These 23 budget-friendly recipes can turn your weeknights from takeout chaos to delicious satisfaction! Don’t settle for greasy delivery when you can make these easy on the wallet alternatives.
Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Effortlessly prepare these slow cooker BBQ chicken legs for a cost-effective alternative to dining out. They’re bathed in a tangy sauce and cooked until tender, ideal for a hands-off dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
These air fryer chicken thighs offer a quick and economical meal, crisped to perfection with a simple seasoning blend. Ready in just 30 minutes, they provide a balance of convenience and home-cooked goodness.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta
Opt for this budget-wise sausage and red pepper pasta instead of takeout. It’s a creamy, one-pot meal that’s ready in a snap, perfect for those hectic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Sausage & Red Pepper Pasta
Salmon Chowder
This salmon chowder utilizes pantry-friendly canned ingredients for a cost-conscious meal. A mix of salmon, vegetables, and beans in a creamy broth makes for a comforting dish without the extra expense.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Chowder
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Enjoy the flavors of stuffed peppers without the extra work with this casserole. It’s an uncomplicated dish that brings the family together, proving that homemade can be both easy and more economical than eating out.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
Instant Pot Dirty Rice
Try the Instant Pot Dirty Rice for a quick and hearty family meal. This one-pot dish combines beef and rice with a hint of spice, serving up comfort without the high cost of restaurant fare.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Dirty Rice
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Recreate the cozy experience of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup at home. It’s a creamy, cheese-laden soup that brings the comfort of a restaurant meal to your table at a fraction of the cost.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Taco Rice Skillet
This taco rice skillet is the answer to a swift and straightforward dinner, combining 8 easy ingredients for a dish that’s ready in about 20 minutes. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s gentle on your wallet.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Quick and flexible, these air fryer chicken fajitas are a simple option for a weeknight meal. Chicken and veggies come together in just 15 minutes, proving that homemade can be both simple and more cost-effective.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
French Onion Casserole
The French Onion Casserole is a weeknight wonder, blending crispy onions in a one-pan dish that’s easy and budget-conscious. It’s a family-pleasing meal that combats the expense of dining out.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Recreate the homestyle flavor of Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf in your own kitchen. This well-seasoned, perfectly cooked dish is a testament to how home cooking can be both rewarding and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
This Instant Pot pulled pork is a simple yet hearty dinner option. Achieve tender, flavored pork in just 2 hours, demonstrating that you can have convenience without the takeout price tag.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Mushroom Stew
Dive into the rustic charm of this Italian mushroom stew. Served over bread, it’s a dish that brings comfort without costing a lot, showing that homemade meals can be both nourishing and economical.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stew
Crockpot Chili
This beanless crockpot chili is a straightforward dish that’s hearty and satisfying. Packed with extra veggies, it’s a slow cooker recipe that proves you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy a rich, flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Air fryer chicken leg quarters make for a perfect weeknight meal. With a crispy exterior and juicy interior, they showcase that cooking at home can be both simple and less expensive than ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
This 3-ingredient slow cooker pulled chicken is as easy as it gets. Just set it and come back to tender, juicy chicken that’s perfect for a no-stress dinner, proving that homemade can be both convenient and cost-saving.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
Crock Pot Ramen
Crock Pot Ramen is the ultimate in set-it-and-forget-it cooking. Just add the ingredients and return to a comforting bowl of ramen, all without the extra cost of takeout.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen
Chicken and Waffle Casserole
This Chicken and Waffle Casserole puts a creative spin on a beloved classic. With minimal ingredients, it’s a dinner option that fuses sweet and savory without the need for an expensive meal out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Air frying hot dogs results in a perfect cook every time. Whether you use frozen ones or wrap them in breadsticks, it’s an uncomplicated family meal that keeps your budget in check.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup
This crock pot ham and potato soup is a simple, creamy delight. Let potatoes and ham simmer away all day, then add cheese for a rich twist, all while keeping your spending low.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup
Walking Taco Casserole
Walking Taco Casserole turns a portable favorite into a baked delight. With beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos, it’s a layered dish that’s more economical and just as enjoyable as any takeout option.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
When you’re in the mood for something hearty but don’t want to toil in the kitchen, this Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is the anwser. It is a time-saving and budget-conscious choice that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Air Fryer Carnitas
These air fryer pork carnitas are marinated and cooked to achieve tender meat with crisp edges. Perfect for a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes, it’s a meal that keeps your budget in mind.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carnitas
