Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (Live 1965)

Even with the rising cost of food, a satisfying meal doesn’t have to break the bank. This roundup of easy budget-friendly recipes includes hearty casseroles, skillet dinners, comforting pasta, and slow cooker favorites that will keep grocery costs low. When creating a meal plan, plan around what’s on sale in your store’s circular and coupons, and look at what you have in the pantry. Affordable grocery staples like ground beef, pasta, rice, canned beans, and potatoes can be turned into filling dinners that feed the whole family. These cheap dinner ideas make it easier to cook dinner for your family while keeping the grocery bill in budget.

Getting out the door to work, making sure the kids are at the bus stop or school on time, heading to an early morning doctor’s appointment… some mornings it seems like there is not enough time for even a bowl of cereal or a piece of toast. That’s when having make-ahead breakfast recipes handy is key. These breakfast recipes can be prepared the night before or made ahead for the week, making them perfect for meal prep. We’ve gathered an assortment of hearty breakfast casseroles and egg dishes, as well as sweet baked goods and grab-and-go options ideal for busy mornings.

Skillet meals are popular because they’re simple and make cleanup a breeze. A good skillet can go from the stovetop to the oven, making it perfect for everything from crispy fried chicken to baked desserts. Preparing a meal in a skillet helps to develop flavor, especially if using a cast iron skillet, because the pan will retain the heat, which creates wonderful browning, and adds flavor to dishes like meat, cornbread, and cobblers. In this roundup of easy skillet recipes, you’ll find easy meals, one-pan dinners, skillet breakfasts, and even cast iron desserts. Fewer pans, less clean up… that’s a win-win.