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You are here: Home / recipes / 38 Frugal Meals for Your Family

38 Frugal Meals for Your Family

By Teresa

Disclosure: Articles may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you). See our full disclosure here.

Last updated on April 8th, 2023 at 06:12 pm

Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite frugal meals. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to feed your family on a tight budget. But, with a little creativity and some smart ingredient choices, it’s totally possible!

38 Frugal Meals for Your Family

You can save money on your grocery bill and feed your family hearty and filling meals–you just need to get creative!

The 38 recipes we’re sharing here are a great start. And, don’t think “budget-friendly” means these recipes are boring. In fact, some of my family’s favorite meals are on this list.  

Ready to get cooking? Let’s check out some delicious recipes that will help you trim your grocery budget.  

38 Frugal Meals for Your Family

Vegan Tomato Potato Soup Plant Based on a Budget 15
Photo Credit: plantbasedonabudget.com

Tomato Soup with Potatoes

This tomato soup with potatoes makes a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s made with wholesome plant-based ingredients and is ready in just 35 minutes!

Chicken Soup 6 1
Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

The Best Chicken Soup Recipe

This is the best Chicken Soup Recipe to make when you’re craving simple comfort food or feeling under the weather. Made with bone-in chicken thighs simmered into a flavorful broth and filled with tender onions, carrots, celery, and juicy shredded chicken.

BowtieAlfredoPasta Final
Photo Credit: momswhosave.com

20-Minute Bow Tie Pasta Alfredo: Easy & Delicious

Here’s a recipe for bow-tie pasta alfredo your family will love. Unbelievably, it takes just 20 minutes to make to make this delicious dinner!

MexicanQuinoaStuffedPeppers Final3 Horizontal 1 730x438 1
Photo Credit: momswhosave.com

Mexican Stuffed Peppers With Quinoa & Black Beans (A Delicious Vegan & Gluten-free Meal)

This recipe for Mexican Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa & Black Beans is vegan (and gluten-free), but some melted some cheese on top or a dollop of sour cream would be tasty too if you eat dairy.

IMG 9025 e1655365342992
Photo Credit: thefeatherednester.com

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Veggies

Chicken thighs are an economical option for making a great meal! This sheet pan dinner is easy and you can mix up the veggies to fit your preferences.

potato soup 1 of 1 26 730x487 1
Photo Credit: momswhosave.com

Hearty Potato Soup (The Ultimate Comfort Food) | MomsWhoSave.com

 There’s absolutely no better meal on a chilly day than a big pot of soup. Top this hearty potato soup with some shredded cheddar, or chives and bacon.

Crispy Tacos De Papa Vegan Potato Tacos Recipe
Photo Credit: homecookedroots.com

Oven Fried Vegan Potato Tacos (Tacos de Papa)

Crispy potato tacos make for a budget friendly dinner that brings a great twist to your meal plan.

maid rites featured
Photo Credit: onlypansrecipes.com

Iowa Maid Rites

Crumbled ground beef and finely diced onions are cooked in a special sauce and piled high onto a warm, soft bun. Quick and easy Maid Rite loose meat sandwiches are a Midwestern classic!

busy day soup fb image
Photo Credit: mamasonabudget.com

Busy Day Soup

Get a hearty meal on the table that doesn’t take much time or money to assemble with this soup.

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Photo Credit: momswhosave.com

Mini Shepherd's Pot Pie (Make Extra To Freeze For Later)

Our family loves a good meat and potatoes meal, and this mini shepherd’s pie is one of our favorites. 

Taco Casserole Wide 1
Photo Credit: homanathome.com

Easy Chicken Taco Casserole

Make chicken tacos to feed a crowd with this casserole. Let the family add their favorite toppings for a meal that everyone will love.

one chicken pillow plated 683x1024 1
Photo Credit: seasonandthyme.com

Cream Cheese Chicken Pillows - Season & Thyme

This recipe for cream cheese chicken pillows will be a huge hit with your family. Use leftover chicken if you have it on hand to make this even cheaper!

IP macaroni and cheese cooked
Photo Credit: www.everydayfamilycooking.com

5-Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

You only need 5 ingredients to make this creamy, dreamy, mac n cheese!

vegetable lo mein 5 1
Photo Credit: theblondcook.com

Vegetable Lo Mein

Load up your lo mein with veggies to stretch your budget and fill up on healthy ingredients.

Quesadilla Hero
Photo Credit: kidtestedrecipes.com

Cheese Quesadilla with Black Beans and Corn

Crunchy, cheesy and oozing with flavor, this easy to prepare Black Bean Quesadilla is a go-to recipe in our home.

Salisbury Steak Recipe 1
Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com

Salisbury Steak Recipe- Spend with Pennies

Homemade salisbury steaks are going to be a new favorite budget friendly meal option for your family! This is a great way to fill everyone up with classic comfort food.

dry rub cajun grilled chicken drumsticks threeolivesbranch 3
Photo Credit: www.threeolivesbranch.com

Grilled Chicken Legs with Cajun Dry Rub

Chicken legs are a great option for feeding the family a cheap dinner that tastes amazing. This cajun recipe spices things up just right!

baked salmon patties
Photo Credit: www.livinglou.com

Baked Salmon Patties

Don’t overlook a can of salmon for dinner. These baked salmon cakes are crispy, tasty and just the thing to make when you aren’t sure what to serve.

Instant Pot tuna pasta salad 20 of 35
Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

Tuna Pasta Salad + Instant Pot Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna is the perfect partner for pasta salad! It adds protein while staying affordable!

Crock Pot Chicken Gravy 4
Photo Credit: slowcookermeals.com

Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy

This chicken and gravy only needs a few ingredients and it cooks in the crock pot for a fuss free option on a busy day.

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Photo Credit: healthyrecipes101.com

Ground Beef Casserole Recipe: A Meaty, Flavorful Comfort Food

I know your family is going to want seconds of this ground beef casserole. It is delicious, easy and very budget friendly.

Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups Recipe Munchy Pinterest Pin
Photo Credit: munchygoddess.com

Easy Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups + Video

No need to order out, you can get the pizza flavor you crave, right from the air fryer with this simple recipe.

instant pot chicken fried rice 13 of 16
Photo Credit: budgetdelicious.com

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice

Get a plate of chicken fried rice on the table in no time with this instant pot recipe. This is a great way to fill the family up with simple wholesome ingredients.

tuna pinwheels 2
Photo Credit: www.amummytoo.co.uk

Tuna Pinwheels

Even the kids will be thrilled to see these tasty tuna pinwheels on the table for dinner tonight. Tuck your favorite veggies inside for a complete meal.

enchiladas final blog re
Photo Credit: stefseatsandsweets.com

Green Chile Beef Enchiladas

Tuck ground beef and green chiles into your next batch of enchiladas for a dinner that everyone will love. Serve with rice on the side for a frugal and filling meal.

Instant Pot risotto 21
Photo Credit: nourishplate.com

Instant Pot Risotto

Let your instant pot do the work of making this risotto.This meal feels very elegant but is so affordable to make at home.

anchovy pasta recipe from Naples spaghetti alla Gennaro 2
Photo Credit: www.the-pasta-project.com

Anchovy Pasta Recipe from Naples

If you need something different for dinner that can feed a crowd, this anchovy pasta is worth checking out.

One pot pasta 7
Photo Credit: littlesunnykitchen.com

One Pot Pasta

No need to spend a fortune or dirty a bunch of dishes to make this pasta dish. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread for a great meal.

Ham Potato Soup0815
Photo Credit: wornslapout.com

Healthy Ham and Potato Soup (Perfect for Leftovers!)

If you have leftover ham on hand, then this soup is what you should make for dinner. It is hearty and healthy and is sure to satisfy!

Tuna Nachos Featured Image
Photo Credit: marleysmenu.com

Easiest Canned Tuna Nachos — Marley's Menu

Open a can of tuna, and use whatever veggies you have in the fridge to get this epic plate of wholesome nachos. I bet you can make a meal of this!

mexican zucchini skillet feat
Photo Credit: zucchinizone.com

Mexican Zucchini Skillet

Spice things up tonight by making this zucchini skillet. You are going to believe in love at first bite after trying this!

Buffalo Tuna Dip Feat
Photo Credit: balancewithjess.com

Buffalo Tuna Dip

Move over chicken! Buffalo tuna dip is such a tasty and economical option to make a meal of.

IMG 4627 scaled 1
Photo Credit: mayeightyfive.com

Baked Cheesy White Bean Tomato Skillet

Beans are a kitchen helper that can really stretch a meal. This recipe is so cheesy that even the kids are going to want seconds.

15 bean soup crock pot
Photo Credit: sugarandsnappeas.com

15 Bean Soup

Toss this 15 bean soup in the crock pot for a hearty and wholesome dinner that fills you up and reheats great for the next day.

schinkennudeln feature
Photo Credit: www.mapleandmango.com

Schinkennudeln (German Ham and Egg Pasta)

Ham, egg and pasta make for a great way to stretch your budget without sacrificing flavor!

IPPintoBeansfeature SweetSimpleMasala 1
Photo Credit: sweetsimplemasala.com

Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Pop some pinto beans in the instant pot for a frugal family meal you are going to love. This pairs perfectly with cornbread.

fullsizeoutput 345e
Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

Potato & Salmon Fish Cakes

Salmon cakes get an upgrade with the addition of potatoes. This cheap meal has so much flavor thanks to the crispy exterior of the cakes.

Slow Cooker Potato Hamburger Casserole
Photo Credit: funfamilymeals.com

Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole

Pop this ham and potato casserole in the crock pot for a great family meal that can feed a hungry crowd! This is great use for leftover ham!

Which one of these budget meal ideas will you try first? 

Also read:
10 Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
10 Must-Make Mac and Cheese Recipes
20 Viral TikTok Recipes to Try Now

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  1. Sara Alvaro

    at

    The chicken soup recipe wakes my mouth water. It is COLD here!

    Reply

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