Home » Recipes » 150 Super Cheap Meals for When You Are Flat Broke
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Eat well on a budget with these super cheap meals. There are easy and cheap recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a busy parent looking to reduce grocery costs, or simply someone passionate about saving money without sacrificing the joy of good food, these budget-friendly recipes will leave your stomach and wallet full. These frugal recipes feature simple, inexpensive pantry staples that are probably already hiding in your kitchen.
From refreshing breakfast ideas to energizing lunchtime staples and hearty dinners, these cheap and easy meals are guaranteed to provide balanced nutrition while keeping your grocery expenses to a minimum.
Whether you are looking for cheap crock pot meals or cheap freezer meals, these meals prove that a tight budget doesn’t mean tight flavor.
Jump to:
- Breakfast Super Cheap Meals
- Lunch Dirt Cheap Recipes
- Dinner Super Cheap Meals
- Side Dish Dirt Cheap Recipes
- Super Cheap Snacks
- Dessert Dirt Cheap Recipes
- Super Cheap Meal FAQ
- More Cheap and Easy Recipes
Breakfast Super Cheap Meals
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal from Seduction in the Kitchen
- Baked Eggs in Tomato Cupsfrom Diethood
- Fried Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwichfrom Great Grub Delicious Treats
- RoastedApplesfrom Cooking in Stilettos
- Cheesy Egg Baked Toast from Crazy Adventures in Parenting
- Freezer Breakfast Burritos from Budget Bytes
- Omelette from RecipeTin Eats
- Easy Homemade Biscuitsfrom Sugar Spun Run
- Easy French Toastfrom Simply Recipes
- Simple Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits from Simply Sissom
- Easy Three Ingredient Healthy Muffinsfrom Savvy Saving Couple
- Scrambled Egg Muffinsfrom Allrecipes
- Breakfast Quesadillas from Tastes Better From Scratch
- Egg in a Hole from Allrecipes
- Ham and Egg Cups from Our Table of Seven
- Mexican Egg Scramble from The Cozy Cook
- Basic Crepesfrom Allrecipes
- Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole from Family Fresh Meals
- Breakfast Casserole from Kevin and Amanda
- Breakfast Grits from Allrecipes
- Tomato Cheese Toastfrom Eat Good 4 Life
- Breakfast Cookiesfrom A Big Man’s World
- Flourless 3 Ingredient Pancakes from Chocolate Covered Katie
- Fried Cornmeal Mushfrom Allrecipes
- Classic Waffles from I Wash You Dry
- Homemade Cereal Barsfrom Healthy Food for Living
- Cinnamon Roll Oatmealfrom Delish
- Apple Toastfrom Allrecipes
- Scrambled Egg and Cheese Bagelfrom My Recipes
- Scrambled Egg Muffins from Allrecipes
- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Pizzafrom Betty Crocker
- Frittiasfrom Budget Bytes
- Hash Brownsfrom All Recipes
- Easy Homemade Yogurt from Wellness Mama
Lunch Dirt Cheap Recipes
- PB & J Banana Sandwichesfrom Delish
- Fried Egg Grilled Cheese Sandwichfrom Great Grub Delicious Treats
- Fried Bologna Sandwichesfrom Food.com
- Three-Ingredient Tomato Sandwichfrom Cup of Jo
- Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Quesadillas from Budget Bytes
- Apple and Peanut Butter Wrapfrom Ready Set Eat
- Peanut Butter Banana + Honey Roll Upsfrom Nutrition Experts
- Egg & Tomato Sandwichfrom Food.com
- Classic BLT Sandwich from Through Her Looking Glass
- Chicken Salad Spread from Allrecipes
- Bagel, Cucumber, Chive and Onion Cream CheeseSandwichfrom Food.com
- Leftover Stuffing Muffinsfrom Budget Bytes
- Classic Tuna Salad from Dinner, Then Dessert
- Stuffed Pepper Tuna Melts from Kirbie’s Cravings
- Black Bean Burgerfrom Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Black Bean Soupfrom Honey and Birch
- Egg Salad Sandwichesfrom Allrecipes
- Tuna Meltsfrom Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Sloppy Joes from Eating on a Dime
- 3 Ingredient Tomato Soupfrom Inspired Taste
- Easy Taco Lettuce Wrap from The Girl Who Ate Everything
Dinner Super Cheap Meals
Mexican Dinner Ideas
- Bean Burritosfrom Taste of Home
- Poor Man’s Burrito Bowlfrom Budget Bytes
- 10 Minute Oven Baked Tostados from Yellow Bliss Road
- Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas from Dashing Dish
- 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas from Southern Bite
- Creamy Black Bean Taquitosfrom Budget Bytes
- Chicken Quesadillas from The Spruce Eats
- Salsa Chickenfrom Gimme Some Oven
- One Pan Crack Bean Burritosfrom Heather Likes Food
- Mexican Rice and Beansfrom Simple Green Moms
- Paprika Chickenfrom Allrecipes
Italian & Asian Dinner Ideas
- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce from Ready Set Eat
- French Bread Pizza from Budget Bytes
- 5-Ingredient Spinach Parmesan Pasta from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Butter Noodlesfrom Foodie Crush
- 3 Ingredient Ravioli Bake from Instrupix
- Stuffed Bell Peppersfrom Creme De La Crumb
- English Muffin Pizzasfrom Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Creamy Tomato Angel Hair Pasta from The Comfort of Cooking
- Texas Toast Pizzafrom Crafty Morning
- 3-Ingredient Italian Chickenfrom Pillsbury
- Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti from Damn Delicious
- Garlic Chickenfrom Allrecipes
- Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches from Home Cooking Memories
- Pasta with 5 Ingredient Butter Tomato Sauce from Budget Bytes
- Italian Mac and Cheesefrom Popsugar
- Crispy Baked Tofu from Cookie and Kate
- Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles from The Salty Marshmallow
- Easy Fried Rice from The Country Cook
American Dinner Ideas
- Chili Cheese Hot Dog Bakefrom My Incredible Recipes
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Broccoli and Cheese Potatoes from Budget Bytes
- Hamburger Casserole from Tried and Tasty
- Beans ‘N Franksfrom Allrecipes
- Two Ingredient Crispy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken from Bowl of Delicious
- CheesyChili Spaghettifrom The Hungry Hedgehog
- Ground Beef and Potato Casserole from A Taste of Madness
- Grandma’s Salmon Patties from The Farmwife Cooks
- Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet from Budget Bytes
- Ham and White Beansfrom Plain Chicken
- Chicken and Stuffing Casserole from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Tuna Casserolefrom Allrecipes
- Chili Dog Biscuit Casserole from The Salty Marshmallow
- Hamburger and Potato Casserole from South Your Mouth
- Butter Chickenfrom Allrecipes
- Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheesy Rice Casserolefrom Allrecipes
- Mac and Cheesefrom Sweetest Kitchen
- Black Beans and Ricefrom Allrecipes
- 5 Ingredient Chili from Gimme Some Oven
- Easy Chicken Parmesan from Crazy for Crust
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplingsfrom Allrecipes
- Tater Tot Bakefrom Allrecipes
- Lazy Beef and Noodles from The Frugal Navy Wife
- Poor Man’s Husband Casserole from From Gate to Plate
Side Dish Dirt Cheap Recipes
- Oven Friesfrom Taste of Home
- Skillet Green Beansfrom Healthy Seasonal Recipes
- Pan Roasted Cornfrom Ready Set Eat
- Simple Sheet Pan Roasted Carrotsfrom The Chunky Chef
- Classic Potato Pancakes from COOKTORIA
- Homemade Cornbread from Budget Bytes
- Roasted Cabbage Slicesfrom Wellness Mama
- Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Friesfrom Cookie and Kate
- Buttery Cooked Carrotsfrom Allrecipes
- Homemade French Breadfrom The Frugal Girls
- Corn on the Cob from Spicy Southern Kitchen
- Southern Fried Apples from Divas Can Cook
- Cheesy Pinto Beans from Budget Bytes
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes from Gimme Some Oven
- Seasoned Rice from Budget Bytes
Super Cheap Snacks
- Perfect Stovetop Popcorn from Simply Recipes
- Pan Fried Cinnamon Bananasfrom Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Baked Cinnamon Banana Chipsfrom Popsugar
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oat Squaresfrom Listotic
- Homemade Baked Tortilla Chipsfrom Budget Bytes
- 2-Ingredient Banana and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bitesfrom The Baker Mama
- Healthy Three-Ingredient Rice Krispie Treatsfrom The Big Man’s World
- Homemade Potato Chipsfrom As Easy As Apple Pie
- Simple Strawberry Smoothiefrom A Spicy Perspective
- Homemade Applesaucefrom The Forked Spoon
- Apple Nachos with Peanut Butter and Chocolatefrom Trial and Eater
- Homemade Hummusfrom Allrecipes
- Homemade 3 Ingredient Guacamolefrom Pillsbury
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Barsfrom Budget Bytes
Dessert Dirt Cheap Recipes
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookiesfrom Yummy Supper
- Grandma’s Bread Puddingfrom Live Well Bake Often
- Easy Apple Crispfrom Land O Lakes
- Banana Breadfrom Simply Recipes
- Vanilla Puddingfrom Allrecipes
- Easy Sugar Cookiesfrom Spend with Pennies
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookiesfrom Allrecipes
- 3 Ingredient Desserts from Prudent Penny Pincher
- Peach Cobblerfrom Life in the Lofthouse
- Oatmeal Muffinsfrom Allrecipes
- 3Ingredient Butter Cookiesfrom Cup of Jo
- Browniesfrom Good Cheap Eats
- Creamy Rice Puddingfrom Allrecipes
- Peanut Butter Fudgefrom Brown Eyed Baker
Do you have a super cheap meal that you would like to share? Please let me know in the comments!
Super Cheap Meal FAQ
What is the cheapest meal to make?
Breakfast: Eggs and toast are both classic and one of the cheapest breakfast options. Eggs are a great source of protein and can be cooked in various ways – scrambled, fried, or boiled. Pair them with a slice of toast to have a nutritious and filling start to your day. To mix things up, add a sprinkle of herbs, a slice of cheese, or a few spinach leaves for an extra nutrient kick without breaking the bank.
Lunch: A tuna salad sandwich is your wallet’s best friend. Canned tuna is incredibly affordable and packed with protein. Mix it with some mayo, chopped celery, and onion for crunch. Spread it on bread and top it with some lettuce, and voila – a simple, satisfying, and cheap lunch. If you’re not a fan of tuna, canned chicken or chickpeas are great alternatives and just as budget-friendly.
Dinner: When it comes to dinner, pasta is the star player in the budget meal lineup. It’s cheap and filling, and the variations are endless. You can toss in whatever vegetables are on sale at your local grocery store. Zucchini, bell peppers, and canned tomatoes are excellent choices. Boost the nutritional value with a sprinkle of cheese or a handful of leafy greens, and you have an economical and crowd-pleasing meal.
There you have it! Three cheap meals that are easy to make. Remember, budget-friendly recipes don’t have to be boring – a little creativity goes a long way in the kitchen!
More Cheap and Easy Recipes
- 100 Cheap and Easy Crockpot Recipes
- 100 Cheap and Easy Freezer Meals
- 120 Cheap and Healthy Dinner Recipes
- 50 Best Poor Man’s Recipes
See more Recipes →
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