10 Cheap Weeknight Dinners under $5 Per Serving. (That you family will actually eat)

The economy is tough for a lot of families right now, and feeding a family on a tight grocery budget can feel overwhelming.

I know this from personal experience. Over the years I’ve had to plan meals carefully to make sure my family could eat well without spending too much money.

If you’re trying to stretch your grocery dollars while still putting dinner on the table every night, you’re not alone.

The good news is that simple meals with affordable ingredients can still be filling, comforting, and family-friendly.

These are the types of meals I rely on when I need dinner on the table quickly and affordably — often for around $5 per serving or less.

In this list, you’ll find easy weeknight dinners that are budget-friendly, simple to prepare, and made with ingredients many families already have in their pantry.

Prices are estimates and may vary depending on where you shop and what ingredients you already have at home.

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Here Are 10 Cheap Weeknight Dinners You Can Choose From

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

• Chicken breast
• Rice
• Chicken broth
• Frozen vegetables

👉Helpful Tool Slow Cooker/Rice Cooker

Slow cooker chicken and rice is a budget-friendly “set it and forget it” meal. Simply combine the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for several hours. By dinner time you’ll have a warm, filling meal that can easily feed a family of four.

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2. Budget Spaghetti Night

Ingredients

• Spaghetti
• Jar of pasta sauce
• Ground turkey or beef

👉Helpful Tool Pasta Pot

Spaghetti is a classic cheap dinner that many families love. Cook the pasta, brown the meat, and mix everything with the sauce. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights.

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3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

Ingredients

• Smoked sausage
• Potatoes
• Onion
• Olive oil

👉Helpful Tool Sheet Pans are the BEST!

Slice the sausage and potatoes, toss them with olive oil, and roast everything on a sheet pan in the oven. This easy one-pan meal is filling, inexpensive, and simple to clean up.

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4. Bean and Cheese Burritos

Ingredients

• Tortillas
• Canned beans
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa

👉Helpful Tool Burrito Maker _ NO MORE MESS

Bean and cheese burritos are one of the cheapest and easiest dinners you can make. Warm tortillas filled with seasoned beans and melted cheese make a filling meal the whole family can enjoy.

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5. Egg Fried Rice THE BEST RICE

Ingredients

• Leftover rice
• Eggs
• Frozen vegetables
• Soy sauce

👉Helpful Tool Rice Cooker for the best NO THINK cooking

Egg fried rice is a quick meal that can be ready in about 10 minutes. It’s a great way to use leftover rice while creating a budget-friendly dinner.

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6. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ingredients

• Egg noodles
• Canned tuna
• Cream soup
• Peas

👉Helpful Tool From the Stove to the table and to the freezer with one Dish

Tuna noodle casserole is an old-school comfort meal that is both filling and affordable. The creamy sauce and tender noodles make this a classic weeknight dinner.

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7. Baked Potato Bar

Ingredients

• Baked potatoes
• Butter or sour cream
• Cheese
• Bacon bits (optional)

👉Helpful Tool Buffet to keep the food hot and covered

A baked potato bar is an easy and inexpensive dinner idea. Everyone can customize their potato with their favorite toppings, making it a fun family meal.

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8. Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients

• Tortillas
• Shredded chicken
• Cheese

👉Helpful Tool Quesadilla Maker

Chicken quesadillas are a fast weeknight dinner that can be made in minutes. Using leftover rotisserie chicken makes this meal even easier and more affordable.

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9. One Pot Mac and Cheese with Broccoli

Ingredients

• Macaroni
• Milk
• Cheese
• Frozen broccoli

👉Helpful Tool Dutch Oven From Stove to Table to Fridge

This creamy mac and cheese with broccoli is a simple one-pot meal that is both comforting and budget-friendly.

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10. Ground Beef and Rice Skillet

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Onion

👉Helpful Tool Stainless Steel Skillet with Glass Lid for Clean Cooking for your Family!

This one-pan skillet meal combines ground beef, rice, and tomatoes into a hearty dinner that’s simple and affordable. 

Thank you for stopping by Simple Weeknight Meals 💛 Be sure to save this recipe for later and check back for more easy meal ideas, comforting casseroles, and make-ahead favorites.