10 of the Best and Cheapest Meals to Make on a Small Budget - Meals With Maria (2024)

I’ve compiled 10 of my favorite cheapest meals to make on a small budget. The ingredients are simple, the cook time is low and you’ll be amazed at how delicious they are. As with most of the meals I cook up, these are super pantry friendly and are great for a pantry clean out challenge or when you’re trying to stretch your budget.

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

The first of my cheapest meals to make on a small budget is Mexican stuffed peppers. If you have peppers on hand, and some rice and beans you’ll be all set. Recipes like this are super forgiving and can usually be made with pantry friendly ingredients. You could add meat to these, if you’d like but they definitely don’t need it. And if you want to go vegan with these, you can leave off the cheese!

You can get the full recipe here!

Black Bean Quesadillas

My husband always says that quesadilla’s are the perfect food! I say quesadillas are the perfect budget food and one of the cheapest meals to make! I always try to keep some tortillas on hand because you never know when you might want to throw together a quick quesadilla!

This is definitely one of those no recipe recipes. You only need tortillas, cheese, and canned black beans. To make things even better you can add in leftovers you have in your fridge like chicken or ground beef. Make the beans better by cooking them on the stove with some garlic, onions, and cumin. The options are really endless. Just be confident that any combination of Mexican flavors will be delicious.

To cook the quesadillas, I recommend the stovetop on medium low with a tbsp of butter in the pan until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. However, you can also pop these in the oven at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes until the same thing happens!

Mexican Pizza

This is a great way to use what you have. I’ve seen recipes with ground beef in the middle but if you are like me and don’t have ground beef on hand, you can just use refried beans. This is definitely up there on one of the cheapest meals to make!

You can get the full recipe here! But always remember to switch out ingredients based on what you have on hand!

Chicken and Broccoli Bubble Up

This recipe couldn’t be easier. You simply buy a can of biscuits from your favorite grocery store and cut them in to quarters. Buy a package of frozen cheesy broccoli and cook it according to package instructions. Mix the broccoli with about a pound or pound and a half of cubed cooked chicken or you could us shredded or rotisserie chicken too. Place the cut biscuits at the bottom of a greased 13×9 pan and top it with the chicken and broccoli mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Just check that the biscuits are fully cooked through. Then you can sprinkle on some cheese if you like and bake until the cheese is melted.

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

This is a Pillsbury Recipe and sometimes those tried and true recipes are just the best. Using simply chicken, potatoes, and lemon with some pantry ingredients make up this family friendly dish!

You can get the full recipe here!

KFC Casserole

I could make this casserole any given day based on what I usually have on hand. You can use boxed mashed potatoes, which are a staple in my pantry, any type of frozen breaded chicken (popcorn chicken, chicken tenders, or chicken nuggets), a gravy packet, canned or frozen corn, and shredded cheese.

How to make it:

You follow the instructions on the mashed potatoes package and pour them into a casserole dish. Top that with your gravy (also follow package instructions), canned or cooked frozen corn, cooked chicken (again, package instructions), and shredded cheese. Bake at 350 until the cheese melts and the casserole is bubbly! Enjoy! Simple and one of the cheapest meals to make on a small budget!

Chicken and Rice Soup:

I feel this list of the cheapest meals to make can’t be complete without chicken and rice soup. This soup is extremely budget friendly and you end up with extra broth too. You’ll also want to try this because it has a secret ingredient!

This recipe takes inexpensive chicken leg quarters and transforms them into a delicious, flavorful broth that forms the base of the soup. With the addition of aromatic vegetables and garlic, this soup is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for warming up on a chilly day.

Chicken Broth Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken leg quarters
• 1/2 red onion, halved
• Sprinkle of parsley
• Sprinkle of thyme
• Sprinkle of rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• Water, enough to cover the ingredients

Instructions:

1. In a large stock pot, combine the chicken leg quarters, half of a red onion, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
2. Pour enough water into the pot to cover the ingredients.
3. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
4. Allow the broth to simmer for about an hour, or until the chicken is tender and flavorful.
5. Remove the chicken from the broth and set it aside to cool.
6. Skim off any excess fat from the top of the broth using a spoon or a gravy separator.
7. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any solids, ensuring a clear broth.

Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• Cooked and shredded chicken (from the broth recipe)
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1 cup rice
• Half of a can of mixed vegetables
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Lemon juice for added flavor

Instructions:

1. Heat a soup pot over medium heat and add a little oil to the bottom.
2. Add the diced red onion to the pot and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, until softened.
3. Add 8 cups of the chicken broth to the pot, along with the peeled garlic cloves and rice.
4. Shred the cooked chicken and add it to the pot. Also, add half of the can of mixed vegetables.
5. Season the soup with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings to taste.
6. If using lemon juice, squeeze it into the soup for added freshness and flavor.
7. Cook the soup for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through.
8. Remove the whole cloves of garlic from the soup and mash them into a paste. Return the paste to the soup, stirring well.
9. The soup will have a slightly cloudy appearance due to the mashed garlic, but it adds a creamy-like texture and incredible flavor.
10. Adjust the seasoning if needed and serve the delicious chicken and rice soup hot.

Roasted Chicken Quarters with Vegetable Rice

This roasted chicken with vegetable rice recipe offers a gourmet dining experience without breaking the bank. The chicken leg quarters are seasoned and roasted to perfection, while the vegetable rice is packed with flavor and texture. The accompanying garlic sauce adds an extra touch of richness to the dish. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this meal is both affordable and delicious, making it a perfect choice for any day of the week. Enjoy this satisfying and flavorful combination for a delightful dining experience.

Roasted Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

• Chicken leg quarters
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons oil
• 8 peeled garlic cloves
• Dried or fresh rosemary

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Trim any excess fat from the chicken leg quarters and pat them dry.
3. Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in an oven-safe pan over medium heat.
5. Place the chicken leg quarters in the pan, skin side down, and cook until crispy for about 5 minutes.
6. Add peeled garlic cloves to the pan and sprinkle with rosemary.
7. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
8. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to rest.

Vegetable Rice:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• Half can of drained mixed vegetables
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Sprinkle of pepper

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat.
2. Add 2 cups of rice to the pan and toast it for a few minutes until it becomes slightly golden.
3. Add the minced garlic, half can of mixed vegetables, and 4 cups of chicken stock to the rice.
4. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and a sprinkle of pepper.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.
6. Let the rice simmer for about 15 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the flavors.
8. Fluff the rice with a fork, and it’s ready to serve.

Garlic Sauce and Plating

1. Place the roasted chicken leg quarters on top of the vegetable rice.
2. For the sauce, heat the pan used to roast the chicken over medium-high heat. (keep the garlic in the pan)
3. Bring the pan juices and stock to a boil, then add 2 teaspoons of white wine vinegar.
4. Stir well to emulsify and incorporate the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Pour the flavorful garlic sauce over the chicken.
6. Serve the roasted chicken and vegetable rice together for a delicious and budget-friendly gourmet meal.

Macaroni, Chicken, & Broccoli

This one is so easy. Meals based on boxed mac and cheese are always some of the cheapest meals. Buy a box of Mac and Cheese, I prefer the white cheddar shells, and prepare it according to package instructions. You can use any shredded chicken you like in this one, including canned chicken or you could switch out tuna. Microwave a frozen bag of broccoli and mix it all together. You can add more or less chicken depending on your preferences!

Cheeseburger Mac

This one has the same concept as the Macaroni, chicken, and broccoli. This cheeseburger mac casserole offers a tasty twist on traditional macaroni and cheese by incorporating taco flavors. With affordable ingredients such as ground turkey, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and spiral macaroni, this dish is budget-friendly without compromising on flavor. The combination of cheesy macaroni, seasoned ground turkey, and optional toppings creates a satisfying and delicious meal. Feel free to add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, or jalapeños to enhance the flavors even further. This versatile recipe allows for customization, making it a family-friendly and economical option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Cheeseburger Mac Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 box of spiral macaroni and cheese
• 1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, jalapenos (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the spiral macaroni according to the package instructions. Set it aside once cooked.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
3. Add the taco seasoning and diced tomatoes to the skillet with the cooked ground turkey. Stir well to combine.
4. Pour the cooked macaroni from step 1 into the skillet with the ground turkey mixture. Mix everything together.
5. Optional: Add any desired toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, cilantro, or jalapenos.
6. Serve the cheeseburger mac casserole hot and enjoy the flavorful combination of taco seasoning, ground turkey, macaroni, and cheese.
7. Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preference and add extra ingredients as desired.

Note: This recipe allows for flexibility in ingredient choices, such as using different ground meats or variations of macaroni and cheese. Feel free to experiment and adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences and what you have on hand.

More of the Cheapest Budget Meals!

If you’re looking for more of the cheapest meals, you can watch the whole video where I make these recipes here.

If you’re looking for ways to incorporate less expensive meals into your lifestyle and really trying to stick to a budget I recommend this $80 meal plan with lots of tips and tricks to stay on budget!

And make sure to grab your FREEBIE! Get your FREE E-book with 10 Crazy Cheap Meals! Today!