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If you’re looking for some easy and tasty yet under budget dinner ideas for the whole family, you’ve come to the right place. Here I have rounded up my family favorite 15 cheap & easy dinner ideas for affordable meals that will surely please your entire family. Watching your grocery bill is really important, especially in these inflation times.
Easy weeknight meals on a budget is not a rocket science, you just need to think and act smart. All of these recipes are budget friendly, family friendly, easy to put together and most of them can be made in one pan.
It’s always better to cook quick and delicious meals with simple ingredients instead of takeaways so often. These low budget dinner recipes serve 4 to 6 people and will taste amazing. All of them can be easily made ahead of time which make them great for meal prepping. You can also store the leftovers for lunches next days.
Here is the list of these cheap & easy dinner recipes:
- Hot and Sour Turkey Soup
- Beef Pulao
- Chicken Burger
- Aloo Methi
- Cheesy Pasta
- Lahori Chargha
- Red Kidney Beans Curry
- Tandoori Chicken Wings
- Stuffed Zucchini
- Bhindi Karahi
- BBQ Chicken Tikka in Oven
- Minced Beef Pizza Sandwich
- Creamy Chicken Curry
- Stuffed Aubergines
- Pan Grilled Lemon Chicken
The detailed cheap & easy dinner ideas to add to your weekly dinner rotation!
The links of recipes are attached below:
1. Hot and Sour Turkey Soup
This restaurant style hot and sour soup is very easy to make. It is a wonderful balance of vegetables, protein and is bursting with rich and deep flavours from the spices added. This is the easiest, most effortless half an hour meal ever from start to finish. It can easily be made in a single pot on stovetop and can easily be frozen. Click here for the recipe.
2. Beef Pulao
Pulao is a rice dish cooked in meat and aromatic spices. Whenever we have guests over, I mostly include this pulao in the menu, and everyone adore it. Whole spices are the beauty of this pulao. This signature recipe of mine is the result of many experiments for several years. It is an adapted version of yakhni pulao. I kind of blended many recipes and formed this version and it couldn’t be easier. Click here for the recipe.
3. Chicken Burger
If you love tikka flavour as much as I do, then this recipe of delicious chicken burger with a twist of tikka is for you! Click here for the recipe.
4. Aloo Methi
Do you need a break from meat? Try this simple aloo methi dish that can be cooked under half an hour! It is a very quick and delicious recipe that requires only a few ingredients and can be easily prepared without any hassle. Click here for the recipe.
5. Cheesy Pasta
This cheesy chicken pasta is the easiest, most effortless 20 minutes meal ever from start to finish. And it’s all made in a single pan. Cheese, chicken and herbs complement each other so beautifully in flavour, while garlic gives a wonderful taste to this pasta. Click here for the recipe.
6. Lahori Chargha
This lahori chargha is an extremely flavourful dish that turns out juicy and succulent. It is prepared by marinating the whole chicken in a yogurt-based creamy marinade. This yogurt marinade keeps the chicken tender. Click here for the recipe.
7. Red Kidney Beans Curry
Lobia or red kidney beans curry is a very popular curry in Pakistan and is best enjoyed with zeera rice or chapatis and a side of salad, curd and achaar for a filling meal. This legume is rich in many nutrients and a great meal option for weight watchers. Red kidney beans are an excellent plant-based source of protein. Click here for the recipe.
8. Tandoori Chicken Wings
If you like tandoori and tikka flavor as much as I do, then this recipe of tandoori chicken wings is definitely for you. It’s deliciously crispy on the outside and bursting with flavors and tender from the inside. It is an easy and super quick ultimate weeknight dinner solution and great for lazy days with only 10 minutes preparation. Once you see how quick and easy it is to make, you’ll surely make it yourself! Click here for the recipe.
9. Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini is one of the most versatile vegetables. A lot of yummy and healthy dishes can be made of it. It pairs well with almost anything. I prefer round zucchini for this stuffed zucchini recipe as because of their shape they are easy and perfect for stuffing. Click here for the recipe.
10. Bhindi Karahi
Okra or bhindi has amazing health benefits and is one of the most favourite vegetable of every Pakistani. It is cooked in many ways, but this bhindi karahi is a unique and a must try recipe. It is so delicious and easy to make. Click here for the recipe.
11. BBQ Chicken Tikka in Oven
Here comes a simple recipe of indoor BBQ chicken tikka that your whole family will love for its amazing flavours. This recipe is the perfect way to make smoky flavour chicken without firing the grill! It is unbelievably crisp-tender and packed with so much flavour, with less than 20 minutes preparation. This chicken with vibrant colour and flavour makes an elegant, satisfying, cheap & easy dinner. Click here for the recipe.
12. Minced Beef Pizza Sandwich
This pizza sandwich recipe is the combination of pizza and sandwich recipes. It is a best way to feed your kid healthy and nutritious meal with loads of cheese stuffed inside it. This recipe is great for both kids and adults as a quick snack, lunch or perhaps as a breakfast. It is not just filling, but also tasty and healthy. It is a quick meal that hardly takes 15 minutes to prepare. The best thing about this sandwich recipe is that you can make a big batch and freeze for later use. Click here for the recipe.
13. Creamy Chicken Curry
It is an easy and a must try malai chicken recipe to satisfy your taste buds, that you can try in your kitchen. It is better tasting, cheaper and healthier than take out. This creamiest and most flavourful savoury dish will be loved and cherished by everyone in your family. Click here for the recipe.
14. Stuffed Aubergines
These stuffed aubergines or egg plants are so healthy and so filling. It is hearty, nutritious and delicious low carb dish, even our picky eater loves this dish. These stuffed brinjals when coupled with boiled rice make a perfect meal for cheap & easy dinner or lunch. Prepare this heart-warming dish for your loved ones. Click here for the recipe.
15. Pan Grilled Lemon Chicken
This pan grilled lemon pepper chicken is juicy, flavourful, made using minimum ingredients and the taste is excellent. This savoury and impressive dinner is actually very simple to prepare within half an hour. Click here for the recipe.
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