Skip to content
Life Hacks for Moms
Life Hacks for Moms

30 Low Budget Meals To Make This Month


A month’s worth of low budget meals to make – Need some cheap easy family dinners to make? If you’re meal planning on a budget, these frugal meals are perfect for families – last minute ideas too!

I try to keep a list of simple last minute meals to make for dinner on those WAY too busy nights when I gotta feed my (oh SO picky) family.

That’s what these easy low budget meals below are — they’re simple dinners to throw together, extremely affordable, and you probably have the ingredients on-hand!

Meal planning QUICK meals and last minute dinners

Welcome to Life Hacks for Moms - we hope you enjoy all our tips and tricks for busy moms! Please note that we use affiliate links and ads to generate income at no cost to you.Thanks for visiting - and please feel free to share!


Whether you’re juggling work, errands, or just the chaos of everyday family life (or ALL of it!), the last thing you need is a complicated recipe that’s gonna drain the last remaining energy you might have after a LONG day.

The secret to quick dinners is keeping a few cheap-o versatile ingredients in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Think pasta, rice, eggs, canned beans, frozen veggies, and your favorite sauces or spices.

With these basics on hand, you’re never more than minutes away from a satisfying, homemade meal that won’t break the bank.

And don’t worry if you’re not a fancy-dancy cook! These recipes are beginner-friendly, with easy instructions that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Like this Cheeseburger Potato Casserole

Cheeseburger potato casserole

RECIPE

Or This EASY Taco Pasta

ALT TEXT

One Pot Taco Pasta

Or Yummy Loaded Patty Melts!

Hamburger Patty Melts

RECIPE

Ready to make your evenings stress-free and much less of a nightly struggle?

Here are a few of my favorite go-to meals that come together faster than takeout – and are WAY cheaper too!

Meal planning cheap dinners for a family

20-Minute Dinners

These 10-minute dinners are the perfect throw together meals to make for last minute suppers on the table fast! Best of all, they are cheap AND picky-eater approved!

Lunch Lady Pizza Burgers

When you're trying to think of recipes to make that are quick, easy and somewhat nutritious, just think back to your lunch lady at your school cafeteria!

These pizza burgers are from my cheap easy ground beef dinners recipes page here - and they're so simple to make!

Photo Credit: www.girlgonegourmet.com

Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo

A simple, easy-to-make sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce tossed with pasta. It’s what to make on those nights when there’s just no time to cook.

Photo Credit: www.juliapacheco.com

Homemade Hamburger Helper

For this comfort food, One Pot Pasta Hamburger Helper is made with a handful of ingredients from the fridge, and the rest of the ingredients are a handful of pantry staples.

Fast 10 Dollar Dinners

If you're on a budget and need to keep costs down to a bare minimum, my list of $10 Dinners is a really helpful resource of fast frugal meals!

Photo Credit: luresandlace.com

Copycat KFC Bowls

I used to go through the drive-thru all the time to get these KFC Bowls until I learned that I could easily make them at home.

Only 5 ingredients and makes enough for the whole family! And honestly, they taste SO much better this way!

Dirt Cheap Family Dinners

26 Fast and Frugal Family Dinners for Big Families On A Tight Budget – that’s right, we’re talking dirt cheap and easy “struggle” meals that are perfect for quick school night meals and busy weeknights when the picky eater family needs to be fed, but you’re short on time AND short on MONEY.

Photo Credit: luresandlace.com

Layered Taco Bake

Tacos are so cheap to make, but sometimes I don't have all the toppings on hand. That's where this super simple Layered Taco Bake comes to my rescue - so yummy and easy to make!

Photo Credit: involvery.com

31 Cheap Meals With Few Ingredients

If you're doing your monthly meal planning and budget, these 31 cheap meals are all oh SO simple to make!

Be sure to check out the Mac 'n Cheese Casserole (it's a picky eater FAVORITE!)

10-Minute Enchiladas

No Oven? No Problem! These 10-minute enchiladas will have dinner on the table speedy quick!

One Pot Taco Pasta

This is one of the most popular recipes on my Cheap Dinner Recipes post – and it’s absolutely worth the praise!

This Creamy Taco Pasta Recipe is a super quick meal that you can make in one pot!

Pasta shells are smothered in cheesy taco sauce with ground beef and tomatoes.

Last Minute Sheet Pan Dinners

Need dinner in a hurry? Break out your sheet pan (cookie sheet? baking sheet? whatever you call it!)

These simple dump dinner have a complete meal baked all on one pan making it fast with an almost non-existent clean up!

3-Ingredient Chili

3 ingredients and a pot, that's all it takes to make this simple comfort meal that is perfect for those yucky dreary cold days!

More Quick Easy Dinner Ideas:

Last Minute $10 Dollar Family Meals
Last Minute $10 Dollar Family Meals
No Oven Last Minute After Work Meals
No Oven Last Minute After Work Meals

30 Low Budget Meals To Make This Month

Search

What’s New:

  • 8 Super Easy Dinners That Make REALLY Good Leftovers (cook once, eat twice!)
  • 5 Super Simple Chicken Recipes (with just a few cheap ingredients!)
  • 34 Spring Salad Meals For A Light Summer Dinner Or Filling Lunch
  • Best Classy Appetizers, Bite Size Finger Foods and 28 Party Snacks For Easy Entertaining
  • 38 Super Cute Easter Baskets (and fun homemade DIY gift basket alternatives!)
  • 27 Feminine Home Office Ideas – Oh SO Pretty Designs, Desk Set Ups and Decor Inspiration
  • 19 Sweet and Savory Breakfast Ideas For A Crowd (simple brunch bites, casseroles & more!)

Trending Today:

  • Healthy Low Carb Tomato Party Snacks We LOVE
  • Linen and Towel Storage Ideas For Small Bathrooms With NO Linen Closet
  • Most Popular Halloween Costumes for Kids This Year


See All: Cleaning Tips | Party Ideas | Appetizers | Recipes | DIY Gift Ideas
Site Map | Contact Us | Privacy & Disclaimers

© 2025 Life Hacks for Moms - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

x