12 Cheap Budget Family Dinners That Still Taste Like a Treat

Grocery prices keep climbing, but the family still needs dinner every single night. The trick is not eating less, it is cooking smarter. These budget family dinners use cheap pantry staples like rice, beans, pasta and potatoes, and turn them into meals your kids will ask for again. No fancy tools, no fancy shopping list, just real food that fills everyone up..

Budget Family Dinners Start at the Table

The best budget family dinners are not about fancy food. They are about everyone sitting down together with full plates. A whole roast chicken costs less than takeout for four and gives you leftovers for tomorrow. Roast it with potatoes and carrots on one pan and you have dinner with almost no cleanup. How many nights a week does your family eat together?

You will need: 1 whole chicken (about 4 lb), 2 lb potatoes, 4 carrots, 1 onion, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt and pepper

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425F. Chop the potatoes, carrots and onion and toss with half the oil. Spread on a large pan. Rub the chicken with the rest of the oil and spices. Set it on the veggies. Roast 75 to 90 minutes until the juices run clear. Rest 10 minutes and carve.

Big Pot Spaghetti, the King of Budget Family Dinners

A box of pasta and a can of tomatoes can feed a family of five for just a few dollars. Homemade sauce tastes so much better than the jar, and it only takes 20 minutes. A little garlic, some dried herbs and a pinch of sugar make it taste like it simmered all day. This is one of the easiest budget family dinners to keep in your back pocket.

You will need: 1 lb spaghetti, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 1 small onion, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp sugar, salt, Parmesan

How to make it: Cook the onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, herbs, sugar and salt. Simmer 20 minutes. Boil the pasta until just tender. Toss pasta with the sauce and a splash of pasta water. Top with Parmesan.

One Pot Chili Makes Budget Family Dinners Easy

Chili is the king of cheap dinners. Beans stretch one pound of beef into enough to feed a crowd, and it tastes even better the next day. Serve it over rice, with cornbread, or on baked potatoes to make it go even further. Quick poll: what goes on your chili first? A) cheese, B) sour cream, C) onions, or D) crackers?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt

How to make it: Brown the beef and onion in a big pot. Drain the fat. Add the spices and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes and drained beans. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring now and then. Taste, add salt, and serve with your favorite toppings.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies for Budget Family Dinners

One pan, one oven, zero stress. Smoked sausage is cheap, packed with flavor and already cooked, so all you need to do is roast it with whatever veggies you have. Corn, broccoli, potatoes and peppers all work. Everything gets crispy edges in the hot oven. Cleanup is one pan, and that alone makes this a weeknight winner.

You will need: 1 lb smoked sausage, 1 lb baby potatoes, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 cup corn, 1 bell pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt and pepper

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425F. Halve the potatoes and roast them with half the oil for 15 minutes. Slice the sausage and chop the veggies. Add everything to the pan with the rest of the oil and seasoning. Roast 20 minutes more, tossing once.

Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Drumsticks are one of the cheapest cuts in the meat case, and kids love eating with their hands. A simple spice rub and a hot oven give you crispy skin and juicy meat with almost no effort. Serve with rice and a quick salad for a full dinner. Which side would your family pick: A) rice, B) mashed potatoes, or C) corn on the cob?

You will need: 10 chicken drumsticks, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, salt and pepper

How to make it: Heat the oven to 425F. Pat the drumsticks dry. Toss with oil and all the spices. Line them up on a rack over a sheet pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, turning once, until the skin is crispy and the inside reaches 175F.

Better Than Takeout Vegetable Fried Rice

Leftover rice is the secret to great fried rice, so this dinner basically saves money twice. A few eggs, a bag of frozen peas and carrots and some soy sauce turn yesterday’s rice into a meal the whole family will fight over. It takes 15 minutes from fridge to table. Add leftover chicken or ham if you have some hanging around.

You will need: 4 cups cold cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots, 3 green onions, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp oil

How to make it: Heat oil in a large skillet. Scramble the eggs and set aside. Add the garlic and frozen veggies and cook 3 minutes. Add the rice and press it into the pan to crisp. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, eggs and green onions.

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

When the fridge looks empty, quesadillas save the day. One cup of shredded chicken, a handful of cheese and a pack of tortillas can feed the whole family. They crisp up in a pan in minutes, and everyone can choose their own fillings. Serve with salsa, sour cream and a few avocado slices to make it feel special.

You will need: 8 flour tortillas, 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1 can black beans, 1 tsp taco seasoning, salsa, sour cream

How to make it: Mix the chicken, beans and taco seasoning. Sprinkle cheese on half of each tortilla, add the filling and more cheese, then fold. Cook in a dry skillet 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and melty. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Remember these from childhood? Homemade sloppy joes taste way better than the can, and they cost less too. A pound of ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce makes enough for six big sandwiches. They are messy in the best way. Did you eat sloppy joes at school growing up?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 6 hamburger buns

How to make it: Brown the beef with the onion and pepper. Drain the fat. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire. Simmer 10 minutes until thick. Toast the buns and pile the filling high.

Red Beans and Rice

This Southern classic was born to feed big families on very little money. Red beans simmer with onion, celery and pepper until creamy, and a little smoked sausage adds big flavor. Serve it over fluffy white rice and you have a dinner that costs pennies per bowl. It is cozy, filling and full of soul.

You will need: 2 cans red kidney beans, 8 oz smoked sausage, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, 2 celery stalks, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cups broth, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 4 cups cooked rice

How to make it: Brown the sliced sausage in a pot. Add the onion, pepper, celery and garlic and cook 5 minutes. Add beans, broth and seasoning. Simmer 25 minutes, mashing some beans to thicken. Serve over rice.

Loaded Potato Soup

Potatoes are one of the cheapest foods you can buy, and this soup makes them feel like a treat. It is thick, creamy and topped with cheese, bacon bits and green onions, just like a loaded baked potato. A big pot feeds everyone with leftovers for lunch. Quick poll: A) chunky soup or B) smooth soup?

You will need: 3 lb potatoes, 1 onion, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 4 slices cooked bacon, green onions, salt and pepper

How to make it: Melt butter and cook the onion 5 minutes. Stir in flour. Add broth and diced potatoes. Simmer 20 minutes until soft. Mash some potatoes in the pot. Stir in milk and cheese. Top with bacon and green onions.

Friday Night Homemade Pizza

Delivery pizza for a family can cost more than a week of breakfasts. Homemade dough is just flour, yeast, water and salt, and kids love helping to add the toppings. Bake it on the lowest rack of a very hot oven for a crispy crust. Make it a weekly tradition and you will save money and make memories at the same time.

You will need: 3 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 cup warm water, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup pizza sauce, 2 cups mozzarella, toppings you like

How to make it: Mix water, yeast and sugar. Wait 5 minutes. Add flour, salt and oil and knead 5 minutes. Let rise 1 hour. Heat oven to 475F. Stretch dough on a pan, add sauce, cheese and toppings. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.

15 Minute Egg Noodle Stir Fry

When everyone is hungry right now, this is your answer. Egg noodles cook in minutes, and a quick sauce of soy, honey and garlic coats every strand. Toss in cabbage, carrots or any veggies hiding in your crisper drawer. It is faster than ordering in and costs a fraction of the price.

You will need: 12 oz egg noodles, 2 cups shredded cabbage, 2 carrots, 3 green onions, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp oil

How to make it: Boil the noodles and drain. Heat oil and stir fry the cabbage, carrots and garlic 3 minutes. Whisk soy sauce, honey and sesame oil. Add noodles and sauce to the pan. Toss 2 minutes and top with green onions.