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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Cheap Party Recipes That Impress Without Breaking the Bank

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on December 26, 2024, updated December 16, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Throwing a party doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With these 18 budget-friendly recipes, you can impress your guests with delicious dishes that are easy to make and won’t empty your wallet. From cheesy mains to crispy sides, these ideas will keep everyone happy and satisfied.

    Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers

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

    Stuffed Peppers without rice are quick and easy to prepare in just 45 minutes. Filled with delicious tex-mex flavors and topped with cheese, they’re great on their own or served with tortilla chips.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty and flavorful dish loaded with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and lots of cheese. By using more eggplant and skipping the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, this Mediterranean meal is both healthy and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Pink Pasta Sauce

    Pink pasta on a shallow, white bowl.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    This pink sauce pasta is a simple mix of tomato, cream, onion, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and spaghetti. It's a tasty Italian-inspired dish that’s budget-friendly.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is easy to make, cheesy, and really delicious. It's a great choice for any get-together!

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    Brussels Sprouts with Honey Balsamic

    Brussel sprouts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Frozen brussels sprouts get a tasty boost with a honey balsamic glaze and a touch of cayenne pepper. In just 16 minutes in the air fryer, they come out perfectly caramelized and are sure to impress your guests without costing a fortune.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a quick and tasty dinner option that you can prepare in under an hour. With a flavorful herb crust and juicy, tender meat, it requires just a few simple ingredients.

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    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes

    Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a great side dish that’s easy on the wallet. It fits well with any meal and is sure to please your guests.

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    Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

    brussel sprouts with bacon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Brussels sprouts can be made quickly and are full of salty, crunchy, and sweet flavors, with a hint of balsamic vinegar to bring it all together. This dish is perfect for gatherings without breaking the bank.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    Foil-baked cod packets are full of flavor and only take 5 minutes to prepare. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all in one dish, this meal is simple and satisfying.

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    Creamy Rice

    Creamy rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy rice dish is anything but ordinary, featuring a delicious blend of butter and chicken stock that really boosts its flavor. It's a simple yet satisfying option that everyone will enjoy.

    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.

    These tacos are filled with tasty refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, topped off with fresh pico de gallo. This is a simple and satisfying dish that you'll want to enjoy more than once!

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    Chicken Burgers

    A stack of chicken patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy tasty chicken patties that are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, perfect for a party without breaking the bank. Use powdered seasonings to save time and finish them off with a splash of lemon juice for a fresh touch.

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    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These burgers are simple to whip up and great for your next get-together. All you need is some ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Buffalo cauliflower bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These spicy, crispy snacks are sure to become a favorite. They’re quick to whip up in under 30 minutes and pair perfectly with blue cheese sauce for a tasty treat.

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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 simple and fast way to whip up a tasty pasta sauce. It’s full of the classic flavors you enjoy, made with everyday ingredients you likely have on hand.

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    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are simple to make with just butter and no milk, and they come together in under 30 minutes. They’re a perfect side for any meal, and you might find yourself wanting to keep them all to yourself!

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Pulled Pork Burgers

    Instant Pot Pulled Pork Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Cooking pork shoulder is simple with a pressure cooker, giving you tender meat in just over an hour with little prep work. This is a satisfying meal that frees up your time for other things while dinner cooks.

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    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes

    Air fryer hasselback potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are a quick and easy version of the traditional Swedish dish, taking only 30 minutes to prepare. With garlic butter and the cheap kind of Parmesan cheese, this is a side that everyone will enjoy.

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    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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    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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