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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Budget-Friendly Dinners Perfect for Cozy Autumn Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 22, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 25 budget-friendly dinners are perfect for cozy autumn nights. With simple ingredients and easy recipes, you can enjoy warm and comforting meals without breaking the bank. From hearty soups to filling casseroles, these dishes will keep you satisfied as the weather cools down.

    Texas Pasta

    Texas pasta.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

    This Texas Pasta dish is a straightforward and delicious choice for dinner. It features lean ground beef, flavorful tomato sauce, and lots of cheese, making it a hit with the entire family.

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    Turkey Pot Pie

    Sliced Turkey Pot Pie.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This turkey pot pie is simple to make from scratch and features fresh seasonal vegetables and flavors. It's a great way to use up any leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. This dish is hearty and comforting, making it a perfect choice for family dinners during the fall.

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    Easy Shepherd's Pie

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Shepherd's Pie is a cozy dish that's perfect for chilly days. It's simple to prepare with just a handful of ingredients, making it a great choice when you want something filling and comforting. You can use ground beef or lamb, and it's also a fantastic option to prepare in advance and freeze for busy days.

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    Chicken Lemon Soup

    Chicken Lemon Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Fresh Cooky,.

    This homemade chicken soup is a comforting dish filled with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs. It's just right for chilly days or when you're feeling under the weather. You can choose between a method that brings out deep flavors or a quicker version for when you're short on time. There are also some tips to ensure your soup is packed with flavor every time.

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    Potato and Leek Quiche

    Potato and Leek Quiche.
    Photo Credit: The Peasant's Daughter.

    This vegetarian leek and potato quiche is hearty and elegant. It's a solid choice for a filling meal that won't cost a lot. Perfect for family dinners, this dish combines simple ingredients into something special.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick chicken stew can be made using rotisserie chicken, bringing in bright flavors of lemon and rosemary. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy fall meal. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

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

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef or lamb, all topped with plenty of cheese. This recipe skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, which keeps it light and healthy. It's a straightforward dish that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

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    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Foodie Affair.

    This vegetarian enchilada casserole is packed with all the classic flavors you love. It's a filling meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for the whole family. You can customize each serving with your favorite toppings, making it a fun and tasty option for dinner.

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    5-Ingredient Chicken Soup

    5-Ingredient Chicken Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This chicken soup recipe is a great choice for a chilly day, and you can easily change it up with whatever vegetables are in season. It's super simple to prepare and has a light feel that's just right for spring. You'll appreciate how easy it is to whip up, making it a go-to meal for any time of the year.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This chili is made in the slow cooker and features beans, corn, and peppers, all combined with masa harina. It's packed with flavors that remind you of the Southwest. Perfect for a cozy fall meal, this dish is both healthy and easy to prepare.

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    Reuben Casserole

    Reuben Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Amy Casey Cooks.

    This reuben casserole brings all the flavors of a classic reuben sandwich into a simple and tasty dish. It combines marbled rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, homemade 1000 island dressing, and Swiss cheese, all baked together until everything is hot and bubbly. It's perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole

    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines the comfort of tater tot casserole with the classic flavors of shepherd's pie, creating a simple one-pot meal. It includes frozen vegetables for added nutrition and is topped with melted cheddar cheese, making it a satisfying option. This is a great meal that the whole family will love.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a hearty meal. Perfect for a potluck or a simple weeknight dinner, this is a great option for busy families.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's a dish that the whole family will enjoy and is sure to become a regular on your dinner table.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for cozy fall evenings. With its cheesy goodness, it brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. It's a great option for families looking for a tasty meal that doesn't require a lot of work.

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    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup is sure to be a hit with the whole family. It features tender, shredded chicken and chewy pearl barley, packed with a variety of vegetables in a rich, creamy broth. This soup is filling and comforting, making it a great choice for a cozy meal. Pair it with some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying dinner ready to enjoy.

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    Cream of Mushroom Soup

    Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This gluten-free Cream of Mushroom Soup can be ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick option for dinner. It's simple to prepare and doesn't use any flour, relying instead on plenty of cream for a rich flavor. Perfect for a cozy fall meal, this soup is sure to warm you up.

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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. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all made with simple items you probably already have in your pantry. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe cuts down on cooking time while still delivering a satisfying meal for the whole family.

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    Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Tuna Noodle Casserole.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    This tuna noodle casserole is a straightforward take on a classic dish. It's a quick meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, this dish is perfect for families looking for an easy dinner option.

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    Creamy Baked Ziti

    CREAMY BAKED ZITI.
    Photo credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This dish combines soft noodles, a creamy sauce, and melted cheese for a cozy meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and brings a taste of Italy right to your dinner table. Perfect for those chilly fall evenings, this casserole is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

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    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

    Easy Cheeseburger Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dude That Cookz.

    Cheeseburger Casserole is a simple and tasty dish that's great for a quick weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients like ground beef, onions, tomato puree, cheese, and some spices, you can whip up a hearty meal that everyone in the family will love. It's a comforting option that brings the flavors of a cheeseburger into a warm, satisfying casserole.

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    Tortellini Bake

    Tortellini bake.
    Photo credit: Everyday Delicious.

    This tortellini bake is a delicious casserole made with store-bought tortellini, delicious meat tomato sauce with vegetables, all covered with melted gooey cheese. It´s so easy to make and you´ll have a tasty dinner for a couple of days!

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    Chicken Rotel Spaghetti

    Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel.
    Photo Credit Mandi of the Mountains.

    Baked chicken spaghetti with Rotel is a simple and cozy meal that your family will enjoy. It's also great to share with friends or family when you want to bring something nice. With just a few ingredients, this dish comes together quickly and easily. Everyone will appreciate this cheesy chicken casserole!

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    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and comes together in just a few minutes. It uses common ingredients you probably already have at home, like store-bought spaghetti sauce, dried spices, and boxed noodles. With a generous amount of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

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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 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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