It may feel difficult feeding four people for under ten dollars. It can be done with a few steps. These dinners focus on basic, inexpensive staples (rice, beans, pasta, eggs, potatoes). A few of them add extra seasonings. Based on regional prices and sales, each of these ideas is doable with ingredients from any grocery store.
Bean, lentil and pea soups
Lentil Soup and Bread
Dried lentils are a budget staple. They are cheap and cook faster than most beans. Cooked with some onions, spices, and diced carrots, then made thick with simmering and finally seasoned with some salt and a squeeze of lemon (if you happen to have one) makes dinner.
Boiled lentils have about 9.0 g of protein per 100 g, per USDA FoodData Central.
Vegetarian Bean Chili
Chili with beans is inexpensive, and leftovers pack for lunch the next day. Just toss together a few different types of beans, some canned tomatoes, a sprinkle of chili powder, and toss in any other spices you have. If you have some cornbread mix, you can make some along with the chili to make a recovery meal.
Split Pea Soup
Split peas are inexpensive and make a thick soup with little hands-on work. Just simmer them with onions, carrots, and celery. For extra flavor, toss in a bouillon cube. If you have leftover ham, toss it in, but the soup is still good without it.
Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta e fagioli is a meal in itself. It isn’t a starter. Simmer some beans, tomatoes, broth, and your choice of herbs. Then, toss in some small pasta to cook right in the pot. It stretches a couple of cans into a dinner for four.
Beans and lentils
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Bean and cheese quesadillas make a quick dinner. Take some canned beans and mash them up(add some cumin and pinch of salt for flavor) spread the mixture onto your tortilla, sprinkle some cheese and then crisp it up in a pan. You can serve some salsa (or chopped onions and limes) with it.
Rice and Bean Bowls
This dinner uses rice and canned beans, so it costs little. Cook some rice and warm up some canned black beans with a cut up onion and some garlic or some cumin. You can add lime juice to the beans. If you have any toppings in your fridge like shredded lettuce, salsa, or cheese, you can use them as toppings.
Chickpea Curry and Rice
This one comes together when the pantry looks almost empty. To make it, simmer chickpeas with some canned tomatoes, a bit of curry powder and an onion (if you have the time). Serve this over some rice for a warm dinner.
Sloppy Joes and Fries
You can substitute cooked lentils for ground beef, and most people won’t (or shouldn’t) be able to tell the difference. I make a quick sauce using ketchup, mustard, and a bit of brown sugar and then I just load it on the buns. While my filling is simmering, I bake some potato wedges.
Refried Bean Tostadas
Tostadas are another bean-based dinner. Spread warm refried beans on a crispy tortilla, then top with your choice of lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and cheese. They are crunchy, quick to make, and each person can choose their toppings, which helps with picky eaters.
Rice and Beans Casserole
I appreciate a recipe that doesn’t require me to use every bowl in the house. You just mix together cooked rice, beans, salsa or tomatoes, and some cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly. It is good for leftovers.
Pasta and White Beans
Pasta seems more filling when combined with white beans and not much cost is added to the recipe. Warm the beans with some garlic and olive oil, toss with the pasta, and add a bit of brightness with some lemon if you have it. Additionally, if there is some spinach or kale on sale, toss that in as well; it will wilt quickly.
Beans on Toast
There’s a reason this is a classic dish. It’s cheap and made from pantry staples. It features warm baked beans, which you drizzle over toast, then add black pepper. If you want some crunch and freshness to balance the dish, add a quick salad.
Burrito Bowls
This is a meal-prep dinner that also tastes good the day you make it. Roast a sheet pan of onions and peppers (or any other veggies that are cheaper) and layer them with rice and beans. Add some salsa and yogurt or sour cream and a squeeze of lime to finish off the meal.
Eggs
Egg Fried Rice
Fried rice tolerates substitutions. It’s even better if you use leftover rice (left in the fridge to cool), scramble some eggs, toss in some frozen mixed veggies and soy sauce. It is quick and usually cheaper than ordering takeout.
Breakfast for Dinner
Not every dinner needs to be elaborate. Eggs are a good budget protein and toast makes it feel a bit more complete. You can add whatever fruit is cheapest that week (bananas are usually a great option).
Upgraded Ramen
Instant ramen, by itself, can leave you feeling hungry even an hour after eating it. However, some quick upgrades can fix that. While the ramen is cooking, add some frozen veggies and then an egg (a poached egg can go right into the broth). For more flavor, add a little chili oil or sesame oil.
Veggie Omelet Bar
This is a good “everyone’s tired” dinner because it’s quick and adjustable to personal tastes. You could also set out any cooked leftovers like onion, peppers, cheese, or spinach and let everyone pick their own fillings. It’s just a matter of heat and a little patience.
Cabbage Fried Rice
Cabbage adds bulk to fried rice. Chop it up and sauté it, then mix it into the fried rice along with soy sauce and egg. It makes a large batch without expensive ingredients.
Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Eggs in tomato sauce might sound fancy but you likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry. Just warm up some canned tomatoes, add garlic, a little paprika, and a pinch of salt, add some eggs, cover, and let them cook. Serve with bread. It uses one pan, so there are few dishes to clean.
Potato and Onion Frittata
This potato and egg dish can be made with a nearly empty fridge. Sauté some potatoes and onions, add beaten eggs, and keep cooking until everything is set. It slices cleanly and serves 4 people. If you have any leftovers, they can be eaten cold or reheated.
Meat and fish
Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes
This recipe comes in under $10 if you find smoked sausage or kielbasa on sale. Make sure to chop the potatoes small so they roast quickly. Add sausage and whatever veggies you have on hand. Everything gets a caramelized edge.
Tuna Pasta
The tuna and pasta combination is definitely a throwback, yet most people still like it. Combine cooked pasta with a can or two of tuna, and some peas, and add a quick sauce (butter + a splash of pasta water, or a little mayo/yogurt if you like that). It’s not fancy.
Tuna Melts
You can also make this for lunch. Mix some tuna with a bit of mayo and onion (if you have any) and then spread it on some bread. Top with some cheese and broil it until it gets all bubbly. You can add pickles if you want, they add a salty crunch.
Chicken Drumsticks and Rice
Drumsticks are usually one of the less expensive options for chicken, especially when it comes to sales. Roast drumsticks that have had salt, pepper, and paprika added until the skin is crispy and the meat is juicy. Serve alongside rice and frozen green beans and it creates a balanced meal.
Fish Cakes and Slaw
Using some canned salmon, breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers), and an egg, you can make fish cakes. Pan fry them until they’re brown on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with a quick cabbage slaw.
Cheese
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese
Add a splash of milk (or a bit of butter) into your canned tomato soup to make it creamier. A grilled cheese sandwich turns the soup into a full meal.
Pizza Quesadillas
Make this on nights when someone wants pizza but you don’t want to order it. Spread some marinara on tortillas, sprinkle on some mozzarella, and add some pepperoni if you found some on sale. You can then toast it on the skillet for a crunchy finish. Dip the slices in the extra sauce.
Corn and Cheese Arepas
Arepas are not hard to make if you have precooked cornmeal like masarepa. Cook thick patties in a pan until they are crispy on the outside. Then you can split the arepa in half and stuff it with your choice of cheese, beans, or eggs. If you don’t have masarepa, you can make corn cakes instead. All you need is some canned corn and a little flour.
Loaded Nachos
Nachos are quick, and most people like them. To make them just spread some chips on a tray along with some cheese and beans and bake them until the cheese melts. Once they are finished, add some salsa and anything else you want and serve them straight out of the pan.
Mac and Cheese
With a little help, Box Mac can definitely be turned into a dinner. For example, you can add some peas or broccoli (which will also add color and a nice crunch) and some garlic powder if you have it. It takes little effort, which helps on busy nights.
Pasta and vegetables
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Garlic, oil, chili flakes, and noodles make a four-ingredient dish. To make this dish a little more fancy toast some breadcrumbs in a little oil with garlic and a pinch of salt. Then sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the noodles like a crunchy “budget Parmesan.” Add parsley if you’ve got some lying around. The dish is fine without it.
Loaded Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are an inexpensive option for some fuel (calories) and also something to keep you full for a longer period of time. If you steam or microwave some broccoli and put it on top of the potato with some shredded cheese, the heat should melt the cheese. Add some sour cream or a touch of butter if you like.
Cabbage and Noodles
Cabbage is cheap and versatile. To prepare it, slice it and sauté until soft. It turns sweet and pairs with noodles and some butter or oil.
Peanut Noodles
Peanut butter makes a quick sauce. Stir some peanut butter with soy sauce, a little sugar and hot water until it loosens, then mix it with your noodles. Sliced cucumbers on the side balance the dish without much extra expense.
Veggie Stir Fry and Rice
Stir-fry is mostly about getting a sauce and pan hot enough to cook your ingredients. It doesn’t matter much what veggies you use, if you buy frozen broccoli, or if you grab another veggie on sale that’s fine too. Grab some soy sauce, add some chopped garlic and a little sugar for the sauce. Adding in some scrambled eggs or tofu will make it feel more complete as a meal.
Tomato Basil Pasta
You can make a real sauce while your pasta is boiling if you use canned tomatoes. Start with sauteing some garlic. Then, add the tomatoes and let it simmer. Add some salt. Add basil if you have it, or use dried oregano.
The Prep Kit
What I use most when cooking for four on a weeknight.
- AROMA Digital Rice Cooker. Rice and bean bowls, egg fried rice, and chickpea curry all start with a pot of rice, and this keeps it warm until everyone sits down.
- BYSNOW Deli Containers with Lids. Leftover lentil soup and vegetarian bean chili fit in these for a packed lunch the next day.
- WOODLANDS USA Teak Wooden Ladle with Spoon Rest. Serving split pea soup to four people is quick and neat with this.
Ingredient protein figures are based on USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate nutrition.
