Last Updated on October 25, 2018 by
Whatever your reasons for pinching pennies, these cheap meals will save you money and they just so happen to look and taste amazing.
No big deal, it happens to the best of us at some point in our lives. Maybe it’s because you’re in college and on a budget, or perhaps you just had a new addition to the family. If you want some additional money saving hacks, then have a look at my Ikea furniture DIYs that will save you bundles.
The important thing is getting delicious looking and tasting food into your belly without any extra costs. The cheap part is easy. The hardest part is actually finding food that doesn’t look like it was slopped together.
Here are some of the most beautiful dishes that turn out to be cheap meals I have found to date. Enjoy!
White Bean Soup
Try making soups like this in large batches so that you are able to eat it throughout the week.
Baked Ziti
This comfort meal will keep you going for quite a while and is easy to make for large groups.
Ham & Cheese Freezer Meal
If you’re looking for something that is easy to throw in a little baggy and bring to work, this fits the need.
Best Mac & Cheese Ever
I’m pretty sure if you made this at a holiday gathering people would go nuts!
Grilled Avocados
Okay, it’s time for the healthy. Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to eat poorly. Contrary to what some people believe, it is actually pretty easy to spend less on healthy foods! This meal has avocados, one of the more expensive veggies, and it’s still frugal!
Chicken & Spaghetti
If you’re going to have an indulgent meal, then don’t forget to add protein! The chicken in this recipe will keep you full for a while.
Peaches & Cream Chia Pudding
Save even more money by taking out the protein powder. : )
Chipotle Sweet Potato Noodle Salad
If you’re looking to impress someone, you’re going to want to try out a meal such as this one. It looks stunning!
Chicken Noodle Soup
Good ‘ol chicken noodle soup. It gets you full on the cheap AND it’s great for when you have a cold.
Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers
No meat? No problem! This healthy sweet potato and chickpea burger will make you feel great about eating it.
Tomato & Macaroni Soup
I personally love tomato soup on a cold day.
Pasta with Herb Roasted Grape Tomatoes
If you love tomatoes as much as I do, you’re going to be all over this recipe.
Meatball Sandwiches
if you have guests over to hang out, then try this sandwich recipe to easily portion out meals.
Baked Meatballs Freezer Meal
This freezer option is great because it ensures your food is fresh when prepped in batches.
Lemon Butter Cod
I used to eat these kind of recipes all the time because they are so simple. Fish has so much natural flavor that you don’t need to do a whole ton with it. Plus, cod is one of the cheaper fish you can buy in bulk.
Pesto Chicken Bake
Gotta love pesto!
Tuna Casserole
This list of cheap meals definitely wouldn’t be complete without a delicious casserole, so I had to include that! In fact I have much more casserole recipes right here!
There you have it! Aren’t these cheap meals absolutely stunning to look at? So if you have a dinner party in the near future, there really is no excuse to go crazy with your money. Even if you have a picky family member who likes to complain (yes, we all have that person, it’s not just you!), they’ll surely be game for something on this list. Good luck!
