18 Tasty Budget-Friendly Meals You Can Make Tonight

Feeding your family or just yourself on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, and this roundup proves it. These budget-friendly meals are easy to make, use simple pantry staples, and are perfect for busy weeknights or leftover-friendly lunches. From hearty casseroles to flavorful pastas, soups, and one-pot dinners, these recipes are satisfying, affordable, and surprisingly easy to pull together without breaking the bank.

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.

A close-up of a serving spoon holding creamy chicken casserole topped with crushed crackers and herbs. — Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.. Photo credit: My Rad Kitchen.

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This casserole layers tender chicken with a creamy sauce and a buttery cracker topping. The Ritz crackers bake into a golden, crisp layer. The filling stays moist and scoopable. It reheats well for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.

Bacon and Lentil Soup

A bowl of yellow lentil soup with chopped vegetables and crispy bacon pieces, served on a red and white floral-patterned plate with a spoon. — Bacon and Lentil Soup. Photo credit: Rachel Phipps.

This soup combines lentils with smoky bacon in a rich broth. The lentils soften while keeping their shape. Bacon adds depth throughout the pot. It works well as a stovetop meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Lentil Soup

EASY Potato Sausage Recipe (Perfect Skillet Potatoes)

A pan filled with sautéed sliced carrots and chopped vegetables, stirred with a black spatula, sits on a light marble surface. — EASY Potato Sausage Recipe (Perfect Skillet Potatoes). Photo credit: The Buttery Fairytale.

This skillet dish cooks potatoes and sausage together until browned. The potatoes turn crisp on the outside and tender inside. Sausage releases flavor as it cooks. Everything finishes in one pan.
Get the Recipe: EASY Potato Sausage Recipe (Perfect Skillet Potatoes)

EASY Canned Tuna Pasta Recipe in Creamy Garlic Sauce

A white plate of spaghetti topped with shredded fish and herbs, placed on a pink textured surface. — EASY Canned Tuna Pasta Recipe in Creamy Garlic Sauce. Photo credit: The Buttery Fairytale.

This pasta uses pantry tuna in a smooth garlic sauce. The sauce coats the noodles evenly. Tuna breaks into bite sized pieces throughout. It comes together quickly on the stove.
Get the Recipe: EASY Canned Tuna Pasta Recipe in Creamy Garlic Sauce

Quick & Creamy 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry

A bowl of chickpea curry garnished with cilantro, with flatbread, a glass of water, and utensils on a pink surface. — Quick & Creamy 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

This curry relies on a short ingredient list for speed. Chickpeas simmer until fully coated in sauce. The texture stays thick and comforting. It pairs easily with rice or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Quick & Creamy 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry

Bread Gnocchi with Sausage

A bowl of gnocchi with tomato sauce and beans, topped with grated cheese, sits on a plate next to a bowl of grated cheese and a bowl of nuts. — Bread Gnocchi with Sausage. Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

Bread gnocchi cook into soft, pillowy bites. Sausage adds richness and structure to the dish. The sauce clings to each piece. It feels hearty without being heavy.
Get the Recipe: Bread Gnocchi with Sausage

Easy Slow Cooker Southwest Chili with Beef & Pinto Beans

A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, and cilantro, surrounded by corn, beans, herbs, and seasonings on a light surface. — Easy Slow Cooker Southwest Chili with Beef & Pinto Beans. Photo credit: Hungry Whisk.

This chili cooks low and slow in the crockpot. Beef becomes tender as flavors develop. Pinto beans add body to the dish. It is easy to portion for serving.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Southwest Chili with Beef & Pinto Beans

Italian Sausage Pasta

A plate of cooked pasta with a creamy orange sauce, garnished with chopped herbs, sits on a wooden board alongside scattered spinach leaves and a fork. — Italian Sausage Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This chili cooks low and slow in the crockpot. Beef becomes tender as flavors develop. Pinto beans add body to the dish. It is easy to portion for serving.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta

Quick Easy Indian Lentil Curry In as Little as 9 Minutes!

A plate of food with a fork and a plate of rice. — Quick Easy Indian Lentil Curry In as Little as 9 Minutes!. Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

This curry uses lentils that cook fast. Spices bloom quickly in the pan. The sauce thickens as everything simmers. It is ideal for a fast dinner.
Get the Recipe: Quick Easy Indian Lentil Curry In as Little as 9 Minutes!

One Pot Ham Jambalaya, An Easy Recipe For Leftovers

A bowl of jambalaya with rice, shrimp, sausage, vegetables, and fresh parsley, placed on a wooden board beside red chili peppers and garlic. — One Pot Ham Jambalaya, An Easy Recipe For Leftovers. Photo credit: Food For Life Garden.

This jambalaya uses ham in a seasoned rice base. Everything cooks together in one pot. The rice absorbs the cooking liquid evenly. Cleanup stays minimal.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Ham Jambalaya, An Easy Recipe For Leftovers

Taco Rice Casserole

A serving of cheesy ground beef and rice casserole garnished with parsley is on a white plate with a fork. — Taco Rice Casserole. Photo credit: The Recipe Well.

This casserole layers seasoned meat with rice and cheese. The rice cooks through without drying out. Cheese melts evenly across the top. It serves easily in squares.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Casserole

Spam Fried Rice with Crispy Spam and Fluffy Rice

A plate of fried rice with diced ham, scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions, served on a ceramic dish. — Spam Fried Rice with Crispy Spam and Fluffy Rice. Photo credit: A One Pot Wonder.

This fried rice crisps Spam before mixing with rice. The rice stays light and separated. Flavors blend quickly in the pan. It works well as a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Spam Fried Rice with Crispy Spam and Fluffy Rice

Instant Pot Taco Pasta

A bowl filled with pasta shells mixed with ground beef and a creamy, orange-colored sauce. — Instant Pot Taco Pasta. Photo credit: The Recipe Well.

This pasta cooks under pressure in one pot. The sauce thickens as it releases steam. Pasta turns tender without overcooking. It is fast and hands off.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Taco Pasta

Cabbage Bowls (30-Minute Dinner)

A wooden spoon scoops a mixture of cooked cabbage, ground meat, and tomato sauce from a pot. — Cabbage Bowls (30-Minute Dinner). Photo credit: Right at Home.

These bowls use cooked cabbage as the base. Toppings add texture and contrast. Everything comes together quickly. Bowls are easy to customize.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Bowls (30-Minute Dinner)

Ground Beef Fajitas

Three soft tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, sautéed bell peppers, and onions, garnished with cilantro, served on a white plate with lime wedges and salsa on the side. — Ground Beef Fajitas. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

These fajitas cook ground beef with peppers and onions. The beef absorbs seasoning as it browns. Vegetables soften without losing structure. Serving is quick and flexible.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Fajitas

Ground Beef and Pasta Bake

A plate of baked penne pasta with meat sauce and melted cheese, served with a baguette, grated cheese, and gold forks on a marble surface. — Ground Beef and Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Organized Island.

This bake mixes cooked pasta with beef and sauce. The dish sets as it bakes. Cheese melts evenly across the surface. Portions hold their shape when served.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Pasta Bake

This Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Has All the Flavor, Half the Carbs

A slice of baked lasagna topped with melted cheese and parsley is served on a white plate, with a casserole dish and squash in the background. — This Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Has All the Flavor, Half the Carbs. Photo credit: The Soccer Mom Blog.

This dish layers spaghetti squash with sauce and cheese. The squash softens while baking. Layers stay distinct. It slices cleanly once cooled slightly.
Get the Recipe: This Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Has All the Flavor, Half the Carbs

Perfectly Crisp Cast Iron Pizza

A half-and-half pizza on a wooden board: one side with mozzarella and basil, the other with pepperoni, sausage, onion, and green pepper. A pizza cutter is beside the pizza. — Perfectly Crisp Cast Iron Pizza. Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

This pizza cooks directly in a cast iron skillet for a crisp crust. The dough bakes evenly from edge to center. Cheese melts smoothly across the top. Toppings stay well balanced without weighing it down.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Crisp Cast Iron Pizza