With the end of the year coming up, and the holidays, there tends to be a lot of extra spending, which can make your budget tight and the perfect time to make these Dirt Cheap Easy Family Dinner Ideas. Watch me make these cheap meals on my Youtube channel!
I found all of the simple ingredients that will be used here at Walmart because it is the cheapest store in my area. The only things that I will not need to buy are the added oil and seasonings since I already have those on hand.
However, most of the seasonings used in these easy dinner recipes are commonly used, so if you happen to not have them on hand, they will be super easy to find.
So, whether you are looking for some budget-friendly meals or just looking for new family recipes to try, these will be great recipes to use.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly recipes after reading this post, check out my most popular blog, Cheap Family Meals Under $10. It features even more delicious and favorite recipes that are perfect for any budget!
My Master Grocery List (with prices in my area)
Below is my grocery list from shopping at my local Walmart. Feel free to go to a store near you that you might find cheaper!
- Russet potatoes $1.86
- Ground turkey $1.98
- 1 lb dry pinto beans $1.00
- 15 oz can chili starter diced tomatoes $0.88
- 6 oz can Tomato paste $0.86
- 1 yellow onion $0.58
- 1 bulb garlic $0.68
- Carrots $0.98
- Tortillas $1.98
- Broccoli $0.95
- Ranch seasoning $0.54
- Pasta sauce $1.34
7 Simple and Dirt Cheap, Budget-Friendly Recipes:
Enjoy this comprehensive list of easy recipes that you and your family will love!
Pinto Beans
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dry uncooked pinto beans
- 8 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- Begin by preparing the dry pinto beans,
- Sort through the beans removing any broken beans.
- Rinse beans well to clean them.
- Place beans into a large bowl covered with water and let sit for 1-2 hours (longer if you have enough time)
- Remove the water from the soaking beans. Add the beans into a large pot on the stove. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cover with a lid.
- Let simmer for 4 hours stirring occasionally until the beans are tender. If the water gets too low while simmering add in 2 cups more water at a time until the beans are tender.
Note: This makes about 7 cups of cooked beans
Ranch Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients:
- 8 oz shell pasta
- 1/2 lb frozen broccoli
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning (not an entire packet)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Boil the pasta according to the package instructions when the pasta has about 3 minutes left of cooking, add in the frozen broccoli and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Remove 1/4 cup of the water the pasta is cooking in and set it to the side.
- Strain the pasta and broccoli.
- Add the strained pasta and broccoli back into the large pot.
- Stir in the butter, ranch seasoning, pepper, and reserved pasta water let cook for 2 minutes and serve.
Easy Chili
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cups cooked pinto beans
- 2 cup water
- 15 oz can chili started diced tomatoes (or normal diced tomatoes)
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp oregano
Instructions:
- To a large pot on the stove add in the ground turkey and onion break the turkey up and cook it through.
- Stir in the garlic once fragrant stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Let simmer for 25 minutes sitting occasionally.
Baked Potato with Chili
Ingredients:
- 5-6 russet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- Cooked Chili
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Wash and poke holes in the potatoes.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Add the potatoes into the baking dish drizzle the top with the oil and sprinkle the top with the garlic salt.
- Cover with foil bake for 80 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Carefully cut the potatoes open and stuff with chili.
Potato Veggie Stew
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 yellow onion, diced
- 5 large carrots, sliced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 russet potatoes, peel and dice
- 6 cups water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- To a large pot on the stove over medium heat add in the oil once hot add in the ground turkey break it up and cook it through. Add in the carrots, onion, and garlic stir well let cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Turn the heat to low and let simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Bean Burritos
Ingredients:
- 10 medium tortillas
- 3 cups pinto beans
- Optional salsa, cheese, lettuce, sour cream
Instructions:
- Fill each tortilla with the beans (and any other ingredients you’d like) roll the tortillas up.
- Heat a pan on the stove over medium low heat. Place the burritos one at a time seam side down on the pan cook for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown.
Pasta with Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb shell pasta
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb frozen broccoli
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of water according to the package instructions.
- Strain set to the side.
- On low heat in the same pot the pasta was cooked in add in the oil and carrots and let cook for 5-6 minutes or until tender.
- Add in the frozen broccoli and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt cover with lid let simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta and serve.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly meal ideas, be sure to check out my most popular post, Cheap Family Meals Under $10. It’s packed with even more delicious, affordable recipes your family will love!
Easy pasta recipes to make:
- Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Noodle Soup
- Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole
- 3 Ingredient One Pot Sausage Pasta
- Rotisserie Chicken Bacon Alfredo
Quick links for making dinner easy:
- Family meal plans
- Tools for the kitchen and more
- The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
- FREE budget meal plan
- Cooking videos to watch
If you give these recipes a try, make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipes!