"Easy Cheap Dinner Ideas to Make Your Mouth AND Wallet Happy" means meal suggestions that are both delicious and budget-friendly. These meal ideas are usually quick and simple to prepare, and don't require expensive ingredients or a lot of time to cook.

The goal is to find meals that are satisfying, tasty, and won't break the bank. This is especially useful for people who are trying to save money on their grocery bill, or for those who are looking for affordable meal options that still taste great.

Are you looking for cheap and easy dinner ideas that will make both your wallet and your stomach happy? With these 10 delicious, inexpensive dinners, you can tighten your belt without feeling like you're sacrificing taste. It's never been easier to create a meal plan for your family with simple and affordable ingredients. Suitable for singles and families alike, these frugal meals offer budget-friendly meals for all diets and tastes. Your monthly grocery budget will thank you.

That's a great idea! Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive, and there are plenty of budget-friendly recipes out there. Here are some ideas for cheap dinner ideas and ways to save money on food while still eating healthy:

Meals under $1 per serving:

Rice and Beans

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Vegetable Soup

Oatmeal with Fruit

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Lentil Soup

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Scrambled Eggs

Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Cabbage and Potato Soup

Meals under $3 per serving:

One-Pot Spaghetti

Chili

Stuffed Peppers

Black Bean Tacos

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Lentil Curry

Baked Chicken Legs

Roasted Vegetables and Quinoa

Baked Ziti

Broiled Salmon

Meals under $5 per serving:

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Pork Chops with Applesauce

Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Chicken Fajitas

Vegetable Lasagna

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Meals under $10 per serving:

Grilled Ribeye Steak

Grilled Lamb Chops

Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes

Pan-Seared Sea Bass

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter

Chicken Parmesan

Beef Stew

Shrimp and Grits

Ways to save money on food:

Plan your meals in advance

Shop sales and use coupons

Buy in bulk

Grow your own produce

Use cheaper cuts of meat

Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers

Buy generic or store-brand products

Avoid pre-packaged and convenience foods

Shop at farmers' markets or local produce stands

Use your leftovers creatively to create new meals.

With these cheap dinner ideas and ways to save money on food, you can eat healthy and delicious meals without breaking the bank.

1.Easy Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT CHICKEN FAJITAS:

▢2 pounds (907 g) chicken breast.

▢1 cup (240 g) chicken stock

▢1.5 tablespoons fajita seasoning

▢3 peppers (1 red, 1 yellow and 1 green), cut into thicker slices

▢1 large onion, cut into slices

▢1 tablespoon hot sauce to taste

▢8 small corn or flour tortillas.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Place the chicken breasts and 1 cup of chicken broth in the Instant Pot and sprinkle with fajita seasoning and garlic.

Place the sliced peppers and onions on top of the chicken, trying to spread them out in an even layer.

Put the lid on, lock it and turn the valve to the sealed position.

Set to manual / high pressure for 7 minutes.

At the end of the cooking time, release the natural pressure for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of pressure to allow the remaining steam to escape.

Open the lid and remove the peppers and onions. Place in a shallow dish.

Remove the chicken, place on a cutting board and slice.

Drizzle the pressure cooker chicken fajitas with a little lime and garnish with parsley.

Serve with tortillas and a topping of your choice. Enjoy your meal!

2.ONE POT CREAMY CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Cook a complete dinner in one pot with this creamy Cajun chicken pasta, using mostly ingredients from your store cupboard. Perfect for stressful weeknights!

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in the pan.

QUANTITIES

PREPARATION

10 min.

COOK

20 minutes

TOTAL

30 minutes

SAVE RECIPE

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INGREDIENTS

Cajun spice

2 teaspoons smoked paprika ($0.20)

1 teaspoon oregano ($0.10)

1 teaspoon thyme ($0.10)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ($0.05)

1/2 teaspoon onion powder ($0.05)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper ($0.03)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper ($0.02)

1/4 teaspoon salt ($0.02)

Noodles with chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.16)

1 tablespoon butter ($0.13)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast ($5.47)

1 yellow onion, diced ($0.32)

1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)

15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.00)

2 cups chicken stock ($0.26)

2 oz. Cream cheese ($0.50)

3 green onions, sliced ($0.25)

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes. Place the diced chicken in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over it and stir to coat the chicken with the seasonings.

Put the olive oil and butter in a large, deep frying pan. Heat the oil and butter over medium heat until the pan is very hot and the butter is melted and fluffy. Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and fry for a couple of minutes on each side until the outside takes on some colour. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this stage.

Add the diced yellow onion to the pan and fry for another 2 minutes or so until the onion softens. Let the moisture from the onion dissolve any browned bits at the bottom of the pan.

Then add the pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with the juice) and chicken stock to the pan. Stir until everything is evenly mixed, then put a lid on and bring the stock to the boil.

Once the broth is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer the pasta for about ten minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is soft and the liquid is thick and juicy.

Add the cream cheese to the pan in chunks and stir until it has melted into the sauce. Garnish the noodles with the sliced spring onions and serve.

3.Chicken Tortilla Casserole

For the sauce: 1/2 cup unsalted butter 2-3 tablespoons fresh garlic, grated 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon white or black pepper 1/2 cup (60 g) flour 2 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup sour cream For the filling: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion 1 medium sweet red pepper, diced 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken meat 2 cans (7oz. each) chopped green chillies 1/2 to 1 cup chicken stock Salt and pepper to taste 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Green onions or cilantro for garnish Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with oil spray. For the sauce: In a small skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and once melted, add the grated garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. It must not brown. Add the remaining butter, the garlic powder, salt and pepper and cook just until the butter has melted. Stir the flour into the butter to make a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add the chicken stock and whisk to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy, then stir in the sour cream until smooth. Set aside to cool. For the filling: In a large frying pan over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onion and red pepper. Sauté until the onion has softened. Remove from the heat and add the shredded chicken, green chillies and the cooled sauce. Stir in enough chicken stock to make the filling thick and spoonable. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Assemble the casserole: Place 6 of the tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish and spread half of the chicken mixture on top, along with half of the Monterey Jack Cheese and half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with a second layer. Spray a piece of aluminium foil with non-stick oil spray and cover the casserole dish with the sprayed side down. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes; then remove the foil and bake for a further 10 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around the edges. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped spring onions and/or coriander leaves.

10 CHEAP CROCKPOT RECIPES THAT COST $1 PER PERSON

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5 Easy Cheap Dinner Ideas to Make Your Mouth (Quick and Budget-Friendly)