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14 Cheap and Easy Dinner Ideas
Rhys
January 19, 2025
14 Cheap and Easy Dinner Ideas
Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen.
These 14 cheap and easy dinner ideas are here to save the day with minimal effort, maximum taste, and plenty of leftovers for tomorrow!
1. Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Golden, melty grilled cheese paired with a comforting bowl of tangy tomato soup.
 | Grilled Cheese by Red Stripe (Link) Served on Pullman bread with tomato soup |
2. Fried Rice
Quick and flavorful fried rice packed with eggs and colorful vegetables.
 | Kimchi Fried Rice by Gen Korean BBQ House (Link) Fried rice stir-fried with kimchi and vegetables, topped with a sunny-side-up egg. |
3. Lentil Soup
A warm, nourishing soup featuring earthy lentils and simple, wholesome ingredients.
 | Lentils Soup by Havenly (Link) A hearty lentil soup with rich flavors. |
4. Black Bean Tacos
Soft tortillas filled with seasoned black beans, fresh salsa, and creamy avocado.
 | Bean Taco by Buqui Bichi Brewing Chandler (Link) 2 Bean tacos, refried beans with flour tortilla. |
5. Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread
A cheesy, baked pasta classic served with crispy garlic bread for the perfect pairing.
 | Zany Ziti by Oregano's (Link) Penne pasta, meat sauce and four Italian cheeses. Topped with Wisconsin cheese, baked to perfection and sprinkled with oregano. Get crazy! Basil Cheese Garlic Bread by Lozzo's Garden of Italy (Link) Basil garlic butter, mozzarella, provolone, marinara. |
6. Shakshuka
Poached eggs in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce, perfect for dipping crusty bread.
 | Shakshuka by The Courtney Room (Link) Two poached local farm eggs, chickpea, tomato, avocado, fresh cheese, cumin, sesame seeds, sourdough toast. |
7. Quesadillas
Golden, crispy tortillas stuffed with melted cheese and your choice of fillings.
| Roasted Chicken Quesadillas by Heaven Restaurant Market (Link) Roasted chicken, avocados, cheese, side of pico de gallo and cilantro sauce. |
8. McGriddles (Breakfast for Dinner!)
Fluffy pancakes with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs and sausage for a fun, comforting dinner.
 | Sausage, Egg & Cheese Mcgriddles® by McDonald's (Link) Featuring a perfectly seasoned sausage patty nestled between two warm, fluffy pancakes infused with maple syrup. Topped with a fluffy scrambled egg and melted cheese. |
9. Sloppy Joes
Sweet and tangy ground beef piled high on soft buns for a messy, satisfying meal.
 | Sloppy Joes by Kewpee Sandwich Shoppe (Link) A classic sandwich that is hearty and satisfying. |
10. Sausage and Pepper Pasta
Savory sausage and sweet peppers tossed with pasta in a rich tomato sauce.
 | Rigatoni With Sausage by Cafe Silvium (Link) Spiced with sausage and spiked with vodka. |
11. Gnocchi
Soft, pillowy dumplings served with your choice of sauce for an Italian-inspired comfort food.
 | Bacon Date Gnocchi by The Weather Room (Link) Asiago stuffed gnocchi, bacon, dates, honey glaze. |
12. Enchiladas
Rolled tortillas stuffed with savory fillings and smothered in a rich, flavorful sauce.
 | Enchiladas by The Shed (Link) Two blue corn tortillas layered with cheddar cheese & onion, covered with red chile. Garnished with lettuce & tomato. Vegetarian. |
13. Sweet Potato Curry
Creamy, spiced curry featuring tender sweet potatoes simmered in a fragrant coconut milk sauce.
 | Sweet Potato, Red Pepper, And Coconut Curry by DISH Restaurant (Link) Seared tofu, delicata squash, jasmine rice. |
14. BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw
Tender BBQ chicken piled on soft slider buns and topped with crisp, tangy coleslaw for the perfect bite.
 | BBQ Chicken Sliders by Creole Lunch House (Link) Hearty sliders made with grilled chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, slider buns, and coleslaw. |
Find some inspiration for dinner this week? Forward to a friend!
It only takes 5 seconds. Making this took me 2 hours :)
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