When your budget is super tight, you need cheap but healthy dinner ideas. So, I gathered a list of dinner recipes that costs pennies to make. No expensive ingredients but no cream of can, boxes, or fake food either. Just wholesome, healthy goodness so you can create an inexpensive dinner that is good for your family too.
Cheap but healthy dinner recipes
Soups, Stews, and Chilis
- Chili Con Carne at Frugal Family Favorites
- Broccoli Cheese Soup at Happy Brown House
- Simple Gluten Free Potato Soup at The Peaceful Mom
- Italian Turkey and Vegetable Soup at Southern Test Kitchen
- Black Bean Chili at Southern Test Kitchen
- Nourishing Cabbage Soup at Busy Mama 911
- Chicken Tortellini Soup at Modern Housewife
- White Bean and Eggplant Soup at Sticks, Stones, and Chicken Bones
Meatless Dinner Recipes
- Spicy Black Beans at The Peaceful Mom
- Southwest Chicken Chili at The Peaceful Mom
- Mom’s Monday Macaroni at The Chaos and the Clutter
- Bean Salad with Molasses Vinaigrette at The Chaos and the Clutter
- Vegetable Lasagna at Better Homes and Gardens
- Angel Hair Pasta with Neapolitan Sauce at Cookin’ Mimi
- Cauliflower Tacos at Modern Housewife
- Curried Lentils and Rice at Proverbial Homemaker
- Refried Beans at Proverbial Homemaker
- Vegetarian Chili Mac at Frugal Family Favorites
Beef Dinner Recipes
- Tex-Mex Beefy Enchiladas at Imitation By Design
- Mexican Casserole at Apron Strings and Other Things
- Korean Beef Bowl at Growing Up Triplets
- Taco Bowls with Guaca-Salsa at Frugal Family Favorites
- Beef and Peppers with Cheese Grits at Frugal Family Favorites
- My Favorite Meatloaf at Frugal Family Favorites
- Beef and Vegetable Fajitas at Better Homes and Gardens
- Chili Relleno Casserole at Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
Chicken Dinner Recipes
- Green Chilies Enchilada Skillet at Frugal Family Favorites
- Roasted Veggie Chicken Bake at I Conveying Awareness
- Leftover Chicken Pasta at I Convey Awareness
- Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash at Gal on a Mission
- Fajita Style Quesadillas at Better Homes and Gardens
- Easy Chicken Santa Fe at Recipe Girl
- Chopped Thai Chicken Salad at Pinch of Yum
- Cheesy Chicken Bacon Broccoli and Rice at Kevin & Amanda
Seafood Dinner Recipes
- Southern Fried Fish at Meet Penny
- Maple Bourbon Glazed Salmon at Better Homes and Gardens
- White Bean and Tuna Salad at Better Homes and Gardens
- Pecan Crusted Tilapia at Faithful Provisions
- Tilapia Parmesan at Food.com
Pork or Sausage Dinner Recipes
- Crustless Sausage Quiche at His Mercy is New
- Quick & Easy Stir-Fry at Every Day Family Living
- Ham and Spinach Pasta at The Peaceful Mom
- Hawaiian Style Kalua Pork at Gym Free Fitness
- Seven Layer Salad at Glimpse of Our Life
- Easy Skillet Pork and Peppers at Frugal Family Favorites
- Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya at Frugal Family Favorites
- Southern Style Red Beans and Rice at Frugal Family Favorites
My Favorite Cookbooks for Eating Healthy but Cheap
The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook
Clean Eating for Busy Families
Healthy Slow Cooker Revolution
Family Circle Healthy Family Dinners
The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook: Budget-Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love
Great round up!! Thanks for sharing my link and graphic! Can’t wait to click around and find some new dinners. 🙂
This is an amazing round up. I am always looking for cheap and healthy recipes. Who isnt! Thank You for including one of my recipes in this.
Thank you so much for adding my Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash! What a fabulous round-up! 🙂
Thanks for sharing my Korean Ground Beef Bowl! This is an awesome list of dinners! 🙂
Thanks for including my Broccoli Cheese Soup in your round-up! Looks like a great list of fugal finds!
Thanks for sharing my recipe! The rest look delish… I’ll have to check them out too.
Great list of frugal but inexpensive healthy dishes! Thanks for including my two winner-winner chicken dinner recipes. They’re fan favorites over at my blog! Pinned to several locations. =)
Yesterday I cooked a delicious meatloaf for my new man and my 13yr old daughter, it was too good so tonight he wants to come over for another dinner. Now when I get off work my baby girl will usually accept a McChicken with cheese and a small fry with a Sprite and I can crash until morning ( my boyfriend doesn’t know this). So I decided to look for a inexpensive meal to serve for today and I need to tell you there is not one receipt you have showing that I would consider. They all look really cheap and if I wanted cheap mexican I’d go to Taco bell at least it looks appetizing. Thanks but no thanks I’m gonna keep looking before I find myself looking for a new man.
This is an awesome list of recipes! I’m pinning this for future reference.Thank you for including my recipe.
Ahh! Wholesome recipes. Should give a try. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.