Save money and eat great! With rising food costs, the monthly grocery budget can be gone in one trip to the supermarket. Budget-conscious recipes are essential. But just because they’re inexpensive to make, you don’t want to sacrifice flavor. These dining-on-a-dime recipes will help you prepare flavorful budget-friendly meals without causing a mile-long receipt. From breakfast to dinner, snack time to dessert, these 30 recipes will satisfy your wallet and your family’s hearty appetite.
Good Ol’ Goulash
“This recipe is not only good on the first day, but it is better on the second day. It is budget-friendly and freezes well.” – Callie
Pepperoni Pizza Dogs
“My grandkids love these and they are fast and easy to make. Yummy too.” – Barbara
Canned Salmon Patties (The Best)
“This recipe has been in my family for many years.” – Nancy
Blueberry Cobbler
“This was the first dessert I made for my husband when we started dating. He hates blueberries but he loves this dessert.” – Twana
Egg Drop Soup
“Egg drop soup is an easy recipe you can make at home.” – Jenny
Giant Danish
“This has been my most requested recipe for gatherings. My husband loves the apple pie filling version, and my favorite is strawberry. The beauty of this recipe is that any pie filling can be used, and it always tastes great!” – Teresa
Chopped Cheese Sandwiches
“Sandwiches filled with hot beef, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, and your favourite sandwich fillings!” – Kevin
Baked Taco Burgers Sliders
“I grew up eating taco burgers at a local fast-food restaurant. They no longer make the burger, so I decided to make my own but wanted a smaller slider version.” – Renie
Apple Burritos
“This is a great, easy recipe that can be served for breakfast or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream.” – Agnes
Canned Biscuit Sugar Donuts
“My mother made these for us since we were young, and she made them when I married, too. I made them for my daughters (who loved them) and now my grandchildren look forward to making them – helping to cut the holes and dipping them in the sugar. They are delicious served warm.” – Kathy
Sriracha Queso Dip
“What party is complete without an amazing cheese dip? This dip is both easy to make and full of flavor. You can control the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Sriracha you use.” – Christine
Cranberry Orange Meatballs
“These smoky and sweet meatballs are one of my most requested appetizers. They are always a hit, and I rarely have leftovers.” – Carla
Pantry Chicken Spaghetti
“This Pantry Chicken Spaghetti is a great family meal prepared with only pantry items. Perfect for any time but also for emergency situations.” – Debbie
Lemon Ice Cream
“This is a delicious and easy ice cream that does not require an ice cream maker. Let the freezer do the work. I love to put a scoop of this lemon ice cream on top of a warm piece of blackberry cobbler or pie – the flavors meld so well.” – Pat
Chocolate Cobbler
“This recipe is great anytime! I take it to family dinners and fix it in the mornings to take to work for breakfast.” – Erin
Sawmill Gravy With Cathead Biscuits
“Biscuits and sausage gravy! Now all you need is a cup of hot coffee. FYI – Cathead means big!” – melinda
Spinach and Artichoke Quesadilla w/Bacon
“I love spinach and artichoke dip!” – Brandy
Kathie’s Pancakes (Sweetened Condensed Milk)
“The pancake recipe I whipped up with my sweetened condensed milk… OMG. Light, spongy, good flavor, awesomeness!” – Karen
Corn Dogs on a Stick
“A favorite from the county fair, sizzling and hot. Oh, what memories of that American goodness! Totally a favorite of my sons.” – Cherie
Sweet & Spicy Cucumber Salad
“I started making these for cookouts. By request, I now make them year-around. Some people prefer them crispy (short marinade period). After a couple of days, they’re more akin to pickles (great on burgers).” – Rhea
BBQ Sloppy Joe Sliders
“For years I just made my mother’s Sloppy Joe recipe. Then one day I decided to try it with some BBQ sauce. My family loved it so well that’s the only way they want it fixed. It is super quick and easy to prepare. It goes great with slaw and chips.” – Virginia
Baked Chicken and Rice Dinner
“I have been making this dish for my family for many years. The best thing about it is the rice and chicken are baked at the same time. You put it in the oven and find something else to do for the next hour and a half.” – Diane
Apple Dumplings
“Serve this with vanilla ice cream.” – Laura
Cheater Cheesecake
“A friend of mine gave me a version of this recipe. I added the pudding mix to it to solve a problem with it setting up properly. The end result is so delicious, and easy peasy to make.” – Laurie
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
“My grandmother taught me how to make these Southern buttermilk biscuits way before I was even a teenager. This is the only recipe I have ever used, and they are always a hit.” – Janet
Baked Oatmeal Cups
“A yummy make-ahead breakfast. I warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave before serving.” – Kathryn
Chicken Bites Tempura Style
“This batter works on onion rings, fish, and more. For the chicken bites, try adding a pinch of powdered ginger to the batter. It tastes so good!” – Ralph
Easy Cowboy Caviar
“I changed the typical Cowboy Caviar to make it a quick and easy appetizer.” – Rosina
Pannaukkau (Finnish or Swedish Pancake)
“I was first introduced to this yummy recipe when I started going out with my husband over 30 years ago! We love it for Sunday brunch, with sausage or bacon. It rises in the oven. When you take it out, it falls and has a custard-like consistency!” – Ann
Corned Beef Gravy
“My husband’s mother makes this for us every once in a while. It’s easy to whip up and delicious! I love this over biscuits, but they eat it over buttered toast. It’s up to you.” – Amanda