Budget Meal Ideas for a Family On One Income

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Are you in a rut with cooking and need some new budget meal ideas to make for your family that the kids will enjoy, too? Here are some ideas to get you started. Use your favorite recipes!

Spaghetti

Enjoy the comforting taste of classic spaghetti with a homemade sauce bursting with rich, savory flavors. Perfectly paired with a frugal box of pasta, this meal can be an authentic Italian dining experience on a tight budget.

Recipe for from-scratch spaghetti sauce here.

Chicken Alfredo

Who doesn’t love creamy, decadent Chicken Alfredo with tender, juicy chicken served over a bed of fettuccine? (Or whatever pasta you have on hand!) This rich and satisfying dish is perfect for a luxurious weeknight dinner.

For an even more budget-friendly twist, skip the chicken. There is plenty of protein in the sauce.

Recipe for from-scratch alfredo sauce.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Add a jar of salsa over the top of some chicken breasts in the slow cooker. This versatile dish is ideal for tacos, burritos, or a flavorful meal all on its own.

Here’s my favorite Salsa recipe.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs

Use your favorite BBQ sauce on cheap chicken drumsticks. Bake in the oven or on the grill. Enjoy tender, fall-off-the-bone BBQ chicken legs with a smoky and tangy flavor. Pair this with a simple salad or some potatoes for added bulk to the meal.

Here’s a frugal BBQ Sauce recipe.

BBQ Pork Chops

Juicy pork chops slathered in a smoky, sweet BBQ sauce will always be a family favorite! You can grill or bake these depending on how you like to cook.

Ground Beef Tacos

Making ground beef tacos is still one of the most frugal ways to make a taco. Use Homemade Taco Seasoning on your ground beef (add in beans to stretch the beef) and top with cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, or other favorite taco toppings.

If you don’t have any taco shells or tortillas on hand, you can make taco salad instead!

Quesadillas

This is one of our family favorites! Keep them simple with just some cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla or add other budget-friendly fillings like corn, black beans, cilantro, and fried onions.

Beef Goulash

This has been a super cheap staple in our family for a long time. This recipe was passed down to me by my Granny! Here’s how to make Goulash.

Chicken Noodles over Mashed Potatoes

Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with tender chicken and savory noodles served over creamy mashed potatoes. This hearty dish is perfect for warming up on a chilly evening. Mix cooked chicken with cooked pasta and a chicken broth gravy. Add peas or other veggies if you have them, and serve over mashed potatoes.

Add butter and cheese for extra flavor.

Chicken Fajitas

Making fajitas with chicken can be a significant savings over making them with steak. Make your own Homemade Fajita Seasoning, and you can keep this meal super frugal. Combine chicken, the seasoning, onions, and bell peppers for your filling.

Pigs in a Blanket

Make your hot dogs fancier, but turn them into pigs in a blanket! You can make your own breading, add in some cheese for even more flavor, and the family will ask for these over and over.

Here’s my Homemade Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

Homemade Pizza

Homemade Pizza can be a super frugal meal if you make the components yourself! Make Homemade Pizza Sauce and Pizza Crust. The key is to top the pizza with different things all of the time so it never gets boring!

More Cheap Recipes

• Must Try Cheap and Easy Recipes With Ground Beef
• 14 Cheap Meals to Make When You’re At The End Of Your Budget
• The Cheapest Meals to Make on an Incredibly Tight Budget
• 15 Cheap Breakfast Ideas (Delicious and Easy!)
• 5 Affordable Meals for Large Groups

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