100 Frugal Meals You Can Make Even On A Small Budget

Are you one of the millions who overspend on groceries? It’s okay; we were too!

It’s hard work to make a meal plan week after week, especially one that you’ll actually want to stick to. It’s even more difficult when you’re living on a budget.

Frugal meals can be extremely hard to come by if you don’t know where to look, so I took it upon myself to find some of the most affordable meals.

What Makes A Meal A Frugal Meal?

The definition of frugal can differ from person to person. It must have one of these attributes when it comes to frugal meals.

It Has A Small Ingredient List

If a recipe only requires a handful of ingredients, it can usually be deemed affordable. Next time you make your grocery list, stick to meals with less than five ingredients.

Most Of The Ingredients Are Herbs Or Seasonings

Don’t overlook a recipe just because the ingredient list looks long. I used to look at the length of an ingredient list and then dismiss it before reading it.

I found that many amazing frugal recipes require a handful of seasonings or herbs, but these are items you probably already have in your cupboard.

Frugal Food Tip: Meals start getting expensive when you add meat. Try cooking without meat a few days a week. We have some great meatless meal ideas below.

It Has To Look And Taste Good

Let’s face it; if a meal doesn’t look appetizing, it probably isn’t. Even if you do purchase the ingredients, chances are when dinner rolls around. You aren’t going to want to make it.

Having a meal that looks good makes you more likely to cook it! 

Frugal Eating Tip: If you’re looking to save money next time you grocery shop, make sure you are taking advantage of the Ibotta app! I save hundreds of dollars a year on groceries with this app. Also, check out our personal Ibotta review here!

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To take all the painful work out of meal planning for you, I went on a hunt and found 100 frugal meal ideas that meet all the criteria above.

Hopefully, these cheap, easy meals will satisfy your taste buds and your budget!

Frugal Eating articles:

• What Are The Best Cheap Foods To Buy When Broke
• The Best Grocery Store Hacks That Will Help You Save Money On Food
• Extreme Couponing Tips- From a Money Saving Guru
• 20 Cheap Grilling Ideas You Need Before Summer Ends

Easy Chicken Recipes With Few Ingredients

1. Lemon Garlic Chicken Dump Recipe | via Freezer Meals 101

2. Hawaiian Chicken | via Gluten Free Palate

3. Gluten Free Enchiladas | via Gluten Free Palate

4. Ginger Chicken Recipe | via A Girl Worth Saving

5. Air Fryer Chicken Quesadilla |via Recipes From A Pantry

6. Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs | via Bliss Health Coaching

7. Sheet Pan Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs and Vegetables | via Cook It Real Good

8. Honey BBQ Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks | via Plating Pixels

9. Healthy Curry Chicken Salad |via Tasty Galaxy

10. 5 Ingredient Crock Pot Mexican Chicken | via Joyfully Thriving

11. Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with Olives | via Recipe Pocket

12. Low Carb Instant Pot Salsa Chicken | via Tasty Galaxy

13. Chicken Enchilada Casserole | via Faith Filled Food for Moms

14. Skillet Chicken Sausage with Apples | via Montana Happy

15. Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters | via Where Is My Spoon

16. 5 Ingredient Chicken Curry | via Go Healthy Ever After

17. Instant Pot Hawaiian Chicken | via Aileen Cooks

18. Instant Pot Southern Chicken and Rice |via Meaningful Eats

19. Baked Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Tomatoes | via Lori’s Culinary Creations

20. Quick and Healthy Chicken Scampi Recipe | via Eating On A Dime

21. Slow Cooker Garlic Lime Chicken Thighs | via Mashup Mom

22. Grilled Chicken Salad | via Drugstore Divas

23. Quick and Easy Chicken & Dumplings | via DIY With My Guy

24. One Pan Chicken Fajitas | This DIY Life

Easy Recipes With Beef and Pork

25. Delicious Instant Pot Pulled Pork | via Awe Filled Homemaker

26. Cajun Green Beans With Sausage | via A Sprinkle Of Cayenne

27. Crock Pot Pork Roast and Gravy | via The Cozy Cook

28. Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe | via The Curious Frugal

29. Not Quite Mississippi Crockpot Roast | via Intelligent Domestications

30. Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole | via Freezer Meals 101

31. Sausage and Squash Skillet | via The Gifted Gabber

32. Instant Pot Beef and Gravy | via Recipe This

33. Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast | via The Cozy Cook

34. Paleo Sloppy Joes | via One Clever Chef

35. Pressure Cooker Hamburger Stew | via Two Sleevers

36. Easy Korean Ground Beef Rice Bowl | via Recipe Pocket

37. Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy | via Intelligent Domestications

38. Lime Teriyaki Carne Deshilachada y Arroz Recipe | via Whispered Inspirations

39. Slow Cooker Kielbasa with Sauerkraut and Potatoes | via I Believe I Can Fry

40. Slow Cooker Crock Pot Port Tenderloin | via Wicked Spatula

41. Turkey Sausage Paleo Breakfast Casserole | via Whole Some Yum

42. Tacos al Carbon | via The Anthony Kitchen

43. Oven Baked Meatball Sandwich | via Home Cooking Memories

44. 4 Ingredient Stove Top Meatloaf | via Cook Eat Go

45. Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole | via Fun Family Meals

46. Dr. Pepper Slow Cooker Pork Chops | via Two Kids and a Coupon

Meatless Meals On A Budget

47. BBQ Beans Instant Pot | via Freezer Meals 101

48. Easy Pizza Potatoes | via Foodal

49. 5 Mins Air Fryer Pita Bread Pizza | via Recipes From A Pantry

50. Sweet Potato, Lentil and Chickpea Curry | via Cook It Real Good

51. Mushroom Masala- Mushroom Curry | via Recipes From A Pantry

52. Flatbread Pizza | via Little Sunny Kitchen

53. Easy Quinoa Salad | via Cultured Palate

54. 20 Minute Pork Chop Rice One Pot Recipe | via Call Me PMc

55. Roasted Tilapia and Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner | via No Plate Like Home

56. Slow Cooker White Beans | via The Flying Couponer

57. Homemade Refried Beans | via Cultured Palate

58. Cheap and Easy Tuna Casserole | via Saving Talents

59. Opened Faced Tuna Melts | via Food Meanderings

60. Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry | via Rhians Recipes

61. The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili | via Happy Kitchen

62. Instant Pot Vegetable Curry | via Happy Mothering

63. 3 Ingredient Twice-Baked Spaghetti Squash | via Home Cooking Memories

64. Instant Pot Lentils and Rice | via Piping Pot Curry

65. Cheese Quesadilla with Black Beans and Corn | via Kid Tested Recipes

66. Spam Musubi Rice | via Them Bites

67. Grilled Rice Balls | via Drive Me Hungry

Simple Easy Pasta Recipes

68. Caprese Pasta Bake | via Little Sunny Kitchen

69. 20-Minute Bow Tie Pasta Alfredo | via Moms Who Save

70. Cheesy Taco Penne Ziti | via This Ole Mom

71. Cheeseburger Casserole | via Crayons and Cravings

72. Creamy Macaroni and Cheese | via Cultured Palate

73. Cauliflower Tuna Pasta Bake | via Mrs Jones’s Kitchen

74. Creamy Baked Million Dollar Chicken Spaghetti | via Faith Filled Food for Moms

75. 5 Ingredient Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells | via Happy Kitchen

76. One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta | via Call Me PMc

77. Homemade Hamburger Helper | via The Anthony Kitchen

78. Instant Post Pasta and Meatballs | via Cook Eat Go

79. Vegetarian Fajita Pasta – Instant Pot | via Piping Pot Curry

80. Spinach and Cherry Tomato Spaghetti | via A Taste Of Madness

81. Parsley Parmesan Pasta | via Brooklyn Farm Girl

82. Spicy Ramen Noddle | via Naturallie Plant-Based

83. Sweet Potato Gnocchi | via Nourished With Natalie – Easy two-ingredient frugal recipe

84. Creamy Chicken Pasta | via Unique Cooks

85. Freezer Pasta Meals | via Savor and Savvy

86. Easy Lemon Garlic Pasta | via Sinful Kitchen

87. Pasta and Breadcrumbs | via The Pasta Project

Frugal Soup Recipes

88. Cauliflower and Bacon Soup | via Cook It Real Good

89. Instant Pot Three Sisters Soup | via MOON and spoon and yum

90. Healthy Roast Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup | via Recipe Pocket

91. Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup | via The Flying Couponer

92. Smoky Black Bean Soup | via Nibble and Dine

93. Sprouted Lentil Stew Recipe | via Happy Mothering

94. Vegan Coconut Curry Lentil Soup | via A Taste Of Madness

95. Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe | via The Typical Mom

96. The Very Best Ham And Potato Soup With Peas | via On My Kids Plate

97. Cheap and Easy Hamburger Soup | via Foodal

98. Beef and Tomato Soup | via More Dollars At Home

99. Potato Soup | via Ginger Divine – 4-ingredient soap

100. Easy Chicken Soap Recipe | via The Forked Spoon

100 Fabulous Frugal Recipes – Final Thoughts

Eating frugally doesn’t need to be boring or lack variety. As you can see from this extensive list of 100 must-try meals, there are plenty of creative options to choose from without breaking the bank. We especially appreciate meatless dishes like lentil shepherd’s pie, cheese, and bean quesadilla, and BBQ bean bowl, as they really spice up our meal-planning routine.

Moreover, many of these dishes come together in no time, making them a super easy way to save money on food costs every week. So, if you’re ready to eat frugally with flavor and pizzazz, these 100 funds meals should inspire some exciting ideas that will meet your budget and taste buds. Give them a try!

If you are looking for delicious, frugal family meals, I hope you found a few to add to your menu above.

What are your favorite go-to frugal meals? Let us know in the comments below!

If you love these recipes, save this post for later and join us on Pinterest!

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