68 Cheap Dinner Ideas to Stretch Your Dollars

casserole dish filled with a potato chip topping and a serving spoon Ian Palmer

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7Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage SoupBecky Luigart-Stayner

Soup’s long been a delicious and easy way to stretch your dollar, and this recipe is no exception. A carrot, an onion, a couple potatoes, and some sausage, and suddenly you’ve got a meal for 6. The whole thing comes together in about half an hour, too, and it’s so warming when the weather is cold!

Get the recipe for Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Soup.

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11Tuna MeltBecky Luigart-Stayner

The underrated tuna melt, that staple of diners and lunch plates everywhere, deserves to be making a big time comeback.

You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge right now. What are you waiting for?

Get the recipe for Tuna Melt.

12Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac ‘n Cheesy mac 'n cheese with peas in bowls on a table with kids toys Ian Palmer

Is there a more classic cheap dinner than mac ‘n cheese? While this recipe costs a smidge more than the boxed stuff, it’s better by so many leagues that we think you’ll agree it’s worth the extra [does math] $1. Especially because this recipe shows you how to cook the pasta and make the sauce all in the same pot, no draining required!

Get the recipe for Easy-Peasy Stovetop Mac ‘n Cheesy.

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15Beef EnchiladasBecky Luigart-Stayner

This ground beef enchilada dinner is especially a winner. A little taco seasoning, some corn tortillas, a can of enchilada sauce, cover it with cheese and boom! You’ve got a powerhouse meal for four (or for two, with leftovers) ready to go.

Get the recipe for Beef Enchiladas.

16Chicken MarsalaIan Palmer

This comfort-food staple needs just chicken, mushrooms, and a few pantry staples. While we recommend using a more drinkable marsala wine, cooking wine is the much less expensive option.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

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18Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle SoupIAN PALMER for Country Living

It’s hard to beat a Crock Pot for turning inexpensive ingredients into a heavenly meal. Chicken thighs work best in this dish, dark meat especially, but nearly any chicken can work.

Skip the wine if you need to (replace it with stock), but don’t use cooking wine, or anything you wouldn’t drink.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.

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19Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley GremolataBecky Luigart-Stayner

This simple vegetable soup is surprisingly sustaining. With beans and broccolini, tomato and quinoa, it’ll make a belly-filling bowl that can power you through an afternoon, or quench a serious dinner hunger.

Get the recipe for Vegetable Soup.

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