20 Cheap Dinner Recipes Under $10

1. One-Pan Chicken and Vegetables

This simple recipe is packed with flavor and requires minimal cleanup. The chicken cooks perfectly alongside colorful veggies, making it a healthy choice.

• Ingredients:
• 4 chicken thighs ($4)
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli) ($3)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.50)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large baking dish, toss the chicken and vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

2. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

This classic Italian dish is not only cheap but also incredibly quick to prepare. Garlic and olive oil are the stars of this meal.

• Ingredients:
• 12 oz spaghetti ($1.50)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced ($0.50)
• 1/4 cup olive oil ($1)
• Red pepper flakes (to taste) ($0.10)
• Parmesan cheese for serving (optional) ($1)

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden.
3. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet, toss with red pepper flakes, and serve with Parmesan cheese.

3. Vegetable Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is a versatile dish that can be made with any vegetables you have on hand. It’s quick, colorful, and satisfying!

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh) ($2)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.25)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil ($0.50)
• 1 cup cooked rice ($1)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
2. Add soy sauce and toss to coat.
3. Serve over cooked rice.

4. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

These quesadillas are easy to make and perfect for a quick dinner. Serve with salsa for added flavor.

• Ingredients:
• 4 tortillas ($1)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained ($1)
• 1 cup shredded cheese ($2)
• Salsa for serving ($1)

Instructions:

1. Place 1/2 cup of black beans and 1/4 cup cheese on one half of each tortilla.
2. Fold the tortilla over and cook in a skillet until golden brown on both sides.
3. Serve with salsa.

5. Tomato Basil Soup

This comforting soup is perfect for chilly evenings. Pair with a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete meal.

• Ingredients:
• 1 can crushed tomatoes ($1)
• 1 cup vegetable broth ($1)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream ($1.50)
• Fresh basil (optional) ($1)

Instructions:

1. In a pot, combine crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
2. Stir in heavy cream and basil, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
3. Blend until smooth if desired, and serve hot.

6. Fried Rice

Fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice and veggies you have lying around. It’s a filling and flavorful dish!

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups cooked rice ($1)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables ($1)
• 2 eggs ($0.50)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.30)

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, scramble the eggs and set them aside.
2. Add vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender.
3. Add the rice and soy sauce, mixing well. Stir in the eggs and serve.

7. Chickpea Salad

This salad is refreshing and packed with protein, making it a healthy choice for dinner.

• Ingredients:
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ($1)
• 1 cucumber, diced ($1)
• 1 tomato, diced ($0.50)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.50)
• Juice of 1 lemon ($0.50)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, and tomato.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice. Pour over the salad.
3. Toss to combine and serve chilled.

8. Sloppy Joes

These messy sandwiches are always a hit, and they’re easy to make in bulk for family dinners.

• Ingredients:
• 1 lb ground beef ($4)
• 1/2 cup ketchup ($0.50)
• 1 tablespoon mustard ($0.10)
• 4 hamburger buns ($1)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat.
2. Add ketchup and mustard, stirring until heated through.
3. Serve on hamburger buns.

9. Lentil Soup

This hearty soup is not only cheap but also packed with nutrients. Perfect for a filling dinner!

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup lentils ($1)
• 1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
• 2 carrots, diced ($0.50)
• 4 cups vegetable broth ($1)

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onion and carrots until soft.
2. Add lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Season to taste and serve warm.

10. Baked Potatoes with Toppings

Baked potatoes are an inexpensive and versatile dinner option. Load them up with your favorite toppings!

• Ingredients:
• 4 large potatoes ($2)
• 1 cup sour cream ($1)
• 1 cup shredded cheese ($2)
• Green onions for garnish ($0.50)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake potatoes for 45-60 minutes until tender.
2. Slice open and add toppings of choice, such as sour cream, cheese, and green onions.

11. Pasta Primavera

This vibrant dish is filled with seasonal vegetables and can be tossed in a light sauce or served plain.

• Ingredients:
• 12 oz pasta ($1.50)
• 2 cups mixed vegetables ($2)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.50)
• Parmesan cheese for serving (optional) ($1)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, sauté vegetables in olive oil until tender.
3. Combine pasta with vegetables, toss, and serve with cheese if desired.

12. Taco Salad

This salad is a fun twist on traditional tacos, combining all the flavors in a healthy format.

• Ingredients:
• 1 lb ground beef ($4)
• 1 packet taco seasoning ($1)
• 1 head lettuce, chopped ($1)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained ($1)
• 1 cup salsa for dressing ($1)

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, adding taco seasoning as per package instructions.
2. In a large bowl, combine lettuce, black beans, and cooked beef.
3. Top with salsa and serve immediately.

13. Egg Fried Rice

Another take on fried rice, this version uses eggs for added protein and flavor.

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups cooked rice ($1)
• 2 eggs ($0.50)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables ($1)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.30)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, scramble the eggs and set aside.
2. Add vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender.
3. Add rice and soy sauce, mixing well. Stir in the eggs before serving.

14. Creamy Mushroom Pasta

This pasta dish is rich and satisfying, perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

• Ingredients:
• 12 oz pasta ($1.50)
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced ($1)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream ($1.50)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.50)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté mushrooms until golden.
3. Add cream and cooked pasta, mixing well before serving.

15. Shrimp Tacos

These shrimp tacos are quick to whip up and can be served with a variety of toppings.

• Ingredients:
• 1 lb shrimp ($6)
• 8 small tortillas ($1)
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded ($1)
• 1/2 cup salsa ($1)

Instructions:

1. Cook shrimp in a skillet over medium heat until pink and cooked through.
2. Warm tortillas in a separate pan.
3. Assemble tacos with shrimp, cabbage, and salsa.

16. Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

This low-carb option is light yet filling, perfect for a healthy dinner.

• Ingredients:
• 3 zucchinis, spiralized ($2)
• 1 jar marinara sauce ($2)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese for serving (optional) ($1)

Instructions:

1. Sauté zucchini noodles in a skillet for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
2. Heat marinara sauce in a separate pot until warmed through.
3. Serve zucchini noodles topped with marinara and Parmesan cheese.

17. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

This healthy chicken salad is a great way to use leftover chicken and is perfect for sandwiches or wraps.

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded ($4)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt ($1)
• 1/2 cup celery, diced ($0.50)
• 1 tablespoon mustard ($0.10)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together chicken, Greek yogurt, celery, and mustard.
2. Serve on bread, in a wrap, or over a bed of lettuce.

18. Stuffed Bell Peppers

These colorful bell peppers are filled with a hearty mixture of rice and ground meat, making them a complete meal.

• Ingredients:
• 4 bell peppers ($3)
• 1 lb ground beef ($4)
• 1 cup cooked rice ($1)
• 1 can diced tomatoes ($1)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds.
3. In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Mix in rice and diced tomatoes.
4. Stuff the mixture into the bell peppers and bake for 25-30 minutes.

19. Cauliflower Fried Rice

This low-carb alternative to fried rice is filling and packed with vegetables.

• Ingredients:
• 1 head cauliflower, riced ($2)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables ($1)
• 2 eggs ($0.50)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.30)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, scramble the eggs and set aside.
2. Add riced cauliflower and mixed vegetables to the skillet. Cook until tender.
3. Stir in soy sauce and cooked eggs before serving.

20. Homemade Pizza

Make your own pizza at home with simple ingredients and your favorite toppings!

• Ingredients:
• 1 premade pizza crust ($2)
• 1 cup pizza sauce ($1)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ($2)
• Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, veggies, etc.) ($2)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven according to pizza crust instructions.
2. Spread pizza sauce over the crust and top with cheese and your choice of toppings.
3. Bake according to crust instructions until cheese is bubbly.

Conclusion

In summary, preparing delicious and budget-friendly dinners is entirely possible with the right recipes at your disposal. The 20 cheap dinner recipes outlined in this article offer a variety of options that not only satisfy your taste buds but also keep your wallet happy.

By utilizing affordable ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can create wholesome meals for yourself and your family without overspending. Embrace these recipes and enjoy the benefits of cooking at home while staying within your budget.

Related

• Best Laptops Under £800 in the UK (2022)
• Best PC Speakers Under £50 in the UK (2022)
• Best Tablets Under £150 in the UK (2022)
• Best Wireless Headphones Under £100 in the UK (2022)