Whether you've got a large family to feed or just need to budget your grocery dollars wisely, it's good to have some go-to ideas for easy cheap family meals that you know your kids will eat. What are the cheap family dinner ideas that go over well in your house? Add a link and a review for your favorite to help us build a budget family meal plan resource for parents.
If you want to put together the cheapest family meals possible, here are some tips to keep in mind. Turning to pantry recipes can help save a lot of money, so check to see what you already have on hand before deciding what's for dinner. You might want to choose big batch recipes that make a lot, so you can eat the same meal multiple times throughout the week (or freeze extras for later). It's also helpful to plan different recipes that use the same ingredients, so you can buy once and have less food waste. For meals that include meat, save money by making meat an ingredient rather than the star, and stretch one batch of prepped meat over multiple meals - a great way to use rotisserie chicken.
Let's try to keep our recommendations for cheap family meals under $10 if possible, knowing that costs will vary based on location, sales and what you already have stocked in your pantry and fridge.
Classic Fried Rice
Fried rice is a versatile "clean out the fridge" meal. This cheap family dinner idea uses leftover rice and frozen peas and carrots, but you can use whatever veggies you need to use up in the freezer or fridge. If you'd like, you can also add in a protein like chicken, shrimp, tofu or edamame.
Southwest Chicken Skillet
This kid-friendly quick and easy one pan meal includes chicken, veggies and a zesty southwest seasoning blend. A great way to stretch a rotisserie chicken or use up leftover meat from another meal.
Bean and Cheese Burritos
These simple and delicious bean and cheese burritos are an easy cheap family dinner that's picky-eater friendly, too.
Quick Pasta and Chickpeas
Sort of an elevated version of SpaghettiOs that appeals to kids and adults alike, you might have the ingredients for this easy cheap family meal on hand in your pantry already. If you have some spinach or kale to use up, throw it in!
Egg Roll in a Bowl
This easy one pan dinner has egg roll flavor without the wrapping and frying, and is great with whatever type of ground meat your family prefers - or that you find on sale.
Kielbasa, Pepper, Onion and Potato Hash
Potatoes, peppers and onions stretch a package of turkey kielbasa into a hearty, satisfying and inexpensive family dinner.
Primary photo: Louis Hansel on Unsplash
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