Bakes, Makes, and Saves

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Easy Weeknight Dinners on a $12 Budget: 5 Delicious, Family-Friendly Meals

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Feeding your family a tasty, satisfying dinner doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re cooking for one or four, these easy weeknight dinners under $12 prove that flavor, simplicity, and affordability can go hand in hand. These meals are perfect for busy nights, tight budgets, and anyone looking to stretch their dollar without sacrificing taste.

Below you’ll find 5 budget-friendly dinner recipes with estimated prices, simple ingredients, and tips to help you save even more.

🧄 1. One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Peas

Total Cost: ~$5 | Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb spaghetti or pasta ($1.25)
  • 3 tbsp butter ($0.60)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
  • 1 cup frozen peas ($0.75)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional, $1.50)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Boil pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  3. Stir in cooked pasta, peas, reserved water, salt, and pepper.
  4. Top with Parmesan if desired. Serve warm!

✅ Budget tip: Buy pasta and frozen vegetables in bulk for extra savings.

🍳 2. Egg Fried Rice with Veggies

Total Cost: ~$4.50 | Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked rice (leftover or freshly made) ($0.75)
  • 3 eggs ($0.75)
  • 1 cup frozen mixed veggies ($0.75)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce ($0.20)
  • 1 tbsp oil ($0.15)
  • 1 green onion (optional, $0.30)

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a skillet. Add veggies and cook until tender.
  2. Push veggies to one side; scramble eggs on the other side of the pan.
  3. Add rice, soy sauce, and green onion. Stir-fry everything together for 2–3 minutes.

✅ Budget tip: Use day-old rice for best texture and use up leftover veggies.

🌮 3. Black Bean & Corn Tacos

Total Cost: ~$6 | Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 can black beans, drained & rinsed ($1.25)
  • 1 cup frozen or canned corn ($0.75)
  • 1/2 onion, diced ($0.25)
  • 1 tsp chili powder or taco seasoning ($0.20)
  • 8 small tortillas ($2.00)
  • Shredded cheese or sour cream (optional, $1.00)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté onion, add beans and corn. Stir in seasoning.
  2. Warm tortillas and fill with the bean mixture.
  3. Add optional toppings like cheese, salsa, or sour cream.

✅ Budget tip: Skip cheese or use a sprinkle to save cost.

🍠 4. Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry

Total Cost: ~$7 | Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled & diced ($1.25)
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained ($1.00)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped ($0.25)
  • 1 tbsp curry powder ($0.30)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes ($1.25)
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk (optional, $0.75)
  • 1 tbsp oil + salt/pepper

Instructions:

  1. Sauté onion in oil until soft. Add curry powder.
  2. Stir in sweet potato, tomatoes, chickpeas, and coconut milk.
  3. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potato is soft. Serve with rice or bread.

✅ Budget tip: Substitute coconut milk with water or broth to save $.

🍝 5. Cheesy Baked Ziti (No Meat)

Total Cost: ~$8 | Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ziti or penne pasta ($1.25)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce ($1.50)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella ($2.00)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan (optional, $1.00)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning ($0.15)

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
  2. Mix pasta with marinara and seasonings. Pour into baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

✅ Budget tip: Use store-brand sauce and skip the Parmesan if needed.

These easy weeknight dinners under $12 show that you don’t need a big budget to make big flavor. By relying on pantry staples, simple ingredients, and smart swaps, you can cook delicious meals that satisfy the whole family—without stress or overspending.

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