100+ Frugal Dinner Ideas {Affordable Everyday Recipes}

Looking for frugal dinner ideas that your people will actually eat? Me too.

Sometimes I’ll link to the recipes, sometimes not. The idea is just to give you lots of ideas to inspire you ❤️.

They are sorted by the main protein, so if all you can afford this week is chicken drumsticks (been there), I’ve got you.

Chicken Breasts

• Grilled Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Stir-Fry
• Baked Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken Breast Fajitas
• Chicken Breast Alfredo Pasta
• Lemon Chicken Piccata
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Chicken and Mushroom Skillet
• Chicken Breast Tacos

Budget Dinners Using Canned Tuna

• Tuna Salad Sandwiches
• Tuna Pasta Bake
• Tuna Patties
• Tuna and White Bean Salad
• Tuna Casserole
• Tuna Stuffed Peppers
• Tuna and Rice Salad
• Tuna and Pea Rice Bake

Ground Turkey dinner ideas

• Turkey Burgers
• Turkey Meatloaf
• Turkey Tacos
• Turkey and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Turkey Chili
• Turkey Bolognese Sauce
• Turkey Stuffed Peppers
• Turkey and Spinach Lasagna
• Sloppy Joes with Ground Turkey

Affordable dinner recipes with bone-in chicken thighs

• Baked Chicken Thighs with Vegetables
• Chicken Thigh Curry
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Thigh Stew
• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Cacciatore

Leftover Cooked Chicken

• Chicken Salad
• Chicken Tacos
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Chicken Quesadillas
• Chicken Fried Rice
• Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
• Chicken Caesar Wrap
• BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Buffalo Chicken Dip

Dried Beans

• Lentil Soup
• Lentil Curry
• Black Bean and Rice Burritos
• Black Bean Burgers
• Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Lentil Tacos
• Black Bean Soup
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
• Lentil Stew
• Lentil Sloppy Joes
• Lentil and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Split Pea and Ham Stew

Bulk Pork Sausage

• Sausage and Peppers
• Sausage Pasta
• Sausage and Potato Bake
• Sausage and Cabbage Skillet
• Sausage and Bean Soup
• Sausage Jambalaya
• Sausage and Egg Breakfast Burritos
• Sausage and Spinach Quiche
• Sausage and Apple Stuffing

Canned Chickpeas

• Chickpea Curry
• Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
• Roasted Chickpeas and Vegetables
• Chickpea Stew
• Chickpea Tacos
• Chickpea and Spinach Curry
• Chickpea Pasta
• Falafel
• Moroccan Chickpea Soup

Frozen Tilapia (or Other White Fish) Fillets

• Baked Tilapia with Lemon and Herbs
• Tilapia Fish Tacos
• Pan-Fried Tilapia
• Tilapia and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
• Tilapia in Tomato Sauce
• Cajun Tilapia
• Tilapia Ceviche
• Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Frozen Meatballs

• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Meatball Sub Sandwiches
• Meatball Stew
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Meatball Pizza
• Meatball Curry
• Meatball and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• BBQ Meatball Sliders
• Swedish Meatballs

Bulk Ground Beef

• Beef Tacos
• Beef Chili
• Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Beef Bolognese Sauce
• Beef and Potato Casserole
• Sloppy Joes
• Beef Stuffed Peppers
• Beef and Broccoli
• Beef and Bean Burritos

Canned Salmon

• Salmon Patties
• Salmon Pasta
• Salmon Salad Sandwich
• Salmon and Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Salmon Burgers
• Salmon and Potato Bake
• Salmon and Rice Bowls
• Salmon Quiche
• Creamy Salmon Soup

Tofu Blocks

• Tofu Stir-Fry
• Tofu Scramble
• Tofu and Vegetable Curry
• Grilled Tofu Steaks
• Tofu Tacos
• Baked Tofu with Peanut Sauce
• Tofu and Broccoli in Garlic Sauce
• Tofu Kebabs
• Tofu Parmesan

Chicken Drumsticks

• BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
• Baked Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks
• Chicken Drumstick Curry
• Lemon and Herb Roasted Drumsticks
• Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks
• Chicken Drumstick Stew
• Chicken Drumsticks with Potatoes
• Spicy Drumsticks
• Drumsticks with Rice

Ground Chicken

• Ground Chicken Burgers
• Ground Chicken Chili
• Ground Chicken Tacos
• Ground Chicken Meatloaf
• Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
• Ground Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
• Ground Chicken Bolognese
• Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
• Ground Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are a popular and affordable option for a delicious and enjoyable meal. They can be cooked in countless ways, from baked to grilled. Here are some economical and delicious ideas:

• Buffalo Chicken Wings
• BBQ Chicken Wings
• Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
• Teriyaki Chicken Wings
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• Fried Chicken Wings
• Sticky Asian Chicken Wings
• Spicy Dry-Rub Chicken Wings
• Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings

More help feeding your family on a budget:

Frugal cooking is a lifestyle. Really! There’s so much to it.

• Budget Grocery Shopping Tips: Practical advice on shopping for nonperishable items online, buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season, and purchasing meat and cereals in bulk, among other tips
• Freezing Food: A Guide for How to Freeze Everything by Taste of Home. This guide covers a range of tips for freezing food, including proper temperature settings, wrapping and sealing food, and location within the freezer. It’s a valuable resource for those wanting to extend the life of their groceries.
• Meal Prep For Homemakers. Meal prep saves you time and money, and it’s NOT just freezer meals! Let me show you how it can work for you 😊.

Sometimes you need a list of ideas, so I hope this list helped you. Wishing you the best.