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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Tasty Dishes That Are Both Cheap and Easy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 30, 2024, updated November 19, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor or variety. There are plenty of simple and affordable dishes that are both satisfying and easy to prepare. From hearty pastas to quick tacos, these recipes will help you whip up delicious meals without breaking the bank.

    Cauliflower Steaks

    Two cauliflower steaks in a pan.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    Vegan cauliflower steaks are both juicy and crispy. Simply slice a whole head of cauliflower into thick pieces, give them a quick pre-cook, season well, and pan-fry until they turn golden brown.

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    Ground Beef Tacos

    Ground beef tacos with salsa.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Ground beef tacos are an easy and affordable meal that everyone will love. Stuff crispy taco shells with flavorful homemade taco meat and add your favorite toppings for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Tahini Pasta

    Tahini Pasta.
    Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

    This tahini sauce is simple to whip up with just a few basic ingredients, and tahini is the star of the show.

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    3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Slow cooker shredded chicken tacos are easy to prepare with only three ingredients and a quick five minutes of prep. This is a great option for busy nights; just toss everything in the crock pot, let it cook, shred the chicken, and dinner is ready!

    Get the recipe

    Barbecue Chicken Flatbread

    Close-up of Barbecue Chicken Flatbread.
    Photo Credit: Mae's Menu.

    This pizza is full of great flavors that will definitely hit the spot. It's easy to whip up, so you won't have to spend a lot of time cooking, and it's also budget-friendly.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a quick meal. It's a great option when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time or money.

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    Chicken Burgers

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

    These chicken patties are easy to make and cook quickly in the air fryer. With just a few simple seasonings and a bit of lemon juice, you can enjoy a tasty meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Chili With Black Beans

    Easy Vegetarian Chili Sin Carne with Black Beans
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This vegetarian dish is full of rich chili flavor and loaded with veggies like zucchini, eggplant, and green bell pepper. It comes together in just 40 minutes, offering a delicious mix of flavors and textures with simple preparation.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes with a simple marinade of olive oil, lime juice, and spices. The outcome is tender drumsticks with a nice crispy skin that you'll love.

    Get the recipe

    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 option for a filling meal that won't cost a lot.

    Get the recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade hamburgers can be cooked quickly and easily in an air fryer, resulting in juicy patties that are ready for your favorite toppings. If you like, you can also grill them for a different flavor.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty meal can be made quickly with just 5 ingredients and one pot in under 12 minutes. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying.

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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 tacos are filled with tasty refried black beans and crumbled feta cheese, topped off with fresh pico de gallo. This is a simple and affordable meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Crispy and juicy chicken legs cook quickly in the Air Fryer, giving you a great mix of crunchy skin and tender meat. The air fryer cooks them to a perfect golden-brown on the outside while keeping the inside nice and juicy.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

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

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple meal that comes together in just 10 minutes with only three ingredients. Combining bright pesto sauce with Greek yogurt gives you a comforting dinner that’s easy on the wallet.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Burgers

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

    Homemade turkey burgers are simple to make and packed with flavor thanks to some easy seasonings and a bit of fresh lemon juice. Whether you use an air fryer or grill them, this meal is both satisfying and budget-friendly.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce has a nice spicy twist. It's made with simple seasonings you probably already have at home, so it's easy on the wallet.

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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 an easy and affordable meal. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all wrapped up together, this dinner is both simple and satisfying.

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    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to prepare using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Tofu

    Air fried crispy tofu.
    Photo credit: Sarah Cook.

    Air fryer tofu is a quick and affordable meal that's packed with flavor. It's a delicious option for a vegan or vegetarian dinner that you can prepare in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    This pasta dish features sardines mixed with a rich Bolognese sauce made from red wine, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, and budget-friendly canned fish. It's a simple and delicious meal that's easy on the wallet.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, using canned tuna and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that's perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Slow cooker potato soup.
      20 Vegetarian Crockpot Meals You’ll Want to Make Every Week
    • Vietnamese seafood salad.
      24 Colorful Summer Salads That Will Brighten Your Day
    • Hobo casserole.
      20 Make-Ahead Freezer Casseroles Your Family Will Love
    • Thai coconut skewers.
      30 Sizzling BBQ Dishes to Fire Up Your Independence Day

    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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