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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Hearty Dinners That Won't Break the Bank

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 12, 2025, updated January 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding hearty meals that are budget-friendly can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. There are plenty of delicious dinner options that are both satisfying and easy on the wallet. From comforting casseroles to filling soups, these 23 recipes will keep you and your family happy without overspending.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This chili is warm and tasty, perfect for chilly days. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    Creamy Leek, Ham & Potato Soup

    Creamy Leek, Ham & Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Family Food Kitchen.

    This creamy soup is simple to prepare and really tasty. It's comforting and loaded with vegetables, ready to serve in about 30 minutes.

    Get the Recipe

    One-Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Cajun chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken pasta is a hit with everyone and combines spicy and creamy flavors in a straightforward dish. It's perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly evening.

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    Panera Chicken Noodle Soup

    Panera chicken noodle soup.
    Photo credit: Bowl Me Over.

    A warm bowl of chicken noodle soup filled with tender chicken and fresh veggies is perfect for chilly days. This family favorite can be whipped up in just 30 minutes using leftover chicken.

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    One Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of chicken corn chowder.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish is all about cozy warmth in a bowl. It features tender rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, hearty potatoes, and crispy bacon in a rich and creamy broth.

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    Spicy Chicken Soup

    Spicy chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This spicy chicken soup is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting. Made with half a chicken and two kinds of chili, it’s full of flavor and easy to prepare in under an hour, plus it freezes well for later.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is simple and comforting, taking just 10 minutes to prepare while the slow cooker handles the rest. It's full of rich flavors and tender penne pasta, making it a great choice for a filling family dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This filling soup is packed with tender beef, veggies, and barley in a tasty broth. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, let it simmer all day, and you'll have a warm meal waiting for you when you get home.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This Cream of Chicken & Leek Soup is a simple and satisfying meal that warms you up on chilly days. With just six ingredients, it's an easy option for families on the go.

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    Creamy Tomato Gnocchi Soup

    Gnocchi Soup with bread.
    Photo Credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    This creamy tomato gnocchi soup is perfect for chilly fall and winter evenings, especially when paired with some buttered sourdough. The fire-roasted tomatoes add rich flavor, and the soft gnocchi are a delight in every spoonful.

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    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup.
    Photo Credit; Urban Farmie.

    This slow cooker black bean soup is filling and super simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy weeks when you want a warm meal without much work.

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    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta

    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Chicken Fajita Pasta is a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy nights. In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy a tasty one-pan dish that brings together the flavors of fajitas and pasta.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan White Chickpea Chili

    Vegan White Chickpea Chili
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    White Chickpea Chili offers a vegan take on the classic white chicken chili. Packed with vegetables, beans, and spices in a creamy broth, this dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese

    Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    One Pot Mexican Street Corn Mac and Cheese is a quick and simple meal that you can whip up in about 20 minutes using real ingredients. This easy vegetarian dish is perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to be a hit with your family.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach and Cheese Manicotti

    Vegetarian Spinach and Cheese Manicotti.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This No-Boil Baked Manicotti is a great meal for a cozy Sunday night. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.

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    One Pot Chicken Alfredo

    One Pot Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Copy Kat.

    This is a tasty dish you can enjoy any day. A straightforward creamy Alfredo sauce adds to its flavor.

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    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    Dutch oven with Cheeseburger Macaroni.
    Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    Cheeseburger macaroni is a simple and satisfying dinner option for busy weeknights. With soft pasta, seasoned ground beef, and gooey cheese, this one-pan meal is full of flavor and easy to prepare.

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    Hearty Red Lentil Stew

    Hearty Red Lentil Stew
    Photo Credit: Plant Based on a Budget.

    This thick stew is full of flavor and loaded with vegetables, providing plenty of plant-based protein and nutrients to keep you warm and satisfied. It all comes together in one pot and takes less than an hour to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This potato leek soup is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It only takes 10 minutes to get ready in one pot and is done in under an hour.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ravioli is a simple way to create a delicious lasagna, using the ravioli as the noodles and layering it with ricotta. This slow cooker ravioli lasagna is a hit with the whole family.

    Get the Recipe

    Veggie Loaded Tater Tot Casserole

    Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This dish features creamy vegetables covered with crispy, golden tater tots. It's quick to prepare and perfect for family dinners or a cozy night at home.

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    Easy Chili Mac

    Macaroni and cheese in a chili sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish combines the warmth of macaroni and cheese with the heartiness of classic chili, creating a satisfying meal for everyone. It's a great option for chilly evenings when you want something comforting and filling.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Curry Pasta

    Creamy Curry Pasta.
    Photo credit: Plantbased on a Budget.

    This creamy curry pasta is an easy 35-minute fusion dinner loaded with flavor. It's so satisfying and easily customizable with your favorite protein and veggies, and a great go-to for busy weeknights!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Easy Summer Dinners Even Your Kids Will Eat
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      24 Grandma Approved Dinners That Will Make You Love Cooking Again
    • Chicken adobo.
      21 Deliciously Easy Crockpot Meals Perfect for Hot Summer Days
    • Broccoli cheese soup.
      19 Hearty Vegetable Loaded Dishes That Make Meal Prep a Breeze

    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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