Meal planning is hard, and doing it on a budget can be even more challenging, so here are 25 Cheap and Easy Meals under $10 to help!
Staying within budget with your grocery money was hard when this list was originally written in 2018. Now, in 2022, food prices have soared, and finding ways to cook home cheap and easy meals is even more important. All of these meals are made with inexpensive ingredients, even if it is getting harder to keep each meal around $10.
Of course, the meals also need to be easy. Nothing will make you want to forget my dinner plans and call for takeout quicker than a complicated meal on a busy night.
Hopefully, this collection of meals will help you too in the meal planning process. Want some tips and tricks for planning meals? Sign up for our free Meal Planning Guide below:
25 Cheap and Easy Meals under $10
One of our favorite family meals, and one of my reader’s favorite recipes, is Amish Baked Chicken. I use chicken thighs, but other cuts of chicken work well, too. Check the comments on the post for several variations. Serve with a salad or roasted Brussels sprouts.
If you want something on the lighter side, try Turkey Sloppy Joe Lettuce Wraps. I make these with ground turkey. You can use a can of pre-made sloppy joe sauce or whip up your own. Because these have meat wrapped in lettuce, I just serve them alone, making this quick, easy and cheap!
Meatballs are a great easy, and inexpensive meal. One of our favorite ways to eat meatballs are in sandwiches. Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs are one of our favorite meals. Serve with carrot sticks and some french fries. Broccoli salad also goes great on the side.
Salads are an affordable main dish, especially during the summer times when produce is cheap. Chopped Barbecue Chicken Salad is one of my favorite main dish salads. Barbecue Shrimp Salad and Chinese Chicken Salad are other easy salad recipes.
While salads might be for summer, soups are easy and cheap dinners in the winter. Lentil and Sausage Soup is super cheap and it’s made in the slow cooker for an even easier dinner. Serve with a loaf of Italian bread from the grocery store. Also, check out my Cheese Broccoli Soup and a super delicious Easy Black Bean Soup.
Add a veggie to your comfort food with this Stove Top Spinach Macaroni and Cheese for a wonderful dinner.
Chicken thighs are a super affordable cut of meat and would be so delicious in these Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs.
A recipe that only has 3 ingredients! Yes, that is all you need for this Tator Tot Casserole.
Garlic Butter Asparagus Pasta disproves the myth that you can’t eat good on a budget.
This Black Bean Burger Dinner, is a great healthy vegetarian option that is also budget-friendly.
A great way to enjoy a takeout favorite at home is with this Easy Vegetable Lo Mein.
Cheesy Burrito Casserole is a hearty meal for cheap.
This recipe for Chicken Enchiladas is easy to make and feeds a lot of people.
Slow Cooker Pepperoni Pizza Pasta is made with simple ingredients, and it’s super filling, too.
Buffalo Chicken Chili is made in the Instant Pot and is low carb.
Gnocchi with Creamy Pesto Sauce is quite an affordable indulgence.
With minimal prep you can enjoy this delicious Pasta al Forno.
Two Cheese Baked Rigatoni Pasta recipe easily transitions into a freezer meal.
Spiced Roast Chicken Breast and Potatoes is an easy meal to put together.
Home-fried Kielbasa and Potatoes is a meal of my childhood. With a family of 6, you know it had to be affordable.
This is an absolute go- to meal for a busy weeknight, Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice will warm you up on a chilly day.
This Italian Easy Pasta Casserole has all the flavors of lasagna with a lot less work.
One- Pan Skinny Chicken Alfredo is yummy and less calories!
This springy Ricotta and Lemon Basil Pasta dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
One-Pot Tuscan Style Garlic Herb Pork Chops is full of flavor.