If you’re looking for some cheap meal ideas that are filling, simple, healthy and actually taste good, dinner is the perfect place to start. With a few low-cost ingredients like rice, pasta, beans, and seasonal vegetables, you can create hearty meals for less than $2 per serving.
I find it easier to use garlic granules that are already crushed rather than having garlic cloves. This is completely up to you, but it may be easier.
Below are 9 affordable dinner recipes that are easy to cook, budget-friendly, and perfect for meal prep or feeding a family.
🍝 1. Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
A classic comfort meal that’s incredibly cheap and satisfying.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 400g spaghetti
- 1 jar (or can) marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (optional)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti in the sauce and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.20
🍲 2. Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is nutritious, filling, and one of the best cheap meal ideas for cold evenings.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 cup dried lentils
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 carrots (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 4 cups water or broth
- 1 tsp cumin (optional)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils thoroughly.
- In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add carrots, lentils, tomatoes, and water/broth.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Season and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.00
🍛 3. Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice
Quick, healthy, and perfect for using frozen vegetables.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 clove garlic
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan or wok.
- Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Add vegetables and stir fry for 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce.
- Cook for another 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.50
🍗 4. Chicken and Rice
A simple, protein-packed dinner that’s easy on the wallet.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups rice
- 2 chicken thighs or breasts (cut into pieces)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion
- 3 cups water or broth
- Salt and seasoning
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot and cook chicken until browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion.
- Add rice, water(or broth), and chicken back in.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- Fluff rice and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.80
🌶️ 5. Bean Chilli
A hearty, meat-free option packed with flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 2 cans beans (kidney, black, or mixed)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic in a pot.
- Add beans (drained), tomatoes, and spices.
- Simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.20
🍳 6. Fried Rice
One of the best leftover-based cheap meal ideas.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably cold)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup vegetables
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan. Scramble the eggs and set aside.
- Add vegetables and cook until soft.
- Add rice and soy sauce, stirring well.
- Mix in the eggs and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.00
🧀 7. Mac and Cheese
Creamy, comforting, and very affordable.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook macaroni and drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to form a roux.
- Slowly add milk, stirring until thickened.
- Add cheese and stir until melted.
- Mix with pasta and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.00
🥔 8. Potato and Egg Hash
A filling, budget-friendly dinner using simple ingredients.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 3–4 potatoes (diced)
- 4 eggs
- 1 onion
- 1 tbsp oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and cook potatoes until golden and tender.
- Add chopped onion and cook until soft.
- Crack eggs into the pan and cook to your preference.
- Season and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$1.20
🥬 9. Cabbage Stir Fry
Cabbage is one of the cheapest vegetables and perfect for budget meals.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 small cabbage (sliced)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- Optional: carrots or onions
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic.
- Add cabbage and cook for 8–10 minutes until tender.
- Stir in soy sauce and optional vegetables.
- Cook for another few minutes and serve.
Cost Per Serving
~$0.90
💡 Final Thoughts on Cheap Meal Ideas
These dinner-focused cheap meal ideas show that you don’t need expensive ingredients to make satisfying meals. With a few staples and simple cooking methods, you can consistently create dinners for under $2 per serving.
To make the most of these recipes:
- Cook in bulk and save leftovers that you can put in the fridge for a couple of days or in the freezer for the longer future.
- Use seasonal or frozen vegetables
- Swap ingredients based on what’s cheapest locally
If you build your weekly meals around recipes like these, you’ll save money, reduce waste, and still enjoy delicious home-cooked, healthy dinners every night.