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for eating well on a budget.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Red cabbage and pork chops with potatoes in a baking pan. — Sheet Pan Pork Chops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These sheet pan pork chops are served with red cabbage, potatoes, and apples. It’s an all-in-one meal that’s quick and easy, great for busy weeknights, and budget-friendly with just one pan to clean.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

A stack of quesadillas with spinach and cheese. — Smashed White Bean Quesadillas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Smashed white bean and kale quesadillas with melted cheddar and creamy BBQ sauce. A great meatless meal that’s both cheap and delicious, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Air Fryer Brats

Five brats on a wooden cutting board with potato chips. — Air Fryer Brats. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cooking brats in the air fryer is super simple and quick. Ready in under 15 minutes, these tender and juicy brats are perfect for a budget-friendly dinner that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Brats

Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Roasted chicken leg quarters and broccoli on a plate. — Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Air fryer chicken leg quarters roast to perfection in under 25 minutes. With crispy skin, a mouthwatering spice rub, and tender meat, this easy dinner is great for eating well without spending much.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Chicken and chickpea curry with rice. — Creamy Turmeric Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy turmeric chicken is an easy one-skillet meal with hearty chickpeas. Served over rice with cilantro, it’s a great dinner ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a quick and affordable feast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Grilled Ham Steak

Grilled ham steaks with a rosemary maple dijon glaze are a welcome change from traditional grilled fare. Easy to prepare and full of flavor, this budget-friendly dinner feels indulgent.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ham Steak

Soba Noodle Pasta

A bowl of noodles with an egg and chopsticks. — Soba Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Soba noodles made simply and on a budget with onions and a soft-boiled egg. This meal is great for when you want something quick, cheap, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Pasta

Cream Cheese Chicken

Chicken thighs in a cream cheese sauce with potatoes and parsley on a wooden table. — Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cream cheese chicken is the answer to boring weeknight meals. Seasoned with five spices, it’s creamy and full of savory goodness, making it a great budget-friendly option.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Chicken and mushrooms in a skillet with a wooden spoon. — Garlic Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A 20-minute, one-pan dinner with garlic chicken bites, mushrooms, onions, and red peppers. Fresh herbs add flavor, making it a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for eating well on a budget.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Ground Beef Stir Fry

A skillet full of vegetables and beef on a wooden table. — Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This ground beef stir fry is the perfect weeknight meal. Made in one pan with fresh vegetables, it features a garlic ginger stir fry sauce that’s healthier, tastier, and quicker than takeout, saving you money.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Red cabbage and pork in a skillet with a wooden spoon. — Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A quick and easy stir fry with ground pork, cabbage, and mushrooms in an Asian-inspired sauce. It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for a fast and tasty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pork and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A bowl of beef and cabbage stir fry. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ground beef and cabbage makes an easy skillet dinner inspired by Asian stir fry. With lots of texture, aromatic spices, and a light savory sauce, this 30-minute meal is a weeknight winner and easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pasta in a white bowl on a striped towel. — Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bucatini cacio e pepe is a simple, classic dish from Italy made with just five ingredients. This creamy pasta uses Pecorino Romano cheese and starchy pasta cooking water to create an indulgent meal that’s both easy and economical.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Kale and Feta Egg Bake

Two bowls of eggs with spinach and bread on a table. — Kale Feta Egg Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Individual egg bakes are the perfect lazy dinner. Just a handful of simple ingredients and this meal is ready to go, making it a great budget-friendly option.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Feta Egg Bake

Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts covered in a cheese salsa sauce in a casserole dish. — Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa chicken is the easy weeknight meal you didn’t know you needed. Tender, juicy chicken breasts baked with salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese, ready in less than 30 minutes, and great for a budget-friendly family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.