Are you looking to find some cheap and easy budget meal plans? In this post, you’ll find 21 delicious budget meals which you can cook in a short amount of time!
When you’re juggling a career, family, hobbies and a social life, it can be difficult getting a delicious meal on the table.
Sometimes it seems like there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything we want – including making a healthy, from scratch dinner.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of tasty, delicious meals that can go from kitchen to table in 45 minutes or less.
They’re as easy on your brain as they are on your wallet.
Here are 21 delicious, quick meal ideas for when you don’t have a lot of time (or cash).
I’ve split up the post into multiple sections – you can navigate to each one using the list below (or scroll):
Below, you can click on the recipe images to go to the website with each recipe.
Enjoy!
Budget Breakfast for Dinner Meal Ideas
Breakfast is a wonderfully delicious way to have dinner.
Not only is it generally inexpensive, it usually comes together quick and uses ingredients most people already have on hand, like milk, flour, eggs, and butter.
Whether you’re whipping up some fresh pancakes or feeding a crowd with a casserole, having breakfast for dinner is a great way to save time and money.
Add some fruit or eggs to make it a complete meal!
Here are three breakfast recipes to make when you’re low on time and money:
Can’t get enough of warm, fluffy pancakes? Check out these 55+ pancake recipes for when you’re looking to change things up.
Budget Pasta Meal Recipes
Pasta is one of the world’s most perfect foods – it cooks quick, is versatile, and can be as healthy or indulgent as you want.
Nothing seems to satisfy like a big bowl of hot noodles smothered in rich sauce. Topped with a protein like grilled chicken or meatballs, and it makes a hearty meal. For a convenient and nutritious option, you can see more and order healthy meals online from various services that offer balanced, protein-rich dishes delivered right to your door.
Here are three pasta recipes to try when you’re short on time but want to pack in the flavor.
Budget Sandwich Meal Recipes
Sandwiches can be the ultimate comfort food – they’re also super easy to prepare, making them a great lunch or dinner.
Here are three wonderful sandwich recipes for when you’re craving that gooey comfort-food goodness and don’t have a lot of time.
Need more sandwich ideas? Here’s a list of 85+ sandwich recipes that are great for lunch or dinner!
Budget Tacos Meal Recipes
Tacos are one of America’s favorite foods, and for good reason – they’re tasty, cheap, and come together pretty quick.
Whether they’re filled with chicken, beef, pork or fish, tacos are a delicious weeknight meal when you need to get something on the table fast.
Here are three taco recipes that can go from stove to table in 35 minutes or less.
Budget Soup/Chili Meal Recipe Ideas
There’s nothing like warming up with a big bowl of soup or chili on a brisk Fall day.
It’s also the perfect dish for busy families, as all the ingredients can just be thrown into a pot and cooked while you’re at work or watching the kids, with minimal prep work.
These can all be made specifically in the slow cooker/crock pot for extra convenience. They also go great with sandwiches – another easy dinner idea!
Here are three soup and chili recipes to use when you’re short on time.
Budget Stir-Fry Meal Recipes
Stir fries are a great weeknight meal, as they don’t take long to whip up and are chock-full of veggies and protein.
The best part? It takes less time to make than ordering take-out!
Here are three delicious stir fry meals to try when you’re craving Chinese take-out – without the waiting.
Can’t get enough Chinese inspired dishes? Check out this list of 70+ authentic Chinese food recipes from Delish.
Budget Wrap Meal Recipes
Wraps, while closely related to the taco, have their own wide variety of mouth-watering flavors to try.
Wraps are perfect for when you don’t have a lot of time, as they can be made in under 30 minutes.
They’re also perfectly portable for when you need to take a meal or snack on the go.
Want more wrap recipes? Check out this list of 22 sandwich wraps by Taste of Home!
Eat Great and Save Money at the Same Time!
Getting a delicious, healthy meal on the table doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming or a chore.
Simply use one of these easy to make recipes, and you can have a tasty, hearty meal that’ll be on the table in less than 45 minutes!
Bon Appétit!