 | ||
| Your browser is not supported. | ||
|
Please browse our site using any of the following options:
| ||
Budget-Friendly Cheap Dinner Ideas
In the age of food delivery services, mustering the energy or enthusiasm to cook can sometimes be a bit tricky. However, with a bit of forethought and planning you'll be cooking up a storm in the kitchen every night with these simple and cheap dinner ideas. We're going to assume you have a few pantry staples such as oil, salt and pepper - but these budget dinner recipes are designed to make the most of what you have.
The great thing about many of these family meal ideas on a budget is that most of the ingredients can be substituted for things you might happen to have on hand. So whether you're a freezer forager, are cooking on a budget or just have a family to feed and are looking for some fun new culinary ideas, feast your eyes on this neat little list of cheap easy dinner ideas we've put together to help you get the most bang for your buck!
Quick Links
- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Potato Salad
- Mac & Cheese Bake
- Spaghetti Al Olio
- Green Soup
- Beetroot & Sweet Potato Salad
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Bacon & Tomato Pasta
- Kangaroo Stew
- Honey Soy Drumsticks
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
This cheerful and cheap easy dinner is sure to become a favourite in your household due to its simplicity, versatility and cost-effective nature. Most, if not all supermarkets stock large Portobello or field mushrooms, garlic, onions and tomatoes, and that's really all you need to get started. Wash the mushrooms, remove the stems and dice them finely with the other ingredients, place the mix into the upturned mushroom, drizzle with oil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Of course, there's no limit to the fillings you can have - try sausage meat, nuts, breadcrumbs, potato, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, spinach, pumpkin, cheese - the list goes on! We like to get inventive, but the 'go-to' recipe usually involves onion, garlic, mushroom stalks, breadcrumbs and cheese.
The wonderful thing about this cheap dinner idea is that it's perfect for any meal of the day - try adding a poached egg on top for breakfast, or some asparagus spears, sausages and garlic bread on the side for dinner! FYI: they're also a big hit at BBQs too!
Tools and Equipment Required:
Loaded Potato Salad
Always a crowd favourite at picnics, barbecues, lunches and dinners, the humble potato salad is a quick, simple and cheap dinner idea that takes very little time to prepare. It generally consists of boiled potatoes and some combination of herbs and other vegetables, tossed in a creamy dressing that's usually mayonnaise-based. Sometimes meat (usually bacon or speck) is added, but plenty of vegan and vegetarian options are possible.
One of our favourite ways to prepare this budget meal idea is simply to add to your boiled potatoes a generous amount of mayonnaise, the juice of half a lemon, a tablespoon of sweet paprika and plenty of salt and pepper and diced raw red onion, then stir the whole lot until everything is evenly coated. It's best to sit it in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving to allow the flavours to set, though we'd also recommend making it the day before and refrigerating overnight to maximise the melding of flavours, and minimise your prep time on the day.
To make it a filling dinner, add some protein and extras such as shredded chicken, grilled chicken, grilled salmon, pork schnitzel or sausages!
Tools and Equipment Required:
- Mixing bowls
- Kitchen knives and chopping board
- Cooking pots
- Serving bowl
- Lemon juicer
- Tongs and kitchen spoons
Mac & Cheese Bake
When the cooler months descend, there's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of macaroni and cheese. Whilst traditionally a side dish in American cuisine, this dish can also easily be served as a cheap dinner idea on its own. It's ridiculously simple to make and can be levelled up by adding chunks of ham or sausage into the mix, or pumpkin and spinach for a vegetarian option.
One of our favourite ways to have this dish is to bake it with breadcrumbs on top, which a great way to use up that stale end of the loaf that you have knocking about. Try making a big batch at the beginning of the week - it will easily keep in the fridge and makes for a great side to any protein you might be having, or just as a great budget dinner recipe for those nights when you're not up for more than a quick zap in the microwave.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Spaghetti Al Olio
The ultimate cheap dinner idea, this dish is so simple to make and takes no time at all, yet always comes out tasting delicious. All you need is olive oil, chilli, garlic and parmesan, though if you're not eating dairy, you can skip the cheese and still enjoy a superb taste. The trick with this budget meal idea is to slowly cook the garlic until it's just golden brown, and don't skimp on the oil. Save half a cup of the salted starchy pasta water to add to the pan when combining your pasta and sauce, this will help the garlicky chilli sauce to evenly coat each strand.
We've gone for spaghetti for this dish, however, it works wonderfully with any kind of pasta. Similarly, some recipes will call for fresh chilli, but flakes will work just as well. It's a simple, tasty, no-fuss family meal idea on a budget that only takes about twenty minutes.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Green Soup
Soups are always a great choice to reduce costs whilst staying healthy. This cheap and easy dinner will call for a blender or food processor to get the texture right, though if you have a stick blender or bar mix that will work as well.
Essentially, all you need to do is assemble your chosen vegetables - we've opted for broccoli, peas (frozen is fine), potatoes, onion and a bit of garlic, add vegetable stock and cook in a large pot until tender, then whizz it in the blender until it is a smooth puree. Serve with a slice of buttered toast or a hunk of crusty bread, and a dollop of yoghurt or cream can also be added if you have it on hand. Another handy thing about making a big batch of soup is that you can freeze the leftovers and save them for whenever you need.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Beetroot & Sweet Potato Salad
This is a quick and easy salad full of colour and fresh flavours that will have you coming back for seconds every time. The most labour-intensive part of this cheap easy dinner is the roasting of the sweet potatoes - the rest is as simple as chopping and mixing. To make it, all you'll need is a bag of baby spinach, a sweet potato, a tin of beetroot, a carrot, half red onion, a splash of red wine vinegar and a tin of chickpeas, and you're all set.
Now the trick to getting perfect roast sweet potatoes is to parboil them before roasting - check them every 10 minutes or so and give the pan a shake to make sure they crisp evenly and don't stick. The onion can go in raw, but for a more delicate flavour, try sitting it in a small amount of red wine vinegar for a mild pickling before adding it to the rest of the salad. We like to serve yoghurt tahini dressing with this one, but it's fine as it is, or maybe add a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of oil. If you want to bulk it up a bit, try adding slices of fried halloumi.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Buffalo Cauliflower
A cheap dinner idea that makes for a healthy and meat free alternative to a pub classic, buffalo cauliflower is a great option to serve as a snack or side. That said, there's nothing to say you can't have it as a main sized portion too! There are a few ways to make it depending on how much effort you want to put in.
The simplest involves roasting the florets in the oven and tossing them in a combination of melted butter, honey and hot sauce to coat them. Alternatively you can make a batter and deep fry, or give them a whirl in the air fryer if you have one. However you decide to cook them, the key is to get your cauliflower nice and crispy and make sure you get plenty of spicy sauce all over them. You can knock up a blue cheese dip to go with them, but a store bought chipotle mayo or ranch will also do the trick.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Bacon & Tomato Pasta
This hearty and delicious pasta makes for a great cheap dinner idea, as it is quick and simple enough to easily put together any night of the week. All you need is bacon, a tin of tomatoes, pasta, chilli, onion and lots of garlic. It's very straightforward to make, but a few key steps will elevate this dish to a higher level.
An important part of this budget dinner recipe is to get the bacon right - make sure it's finely diced and then cook on medium heat until golden and crispy. Similarly, be sure not to overcook the garlic. Keep it slow and low to allow its more delicate flavours to arise. If you're after a meat-free version of this amazingly delicious budget meal idea, try adding mushrooms and pine nuts instead of bacon. Using a casserole pot will deepen the flavour and ensure even simmering.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Kangaroo Stew
The rich, earthy taste of kangaroo makes it perfect for stews. Due to its relatively low-fat content, you'll want to cook this for a long time at a low temperature. If you have a slow cooker that's perfect, if not a sturdy saucepan on low heat will do the trick.
The great thing about this budget meal idea is you can pretty much throw in whatever you want to pad it out, but we usually opt for onions, carrots, sweet potato, garlic, stock and about half a bottle of your favourite beer (the darker the better). Low and slow is the key here - make sure you sear the meat first, but then the longer you cook it the better. It's a great cheap dinner idea for a winter warmer that keeps costs down, as well as being sustainable and healthy.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Honey Soy Drumsticks
A classic dish that you can serve hot or cold once cooked, this budget family meal idea is easy to make and perfect for BBQs and picnics. Or, just make up a batch at the start of the week and use them for lunch or dinner.
Most poultry shops will be able to sell you a bag of drumsticks (though wings and drumettes work just as well), and then all you need is honey, soy sauce, ginger, salt, pepper and oil. Add all of this to an ovenproof dish and bake for roughly 45 minutes, depending on quantity, regularly basting. A dash of orange juice and a bit of chilli can level this dish up a bit if you're looking to show off. Serve up on a large tray and enjoy with a side of rice and steamed frozen vegetables for a complete meal.
Tools and Equipment Required:
Get Inspired with Delicious Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
When it comes to cooking weekly dinners, you don't have to max out your budget in order to cook delicious food. Cooking at home is a great way to save money instead of eating out or getting food delivery. Enjoy cooking at home by ensuring you have the right cookware, food prep essentials, bakeware and more.
Try out these amazing cheap dinner ideas this week and reduce your budget - not the flavour! Visit us online or in-store and head over to the Hub for more cooking tips, ideas and inspiration! Some great articles you'll love include:
