Simple meal ideas on a budget

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I will be the first to admit that coming up with healthy, creative dinner ideas is not my strong suit. I want to meal plan, I really do. But following through with it is a whole nother story. Lately, though, I’ve been better (Ok, I’ve been better since we moved into our new house a few weeks ago…I can’t let a kitchen like this go to waste!!). Meal planning saves time, it saves money and it’s a huge relief knowing that you have food for the week.

I went shopping late last week and got enough meals to last us through tomorrow. The girls and I have enjoyed our days at home without having to run errands every morning, we’ve gone on long walks, made cookies and I’ve had dinner going by the time my husband comes home each night. I’ve realized I actually do enjoy cooking, it’s just all the work that has to happen before the actual cooking takes place (meal planning, shopping, spending money, etc.).

So, what have I been making lately?!

While I’m no gourmet chef, I thought I would share some of my go-to dinners and some simple, yet very tasty, meals I’ve made in the past few weeks. I love seeing what other people eat for dinner as I way to get ideas for myself, and I’m sure I’m not the only one out there!

Simple meal ideas on a budget

Turkey sloppy joe’s on Hawaiian rolls

Super easy – ground turkey, one packet sloppy joe seasoning, 1 can tomato paste, Hawaiian rolls. You could serve with sliced pineapple!

Baked jerk chicken with sweet potatoes and onions

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in Caribbean Jerk marinade for an hour or so. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Chop sweet potatoes and onion and cook for around 30 minutes. Add chicken and cook another 30 minutes.

Pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted asparagus

This was a huge hit! My girls (surprisingly) gobbled up two platefuls each! Recipe here.

One-pan Mexican quinoa

The quinoa took forever to cook (says 20 minutes, took me about 42) but it was a good meal! Recipe here.

Newman’s Own frozen pepperoni pizza

Newman’s Own frozen pizzas are the best!!

Costco spicy sausage frozen lasagna

One package is about $15 and comes with two lasagnas. We buy this once every two weeks and it makes for easy, delicious dinners with leftovers!

Meatballs with marinara sauce & a side of green beans

We buy frozen meatballs for cheap and add marinara sauce and serve with a side of green beans. Super easy and the girls love it!

Baked chicken with rice or couscous

This is probably one of my biggest “go-to” meals. It’s easy, filling and you can change up the flavors. I love putting a little olive oil on the chicken and seasoning w/ salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder.

Do you have any favorite go-to dinner ideas?! I’d love to know!!

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Comments

Jason @ Phroogal says
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They all sound delicious. My go to meal is grilled chicken w rice and fries. I don’t make it just buy it from local churrasqueria for $6.00. It’s enough to feed 3 people.
Kristin says
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Oooh, I am liking the turkey sloppy joes, I am going to have to try that! I’ll buy a Lipton side and add in chicken, broccoli. and mushrooms. Since it’s just me cooking, it will turn into a few meals. I only use 1 pot and it’s my quick go to meal.
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
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Yum, this is making me hungry! One of our go-to meals is also baked chicken with couscous, but I’ve never tried any of these other ideas. These look super delicious. I love that they are easy and inexpensive too! Nice meal roundup post, Sarah! 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Thanks, Christina!! With little ones I’m all about easy and inexpensive!! I’m sure you understand! 🙂
Kara @ The Daily Whisk says
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Haha, I love the Costco lasagnas. The veggie one is my favorite.
Our favorite go to dinners: burritos, quesadillas, and turkey meatballs.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Ooo I will have to try the veggie one!! We are hooked on the sausage one but it’s so unhealthy haha!
Fig @ Figuring Money Out says
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Those all sounds simple and delicious! Put anything on a Hawaiian roll and I’m happy. I usually like making tacos or a casserole… super simple stuff is my speciality. 🙂
Emily @ Simple Cheap Mom says
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I’m not someone who loves to cook everyday. So for us our meal plan has a lot of frozen pizzas, breakfast for dinner ideas (crepes, breakfast sandwiches) and grain dishes (spinach tomato pasta, Vietnamese vermicelli, rice and beans). The in-laws have us over a couple times a week, plus we have a leftover night, so I only really cook something complicated once a week.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  That’s what I used to do when we lived in AZ near my parents! We always had dinner there 1-2 times a week and usually my mom would give us leftovers. I miss that, haha. I also do a lot of frozen pizzas even though they’re not the healthiest!
Chela @SmashOdyssey says
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When I know I’m going to be busy, I love tossing things in the slow cooker. Before I head out the door, I see what I can find in the cabinets and toss it in there! My go to: Pork tenderloin seasoned with Tony’s and Worcestershire sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, maybe a couple of cubed potatoes. Cooks for 8 hours, turns out delicious.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Oooo that sounds amazing!! We got rid of our crock pot when we moved, but I’m hoping to get another one this week or next!
Lila says
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Chili lasts me 3-4 days and it’s affordable. I also like eggplant and chicken Parmesan, fajitas, etc. Usually I will Google “easy (whatever food I want to make) recipe” ex: easy chili recipe.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Oh that’s a great idea!! Also, fajitas sound great, I always forget about those! Going to have to add that into my meal plan next week!
Melissa @ Sunburnt Saver says
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The quinoa and pesto pasta meals sound delicious!!! I personally go for steamed veggies and mac and cheese (so grown up, haha) when I’m at a loss for what to make for dinner. I don’t know, it’s simple and delicious, so it works for me 🙂
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Steamed veggies are always a hit at my house too! I actually do not like Mac and cheese lol – crazy, I know. I only like cheese on pizza or in lasagna haha!
Mrs. Maroon says
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We are actually having one of our favorite easy meals tonight… Brown some sausage (Sprouts has the most amazing spicy chicken sausage at a good price). Then throw in a sliced red bell pepper and onion to cook down in the grease. Serve over noodles. I froze some bread I made a couple weeks ago, so we will also add that in too. Lastly, I will throw in some cherry tomatoes for me and Mini Maroon #1 too… Yummy!!
- Mrs. Maroon says
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  Funny, now that I click on your quinoa skillet link I realize I found the same recipe recently. I love that it uses all staple ingredients so that I can cook it when some of the fresh foods have run out before the next run to the store. Time to add that into the rotation soon!!
  - Sarah Brooks says
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    Haha that’s awesome you have already seen that recipe!! The pic is to die for! Mine didn’t quite turn out like that but it was still good!! The only trouble I had was the quinoa seemed to take forever to cook, but once it did it was great!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I miss Sprouts!!! In AZ there was one right by our house. I LOVED the spicy chicken sausage!! All of their meats were great. I haven’t seen one in NC yet. I’ll have to Google it and see if there’s one nearby!!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
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I like all of these ideas- minus the meat! We like to keep dinner cheap and easy because the kids and my husband hate waiting. When everyone gets home, they are hungry!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I would LOVE to not have to cook meat. I don’t mind eating it, but I can’t stand dealing with it raw lol. Plus it saves so much money!! But my husband insists on dinners with meat at least four times a week 🙁 You’re lucky yours is more flexible haha!!
Erin @ Journey to saving says
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Couscous has been my new favorite thing lately. I had never tried it prior to a few months ago, but it’s SO easy to cook! My simple, go-to meals usually include pasta. I make enough sauce to have leftovers for a week or two, and cooking pasta is pretty easy. Last night I browned up some beef, tossed in sauce, rice, carrots, and spinach, and had a fairly easy skillet meal!
- Sarah Brooks says
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  That sounds delish!! I love just throwing in stuff that we have and making a meal out of it! Last night was also pasta with pesto, sun dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and sauteed garlic and onion! Yummy!!
Melanie @ Dear Debt says
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Mmm these sound so good! I’m always on the lookout for cheap meals. Food is my problem area 🙁
- Sarah Brooks says
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  Us too for sure 🙁 I’m just now really getting into cooking, but with that comes “stocking up” on random items like oils, sauces and other pricier items. We just spent $100 at the store and I feel like we didn’t get much, but we got a lot of the essentials that will hopefully last a few months.
No Nonsense Landlord says
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Great meals, but I tend to stick with microwave items. Just pop them the microwave and they are done in a few minutes. Typically less than $5.
There are lots of options in the Walmart frozen food section, meals for two.
- Sarah Brooks says
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  I love lean cuisines and microwave meals for lunch! Quick and easy and I actually like how they taste!!