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35+ Budget-Friendly and Simple Family Meals

19. Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas

Ham Pea Pasta Salad
Source: You Brew My Tea
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“You can enjoy this creamy, healthy pasta salad on its own or as a side dish with grilled steaks, chicken, or pork chops.”

20. Chili Mac and Cheese Recipe

chili mac and cheese recipe
Source: Spaceship and Laser beams
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“Our family often has this easy, hearty, homemade chili mac and cheese for dinner.” We think this is the best food ever! It will taste excellent because the spices, cheese, and pasta all go well together.

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21. Pizza Chicken

Easy Pizza Chicken Recipe
Source: Snappy Gourmet
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“This recipe for homemade pizza chicken breast is quick enough for a weeknight family dinner, and the kids love it!” It is gluten-free and pairs exceptionally well with tomato sauce, spices, cheese, and a small amount of pepperoni.

22. Southwest Skillet Chicken and Rice

southwest skillet chicken and rice
Source: Living Sweet Moments
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Southwest Skillet Chicken and Rice tastes great. It’s spicy, sweet, salty, and full of flavor. The inside of a fijita tastes just like this. Even better, you can serve it next to warm tortillas and roll them up.

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23. Grilled Chicken Fajita

“These cheesy, crunchy Grilled Chicken Fajita Flatbread Wraps taste great!”

24. Kidney Beans Burger

kidney beans burger
Source: VegAnnie
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“These are the best and easiest kidney bean burgers! Made with just six healthy, simple ingredients. It doesn’t contain meat, gluten, or oil, and it has a low fat content.

25. Broccoli Cheese Soup

If you want an effortless recipe, this low-carb broccoli cheese soup with cream is probably it. And if you use veggie broth instead of chicken broth, you can make it gluten-free, healthy, and vegetarian. Just five things!

26. Chicken Soup

Do you agree? For me, there’s nothing better than a simple comfort food like chicken soup! Get some tasty soup, onions, carrots, celery, and shredded chicken. This is a cheap and tasty meal that the whole family will love!

27. Pasta e Fagioli a.k.a Pasta and Beans

This meal is healthy and affordable. If you try this recipe, you’ll make a tasty, healthy meal that the whole family, even the kids, will love.

28. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Served Lentil Shepherd's Pie in three small containers
Photo Credit: Strength & Sunshine
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This healthy comfort food is affordable and will delight your entire family. This is a straightforward vegan recipe that utilizes ingredients you likely already have in your pantry to create a delicious meal at an affordable price!

29. Baked Ravioli

Photo Credit: Drugstore Divas
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I really like the idea of baking pasta. Are you kidding me? This cheap dish only needs 4 things. It’s really simple to make and perfect for when you need a quick meal.

30. Cheese Bean and Rice Burrito

I really enjoy Mexican food, and this bean burrito meal will be perfect for a quick dinner. It is simple to make and doesn’t cost much. Megan says the creamy jalapeno sauce “takes this humble burrito to the next level.”

31. One Pot Rice With Pork And Veggies

Bowl of food made of rice and vegetables
Photo Credit: Coking With Lei
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This rice recipe that only needs one pot is excellent because it has both protein and veggies. This is a simple and tasty way to get your kids to eat more vegetables at home.

32. Sloppy Joes Casserole Recipe

You can add this tasty sloppy Joe casserole to your list of dinner ideas. I love the idea of putting cookies in the sloppy Joe. This dish is great comfort food that everyone in your family will love.

33. Burger Steak Recipe

This recipe is budget-friendly because it uses burgers instead of steak. This recipe for steak burgers is affordable and complements any meal.

Making these ahead of time and freezing them is a great idea. You’ll save time and money!

34. Tuscan Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach

Perosn holding a pot with Tuscan chicken with sundried tomatoes and spinach
Photo Credit: Nutmeg & Vinagar
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The name of the recipe makes it sound fancy, but it’s really simple and only needs 5 ingredients. You can prepare the meal in a single pot within 30 minutes. It’s ideal for a busy weeknight dinner!

35. Canned Tuna Pasta

blue bowl with pasta and tuna and cilantro on the side
Photo Credit: Ambitious Foddie

If your pantry doesn’t have a lot of items, this tuna pasta recipe is a quick and cheap way to feed your family. It is very cheap and simple to make, and you can make it every time you have dinner.

Feeding a family can be challenging, especially when trying to stick to a budget. But delicious, nutritious meals don’t have to break the bank. In this article, we’ve gathered over 35 budget-friendly and simple recipes that are perfect for families of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or hearty meals to feed a crowd, these easy-to-make recipes will help you save money without sacrificing flavor. Explore our collection of affordable family meals and discover how simple and enjoyable budget cooking can be!