5 Budget-friendly Family Meals to Get the Grocery Bill Down
If you're looking for budget-friendly family meals, you're in the right place. I recently made five easy and affordable meals that my family loved, and I'm excited to share them with you.
These recipes are perfect for those busy nights when you want something delicious without breaking the bank. Let's get right into it!
1. Garlic parmesan chicken sandwiches
These sandwiches were a huge hit in my house and super easy to make. I started by cooking half a package of bacon in the oven. Once done, I saved a couple of tablespoons of bacon grease to cook the filling.
In a large skillet, I combined half a block of softened cream cheese and shredded rotisserie chicken. For the flavor punch, I added half a bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings’ Parmesan Garlic Sauce, but any similar sauce will do.
After everything was warmed through, I spread the mixture onto brioche buns (I used full-size buns instead of sliders) and topped them with provolone cheese, bacon, and mozzarella.
After assembling the sandwiches, I brushed the tops with butter, sprinkled some Italian seasoning, and baked them at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Served with a quick pasta salad made from rotini, cucumbers, banana peppers, and creamy Italian dressing, along with air fryer fries, this meal was both satisfying and affordable.
2. Hibachi steak bowls
For this meal, I used two strip steaks I found on sale and marinated them in a mix of garlic, sesame oil, ginger paste, mirin, kosher salt, and pepper. I let the steak marinate for about three to four hours before cooking.
While the steak marinated, I prepped the veggies: thinly sliced carrots, zucchini, and baby bella mushrooms. The mushrooms weren’t a hit in my family, but the other veggies were delicious.
I stir-fried them and served them with egg-fried rice that I made in a wok. After cooking the steak, I tossed it in teriyaki sauce and built the bowls with rice, steak, veggies, and a homemade Yum Yum sauce.
Although the steak didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted (the ginger flavor was a bit strong), the meal was still flavorful and filling. Plus, this recipe allowed me to use simple ingredients already in my pantry.
3. Marry me chicken
This recipe is a family favorite, and it’s always a winner.
I started with two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cutting them into thinner pieces to cook more evenly.
After seasoning with salt and pepper, I dredged the chicken in flour and pan-fried them in a mix of butter and olive oil.
In the same skillet, I added minced garlic and deglazed with chicken broth, followed by heavy whipping cream and parmesan cheese.
I then stirred in sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Once the sauce was creamy, I returned the chicken to the pan to simmer for a few minutes.
This dish is perfect over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. I served mine with mashed potatoes and a side of green beans, and it was a hit with the whole family — kids included!
4. Chili cheese corn dogs & coleslaw
Here’s a fun and budget-friendly twist on classic corn dogs. I baked a box of all-beef corn dogs and heated up a can of Great Value chili (which is surprisingly good!).
After removing the sticks from the corn dogs, I sliced them open and stuffed them with chili and sharp cheddar cheese.
I popped them back in the oven until the cheese melted and served them with homemade coleslaw and air-fried tater tots.
The coleslaw was simple: shredded cabbage and carrots, mixed with mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. This is a perfect meal for a quick, low-cost dinner that kids and adults will enjoy.
5. Cheesy sausage & rice casserole
On a night when I didn’t know what to make, I threw together this cheesy sausage and rice casserole, using items I already had on hand. I chopped up some Polish sausage and sautéed it in a skillet with a little water.
Once the sausage was browned, I added chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese.
After the cheese melted into the sauce, I stirred in cooked jasmine rice and poured everything into a casserole dish.
I topped it with more cheese and baked it for 25 minutes at 350°F. Even though the mixture looked a bit soupy at first, the rice absorbed the liquid during baking, making the casserole creamy and cheesy.
I served this with some sautéed cabbage (leftover from the coleslaw), and it turned out delicious. This is definitely one of those meals that’s perfect when you need to make something hearty and comforting from pantry staples.
Budget-friendly family meals
These budget-friendly family meals are perfect for when you need to cut back on your grocery spending. Each recipe uses simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have at home.
Whether you're in the mood for a cheesy sandwich, a comforting casserole, or a twist on corn dogs, these meals will keep everyone satisfied without stretching your grocery budget.
I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and make dinnertime a little easier! Comment your favorite budget recipe idea down below.
Next, check out these 4 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes That My Family Is Loving.
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