42 Cheap Meals to Stretch Your Grocery Budget

Sometimes it’s nice to splurge on a fancy restaurant meal but sometimes life gets in the way and you find you need to stretch your budget because payday is still a few days or weeks away. That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy tasty, satisfying meals though. You just need to have some handy cheap meals and recipes up your sleeve so you can create delicious but affordable food until your paycheck does come. Take a look at some of these budget meal ideas!

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is a protein powerhouse of a dish which is every bit as nourishing as flavorful. It’s the kind of dish you can whip up with ingredients costing under a dollar apiece and enjoy it for lunches and dinners.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Hamburger Steak and Gravy

If you have a steak craving but not a matching steak budget, consider hamburger steak instead, which boasts that super beefy delicousness. This one has plenty of onions, a rich gravy and fresh herbs on top.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Steak and Gravy

American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

American chop suey is a delicious dish that’s popular in the New England region. Also known as American goulash, this dish is meaty and tasty.
Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

Yummy Pork Egg Roll In A Bowl

Pork egg roll in a bowl is a low-carb alternative to traditional egg rolls. This is an easy recipe with ground pork, veggies, and other flavours which is sure to satisfy a craving for Asian food.
Get the Recipe: Yummy Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl

Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Taco stuffed zucchini boats offer a little of everything – nutrition, meat, veggies, a pop of Mexican seasoning, and of course a tasty meal!
Get the Recipe: Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Pancetta Pea Pasta

A rich-flavored and creamy dish, this pancetta pea pasta is made with meaty pancetta, pasta, peas, and cheese. It makes a tasty, cozy treat at dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pea Pasta

One Pot Taco Macaroni And Cheese

Taco macaroni and cheese is a simple 30-minute meal that you can make in one pot. South-of-the-border flavors combine with cream cheese and pasta to make this hearty dish. It’s a brand new take on classic mac ‘n cheese.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Taco Macaroni And Cheese

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake is filled with chicken, pasta, corn and beans. It’s a great way to use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken and this cheesy chicken bake is a delicious weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Italian Meatloaf

Beef and mild sausage pair up with veggies, seasonings, and more to make a wonderful Italian meatloaf bathed in tasty marinara sauce that the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Grab some steaks and Asian seasonings, along with some fresh vegetables, and you can rustle up authentic beef yaki udon in less than 30 minutes. It’s an easy udon recipe that is sweet, aromatic, and utterly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yaki Udon Noodle Stir Fry

Swedish Meatballs

Try making these delicious copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs at home and enjoy the same great taste as the ones you find in the store.
Get the Recipe: Swedish Meatballs

Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles

Slow cooker beef and noodles with mushrooms is a perfect winter warmer and comfort food. It’s also a tasty, easy crockpot beef recipe which will be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef And Noodles

Easy Pink Pasta

This pink pasta sauce isn’t just easy to make with alfredo sauce and tomatoes. It’s delicious and turns your spaghetti a shade of pink!
Get the Recipe: Easy Pink Pasta

Meatball Marinara Subs

Savor the juicy homemade meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and fluffy brioche buns in Italian meatball marinara subs – a satisfying comfort food that’s perfect for lunch or busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Marinara Subs

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Instant Pot BBQ chicken French bread pizza is a super-easy 20-minute meal which I just know you’re going to love. Barbeque French bread pizza offers a change of pace from traditional pizza recipes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Ground Beef And Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef and cabbage makes an easy skillet dinner loosely inspired by an Asian stir fry. With tons of texture, aromatic spices, and a light savory sauce, this 30-minute meal is a weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef And Cabbage Skillet

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Homemade Hamburger Helper is such an easy, flavorful, and budget-friendly meal the whole family will love! An elevated one-pot meal!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

This bucatini cacio e pepe is a classic Italian pasta dish that’s made with thick pasta, two types of cheeses, and two other easy ingredients! Ready to enjoy in just 25 minutes from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Quick, easy and healthy ground beef stir fry recipe featuring fresh vegetables and a homemade garlic ginger stir fry sauce.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Meatball Sub Casserole

All of the best parts of meatball subs are packed into a casserole form. Use ground chicken for a healthy and tasty option that pairs perfectly with tomato sauce and plenty of cheese.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Sub Casserole

Dirty Rice With Sausage

Dirty rice with sausage is a one-pot wonder that’ll satisfy even the hungriest of crowds. Ground beef, sausage, and a touch of Cajun seasoning come together in one pot for an easy, flavor-packed meal!
Get the Recipe: Dirty Rice With Sausage

Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

This easy Salisbury steak recipe is a classic comfort food that the whole family will love! Juicy steak patties in a savory mushroom gravy with sliced onions and fresh parsley make this the perfect weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak

Easy Pork Chop Casserole

Pork Chop Casserole makes a delicious one-pan meal to serve any night of the week. Enjoy tender and juicy pork chops cooked in creamy rice for a satisfying family dinner everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pork Chop Casserole

Mexican Spaghetti

This easy Mexican spaghetti is a delicious one-pot meal of noodles cooked in tomato sauce with beef, poblano peppers, and shredded cheese. It’s a fun way to put a spin on traditional spaghetti by adding Mexican flavors.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Spaghetti

Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

Hawaiian Meatballs are a 3-ingredient meatball that is made with pineapple chunks, BBQ sauce, and frozen meatballs. It makes a delicious and easy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Skip the box mix and get the iconic dinner-time flavor on the table in no time. Homemade hamburger helper is fast, filling, and loaded with beefy, cheesy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Baked Beans With Ground Beef

This baked beans with ground beef recipe is the best southern baked beans you’ll ever make! It’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor!
Get the Recipe: Baked Beans With Ground Beef

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Make this hearty and soul-warming Chicken Noodle Soup in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot! There is nothing like a steaming bowl of tender chicken strips, egg noodles, and hearty veggies in a flavorful broth!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Grilled Bratwurst

Perfectly crispy and charred on the outside and juicy on the inside, this delicious Grilled Bratwurst recipe is going to blow your mind!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bratwurst

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Do you have a hankering for comforting classic lasagna but don’t want all the fuss? Then this easy skillet lasagna recipe is for you. In a mere 30 minutes, you can have comforting cheese lasagna for you and your family. A great weeknight meal!
Get the Recipe: Easy Skillet Lasagna

Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole

Hearty and nourishing, this ground beef zucchini casserole is a feel-good comfort food your whole family will love. Deliciously cheesy, high protein, and packed with healthy veggies.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole

Slow Cooker Beef Ramen Noodles

This slow cooker beef ramen noodles is sure to be a huge hit at your dinner table! It’s so easy to beef up plain ramen noodles to create a sensational meal, tossed in a mouthwatering sauce that even the kids will love!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Ramen Noodles

Chicken And Dumplings With Tortillas

This rich and creamy chicken and dumplings with tortillas recipe delivers all the delicious and heart-warming flavors and aroma of country home-style cooking but is easier and quicker to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Dumplings With Tortillas

Beef Tater Tot-Chos

Crispy tater tots topped with taco-seasoned ground beef and melted cheese is a delicious and fun twist on nachos!! Easy, ready in no time, and perfect for parties.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tater Tot-Chos

Creamy Taco Soup

This creamy taco soup recipe is loaded with ground beef, flavorful taco spices, corn, and beans, and you can dress it up with all your favorite toppings!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Taco Soup

Orecchiette With Sausage And Broccoli

This orecchiette with sausage and broccoli is a delicious and nutritious weeknight dinner. Ready in 30 min + made with 5 simple ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Easy Orecchiette with Sausage And Broccoli

Cowboy Stew

All the cowboys, cowgirls, and meat lovers are going to love this easy stew recipe with ground beef, bacon, and sausage! There are also beans, potatoes, and corn simmered in a flavorful chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin broth.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Stew

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Cheesy, creamy, and packed with broccoli, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a recipe loaded with onion, garlic, and 3 cheeses, then topped with buttery crackers!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps are loaded with Thai spices and flavors. Top them with all the goodies, and you’ve got yourself a yummy dinner the family will love in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

This Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe is an easy one-pot dinner. All of the goodness of traditional cabbage rolls but without the effort!
Get the Recipe: Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Grilled Hot Dogs

Deliciously grilled hot dogs that sizzle with every bite. Perfectly charred, juicy, and packed with flavor. A great grilling basic recipe!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Dogs

The Best Meatloaf

This is the easiest meatloaf recipe! It comes out tender and juicy every time. Serve it with mashed potatoes and veggies for a classic dinner!
Get the Recipe: The Best Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas are easily one of the best slow cooker recipes. They’re so flavorful and easy to make!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Hobo Casserole

A tasty hobo casserole, easy to make with simple ingredients. Make by the campfire or in your kitchen. Delicious, the family will love it.
Get the Recipe: Hobo Casserole