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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Cheap Family-Friendly Dinners That Taste Kinda Fancy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 16, 2024, updated October 8, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Finding meals that are both budget-friendly and appealing to the whole family can be a challenge. These 21 dinner ideas are not only easy on the wallet but also bring a touch of elegance to your table. With simple ingredients and straightforward recipes, you can create satisfying dishes that everyone will enjoy!

    Ham Fried Rice

    Ham Fried Rice.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This Ham Fried Rice is a simple dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's quick to make, perfect for using up leftover ham, and goes well with many other meals.

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    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Instant Pot Pasta with Broccoli

    Creamy Garlic Parmesan Instant Pot Pasta with Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This creamy garlic pasta is quick to make and packed with rich Parmesan flavor, plus it features tender-crisp broccoli for a nice touch. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that feels a bit fancy without breaking the bank.

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    Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This potato leek soup is simple to make and packed with flavor. You can whip it up in one pot in just 10 minutes, and it’s ready to enjoy in under an hour.

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    Chicken Alfredo Pizza

    Chicken Alfredo Pizza.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken alfredo pizza is a simple dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick family dinner. Topped with creamy homemade alfredo sauce, broccoli, bacon, chicken, and lots of cheese, it’s a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Creamy Mushroom Pasta

    Creamy Mushroom Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Creamy mushroom pasta makes for a simple and delicious dinner that feels special. With balsamic vinegar and garlic enhancing the mushrooms, this vegetarian dish is satisfying without being overly rich, thanks to the use of dried herbs instead of extra cream.

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    Air Fryer Meatballs

    A stack of meatballs.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air fryer meatballs are simple to prepare and ready in less than an hour. They’re juicy and tender, making them a great option for a family meal that feels a bit special.

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    Vegetable Quiche

    Asparagus quiche on a plate.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetable quiche features tender leeks, smoky gouda cheese, and a wholesome spelt crust. It's a great option for brunch or dinner, and the leftovers make for tasty lunches.

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    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers without Rice
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Stuffed peppers can be made quickly in just 45 minutes, and they’re packed with flavor. With a mix of tex-mex spices and a cheesy topping, they’re great on their own or paired with tortilla chips.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These burgers are juicy and cooked just right. With just ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, you can whip up a delicious dinner that feels a bit fancy.

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    Spinach Lemon Orzo

    Spinach Lemon Orzo.
    Photo credit: Barley and Sage.

    This creamy spinach lemon orzo is quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes. Packed with fresh spinach, lemon zest, and basil in a rich sauce, it makes for a light dinner or a simple side dish.

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    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

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

    These Vegetarian Tacos are packed with refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, then topped with fresh homemade pico de gallo. They're simple to make and delicious enough to keep you wanting seconds.

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    Turkey Burgers

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

    These homemade turkey burgers are easy to make and come together in no time, perfect for a family meal. With just a few simple steps and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, you’ll have juicy burgers that everyone will enjoy.

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    Air Fryer Falafel

    Air fryer falafel.
    Image credit: Katie Trant

    Air fryer falafel is a tasty and healthy option that skips the deep frying. With soaked chickpeas, these vegan bites can be made in just 15 minutes.

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    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon

    Lamb Meatballs with Cilantro & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    These Lamb Meatballs are simple to prepare and packed with fresh lemon and cilantro flavor. They’re perfect alongside creamy mashed potatoes or as a tasty appetizer for gatherings, and they’ve been a favorite in my home for years.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Tostadas

    Chicken tostadas.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Homemade Tostadas are simple to prepare and have a nice crunch. They feature crispy corn tortillas piled high with refried beans, chicken or ground beef, cheese, and your favorite toppings, making them a great option for a family dinner.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to make and perfect for the whole family. It has a touch of elegance that makes it feel special, even though it's budget-friendly.

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    Tuna Rice Bowls 4 Ways

    CANNED TUNA OVER RICE.
    Photo credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    Canned tuna and rice makes for a quick and easy meal that you'll find yourself making often. With just a few basic ingredients and a couple of minutes, you can whip up a tasty dinner, and there are four different flavor options to keep things interesting.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters come together in just 15 minutes, offering a great mix of crispy skin and juicy meat. A tasty marinade with lime juice adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken tender.

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    Tuna Croquettes

    Tuna Cakes.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Tuna croquettes have a crunchy exterior and are packed with delicious flavor inside. They make for a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Meatballs without Breadcrumbs and Eggs

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

    These meatballs are simple to make and come together in less than an hour. You can cook them on the stove, in an air fryer, or in the oven, and they turn out juicy and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This easy tahini pasta is a quick meal that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With its creamy and nutty tahini sauce, it brings a delicious twist to your dinner table.

    Get the recipe

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      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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