I’m sorry, but nobody has time for a recipe with 23 ingredients and a 30-minute prep time.
I mean sometimes we do, but I’m gonna assume that you and I are pretty busy and would like to relax.
Also, when all of the ingredients start to stack up, the stress goes up.
You make your meal plan and think, “This week is gonna have some amazing dinners.” And then… you start writing down all the ingredients you’re gonna have to buy, and suddenly, you find yourself looking for cheaper recipes.
Well, thankfully you can have some good budget family dinners that are also delicious.
There’s no need to sacrifice the flavor or the money. You can have both and enjoy very tasty meals every night of the week!
1. 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
Why the Recipe Works for You:
This recipe yields 5 cups of chicken and takes just 5 minutes of prep time! That means you’re getting a lot of food for very little work.
Basically, you can throw the food in the slow cooker, get a lot of things done in the home, smell the tasty food cooking, and then it’s done!
You have a flavorful dinner ready for the family, no stress.
Last Note: I feel like Mexican or Mexican-inspired recipes are amazing for the family since you can have so much fun with the toppings. You get to choose what you want and I think that’s awesome!
Recipe: 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
2. Ground Beef Fried Rice
Why the Recipe Works for You:
It’s ready in less than 30 minutes, you get your takeout fix without ordering takeout, and it has several ingredients you probably already have in your home.
Also, ground beef is just a great way of saving money, but also getting some good protein. I’d say it’s worth your time!
Lastly: The recipe serves 4, and depending on how many people are in your family, you can double the recipe and have a whole dinner ready and done for the next night.
Recipe: Ground Beef Fried Rice Recipe
3. Easy Taco Soup
Why the Recipe Works for You:
The prep time is just 6 minutes, it has 8 ingredients and serves 6 people. Double the recipe and you’ll have another dinner (or more) for the week.
Also, it’s done in just 20 minutes which means you can get home, quickly throw it together, and be having a super flavorful dinner fast.
Everyone’s gonna be satisfied.
And lastly: Taco soup is another one of those great recipes where you can customize the toppings, and this makes it so much more fun for you and the family.
Recipe: Easy Taco Soup Recipe
4. Dutch Oven Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes
Why the Recipe Works for You:
The prep time is just 5 minutes, and while it serves only 2 people, it can be easily doubled or tripled (I checked).
Also, it’s going to have ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen which makes things so much less stressful.
And to top it all off, you’re getting creamy ranch goodness with chicken and potatoes, I don’t know how that isn’t satisfying.
Recipe: Dutch Oven Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes
5. Taco Pasta Bake
Why the Recipe Works for You:
It serves 10 people… 10!
So if you have a big family, you’re all good. And if you don’t, you’re good for multiple nights.
This definitely takes some stress off your shoulders.
And lastly, it has quite a few spices you probably already have in your cupboard, so I’d say that’ll save you a good amount of money. Also, did I mention it has 10 servings?
Recipe: Taco Pasta Bake
6. 30-Minute Spaghetti Carbonara
Why the Recipe Works for You:
Spaghetti carbonara has to be one of the simplest pasta dishes out there that’s ridiculously satisfying and tasty.
It serves 6 people which is great, but I also wanna give one quick tip.
She does add some extra ingredients that carbonara doesn’t normally have. So if you want a more simple (and more authentic) but still tasty version, then do this…
Cut out the wine, choose one of the cheeses she mentions (like the Romano), and that’s it.
Recipe: 30-Minute Spaghetti Carbonara
7. Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
Why the Recipe Works for You:
This Mexican-inspired recipe serves 8 people which means you’re probably gonna get more than one (or two) meals out this budget family dinner.
It has 8 main ingredients plus different topping options. So if you want to have fun and get creatively tasty, you can add a lot of toppings. Or you can save money and just have one or two. It’s up to you.
Last Note: You can start this in the morning when things are quiet, and in a little over 6 hours, it’ll be done. No stressing and rushing to get dinner done at night.
Recipe: Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
8. Easy Cheesy Chili Mac (One Pot Recipe)
Why the Recipe Works for You:
I’ve never had chili mac before (big fan of just the original mac and cheese), but this does look pretty darn good.
And beyond it looking good, it’s made in one pot and done in about 30 minutes. So you’re saving time when cooking and the cleanup process.
Lastly: It serves 8 people and either has ingredients you already have, or ingredients that don’t cost a ton. I’d say it’s worth it!
Recipe: Easy Cheesy Chili Mac (One Pot Recipe)
9. 15 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti
Why the Recipe Works for You:
If your family needs their pasta fix met, then I’d say this very quick recipe is probably perfect.
And beyond that, I just checked it out and the recipe actually takes a total of 13 minutes and serves 6 people. Sounds like a good deal!
Recipe: 15 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti
10. Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Why the Recipe Works for You:
The entire dinner is done and on your table in 50 minutes, and it serves 6 people. Double the recipe and you’ll probably have more than two dinners out of this.
It also has a total of 10 ingredients, but I’d say you probably already have around 6 of them in your home.
And lastly, this is a dinner recipe that you can probably pair with so many different sides. I’d say it’s worth your time and effort!
Recipe: Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
11. (Easy) Air Fryer Pasta Bake
Why the Recipe Works for You:
Let’s break this down.
It has four ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and serves four people (could easily be doubled).
Also, those four ingredients are pretty darn inexpensive, so I’d say put this one down on your meal plan for the week.
Recipe: Air Fryer Pasta Bake
12. 15-Minute Pasta Aglio E Olio With Breadcrumbs
Why the Recipe Works for You:
It serves 4 people, the prep time is 5 minutes, and the cook time is just 10 minutes.
This is a life saver for those crazy busy nights!
Also, she has a tool that shows how much of each ingredient you’ll need if you want to double (triple, quadruple, etc.) the recipe.
Just hover your mouse (or click) on the number 4 where it says “Servings” in the ingredient and instructions area. Then you can adjust to how many you need. Pretty cool!
Recipe: 15-Minute Pasta Aglio E Olio With Breadcrumbs
13. Oven Baked Nachos
Why the Recipe Works for You:
She gives 16+ topping ideas which are always fun for the family, it has a 5-minute prep time, and it takes just 10 minutes to cook.
So in 15 minutes, you’re ready for dinner!
Also, it serves 8 people so you’re probably gonna have some very tasty leftovers!
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Nachos
Post originally published on Chasing Foxes.
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Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.