By: Author Julia Jordan
Posted on - Last updated:
In this post I am sharing 25 Cheap Easy Meals on a Budget for feeding a family.
None of us are immune from going through tough times. These meals will help feed your family when on a tight budget.
I originally shared these budget friendly meal ideas on my Facebook page. It was so popular that I felt it should be shared here on the blog so it can be easily found by others.
What are some of your favorite meals on a tight budget?
Budget Meals
“Every adversity brings new experiences and new lessons.”
~ Lailah Gifty Akita
Cheap Meals on a Tight Budget
Tips for Food Shopping on a Tight Budget
Buy fresh local produce from farmer’s markets when in season. You’ll spend less and get more for your money. If possible, try growing your own vegetables if you have a yard and space for a garden.
Buy the whole chicken and cut it up yourself. Learning to cut up a chicken is easy and you’ll save money. If buying chicken pieces, drumsticks are far less expensive than chicken breasts.
Plan meals for the week and check sales before shopping. By preparing a simple weekly meal plan you’ll shop smarter and only buy what you need to avoid waste.
Save vegetable scraps and freeze them to make hearty homemade stocks. Homemade stocks can be used as the base for nutritious soups and for cooking.
Dried Beans, Rice and Potatoes can help stretch meals when feeding a family on a tight budget.
Try new foods. There are a lot of very inexpensive leafy greens and vegetables available that are very healthy and nutritious.
25 recipes for home cooked meals to feed your family on a tight budget.
Sausage and Rice Casserole
A delicious, creamy and savory sausage and rice casserole that is perfect as the main meal or as a side dish.
Biscuit Topped Beef Pot Pie
A delicious and comforting meal of skillet beef pot pie topped with fluffy biscuits.
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
Delicious homemade chicken, vegetable and noodle soup prepared in the slow cooker.
Fresh Stewed Tomatoes with Pasta
Fresh stewed tomatoes with pasta and fresh basil, a 10 minute meal.
Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina
Easy and delicious taco salad with Doritos and Catalina dressing. Perfect for potluck gatherings.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Boats
Simple and delicious taco boats can be made with beef, pork, chicken or seafood. This family favorite meal is perfect any day of the week, especially taco Tuesdays or Cinco de Mayo.
Creamed Tuna on Toast
Old school creamed tuna on toast, a budget friendly meal. This popular comfort food meal has stood the test of time. It was especially favored when going through hard times and money was tight.
Easy Marinara Sauce
Simple and easy marinara sauce that is rich in tomato flavor, perfect as a topping for pasta or to use as a dipping sauce.
Creamy Country Chicken Stew
Easy to prepare hearty chicken stew
Old Fashioned American Goulash
Classic old fashioned goulash is a simple comfort food meal made with ground beef, tomatoes and pasta
Ground Beef Casserole
A delicious family meal of cheesy ground beef and pasta casserole
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Family favorite beef stroganoff made with hamburger and served over noodles is a cheap hearty meal to feed a family.
Simple Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Healthy and delicious oven roasted chicken drumsticks that leave the skin perfectly brown and crispy. A kid friendly favorite.
Stewed Beef Tips and Rice
A delicious comfort food meal of stewed beef tips in gravy served over rice (or potatoes)
Classic Stuffed Peppers
Classic stuffed peppers with a meat and rice stuffing baked with a rich tomato sauce
Classic creamed chipped beef and toast is a hearty gravy made with dried beef. It is often referred to as SOS. This vintage recipe may be served over toast, biscuits, potatoes and sometimes pasta.
Lemon Pepper - Flat Roasted Chicken
Easy oven roasted chicken, flattened spatchco*ck style
Cajun Dirty Rice
Cajun Creole style dirty rice recipe is delicious as a side or the main meal.
Scalloped Tomatoes
A comforting old fashioned recipe of scalloped tomatoes, a baked tomato and bread pudding
Pork Tenders
Move over chicken, these pork tenders are delicious and kid friendly too. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Oven Baked BBQ Pork Chops
A super easy budget friendly family meal of BBQ boneless pork chops baked in the oven
Salmon Croquettes
Classic Southern style salmon patties, seasoned perfectly and delicious.
Pork Medallions with Gravy
Tender pork medallions in an easy gravy served with rice
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Easy chicken pot pie, a comforting meal
Hamburger Soup
Quick and easy ground beef soup with vegetables and pasta
For more budget friendly meal ideas and recipes, check out our recipe index.
- The Best Easter Breakfast or Brunch Recipes for Two
- Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy
- Easy Southern Style Flat Italian Green Beans Recipe
- Down Home Southern Large Lima Butter Beans Recipe
- Easy Creamy Salmon Pasta Salad Recipe
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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