15 Cheap Dinners Under $5 Per Serving for Families
Feeding a family on a tight grocery budget can feel overwhelming, especially when food prices keep rising. The good news is that you can still put delicious, filling meals on the table without spending a fortune.
With a little creativity and simple ingredients, it’s possible to cook dinners that cost around $5 per serving or less. These meals are perfect for busy weeknights and are made with ingredients that many families already have in their pantry or freezer.
If you're looking for cheap dinner ideas that your whole family will actually enjoy, this list will help you stretch your grocery budget while still serving satisfying meals.
Prices may vary depending on where you shop and what ingredients you already have on hand.
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Here Are 15 Cheap Dinners Under $5 Per Serving
1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
• Chicken breast
• Rice
• Chicken broth
• Frozen vegetables
Combine everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for several hours for a simple, filling meal.
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Using a slow cooker like this one makes this recipe incredibly easy.
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2. Budget Spaghetti Night
Ingredients
• Spaghetti
• Jar pasta sauce
• Ground turkey or beef
A classic and inexpensive dinner that feeds a whole family easily.
Helpful Tool
👉 Large pasta pot for this recipe
3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes
Ingredients
• Smoked sausage
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Olive oil
Slice everything, toss with oil, and roast on a sheet pan for an easy one-pan dinner.
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👉 Sheet pan for easy one-pan dinners
4. Bean and Cheese Burritos
Ingredients
• Tortillas
• Canned beans
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa
Warm tortillas filled with seasoned beans and cheese make a quick, budget-friendly meal.
5. Egg Fried Rice
Ingredients
• Cooked rice
• Eggs
• Frozen vegetables
• Soy sauce
A great way to use leftover rice and create a quick dinner in minutes.
Helpful Tool
👉 Wok pan for fried rice
6. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
• Egg noodles
• Canned tuna
• Cream soup
• Peas
A comforting casserole that’s both inexpensive and filling.
7. Baked Potato Bar
Ingredients
• Baked potatoes
• Butter or sour cream
• Cheese
• Bacon bits (optional)
Let everyone customize their own potato with their favorite toppings.
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8. Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
• Tortillas
• Shredded chicken
• Cheese
Cook in a skillet until crispy and serve with salsa.
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9. One Pot Mac and Cheese with Broccoli
Ingredients
• Macaroni
• Milk
• Cheese
• Frozen broccoli
A creamy one-pot dinner that’s simple and family-friendly.
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10. Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
Ingredients
• Ground beef
• Rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Onion
Cook everything together for a hearty skillet dinner.
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11. Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Ingredients
• Ground beef
• Sloppy Joe sauce
• Hamburger buns
Serve with chips or simple vegetables for an affordable meal.
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12. Vegetable Stir Fry
Ingredients
• Frozen stir fry vegetables
• Rice
• Soy sauce
A quick and inexpensive dinner packed with flavor.
13. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Ingredients
• Ramen noodles
• Vegetables
• Eggs
• Soy sauce
Upgrade inexpensive ramen into a filling meal.
14. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Ingredients
• Bread
• Cheese
• Tomato soup
A classic comfort dinner that’s very affordable.
15. Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Ingredients
• Pasta
• Chicken
• Alfredo sauce
A creamy pasta dish that feels fancy but is still budget friendly.
Cooking affordable meals for your family doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and easy recipes, you can create filling dinners that stay within your grocery budget.
These cheap dinner ideas are perfect for busy weeknights and can help stretch your grocery money further while still keeping everyone happy at the dinner table.
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