Eating well on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or comfort. Whether you’re feeding a family, saving for something big, or just want to stretch your grocery dollars, these five delicious dinners cost less than $10 to make—without tasting like they do. Each recipe feeds 4 people and uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have.
1. Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Cost: ~$7 | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
2 cans white beans ($2)
1 small onion, chopped ($0.50)
3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.30)
1 cup chopped spinach or kale ($1)
½ cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk ($1.50)
Olive oil, herbs, salt & pepper
Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add beans and greens, cook until wilted. Stir in cream and herbs (basil, thyme), simmer until thick. Serve with toast or over rice.
Budget Tip: Use frozen greens to save even more!
2. BBQ Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Cost: ~$8 | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 medium sweet potatoes ($3)
1 can chickpeas ($1)
½ cup BBQ sauce ($1)
½ red onion, thinly sliced ($0.50)
Optional: Sour cream or plain yogurt ($2)
Instructions: Roast sweet potatoes until soft. Meanwhile, sauté chickpeas with BBQ sauce until heated through. Slice open potatoes and stuff with chickpeas, onions, and a dollop of yogurt.
Budget Tip: Make your own BBQ sauce with pantry staples.
3. One-Pot Garlic Butter Ramen with Veggies
Cost: ~$6 | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
3 packs plain ramen noodles ($1.50)
1 zucchini, sliced ($1)
1 cup frozen corn or peas ($1)
3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.30)
3 tbsp butter ($1)
Soy sauce & chili flakes to taste
Instructions: Boil ramen without seasoning packets. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic, add veggies, then toss in cooked ramen. Add soy sauce and chili flakes.
Budget Tip: Add a fried egg on top for extra protein.
4. Cheesy Lentil and Rice Bake
Cost: ~$9 | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 cup dry lentils ($1)
1 cup rice ($0.50)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($2)
1 onion, diced ($0.50)
1 can diced tomatoes ($1)
Seasonings: cumin, paprika, salt & pepper
Instructions: Cook lentils and rice together. Sauté onion, add tomatoes and seasoning. Mix with lentils/rice, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F until bubbly.
Budget Tip: Use leftover rice or bulk cheese for savings.
5. Rustic Egg and Potato Hash
Cost: ~$9 | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 medium potatoes, diced ($2)
1 green bell pepper, chopped ($0.75)
½ onion, chopped ($0.50)
4 eggs ($4)
Olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika
Instructions: Crisp potatoes in oil, then add peppers and onion. Make wells in the skillet and crack in eggs. Cover and cook until eggs are set.
Budget Tip: Add leftover sausage or cheese if you’ve got it.
Final Thoughts
These dinners are proof that cooking at home can be both satisfying and affordable. Try mixing and matching ingredients or doubling recipes for meal prep.
Bakes, Makes, and Saves 