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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Classy Dinner Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 4, 2025, updated April 23, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Planning a classy dinner doesn't have to mean spending a fortune. With a little creativity and some simple ingredients, you can whip up 17 impressive meals that are both elegant and quite budget-friendly. From savory pasta dishes to flavorful grilled treats, these ideas will help you create a memorable dining experience without breaking the bank.

    Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Grilled chicken skewers are packed with flavor from a marinade of ginger, garlic, coconut cream, and soy sauce, finished with a sweet coconut cream glaze. They also come with a quick peanut sauce on the side, making this a tasty and easy meal.

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    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is an easy and tasty meal that’s budget-friendly. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a crispy and cheesy dish that’s great for family dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Quinoa Walnut Tacos

    Vegan Quinoa Walnut Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These tacos are filled with quinoa and toasted walnuts, offering a delicious and affordable dinner choice. It's a simple plant-based meal that your family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pot Pie

    Chicken Pot Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Virtual Caterer.

    This chicken pot pie is a fresh take on a classic dish. With a light and flaky puff pastry crust, it offers a delightful texture and can be filled with whatever ingredients you like, making it perfect for everyone.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple dinner that you can whip up with just three ingredients. Combining bright pesto sauce with Greek yogurt gives you a satisfying meal that’s easy on the wallet.

    Get the recipe

    French Onion Pork Chops

    French onion pork chops.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Enjoy tender boneless pork chops cooked in the air fryer, paired with a flavorful pan sauce made on the stove. This dish is perfect for a satisfying dinner without spending too much.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Steak bites cooked in the air fryer are quick and easy, taking less than 10 minutes. Marinated in lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, this dish is both tasty and budget-friendly.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Burgers

    An air fryer turkey burger on a blue plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy tasty homemade Turkey Burgers that are both juicy and full of flavor without spending a lot. They’re easy to make with just a few simple steps, using some seasonings and a bit of fresh lemon juice to keep them moist.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is a great option for a quick and tasty weeknight meal. Just chop some ingredients, mix them with chicken and veggies on a pan, and let the oven handle the rest for a budget-friendly dish.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can whip up a rich and satisfying meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Oven Roasted Five Spice Peking Chicken

    ©Photo Credit: Pups with Chopsticks

    Chinese five-spice chicken is marinated overnight in a blend of five spices, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, then baked to achieve a flavorful glaze. This dish is full of taste and pairs wonderfully with a ginger scallion sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A simple Lemon Chicken Marinade brings together everyday ingredients for a tasty meal that's great for grilling, frying, or baking. With olive oil, lemon, and basil, this marinade keeps the chicken juicy and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod foil packets are a tasty and budget-friendly meal option. Packed with cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon, this dish offers a complete dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Croquettes

    Tuna Cakes.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Tuna croquettes feature a crispy outside and are filled with tasty flavors. They are a great option for a satisfying meal without spending too much.

    Get the recipe

    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Vegetarian Tacos are filled with tasty refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, topped off with fresh pico de gallo. This is a delicious meal that is easy on the wallet.

    Get the recipe

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This recipe features tasty meatballs that are easy on the wallet. They can be made quickly on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, and they always come out juicy and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are quick to prepare and full of flavor, ready in just 25 minutes. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine for incredibly juicy chops.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Vibrant Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Dinner
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      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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