Ask any mom and she will tell you that finding easy dinner recipes that her family loves takes the most time when she is planning her monthly menu. Breakfast recipes and lunch recipes are usually much easier to put on your menu plan, but dinner recipes can be much harder to find. Not because there aren't millions of them on the internet but because it can be a bit harder to know what your family will like with a dinner recipe. You may find one that only you like or you may find one that is a hit with the whole family.
For my family, dinner is the time of day when we all sit down and get some family time together. We still eat dinner around the family dinner table since it gives all of us; kids included – a chance to catch up with each other. Menu planning and having a few great dinner recipes allow us to do that with ease. If you're looking for a few cheap dinner ideas that your family will love, you'll want to check out our recipe section here on The Frugal Navy Wife or check out the links below.
Cheap Dinner Ideas the Whole Family will Love
We are positive that the cheap dinner recipes below are just what your family will love! They're delicious, easy to make, and of course, budget-friendly!
Frugal Chicken Recipes
3 Envelope Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe – Crockpot chicken recipes are almost always amazing and this 3 envelope slow cooker chicken recipe is no different! It's super easy and tastes like you spent hours!
Copycat Chick Fil A Nuggets Recipe – Do you love Chick Fil A? If so, this Copycat Chick Fil A nuggets recipe is perfect for adding to your favorite dinner recipes. They're great for lunch too!
Grilled Peach Chicken with a Cucumber and Peach Salad – Sometimes it's nice to have a simple salad alongside your favorite dinner recipes and this grilled peach chicken with a cucumber and peach salad is the perfect combination!
Chicken Fajitas – If you love Tex-Mex, you'll adore these Chicken Fajitas! They're amazing!
Sesame Chicken Crockpot Recipe – Skip the take-out and grab your crockpot! This sesame chicken crockpot recipe is sure to please the whole family!
Rosemary Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe – Chicken recipes are great for saving on groceries and this rosemary honey mustard chicken recipe is sure to become a favorite!
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs with Potatoes & Carrots – Another one of my favorite dinner recipes is this crockpot chicken thighs with potatoes and carrots. It's so simple that your family will never believe it didn't take hours!
DIY Chicken Shake and Bake – “It's Shake and Bake and I helped!” No, it's not store-bought Shake and Bake, but with this DIY Chicken Shake and Bake, your dinner recipes will never be the same again!
One-Pot Chicken with Rice and Swiss Chard – I love one-pot meals, don't you? When you're making your menu plan, don't forget to add this One-Pot Chicken with Rice and Swiss Chard to the list!
Fried Chicken Sliders with Asiago Cheese & Ranch Dressing – Who says a slider recipe has to be simple? These Fried Chicken Sliders with Asiago Cheese and Ranch Dressing have a complex taste that your whole family will love without the work!
Oven-Fried Drumsticks – Drumsticks are a great cheap meal and they're kid-friendly too! This oven-fried drumsticks recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner idea!
Chicken Pineapple Kabobs– Chicken and pineapple go together like peas in a pod and if you love the combination; you'll love this chicken pineapple kabobs recipe!
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich – Another copycat recipe that is great for dinner is this copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich! It tastes just like the real thing!
Root Beer BBQ Grilled Chicken – Root Beer is one of those beverages that you either love or hate, but use it in this Root Beer BBQ Grilled Chicken Recipe and even those that hate the taste of it will love it!
Grilled 7-Up Marinade Chicken – Grab a bottle of 7-UP and some chicken and make this Grilled 7-UP Marinade Chicken recipe! You'll never look at the soda the same again!
Easy Beef Recipe
The Best Old Fashioned Meatloaf Recipe You Will Eat – Meatloaf is an old-time favorite at any table, but this old-fashioned meatloaf recipe is one of the best you will ever taste! It's a new family favorite for sure!
Easy Hamburger Recipes – 30 of the Best Burger Recipes – Easy hamburger recipes aren't hard to find, but these 30 of the best burger recipes really are the best of the best!
Easy Meatloaf Recipe – My Favorite Recipe for Meatloaf – While I adore the old-fashioned meatloaf recipe above, this easy meatloaf recipe is my favorite recipe for meatloaf hands down! It comes together quickly and makes a flavorful meatloaf that your entire family will love!
Cube Steak Recipes – Italian Parmesan Crusted Steak – Cube steak is a really inexpensive cut of meat that has a ton of different uses. My favorite way to use it is this Italian Parmesan Crusted Steak recipe! It's so good!
Taco Casserole Recipe – Taco Tuesday will never be the same after you give this Taco Casserole Recipe a try!
Lazy Beef & Noodles – If you're looking for a comforting dinner recipe that won't take hours, this lazy beef and noodles recipe is the perfect option!
Perfectly Cooked Crock Pot Beef Roast – Yum! Pot roast is one of my favorite meals hands down and this perfectly cooked crock pork beef roast is the best way to cook it hands down!
Easy Coca-Cola Burgers Recipe – Not only does Coca-Cola make amazing pork chops, but when you make this easy Coca-Cola Burgers recipe, you'll agree that it makes amazing burgers too!
Healthy Brown Sugar Meatloaf – Meatloaf doesn't have to be unhealthy. This Healthy brown sugar meatloaf recipe is perfect for anyone on a special diet!
All Gone Burgers Recipe – Why do we call this the All Gone Burgers Recipe? Because once you make them, they're all gone!
Pork Recipes
Brown Sugar Glazed Garlic Pork Chops – Pork chops can become boring and bland if you cook them the same way each time. Add these brown sugar glazed garlic pork chops to your dinner recipes and you'll never be bored again! Make sure to try the glaze with chicken too! They're amazing either way!
Applesauce BBQ Spare Ribs – The words applesauce and BBQ never sounded as if they should go together for me; that is until I tried this recipe! Give these applesauce BBQ spare ribs a try and I'm sure you'll love it as much as we do!
Apple Stuffed Pork Chops – Applesauce and pork chops were a staple when I was a kid. Now, as an adult, I've come to love the grown-up version of it! These apple stuffed pork chops are the perfect fall dinner recipe!
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pork- Looking for an easy weeknight meal that won't break the bank? Give this slow cooker apple cider pork at trying the next time you're planning your dinner recipes!
Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pulled Pork Sliders – Another of my favorite pork recipes is this slow cooker Coca Cola Pulled Pork Sliders recipe! It's a favorite around my home!
Coca Cola Pork Chop Recipe – Who knew that Coca Cola could make such an amazing pork chop recipe? I did once I tried these Coca Cola Pork Chops!
Hawaiian Islands Grilled Pork Chop Recipe – You don't need an expensive vacation to Hawaii to enjoy the taste of the islands. This Hawaiian Islands Grilled Pork Chop Recipe brings it right to your dinner table!
Apple Cider Pork Recipes – Check out these different apple cider pork recipes, there are many delicious options that you'll be sure to enjoy.
Meatless Recipes
Amazingly Easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese – Mac and cheese are more than a simple blue box and this amazingly easy slow cooker mac and cheese recipe proves it!
Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese – Mac and cheese may not seem like it would be a dinner recipe, but add bacon and broccoli like this Bacon Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe does and Dinner is done!
Pasta Recipes
Easy One-Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta – Pepperoni pizza is a favorite in most homes, but add pasta and you have an amazing dinner recipe! This easy one-pot pepperoni pizza pasta recipe is the perfect lunch or dinner!
Easy Instant Pot Lasagna Recipe – This easy Instant Pot Lasagna has quickly become a family favorite! Follow these step-by-step directions for the perfect dinner recipe.
Breakfast for Dinner
Easy Breakfast Recipes – When you are not a morning person you need easy frugal breakfast ideas that don't require you to be 100% awake. I specialize in these
Even More Cheap Dinner Ideas …
17 Must-Try Chinese Food Recipes You Can Make at Home – Ordering Chinese is typically super expensive, but these 17 Chinese food recipes you can make at home are not! They're budget-friendly and taste even better than takeout!
Instant Pot Recipes- Frugally Delicious – Dinner on busy nights is no longer a problem! These Instant Pot Recipes are sure to be a family favorite and frugally delicious. They are fast and simple. We got breakfast and dessert covered too!
Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes – Quick and easy recipes that are great for kids (& picky husbands!) Everything from breakfast to dessert and even the drinks and side dishes to go with them.
25 Recipes for Leftover Turkey – Leftover turkey is good for more than just a turkey sandwich. Try these 25 recipes for leftover turkey and you'll agree!
Grilled Pepperoni Pizza Sandwich – Looking for super easy dinner recipes? This grilled pepperoni pizza sandwich recipe is just the ticket!
Sweet Potato, Kale and Shrimp Skillet – Sweet potatoes are great for more than covering with marshmallows at Christmas! This sweet potato, kale and shrimp skillet is a fantastic combination for dinner!
Southwestern Shrimp Skewers – Shrimp is fantastic on the grill or in a meal, but these southwestern shrimp skewers are absolutely amazing!
40 Breakfast for Dinner Ideas – Breakfast is almost always very budget friendly which means that having breakfast for dinner once or twice a week is always a great idea! These 40 breakfast for dinner ideas are a great place to start!
Copycat Applebee’s Clubhouse Grilled Sandwich – Eating out is expensive, but Applebee's is one of my favorite restaurants. That's why I love this Copycat Applebee's Clubhouse Grilled Sandwich! It's even better than the real thing!
15 Apple Dinner Recipes – Apples are always a fantastic addition to your favorite dinner recipes and when you try these 15 apple dinner recipes, the proof is in the pudding!
Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup – Looking for an amazing soup recipe? This copycat Olive Garden Minestrone soup recipe is just the ticket!
Green Chili Pepper Jack Stuffed Turkey Burgers – Fancy a burger for dinner? Give these Green Chili Pepper Jack Stuffed Turkey Burgers a shot!
Food Storage Options
- Rubbermaid brilliance; 100 percent leak proof, airtight food storage containers feature crystal clear, BPA free triton plastic that offers 360 degree clarity, and helps keep food fresh and secure
- Food containers are clear like glass so you can always see what’s inside, but are light and easy to carry; Stain and Odor resistant material keeps plastic food container looking like new
- VERSATILE & CUSTOMIZED DESIGN: With their clear design, these kitchen organizers and storage allow for easy identification of contents, eliminating the guesswork. Comes in a set of 20 clear plastic containers with 20 lids. Boxes of different sizes can hold various types of food to meet different kitchen storage needs
- SAFE AND THICKENED PLASTIC MATERIAL: Dedicated to developing superior kitchen organization for 15 years and which can protect safe for your health better. Our plastic storage containers with lids are made of upgraded food-grade polypropylene material.100% BPA free food storage plastic and reusable
- Perfect Size for All Your Storage Needs: This 40-piece set includes 20 containers and 20 different sized lids from 1.2 to 50 ounces to meet different kitchen storage needs. Rectangular (2*50.7oz, 2*33.8oz, 2*16.9oz, 2*8.1oz); Square (1*40.6oz, 1*23.7oz, 1*13.5oz, 1*5.7oz); Round (1*40.6oz, 1*23.7oz, 1*13.5oz, 1*6.1oz, 4*1.2oz)
- Safe and Durable Material: Food containers with lids airtight are made of polypropylene material, BPA free and reusable. Our food storage containers can be stored in the refrigerator, heated in the microwave, and washed in the dishwasher. Remove the lid while heating to avoid steam buildup.
Easy Sausage and Ham Jambalaya – Like Jambalaya? Give this easy sausage and ham jambalaya a try! It's perfect for Mardi Gras or anytime you need a new addition to your dinner recipes file!
25 Must-Try Thanksgiving Turkey Leftover Recipes – Leftover turkey after the holidays? These 25 Must-Try Thanksgiving Turkey Leftover Recipes are just what you need! They're amazing dinner recipes that will make you miss Thanksgiving once it is over!
15 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes You Have to See – One of my favorite ways to save on groceries is by purchasing turkeys when they're marked down after the holidays. If you have done the same thing, you'll want to take a look at these 15 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes! Dinner won't be the same after you give them a try!
What other cheap dinner ideas do you and your family love?