21 Cheap Dinners That Took Over My Weeknight Meal Plan

On busy weeknights, I want dinners that are simple, filling, and won’t break the budget. These meals come together quickly with ingredients I usually have on hand, making cooking less stressful. They make it easy to feed the family without spending hours or overspending at the grocery store.

A wooden spoon holds a piece of cheesy lasagna above a glass baking dish, garnished with fresh parsley.

Tomato Egg Drop Soup

This soup comes together quickly with minimal ingredients, making it a budget-friendly dinner option. It’s light but filling enough for a simple weeknight meal. Prep and cooking are fast, which helps save time. Cleanup is easy since everything cooks in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Egg Drop Soup

Greek Chicken Gyros

A hand holding a chicken wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and white sauce in a tortilla. — Greek Chicken Gyros. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

These gyros use affordable ingredients and cook quickly, making them perfect for a simple dinner. Chicken and toppings come together without complicated steps. They work well for busy evenings when you want a homemade meal on the table fast. Minimal cleanup keeps weeknight cooking manageable.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Gyros

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

Sliced grilled chicken breast garnished with parsley on a white plate. — Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Marinated chicken breasts cook quickly in the air fryer, saving time and keeping meals affordable. They’re versatile enough to serve with simple sides. Prep is straightforward, which works well for busy nights. Cleanup is minimal since it uses only one appliance.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

Taco Spaghetti Skillet

A plate of spaghetti with ground meat, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped green onions. A black skillet containing more of the dish is partially visible in the background. — Taco Spaghetti Skillet. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

This one-pan dish combines ground beef and pantry staples for a filling meal without breaking the budget. It’s quick to assemble and cooks fast, making it ideal for weeknights. Everything cooks in a single skillet, reducing cleanup. It’s practical when time and money are limited.
Get the Recipe: Taco Spaghetti Skillet

Beef Pot Pie

This pot pie is hearty enough for dinner but uses budget-friendly ingredients. Prep is simple, and it bakes in one dish, saving time and effort. It’s a great way to make a homemade meal without spending a lot. Cleanup is easy with fewer dishes to wash.
Get the Recipe: Beef Pot Pie

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Plate of sliced teriyaki chicken over white rice, topped with sesame seeds, served with snap peas and carrot slices. — Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Chicken cooks quickly in the air fryer with minimal hands-on time. Affordable pantry ingredients keep the meal budget-friendly. It’s a convenient option for busy weeknights. Cleanup is simple since it uses one appliance.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Chicken Roll Ups

These roll-ups are quick to assemble and use simple, inexpensive ingredients. They’re suitable for a main dinner with minimal prep. Cooking time is short, making them practical for weeknight meals. Cleanup stays easy since they bake in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Roll Ups

Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

A baking dish filled with meatballs covered in melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley on a white surface. — Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders. Photo credit: Easy Made Dishes.

Mini meatballs and rolls make this dinner quick, affordable, and kid-friendly. Prep and assembly are straightforward. They’re perfect for busy evenings when you want a filling meal. Cleanup is minimal, keeping weeknight cooking simple.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate with a fork. — Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This meatloaf uses simple, inexpensive ingredients and cooks in one pan. It’s hearty enough for a full dinner. Prep time is short, which makes it practical for weeknights. Cleanup is easy with minimal dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Individual Lasagna

Lasagna for One in small 10-ounce square baking pan. — Individual Lasagna. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Personal lasagnas are affordable and portioned for easy meals. They bake quickly and are simple to assemble. They work well for weeknight dinners with minimal prep. Cleanup is manageable since each portion is in its own dish.
Get the Recipe: Individual Lasagna

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Cheesy hashbrown topped casserole in baking pan. — Sloppy Joe Casserole. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Ground beef and pantry staples combine for a hearty, budget-friendly casserole. Prep is quick, and it bakes in one dish. It’s ideal for busy nights when you want a filling dinner without extra effort. Cleanup stays simple with minimal pans.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A blue bowl of cooked chicken breasts garnished with chopped herbs on a light fabric backdrop. — Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken thighs cook in the slow cooker, creating a hearty meal with minimal effort. Affordable ingredients make this a budget-friendly option. Prep is short and the cooker does most of the work. Cleanup is easy with just one pot.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

This pasta bake uses simple ingredients and cooks in one dish. It’s hearty and filling for a weeknight dinner without being expensive. Prep is quick, and the oven does most of the work. Cleanup stays easy with minimal cookware.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker. — Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This mac and cheese cooks in the crock pot, making it hands-off and affordable. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main or side. Prep is minimal, and the slow cooker does the work. Cleanup is simple with just one pot.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

A bowl of rice and chicken in front of a crockpot. — Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken cooks in the crock pot with a few inexpensive ingredients. It’s a sweet and filling dinner without much effort. Prep time is short and the slow cooker handles the rest. Cleanup is minimal, keeping weeknight cooking easy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Korean Beef and Broccoli

Ground Beef and Broccoli stir-fry over rice. — Korean Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This dish comes together quickly using affordable ingredients. It’s hearty and flavorful while keeping prep simple. Cooking time is short, which is helpful on busy nights. Cleanup is easy since it’s mostly one-pan cooking.
Get the Recipe: Korean Beef and Broccoli

Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

A plate of pork chops stuffed with mushrooms and cheese served with green beans. — Baked Stuffed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Pork chops are baked with minimal prep and use simple ingredients. They’re filling and budget-friendly for a weeknight dinner. Prep is straightforward and cooking time is manageable. Cleanup stays easy with one baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Baked Stuffed Pork Chops

Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Roasted broccoli and tofu cubes garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served with a wooden spoon. — Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This stir fry uses inexpensive ingredients and cooks quickly in one pan. It’s a simple and filling dinner option. Prep is minimal, which works well for busy nights. Cleanup is easy since it’s made in a single skillet.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

A piece of air fried chicken thigh on a fork, with a caramelized exterior and garnished with a small leaf, in focus against a blurred background of more chicken pieces. — Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer, making it practical for weeknight dinners. Ingredients are affordable and easy to prepare. Minimal hands-on time keeps it manageable on busy nights. Cleanup is simple using only the air fryer basket.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

A skillet containing a stir-fried mix of ground meat, sliced bell peppers, leafy greens, and white sesame seeds, with a wooden spoon resting on the side. Plates with flatbreads are in the background. — Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This skillet meal uses simple, inexpensive ingredients for a hearty dinner. It’s quick to prep and cooks fast in one pan. Everything comes together easily for weeknight meals. Cleanup is minimal, which makes it practical.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This casserole combines simple, affordable ingredients in one dish. It’s filling and works well for a main dinner. Prep is easy and the oven does most of the work. Cleanup is straightforward with minimal cookware.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

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