When you’re on a tight budget, meal planning can feel like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little creativity and smart shopping, you can whip up delicious, satisfying dinners for $5 or less per serving. These budget-friendly meals are perfect for families, individuals, or anyone looking to stretch their dollars without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. By focusing on affordable ingredients and simple recipes, you’ll discover that eating well doesn’t require a big budget—it just takes a bit of planning.
Contents
- Dinner Recipes for $5 or Less
- Sweet and Sour Chickpeas (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Healthy Black Bean Burrito Bowls
- Keto Ground Beef and Broccoli
- Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Pack
- Big Mac Casserole Recipe With Tater Tots
- Slow Cooker Chicken & Pasta Casserole
- One Pan Caramelized Onion Pasta
- Easy Chicken and Noodles Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Baked Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe Baking Beauty
- Cheesy Ramen Noodles
- Smoked Sausage and Rice
- Air Fryer Pita Pizza
- Wendy's Chili Recipe Copycat
- One Pot Pasta
- Air Fryer Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
- Chopped Egg and Bacon Sandwiches
- Garlic Oil and Chili Pepper Spaghetti
- Easy Zucchini Fritters
- Lentil Soup In Soup Maker
- Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
- Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
- Minestrone Soup Slow Cooker Recipe
- Tuna Pasta
- Vegan Instant Pot Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
- Almost Instant Miso Noodle Soup
- Simple Delicious Leftovers Salad
- Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
- Creamy Chickpea Salad
- Chinese Chicken Curry
- Conclusion
Dinner Recipes for $5 or Less
Whether you’re trying to save for a big goal, cut down on grocery expenses, or just enjoy more home-cooked meals, these $5 or less dinner ideas will help you get there. From hearty soups to easy pasta dishes, this collection of recipes proves that you can enjoy satisfying meals on a shoestring budget.
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Sweet and Sour Chickpeas (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Sweet and Sour Chickpeas is an easy vegan recipe for your favorite Chinese takeout! Gluten-free, allergy-free, and made without chicken!
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Healthy Black Bean Burrito Bowls
These healthy Black Bean Burrito Bowls are perfect for meal prep. The flavor-packed avocado creme makes a delicious burrito bowl sauce too!
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Keto Ground Beef and Broccoli
Delicious Keto ground beef and broccoli - a must try dish If you are looking for a really fast and easy stir fry style dish that can be done in less than 20 minutes, you should consider making this low carb keto ground beef and broccoli dish. With Asian flavors including garlic and ginger, miso
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Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Dinner sorted! Our cheesy chicken tater tot casserole is packed with flavor and takes just 40 minutes to make.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Pack
Delight your taste buds with this chicken bacon ranch foil pack recipe. A savory blend of chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning and melty cheese!
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Big Mac Casserole Recipe With Tater Tots
Dive into the comfort of a Big Mac Casserole recipe, where all the beloved flavors of the iconic burger are transformed into a cheesy, oven-baked delight. This recipe is a game-changer for gatherings, offering a familiar taste in an irresistible, shareable form. So, I came across this recipe that’s basically like a hug in a
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Slow Cooker Chicken & Pasta Casserole
Cozy nights call for a comforting dish! Try this Slow Cooker Chicken & Pasta Casserole recipe for a hearty and delicious crockpot meal
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One Pan Caramelized Onion Pasta
This one-pan caramelized onion pasta is a game-changer for busy nights when you want big flavor without the hassle.
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Easy Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Looking for a quick and comfort food dinner idea? This easy chicken and noodles recipe is ready in 30 minutes! Made with rotisserie chicken and a creamy broth, it's the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
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Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup
Make this super simple slow cooker chicken tortellini soup that the entire family will enjoy. Save time by using rotisserie chicken!
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Baked Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe Baking Beauty
Rich and creamy mac & cheese topped with crunchy bread crumbs. This indulgent dish brings comfort food to your table in less than an hour!
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Cheesy Ramen Noodles
This cheese ramen noodle requires 5 minutes and 4 simple ingredients making it perfect for a quick meal that both adults and kids will enjoy.
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Smoked Sausage and Rice
Enjoy an easy, delicious one-pot Smoked Sausage and Rice recipe. Perfect for a quick, flavorful dinner with minimal cleanup.
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Air Fryer Pita Pizza
5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza is fast, easy and totally delicious. You will enjoy golden melty cheesy air fryer pizza goodness in almost no time at all!
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Wendy's Chili Recipe Copycat
Wendy’s Chili is warm, meaty and seasoned just right so you can serve this filling Wendy’s Copycat chili recipe to your family or a crowd.
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One Pot Pasta
Easy 15-minute one-pot pasta made with very basic ingredients! This pasta is perfect for busy people that want to make a tasty meal quickly.
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Air Fryer Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
Tender vegetarian meat and a crisp, flaky pastry come together to make these air fryer vegetarian sausage rolls, perfect for lunch or dinner!
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Chopped Egg and Bacon Sandwiches
Chopped Egg and Bacon Sandwiches are easy, make-ahead, and a favorite at gatherings. Creamy, richly flavorful, and wildly popular.
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Garlic Oil and Chili Pepper Spaghetti
Discover how to prepare the famous Italian dish, garlic oil chili pepper spaghetti, in minutes. Just four ingredients recipe: pasta, oil, garlic, and chili pepper!
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Easy Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with flavor from Parmesan Cheese, green onions, and fresh herbs.
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Lentil Soup In Soup Maker
Delicious, creamy, flavoursome lentil soup in soup maker. This vegan red lentil soup is easy prep and perfect for serving with some pumpkin seeds as the weather…
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Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
This hearty Instant Pot Black Bean Soup is both wholesome and simple to prepare. It's a satisfying dish that is easy and budget-friendly. Made with dry, un-soaked beans, they cook to perfection in under an hour, resulting in a delightful Mexican soup that can also be vegan or vegetarian.
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Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles is the best ramen noodle recipe made easy at home with a simple and super flavorful sauce! Make ramen at home even better!
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Minestrone Soup Slow Cooker Recipe
Healthy, homemade minestrone soup made in the slower cooker tastes way better than The Olive Gardens! This Minestrone recipe is filled with nutrition.
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Tuna Pasta
This easy tuna pasta recipe is budget friendly and and full of flavor. Plus it only takes about 15 minutes to cook!
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Vegan Instant Pot Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
This Instant Pot Peanut Butter Oatmeal is not only healthy, vegan, and gluten-free, but also budget-friendly. A simple dump-and-go Instant Pot recipe that’ll make morning breakfast a lot easier. Great for meal prep too!
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Almost Instant Miso Noodle Soup
A steaming pot of soothing, flavourful miso noodle soup in about the amount of time it takes to boil water.
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Simple Delicious Leftovers Salad
There’s something about this delicious leftovers salad that speaks to the soul. Colorful, fresh, so customizable, and healthy. Enjoy!
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Crispy Pan Fried Gnocchi
This crispy pan fried gnocchi topped with a light garlic butter parmesan sauce is an easy meal that takes only 20 minutes to make.
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Creamy Chickpea Salad
This Creamy Chickpea Salad is a tasty, simple to make side salad that is great for a summer barbecue. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time.
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Chinese Chicken Curry
This Chinese takeaway recipe features tender, seasoned chicken in a yellow curry sauce. Brimming with garlic, onion, and curry flavours, it’s a takeout classic.
Conclusion
Eating on a budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland or boring meals. With these $5 or less dinner ideas, you can enjoy a variety of delicious, filling dishes that are easy on both your wallet and your time. By being mindful of ingredients and keeping recipes simple, you’ll find that cooking on a budget can be both fun and rewarding. So, get ready to save money and enjoy great food with these affordable dinner options!
