Eating is necessary for survival, but like water and shelter, why give food away for free when you can profit from it? Indeed, food and groceries are expensive, and if you want to save a little bit of money, you’ll want to make the most of what you already have. Fortunately, these meals are easy on your wallet but are no less filling or delicious for it.
Macaroni and Cheese
Is mac’n’cheese the most popular dish in the world? It’s possible, but we can’t say for certain. What we can say is that macaroni and cheese is still one of the easiest - and most affordable - dishes you can make, and it will satisfy you at age 80 just as much as it satisfied you at age 8.
Plus, it’s endlessly customizable with different cheeses, toppings, or mix-ins, making it a reliable go-to for busy nights or tight grocery budgets.
Hamburger Soup
If you’ve never heard of hamburger soup before, let us be the first to tell you that it is not made by soup-efying several ready-made burgers. Rather, it’s a combination of veggies, broth, and a pound of meat, and leaves enough to feed a whole crowd. This hearty dish is perfect for chilly evenings when you need something filling and comforting.
It’s also budget-friendly, as you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand and stretch your ingredients to make multiple meals.
American Goulash
Despite its origins in Eastern Europe, American Goulash is nothing to be scared of. In fact, it’s a dish you should look to embrace if you’re trying to cut down on grocery bills since its primary ingredients include meat, macaroni, a few tomatoes, and spices. It’s a one-pot wonder that’s easy to make and even easier to clean up afterward.
Plus, leftovers taste just as good the next day, making it an ideal option for meal prep or family dinners.
Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast
If you’ve got a loaf of bread and some dried beef, you can easily make this delicious meal. Toast your bread and add your beef on top, then lather the stuff in a creamy sauce of your choosing and listen to your stomach rumble in satisfaction. This simple dish has been a comfort food favorite for generations.
Largely thanks to its hearty flavor and minimal ingredient list. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and comes together quickly, saving both time and money.
Veggie Pot Roast
Simple pot roasts are typically easy on the wallet, even if they take a while to cook. This one is a real slow-burner that uses beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots and usually leaves enough left over to feed a family twice. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
Plus, it’s a great way to stretch affordable ingredients into multiple servings, making it perfect for meal planning or busy weeks when reheating leftovers is a lifesaver.
Hotdish
Well, as far as names go, you don’t get much more basic than ‘hotdish’. This delicious meal has its origins in the Upper Midwest and is made from a simple combination of starch, meat, and your choice of veggies mixed with canned soup. It’s a true comfort food classic that’s both hearty and budget-friendly, perfect for feeding a crowd or a hungry family.
Plus, it’s highly customizable, allowing you to use whatever ingredients you have on hand without breaking the bank.
Tater Tot Hotdish
If the humble hotdish isn’t sophisticated enough for you, or you just want something with a little more crunch, this version of the hotdish utilizes tater tots to provide a bit more flavor, not to mention a satisfying texture. The crispy topping pairs perfectly with the savory mix of meat, veggies, and sauce beneath.
It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s especially great for potlucks or family dinners, and it’s affordable since frozen tater tots are both cheap and incredibly convenient to keep on hand.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Sloppy Joe’s are a staple of the typical American school cafeteria, and while they’re typically filling enough as it is, you could bake them instead. With some ground beef, bread, and a healthy portion of cheese, your Sloppy Joe’s will be to die for. Baking the mixture gives it a warm, gooey texture that feels extra comforting on a cold day.
It’s a simple, budget-friendly way to feed a hungry crowd and makes excellent leftovers that reheat well for quick, no-fuss meals.
Hash Brown Casserole
It’s not always easy to cater to everyone’s tastes, especially if you have a particularly large family. However, hash brown casseroles are a proven crowd-pleaser, and they’re both cheap and easy to make with a bit of cheese and the cream of a chicken soup. Oh, and hash browns, obviously. This dish works perfectly as a breakfast side or a hearty dinner option.
And it can be customized with add-ins like veggies or ham. It’s a versatile, budget-friendly staple everyone will love.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Family meals should not only be filling and satisfying but should also have that homely quality that warms the heart as well as fills the belly. This dish, which uses mashed potatoes, cheese, and bacon, offers just that. The creamy texture of the potatoes combined with the salty crunch of bacon makes every bite irresistible.
It’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or casual weeknight dinners, and the ingredients are inexpensive, making it a comforting, budget-friendly option that feels like a special treat every time.
Chicken Pot Pie
Although it may take you longer to make, there’s no denying the deliciousness of a good chicken pot pie. And while it may take a little more elbow grease than some other dishes, it’s by no means expensive since its ingredients are normally quite cheap. The flaky crust, creamy filling, and tender chicken create a classic comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners.
Plus, you can use frozen veggies or leftover chicken to save even more money while still delivering incredible homemade flavor.
Ham and Bean Soup
Ham isn’t exactly an expensive meat, and chances are you have a bit left over in your fridge somewhere. Combine that with some beans and simmer it to perfection, and you’ve got a pretty good dish on your hands that will fill you up while keeping your grocery bills low. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to blend beautifully.
And it creates a hearty, savory soup. It’s perfect for cold nights and makes plenty of servings, so you can enjoy leftovers for days.
Beef Stew
When it starts to get cold, the belly craves something warm and comforting. Beef stew is just that, a delicious meal made from tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, all bathed in a savory broth that tastes like home. It’s an affordable, hearty dish that can be made in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze.
Plus, it’s perfect for leftovers, as the flavors deepen overnight, giving you an even more satisfying meal the next day without extra effort.
Potato Soup
Soup is probably the best winter dish you can make on a budget, and potato soup is especially budget-friendly. Take a guess as to its main ingredient. Aside from potatoes, it also includes a creamy cheese and some bacon for extra protein. This hearty soup is warm, filling, and incredibly easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients.
It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later, making it both cost-effective and convenient for busy weeknights or chilly weekends.
Meatball Soup
Can’t get enough of soup? Apparently, neither can we. Part of the beauty of soup lies in its simplicity, which extends to its naming conventions as well. You can make a soup out of anything if you simply list the main ingredient followed by the word “soup”. In that way, soup is perhaps the most versatile meal you can make.
Anyway, just to dispel any confusion, meatball soup is made with meatballs. Go figure. Add veggies or pasta for extra heartiness and flavor.
Chili
Are you feeling a little dangerous? Is your tongue not sufficiently scalded by the many soup dishes on this list? If you answered yes and yes to both questions, then chili is the dish for you. It’s made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and - you guessed it - chili spices to sizzle your tongue and fill your belly.
It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing you to adjust the heat level or add toppings like cheese, sour cream, or cornbread for a satisfying, budget-friendly meal.
Cornbread
Now, any good soup will normally be served with a side that you can dunk into your bowl for something extra to chew on. Cornbread is the ultimate soup side dish, a moist, somewhat sweet bread that’s tasty enough on its own but downright delicious when paired with the right soup. It’s easy to make with basic pantry ingredients.
All you really need are things like cornmeal, flour, and eggs, making it both affordable and convenient. Plus, it freezes well, so you can always have some ready to enjoy.
Biscuits and Gravy
Now, you could go out and get yourself a box of cornflakes, but an even better breakfast option is biscuits and gravy. This dish has been around for decades and is easy to prepare. Its primary ingredients are soft dough biscuits and a creamy sauce derived from drippings of cooked pork sausage, flour, and milk.
It’s a hearty, comforting way to start the day, and it’s budget-friendly since it uses simple, affordable ingredients that can easily feed a family or group.
Rice Pudding
Rice pudding - based on its name alone - may not seem like the most appealing of deserts, but it’s actually quite delicious. It’s basically like making a bowl of cornflakes with a “healthy” serving of sugar; instead of flakes, you use rice. It’s a strange combination, sure, but it works, and it’s totally cheap as well.
You can also add cinnamon, vanilla, or dried fruit to elevate the flavor, making this dessert both comforting and customizable without breaking your grocery budget.
Bread Pudding
If you thought rice pudding sounded a little off-pudding, wait until you try this. Bread pudding is made from stale bread, milk, sugar, and spices. It sounds bad, but as with rice pudding, we urge you not to knock it until you try it. Besides, it’s a good way to still get some use out of your leftover bread.
You can even dress it up with raisins, nuts, or a drizzle of caramel sauce to create a surprisingly decadent, budget-friendly dessert.
Depression-Era Meatloaf
Don’t let the name fool you. While this dish may have its roots in the Depression, the results - that being a full belly and delicious taste - are anything but depressing. And all you need is a bit of leftover meat, some bread crumbs, and seasoning for a little extra taste. It’s a resourceful, budget-friendly meal that turns simple ingredients into something hearty and satisfying.
Plus, it’s easy to stretch with sides like mashed potatoes or veggies for a complete dinner.
Chicken Cobbler
If you’re looking for something to make with any leftover chicken you may have, consider a chicken cobbler. Unlike sweet cobblers, this one uses a mixture of, well, chicken and vegetables which are then topped with a lovely biscuit crust to create a comforting and filling dish. It’s an excellent way to stretch leftovers into a brand-new meal.
And that saves you both time and money. Plus, it’s hearty enough to serve as a main course and perfect for cozy family dinners.
Creamy Taco Soup
Like our earlier hamburger soup, we can understand if your first instinct was to just place some tacos in a broth. However, this soup is actually made with beef, beans, and taco seasonings, so you won’t need to crush up any shells. The creamy base gives it a rich, indulgent texture that makes it extra satisfying.
It’s a simple, affordable meal that comes together quickly, making it perfect for weeknights. Top it with cheese or sour cream for added flavor and comfort.
Oven-Braised Meatball Stew
One-pot meals are lovely since they’re typically uncomplicated and come ready to eat as soon as they’re done cooking. This particular stew, however, requires some pre-cooked meatballs in a savory sauce - along with some vegetables - to make, but the results are more than worth the extra effort. The slow braising process brings out deep, rich flavors, creating a hearty and comforting dish.
Plus, it makes plenty of servings, so you’ll have leftovers for easy, budget-friendly meals later in the week.
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder With Mustard BBQ Sauce
Mustard and mustard BBQ sauces aren’t exactly the most common ingredients, but they are the key to preparing this delicious dish that’s made from a slow-cooked pork shoulder. It takes a while to prepare, but it’s ridiculously simple to pull off. The slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with tender, flavorful meat that practically falls apart.
Serve it on sandwiches, over rice, or alongside simple sides for a budget-friendly meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Hot Milk Cake
Now, for some desserts, we’ll start with some hot milk cake. As you might have guessed, the basis of this dish is hot milk which you’ll combine with both sugar and eggs to produce a light, airy, and fluffy cake that’s surprisingly delicious, not to mention economical. It’s a classic, old-fashioned recipe that uses simple pantry staples, making it perfect for last-minute baking.
Top it with powdered sugar, fruit, or whipped cream for an inexpensive treat that feels wonderfully homemade.
Depression-Era Chocolate Cake
Ordinary, working-class citizens had to make do with very little during the Depression. In a way, baking some chocolate cake with Depression-Era methods feels a lot like honoring the past. Although this cake is made without eggs or milk (which were expensive at the time), the taste is surprisingly rich. It’s also incredibly easy to make with basic pantry ingredients.
This dish proves simple recipes can still deliver big flavor. This cake is perfect for budget-friendly baking or sharing with friends and family.
Poor Man’s Pudding
Maybe the name is a little on the nose, but there’s no denying just how economical this dessert is to make since you only really need some bread, milk, sugar, and a few spices for extra flavor. Despite its humble ingredients, it bakes into a warm, comforting treat that feels far more indulgent than its cost.
You can customize it by adding raisins, nuts, or a drizzle of syrup, making it a versatile, budget-friendly dessert that’s perfect for families or casual gatherings.
Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake
The beauty of this dessert lies in its creation. It’s a simple, warm cake that’s delicious on its own, but the magic lies in how it forms its own sauce as it bakes, enhancing the sweetness even more. The result is a rich, gooey dessert that feels decadent while still being affordable to make.
Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and you’ll have a comforting treat perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Tuna Casserole
Tuna and other seafood ingredients aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but when you’re on a tight budget, you’ll try anything. Fortunately, this casserole - made with canned tuna, pasta, peas, and a creamy sauce - is well worth it and is a pantry staple. It’s quick to prepare and uses inexpensive, long-lasting ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Plus, it’s a comforting, filling dish that makes excellent leftovers, helping you stretch your grocery budget while still enjoying a warm, satisfying meal.
Chicken Bog
Whoever decided on the name of this dish did it a huge disservice. That would be like calling beef stew a “beef swamp”. Anyway, chicken bog is a Southern-style dish that features chicken, sausage, and rice, all simmered to perfection. The ingredients come together to create a hearty, flavorful meal that’s both comforting and affordable.
It’s especially great for feeding a crowd, and the leftovers reheat beautifully, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping or stretching your grocery budget even further.
John Wayne Casserole
There’s an argument to be made for this dish being the most deserving of John Wayne’s legacy, which also includes racism and misogyny. Fortunately, this is a family-friendly meal that uses ground beef, biscuit dough, cheese, and vegetables, which you’ll no doubt find rich and fulfilling, unlike many of John Wayne’s hokey performances. It’s hearty, affordable, and easy to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with different veggies or spices based on what you have.
Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan makes use of every leftover ingredient you may have and stretches them to their limits to create a surprisingly filling dish. All you need is some chicken, broccoli, cheese, and breadcrumbs. It’s a quick and affordable way to transform simple ingredients into a comforting, flavorful meal. The creamy sauce and crunchy topping make it a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Plus, it’s easy to prepare ahead of time and reheat, making busy weeknights a whole lot easier.
Sauteed Cabbage With Peppers
Here’s one for all the veggie lovers reading this. The dish is simple and easy to make, using a combination of sauteed cabbage and bell peppers to produce something with a little bit of zest to it. It’s incredibly budget-friendly since cabbage and peppers are both inexpensive and widely available. Quick to prepare, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
Plus, it can be served as a side dish or even a light main course when paired with rice or noodles.
Grilled Cheese
When all is said and done, it comes down to this: grilled cheese. It’s a timeless staple for a reason: a simple toasted cheese sandwich that lends itself to some creativity as well, depending on what additional ingredients you may want to include. It’s quick, affordable, and endlessly customizable with different breads, cheeses, or toppings like tomatoes or bacon.
Perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack, this classic dish never goes out of style and always delivers warm, cheesy comfort on a budget.