21 Easy Main Dishes That Won’t Cost a Fortune

Cooking delicious meals doesn’t have to break the bank. These 21 budget-friendly main dish recipes are perfect for keeping your grocery bill low while still serving up hearty, flavorful dishes. Packed with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these recipes prove that great taste and affordability can go hand in hand.

Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta with sliced sausage, tomatoes, and grated cheese, garnished with herbs. A fork is placed beside the bowl. — Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

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Budget-friendly and bursting with flavor, this dish combines hearty smoked sausage with perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy sauce. It’s a quick fix that satisfies even the hungriest appetites!
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

Healthy Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata with lemon and capers on a plate. — Healthy Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Light, lemony, and downright delicious! This recipe features tender chicken breasts topped with a tangy, buttery caper sauce that screams freshness.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chicken Piccata

Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Tofu and broccoli on a plate. — Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Packed with protein and veggies, this stir fry is as nutritious as it is flavorful. The tofu soaks up a perfectly seasoned sauce, making this dish a weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Sticky Baked Asian Chicken Wings (Fall Off the Bone)

Baked tender, sticky, and savory Asian chicken wings on a plate. — Sticky Baked Asian Chicken Wings (Fall Off the Bone). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Say hello to sticky, savory, fall-off-the-bone chicken wings! These oven-baked beauties are glazed in a sweet and tangy Asian-inspired sauce.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Baked Asian Chicken Wings (Fall Off the Bone)

Crockpot Cheesy Salsa Chicken

Set it and forget it with this creamy, cheesy crockpot classic! Juicy chicken combines with salsa and a cheesy finish, perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or wraps.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Juicy, tender chicken cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce in record time. This Instant Pot recipe is perfect for those hectic weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Air Fryer Country Style Ribs

A white plate with air-fried country style ribs, garnished with barbecue sauce and parsley. — Air Fryer Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer ribs are full of smoky BBQ flavor without the hassle of the grill.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Country Style Ribs

Sweet & Sour Tofu

Sweet and sour tofu in a bowl with rice and chopsticks on the side. — Sweet & Sour Tofu. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Crispy tofu, tangy sauce, and vibrant veggies come together in this affordable and vegan-friendly dish. It’s a tasty takeout-style meal made at home!
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Tofu

Ground Beef and Noodles

A bowl of creamy beef stroganoff with egg noodles on a striped cloth next to a fork and a sprig of parsley. — Ground Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Comfort food at its finest! Ground beef and tender noodles are tossed together in a creamy, seasoned sauce that’s both hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Noodles

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

A plate of orzo pasta topped with sliced grilled chicken, garnished with parsley and lemon. Nearby are bell peppers, lemons, and a bowl of grated cheese on a red patterned cloth. — Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Bright, zesty, and full of Mediterranean flair. This one-pot dish features chicken, tender orzo, and a burst of fresh lemon flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

Oven Baked Hamburger Steaks

A serving spoon lifting Salisbury steak with mushrooms and onions from a baking dish with sauce. — Oven Baked Hamburger Steaks. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Ground beef meets a savory gravy in this easy baked dish. These hamburger steaks are pure comfort, perfect with mashed potatoes or rice.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Hamburger Steaks

Cheeseburger Crunch Wraps

A sliced quesadilla filled with seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes on a plate, accompanied by a small bowl of red sauce. — Cheeseburger Crunch Wraps. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Crispy, cheesy, and so fun to eat! These homemade crunch wraps are stuffed with ground beef, cheese, and all your favorite burger toppings.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Crunch Wraps

Ground Beef and Broccoli

A plate of beef and broccoli with chopsticks. — Ground Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Create a quick and delicious stir-fry featuring tender ground beef and crisp broccoli, all coated in a rich, savory garlic sauce. It’s easy to make, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Baked Chicken and Orzo

A plate with baked chicken thigh and orzo pasta mixed with tomatoes, garnished with herbs, with a fork and knife beside. — Baked Chicken and Orzo. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Creamy, tomato-infused orzo paired with tender baked chicken makes this dish perfect for cozy family dinners that are big on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken and Orzo

Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights

A plate of fried rice with tofu, peas, corn, carrots, and egg. — Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

A great way to use up leftover rice! This quick and hearty tofu fried rice is loaded with veggies and seasoned to perfection for those busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Three air-fried, sesame-crusted chicken thighs with broccoli on a white plate. — Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Juicy, seasoned chicken thighs come out golden and crispy thanks to your trusty air fryer. It’s an easy dinner idea that checks all the boxes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Breaded Panko Pork Chops

Panko pork chop on plate with greens. — Breaded Panko Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Crispy panko breadcrumbs bring the ultimate crunch to these juicy pork chops. They’re baked to golden perfection and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Breaded Panko Pork Chops

Soy Garlic Chicken

Sweet and savory come together in this juicy soy garlic chicken recipe. It’s flavorful, sticky perfection that pairs beautifully with a side of rice.
Get the Recipe: Soy Garlic Chicken

Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

A pan filled with fried cabbage and sausage, with a wooden spoon resting inside. — Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

A humble dish with big flavors! Sautéed cabbage and smoky sausage are seasoned with garlic and spices for an easy-to-make skillet dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Easy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets

Crispy, golden, and cheesy! These Parmesan-breaded chicken cutlets are quick to make and guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets

Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Healthy, hearty, and flavorful! This one-pan wonder combines seasoned ground beef with tender sweet potatoes and a medley of spices.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet