10 easy cheap meals
Find a delicious cheap meal to have for dinner tonight from the new All You Cookbook: Eat Well, Save Big.
Easy Cheap Meals
We’ve collected our favorite dinner recipes – all delicious, family pleasing cheap meals that cost less than $2.50 per serving. Here are 10 low-cost recipes to get you started. Pick up a copy of ALL YOU Eat Well, Save Big for all 148 dinner recipes.
Watch: Learn more about the cookbook with Food Editor Beth Lipton
Watch: Learn more about the cookbook with Food Editor Beth Lipton
White Bean and Chicken Chili
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 6 hr.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.97
This slow-cooker recipe is a perfect meal for a chilly day. Just use pantry staples like canned white beans and chicken stock together with cumin, garlic and green chilies to give this dish its true chili taste.
See recipe: White Bean and Chicken Chili
Cook: 6 hr.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.97
This slow-cooker recipe is a perfect meal for a chilly day. Just use pantry staples like canned white beans and chicken stock together with cumin, garlic and green chilies to give this dish its true chili taste.
See recipe: White Bean and Chicken Chili
Spinach-Ricotta Skillet Lasagna
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $2.19
We’ve given this Italian classic a new twist and shaved hours off the cooking time. Ready in under 30 minutes, this version of lasagna is sure to impress. This recipe is a hearty meal, but if you’d like you can easily add ground beef or sausage.
See recipe: Spinach-Ricotta Skillet Lasagna
Cook: 20 min.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $2.19
We’ve given this Italian classic a new twist and shaved hours off the cooking time. Ready in under 30 minutes, this version of lasagna is sure to impress. This recipe is a hearty meal, but if you’d like you can easily add ground beef or sausage.
See recipe: Spinach-Ricotta Skillet Lasagna
Lemony Chicken Breasts with Rice
Prep: 10 min.
Cook: 3 hr.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $2.25
A hearty one-dish meal starts off in the skillet and finishes in the slow cooker. Fresh lemon juice and parsley bring a bright flavor to traditional chicken and rice.
See recipe: Lemony Chicken Breasts with Rice
Cook: 3 hr.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $2.25
A hearty one-dish meal starts off in the skillet and finishes in the slow cooker. Fresh lemon juice and parsley bring a bright flavor to traditional chicken and rice.
See recipe: Lemony Chicken Breasts with Rice
Apricot-Onion Pork Medallions
Prep: 5 min.
Cook: 16 min.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $1.97
Serve a restaurant-quality dish to guests and your family in about 20 minutes. The sweet and savory sauce is made using basic pantry items like Dijon mustard and jam.
See recipe: Apricot-Onion Pork Medallions
Cook: 16 min.
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $1.97
Serve a restaurant-quality dish to guests and your family in about 20 minutes. The sweet and savory sauce is made using basic pantry items like Dijon mustard and jam.
See recipe: Apricot-Onion Pork Medallions
Ancho Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak
Prep: 5 min.
Cook: 10 min.
Serves: 8
Cost per serving: $2.38
Ancho chili powder has a slightly sweet flavor and is very mild, so it adds just touch of spice. To turn up the heat, toss in ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne. With just 10 minutes of cooking time, keep an eye on it while in the broiler or on the grill. Flank steak is lean and tender. But be sure not to overcook it, or it will be tough.
See recipe: Ancho Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak
Cook: 10 min.
Serves: 8
Cost per serving: $2.38
Ancho chili powder has a slightly sweet flavor and is very mild, so it adds just touch of spice. To turn up the heat, toss in ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne. With just 10 minutes of cooking time, keep an eye on it while in the broiler or on the grill. Flank steak is lean and tender. But be sure not to overcook it, or it will be tough.
See recipe: Ancho Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Pancetta
Prep: 1 hr.
Cook: 10 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.51
To make these homemade ravioli we use wonton skins (found in most grocery stores) instead of pasta. Crispy pancetta and sage add a savory compliment to the sweet butternut squash.
See Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage
Cook: 10 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.51
To make these homemade ravioli we use wonton skins (found in most grocery stores) instead of pasta. Crispy pancetta and sage add a savory compliment to the sweet butternut squash.
See Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage
Chili-Lime Pork Tenderloin
Prep: 8 min.
Cook: 27 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.56
Pork tenderloin is an ideal cut of meat because it is low in cost and is tender and lean. Freshly squeezed lime juice balances the heat of the chili powder in this delicious rub. Serve with a green veggie and a potato on the side.
See recipe: Chili-lime Pork Tenderloin
Cook: 27 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.56
Pork tenderloin is an ideal cut of meat because it is low in cost and is tender and lean. Freshly squeezed lime juice balances the heat of the chili powder in this delicious rub. Serve with a green veggie and a potato on the side.
See recipe: Chili-lime Pork Tenderloin
Mini Meat Loaves
Prep: 10 min.
Bake: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $1.94
We’ve taken traditional meat loaf and given it a new look with individual-sized mini loaves. Each loaf serves 1 adult or 2 children with smaller appetites. If you have leftovers just wrap tightly and refrigerate or freeze.
See recipe: Mini Meat Loaves
Bake: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
Cost per serving: $1.94
We’ve taken traditional meat loaf and given it a new look with individual-sized mini loaves. Each loaf serves 1 adult or 2 children with smaller appetites. If you have leftovers just wrap tightly and refrigerate or freeze.
See recipe: Mini Meat Loaves
Creamy Corn Chowder
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 30 min.
Serves: 8
Cost per serving: $1.38
This 5-star recipe is an all-time favorite because it is simple to prepare and has a rich smoky flavor with addition of bacon. Easily adapt the recipe to be lower in fat by using whole milk instead of the half-and-half and swap in turkey bacon instead of regular.
See recipe: Creamy Corn Chowder
Cook: 30 min.
Serves: 8
Cost per serving: $1.38
This 5-star recipe is an all-time favorite because it is simple to prepare and has a rich smoky flavor with addition of bacon. Easily adapt the recipe to be lower in fat by using whole milk instead of the half-and-half and swap in turkey bacon instead of regular.
See recipe: Creamy Corn Chowder
Coconut Shrimp and Rice
Prep: 5 min.
Cook: 22 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.48
With exotic flavors from the coconut milk, lime and cilantro, this dish tastes like delicious Asian take-out, but costs much less. Use either fresh or frozen shrimp and serve a vegetable side of snow peas or broccoli.
See recipe: Coconut Shrimp and Rice
Cook: 22 min.
Serves: 6
Cost per serving: $1.48
With exotic flavors from the coconut milk, lime and cilantro, this dish tastes like delicious Asian take-out, but costs much less. Use either fresh or frozen shrimp and serve a vegetable side of snow peas or broccoli.
See recipe: Coconut Shrimp and Rice
