23 Last Minute Dinners To Throw Together (20 minute frugal meals!)
Every busy mom has been there: the clock strikes six, and you’re staring into the fridge, wondering what magic can happen with what’s already on hand.
That’s where these easy throw-together meals come in—they’re simple, budget-friendly, and don’t require a trip to the store for obscure ingredients.
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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 20 minutes away from a satisfying, homemade meal that won’t break the bank.
And don’t worry if you’re not a kitchen wizard! These recipes are beginner-friendly, with easy instructions that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, they’re totally customizable—you can swap out ingredients based on what you have or what your family loves ( hugs to all the other moms with PICKY eaters – bless our hearts!)
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!)
No Oven? No Problem! These 10-minute enchiladas will have dinner on the table speedy quick!
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.
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 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:
