15 Cheap Dinner Ideas For Family 

Are you looking for cheap, budget-friendly, easy dinner meals to feed your family or large gatherings? Here is a list of 15 super delicious yet cheap recipes you can easily whip up without breaking your bank account. 

Can we get high-quality food on a low budget? How can we feed my family on a low budget? These are the questions that I frequently get. And the answer is yes; you can satisfy your family’s taste buds without breaking the bank.

During my hostel life, arranging high-quality food to sustain myself was very challenging, and those moments were brutal. At that time, I searched for cheap meals I could prepare for a few bucks. Thankfully, I’ve got many scrumptious, clean, and easy-to-make recipes that I adjusted in my weekly food plan. 

From my past, I’ve learned that you don’t need to throw a lot of money into fancy dinners; with just a few bucks, you can whip up healthier recipes to feed yourself and your whole family.

So, if you have a large family and want to save money on food, this guide is only for you. Whether you live in the USA, UK, the UK, Mexico, Asia, Africa, or any part of the world, these recipes use staple ingredients to be easily found at any grocery store. 

1- BUBBLE UP PIZZA CASSEROLE

This bubble pizza casserole uses simple, cheap ingredients and is a delicious dinner option for the entire family.

It has pizza sauce, refrigerated biscuit pieces, mozzarella cheese, and pizza toppings. You can customize the ingredients according to your taste buds. 

2- SAUSAGE TRAY BAKE

The sausages, red onion, carrots, and potatoes, paired with beef stock and oil, taste hearty and filling. This sausage tray bake is my go-to recipe for busy summer nights.

It requires only 15 minutes of preparation, as all ingredients are cooked in one sheet pan. 

In addition, this recipe is super versatile. You can use different types of sausages and substitute various vegetables to make them healthier. 

3- Peshawari Chicken Karahi

Imagine a dinner made with Chicken, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and tomatoes—it sounds cheap and easy, doesn’t it? If you’re looking for a similar kind of dinner to feed your family, try this Peshawari Chicken Karahi. 

This tangy and savory recipe is easy to make and comes out in under 20 minutes. The garlic ginger paste and black pepper build the entire taste, and you don’t need to marinate the Chicken, bake it, or grill it; just combine all the things in one pan, fry it for a few minutes, and be done. 

4- Aloo Gobi Matar

If you’re a vegetarian and looking for budget-friendly vegetarian meals, this Aloo Gobi Matar is your thing. This recipe has potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and some ground spices.

The bursting flavors and tangy taste make it the best recipe for spicy lovers. You can adjust the heat level according to your taste buds. All the ingredients used in this recipe are stable and easily available in every pantry. 

5- Lemon Pepper Chicken 

This refreshing and tart chicken curry is my favorite summer delight, and it requires fewer ingredients. The lemon and yogurt marinade makes the chicken pieces so juicy and succulent that they melt in your mouth.

This recipe reminds me of my hostel days; I used to whip it up twice a week.

One secret ingredient in the recipe is lemon juice, which enhances the entire taste, making this recipe refreshing and best for summer days. 

6- Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Don’t waste your leftover rice; make this hearty Chicken fried rice recipe. The fluffy rice with juicy chicken chunks, eggs, and carrots gives a satisfying taste.

This recipe uses basic Chinese flavor enhancers, including soy sauce, vinegar, salt, and black pepper, available in every pantry. 

7- One-Pot Chicken Couscous

This One-pot chicken couscous is easier to make but full of flavors. The Chicken in hearty couscous feels tantalizing and savory. What I love the most about this recipe is its nutritional value; cheese, Chicken, and vegetables contain healthy nutrients.

Further, you can swap the Chicken with meat or substitute various vegetables to make it more flavorful. I prefer adding many fresh herbs to the final dish to make it look more appealing and refreshing. 

8- Easy Fusilli alla Vodka 

If you’re looking for a no-fuss recipe that requires little effort, try this easy fusilli alla vodka made with homemade pasta sauce.

This budget-friendly recipe is a real crowd-pleaser, and you will earn many complaints after serving it to your family and guests. 

The creamy vodka sauce and tomato sauce create a relaxing and satisfying taste that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving another bite.

9- One Pan Egg Roll in a Bowl

This healthy one-pan meal with veggies is the best for your entire family. It’s a gluten- and keto-free recipe that you can serve with rice or eat alone.

To make it even healthier, feel free to add ground beef. This one-pan egg roll is a make-ahead recipe, so you can store it later. 

10- Loose Meat Sandwich

I love sandwiches, especially those with ground beef filling, as they instantly eliminate hunger.

If you’re looking for a similar kind of sandwich, try this loose-meat sandwich, which requires only onion, cheddar cheese, ketchup, and black pepper for taste. Feel free to personalize it with your favorite sauce or toppings. 

11- GNOCCHI WITH MARINARA SAUCE

Say hello to this Gnocchi skillet meal, and forget your budget problems.

Gnocchi with marinara sauce is something special for everyone. The taste is insane, requiring minimal ingredients to make this recipe.

Also, this recipe is perfect for those looking for pure vegetarian recipes. Chopped red pepper and baby spinach are the perfect substitutes to take this recipe to the next level. 

12- RAVIOLI AL POMODORO RECIPE

For a perfect dinner in a hurry, you can’t go wrong with this Ravioli Al Pomodoro recipe, a creamy and refreshing treat infused with fresh basil and garlic.

You don’t need any fancy pasta sauce to whip up this recipe. The Pomodoro sauce (tomato sauce) is a magical ingredient that brings the entire taste.

Parmesan cheese is an option, but I prefer you use it to make this recipe more creamy and hearty. 

13- CHICKEN TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE MEATBALLS

Looking for a protein-packed dinner option that is easy to make, juicy, and delicious? Look no further than these Chicken Teriyaki pineapple meatballs.

They are made with pineapple teriyaki sauce, which offers a blend of sweet and tangy flavors. These meatballs are also the best treat for family gatherings, picnics, parties, and large crowds. 

14– PESTO TAGLIATELLE

This quintessential Italian pasta dish features the robust, nutty essence of pesto sauce with delicate strands of tagliatelle.

The vibrant green pesto sauce is the key ingredient with fresh basil levels, toasted pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and premium extra virgin olive oil—a symphony of flavors dancing on your palate.

Pesto Tagliatelle is undoubtedly the best recipe to impress your guests. 

15- MEXICAN TACO MEATLOAF

Bursting with smoky, bold taco seasoning and succulent, moist texture, this Mexican Taco meatloaf is the best meal to please your family and a large crowd. 

Crafted with just six main ingredients, this meatloaf is hassle-free and flavorful. Ground turkey, salsa, breadcrumbs, eggs, and zesty taco seasoning blend seamlessly, resulting in a satisfying and convenient dish.