In the beginning, I was overwhelmed while searching for some inexpensive dinner ideas for novices that would feed a family of four. All recipe blogs made it sound as if I had a spice rack full of spices and understood the word “deglaze.” I had neither.
I did have two grumpy children, a confused husband and just $60 for the week’s food. So, I learned the hard way, how to cook rice, how to season pasta, and how to slowly develop a menu of foods that allows me to eat them. Such are these dinners.
1. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
This is the recipe that brought out the chef in me. In a Dutch oven (or large pot with a lid), cook the chicken thighs for 25 minutes with rice, broth and vegetables on sale.
It’s approximately $7 when you purchase the bone-in chicken thighs which are about $1.50 per pound at Aldi. I always use carrot and peas, frozen as they are so cheap and my children eat. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. That’s it. Dinner in One Pot, One Dish!
2. Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables
This stove is for you if you don’t like to be in charge of a stove. Cut into some smoked sausage (Eckrich or store bought) cut some potatoes and bell peppers, drizzle with olive oil and season and lay on a sheet pan.
Bake at 400°F until done, about 30 minutes. The overall price comes out to approximately $8. The beauty in all of this is it’s all free of skill. What you need to do is to cut it up in chunks and time yourself to make this. These are “the orange potatoes” to my 4-year-old and he asks for them every week.
3. Budget Taco Night
When everybody’s craving yesterday’s supper is five minutes late, ground beef tacos come to the rescue. Brown a pound of ground beef, drain, toss in a packet of taco seasoning, and a splash of water and cook for several minutes.
A pound of the 80/20 ground beef is about $5, the taco seasoning is under a dollar and a box of tortillas sold at the store is $2. Sprinkle on shredded cheese and other toppings you have. Sour cream, lettuce, and salsa. This meal, served to my family of four, costs less than $9, and is more than likely left over for lunch the following day.
4. Creamy Tomato Pasta
This was my go-to for even my Tuesday night and is a quick and easy recipe using items from the fridge. Cook spaghetti for 1lb. Whilst cooking, sauté minced garlic in butter, add a can of crushed tomatoes, add a few spoonfuls of cream cheese, add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes and season to taste.
Add pasta to the sauce and stir. Done. This is a cream cheese trick I learned from a TikTok video that really makes this $6 meal taste like cooking in a restaurant. I don’t think my kids realise that they are eating tomatoes — this is a win in my house.
5. Baked Potato Bar
There are times when the easiest recipes to make for the family of four on a budget are readily available and at your fingertips. In the oven bake 4 large russet potatoes at 400°F for approximately 1 hour or until they are done in the microwave. Have toppings available and allow everyone to create their own.
- Butter
- Shredded cheese
- Canned chili
- Broccoli
- Sour cream
You will likely already have half of these already. The entire meal is $6 to $8 on top of a steak and fries. This is the one I like the most simply because I don’t have to do anything, it’s a give away.
6. Fried Rice with Scrambled Eggs
The secret ingredient that everyone is missing out on is leftover rice. This is a very simple method that will help you prepare rice from the ground, and you will be half ready for dinner tonight! Preheat oil in a large skillet, scramble in some eggs and set aside; stir-fry the cold rice, add in the soy sauce, frozen mixed vegetables and garlic.
At the end, add back in the eggs. This will make about 4 large servings and cost about $4.00. The only luxury that I indulge in here is Kikkoman soy sauce as the low-quality soy sauce is just plain salt water. I can get my kids to eat this quicker than anything else that I make, and I don’t think that’s very convenient for me because it’s very easy to make.
7. Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
The slow cooker is the perfect recipe for the novice cook. Add boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the slow cooker, top with bottle of barbecue sauce and cook for 6 hours on low. Shred using 2 forks. Serve in hamburger buns.
The sauce that I always use is Sweet Baby Ray’s which is about $2 per bottle. Chicken breasts sold will make total cost approximately $8 for the whole meal. Serve with a side of coleslaw mix for another dollar and it’s something so much better looking and tasting than the work you put in.
8. Black Bean Quesadillas
I used to make my meals for the week of meat free and they were always sad. Then I began to make black bean quesadillas and it was a whole different ball game. Drain and rinse can of black beans, mash slightly with a fork and spread between the sides of a flour tortilla with shredded cheese. In a frying pan, fry on a medium pan until crispy and golden on each side.
The total cost of the meal is approximately $5 for 4 people. I add a little cumin, and a squeeze of lime, making the beans a lot more interesting. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Three of these I eat without complaint, even my husband who says he must have his meat every day.
9. Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Roasted Potatoes
Chicken drumsticks are underrated! They’re fairly inexpensive ($1 per pound), hard to dry out and kids love to eat with their hands. Add paprika, garlic powder, salt and some olive oil. Place on baking tray with cubed potatoes.
Bake at 425°F for 35 to 40 minutes. Four people can eat at the restaurant for less than $6. The skin becomes crispy, the meat remains juicy and the potatoes absorb all the juices. This is one of those dinners that you thought you did a good job, but you didn’t.
10. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
I know. It’s basic. But that’s why all families have spaghetti in their diet in America. Brown a pound of ground beef (or ground turkey if on sale), toss in a jar of marinara sauce such as Prego or Ragu and simmer as the pasta cooks.
Total cost: about $7. The trick is to add some sugar and a bit of the Worcestershire broth to the meat sauce and it will be better than a school lunch! That’s a trick I got from my mother and it makes a difference. Serve with a hot dog bun, butter and garlic powder to make garlic bread.
11. Ham and Cheese Sliders
In my house, these are more of a weekend meal, but they are so inexpensive and simple, I’ve made them on a random Wednesday to aid in the desperation. Purchase a 12 pack of Hawaiian rolls, fill with deli ham and Swiss cheese, top with melted butter and a bit of mustard and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
The entire tray is very inexpensive, about $9 and will serve 4 people well, and sometimes more. I like to serve these with a side of fruit or baby carrots as they do need something fresh to go with them. My children eat them like little patties and imagine that they’re having something special.
12. Chili with Canned Beans
Making chili at home seems like a daunting task, but it’s as simple as putting cans in a pot. Two kidney bean cans, a can of diced tomatoes, a pound of ground beef (browned first), chili powder, cumin and garlic powder. Combine all ingredients and cook for 30 minutes.
This leaves leftovers for 4, which will only cost the equivalent of $8. I season it with some cheddar shredded and some saltine crackers crushed. It can be served over rice, too! Actually the next day chili is better; the leftovers are a blessing not a burden.
13. Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes, Eggs, and Bacon
If I get stuck for inspiration, I always come up with something for dinner when I read breakfast for dinner books. A box of Bisquick pancake mix costs $3 and produces about 20 pancakes. Add scrambled eggs and some strips of bacon and the cost of the meal is approximately $7.
My children think this is the greatest thing that ever did happen to them. Eating pancakes on a nightly basis when the sun is setting seems like a rebellious act even to a 6 year old. I put the maple syrup and stick of butter on the table and everyone goes to work.
14. Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a recipe that anyone who can boil pasta and stir can do. Cook a box of ziti, combine with ricotta cheese, a jar of marinara and half a box of shredded mozzarella. Place in a baking dish, cover with additional mozzarella and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
This will cost approximately $9 and will feed 2+ lunches and dinner. It’s almost like a lazier lasagna and I’m not sure I can tell the difference, it sounds like a great idea, right? The crispy cheese on top is the best bit and if you don’t agree, then what can I say?
15. Chicken Stir-Fry with Store-Bought Sauce
I once believed I needed a wok and some sort of education in cooking to stir-fry! It doesn’t. Cut chicken breast into thin strips, fry in a hot pan with oil, add 1 bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables and stir in the bottle of stir-fry sauce. Both Kikkoman and La Choy are good choices, at less than $3.
Serve over rice. The whole meal is approximately $8. The key is to prepare the chicken first, then prepare the vegetables so that they are still the correct consistency. No one wants soggy broccoli, with rubbery chicken. It takes 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to eat because it’s delish!
Tips for Keeping Dinner Affordable Every Week
It’s not only about finding affordable dinner ideas that are easy to make for a family of four to ensure a successful rotation. It’s also a matter of shopping savvier. When they’re on sale, I stock up on chicken thighs and ground beef, then portion them out for meals. The primary stores I go to are Aldi and Walmart as the staples such as rice, pasta and canned goods always have a lower price than other stores.
Another list I have on my phone is of items already in the pantry. That’s the one habit that reduced my food waste by 50%! Previously when I came home I forgot I had two canned tomato paste and would bring home the third. Cook 3-4 times per week, shop for the meals and make sure to use leftovers for lunch. This seems like a no brainer, but it did radically improve my family’s food budget!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Are the Most Economical Proteins to Purchase at the Grocery Store for Family Dinners?
The cheapest items to get the most protein per dollar are chicken thighs, ground beef (80/20), eggs, canned beans and whole chicken. These are alternated weekly. Chicken thighs will consistently run at $1.50 a pound or less at Aldi and eggs can make up a full meal for themselves.
How Do I Meal Plan If I’ve Never Cooked Before?
Begin with 3 meals a week. Look for recipes that have similar ingredients — you don’t have to run out and get 30 new things. If you purchase ground beef, for instance, make tacos on one night and spaghetti the next. Make a list of all the meals you want and you only need to buy those items. I promise it gets easier the 2nd or 3rd week!
Can I Make Affordable Dinner Recipes for Beginners Feeding a Family of Four Without a Slow Cooker?
Absolutely. The majority of the recipes featured on this list require just a skillet, pot or baking sheet. It is a nice to have but not necessary, a slow cooker can be purchased for around $20 at Walmart. This can fit onto your stovetop and oven.
How Much Should a Family of Four Spend on Groceries Per Week?
For a family of four, the USDA “thrifty” food plan is $175 to $200 weekly but I typically spend $80 to $100 a week by keeping it simple and taking advantage of sales. Making the decisions of buying store brands, not purchasing pre-cut vegetables and not purchasing impulse snacks makes all the difference.
What Kitchen Tools Do I Actually Need as a Beginner?
A large skillet, a large pot with a lid, a baking sheet, a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board. Well, that’s all you need to create all the recipes on this list! Don’t invest in expensive gadgets until you have an idea of what you really use. I bought a garlic press which I only used once and wasted money on it.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be a culinary master or order the most expensive foods in order to feed your family well on a budget. All it takes is a limited amount of food that you can get right on a tired weeknight. What is the one food your family doesn’t eat too much of?
