21 Budget-Friendly Easy Dinner Recipes Perfect for Quick Weeknight Meals

This item demonstrates how to prepare a simple, flavorful ramen dish using just five ingredients, including an egg for added richness. The recipe combines instant ramen noodles, frozen mixed vegetables, butter, parmesan cheese, and a fried egg to create a satisfying meal in under 15 minutes.

The cooking process involves boiling the noodles and vegetables together, then mixing in butter, cheese, and seasoning for a creamy texture. Topping the dish with a sunny side up egg adds protein and a luscious yolk that enhances the overall flavor and presentation.

This recipe features a simple yet flavorful pasta dish made with bow tie pasta, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic butter sauce. The sauce combines melted butter, garlic, cream cheese, and milk to create a rich, smooth coating that lightly dresses the pasta and greens.

The dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for a weeknight meal that satisfies without heavy sauces. It can be served as a vegetarian main or paired with grilled chicken or salmon for added protein, offering flexibility for different dietary preferences.

This dish features zucchini noodles combined with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese, creating a light and flavorful alternative to traditional pasta. The recipe requires only five ingredients and can be prepared in about 20 minutes, making it a quick and healthy meal option.

The zucchini is spiralized into noodles and lightly sautéed with garlic and butter, then tossed with spinach and Parmesan to keep the texture firm and the flavors fresh.

It offers a simple way to enjoy vegetables in a fun, family-friendly dish that balances taste and nutrition.

This white sauce pasta recipe features a creamy, cheesy penne pasta made with a classic béchamel sauce base. The sauce is prepared by cooking a roux of butter and flour, then slowly whisking in milk and broth until thickened, before adding Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses for richness.

The dish comes together quickly, ready in about 20 minutes, making it ideal for a comforting weeknight meal. It can be customized by adding proteins like chicken or vegetables, and pairs well with sides such as garlic bread or fried zucchini.

This recipe creates a simple and flavorful pasta dish using just five ingredients: pasta, butter, garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. The combination of fresh garlic and wilted spinach tossed with al dente pasta and creamy Parmesan results in a quick, satisfying meal.

The cooking process involves boiling the pasta, sautéing garlic in butter, and gently mixing in spinach and cheese, with reserved pasta water added to keep the dish moist.

It offers a versatile base that can be enhanced with extras like lemon juice, chicken, or fresh herbs for added flavor.

This recipe combines just five ingredients—bacon, asparagus, pasta, Parmesan cheese, and white wine—to create a flavorful and simple dish. The bacon is cooked until crispy, then the asparagus is sautéed in the bacon grease before the white wine is added to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavors.

Once the pasta is cooked al dente, it is tossed with the bacon, asparagus, and Parmesan cheese, creating a balanced meal with a rich, savory taste.

The white wine adds a subtle acidity that brightens the dish, making it a quick yet satisfying option for any weeknight dinner.

This recipe features juicy, bone-in pork chops topped with crispy bacon and melted Swiss cheese. It uses just five simple ingredients and cooks quickly at a high temperature, making it a convenient option for a flavorful, low-carb meal.

The combination of garlic-infused olive oil and thick pork chops helps retain moisture and enhance taste. The dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or vegetables, and the cheese can be swapped for other varieties like provolone or sharp cheddar to suit different preferences.

This dish combines tender long grain white rice with fresh broccoli florets and diced ham, all cooked together in one pan. Sharp cheddar cheese is stirred in at the end to create a creamy, cheesy texture that blends the flavors perfectly.

The meal comes together in just 20 minutes using five simple ingredients and chicken broth as the cooking liquid. It offers a quick, satisfying dinner option that reheats well and works great for using holiday ham leftovers or a ham steak.

This baked tortellini casserole combines frozen cheese tortellini, Italian sausage, and two types of sauce into a simple, hearty meal that requires only five ingredients. The dish is assembled quickly by mixing cooked sausage with sauces and tortellini, then baked until bubbly and golden with melted mozzarella on top.

No pre-cooking of the tortellini is needed, making preparation fast and easy. It can be made ahead and frozen for convenient meals later, and leftovers reheat well, maintaining their cheesy, comforting flavor.

This black bean soup recipe uses just five simple ingredients to create a flavorful and hearty meal in about 20 minutes. It combines canned black beans with their liquid, salsa, fresh cilantro, cumin, and garlic for a thick, well-seasoned soup that requires minimal prep.

The recipe allows flexibility with salsa choices, letting you adjust the spice level or flavor profile to your liking. It’s a quick, budget-friendly option that yields multiple servings, making it perfect for easy weeknight dinners or meal prep.

These Pineapple Meatballs combine sweet crushed pineapple with tangy barbecue sauce to create a flavorful glaze for cooked meatballs. The dish can be prepared quickly on the stove or slowly in a crockpot, making it versatile for different cooking preferences.

Perfect as an appetizer or a side dish, the meatballs offer a balance of savory and sweet flavors that work well for parties or casual dinners.

They can be served on their own, over rice, or with fresh greens, adding a tropical twist to a classic comfort food.

This item features a simple recipe for making steak fajitas using a slow cooker or Instant Pot. It highlights the use of just five main ingredients—beef, onions, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and a homemade fajita seasoning blend—to create a flavorful and aromatic meal.

The method involves either slow cooking the ingredients together or using the Instant Pot to brown the beef and sauté the vegetables before pressure cooking. The dish can be served in tortillas, lettuce wraps, or over rice, with various garnish options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

This recipe creates tender, flavorful Italian beef sandwiches using a slow cooker and just five main ingredients. Beef chuck roast is cooked low and slow with pepperoncini, giardiniera, Italian dressing mix, and beef broth until it shreds easily and absorbs a tangy, zesty flavor.

The shredded beef is served on hoagie buns topped with melted provolone cheese, making for a satisfying and easy meal. The combination of pickled vegetables and Italian seasoning gives the sandwich a distinctive taste that is both savory and slightly spicy.

This BBQ Beef Tortilla Pie combines layers of seasoned ground beef, black beans, BBQ sauce, and melted cheese between tortillas to create a hearty, flavorful meal.

It bakes quickly in the oven, resulting in a warm, sliceable dish perfect for weeknight dinners.

The recipe uses just five main ingredients and comes together in about 30 minutes, making it both simple and satisfying. It’s flexible enough to accommodate different cheeses, meats, or added vegetables, allowing for easy customization based on what’s on hand.

This dish combines the comforting flavors of taco seasoning with cheesy pasta for a quick and satisfying meal. Ground beef is cooked with taco spices and mixed with cooked pasta, salsa, and cheddar cheese to create a creamy, flavorful dinner.

The recipe allows for customization by adjusting the amount of cheese or adding fresh vegetables. It can also be frozen for later use, making it a convenient option for busy nights.

This dump-and-bake meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, and thawed meatballs in a single dish for easy preparation. As it bakes, the pasta absorbs the liquid, creating a rich tomato sauce topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs.

The casserole requires minimal prep and no boiling of pasta, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners. It pairs well with garlic bread or a green salad and can be assembled ahead of time for added convenience.

These balsamic chicken drumsticks are cooked entirely on the stove, creating a sticky, caramelized glaze using just five simple ingredients. The method involves braising the drumsticks in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and water until the liquid reduces into a rich, flavorful coating.

The recipe offers a faster alternative to baking, cutting cooking time roughly in half while delivering deep, sweet-and-sour flavors. The glaze thickens and caramelizes on the stove, giving the chicken a glossy finish and intense taste that feels more complex than the ingredient list suggests.

This Honey Sriracha Chicken recipe combines just five ingredients to create a flavorful shredded chicken dish that can be cooked in either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot.

The chicken is simmered in a spicy, sweet sauce made from Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until tender, then shredded and mixed with the cooking juices for extra flavor.

The versatile shredded chicken works well in a variety of meals, including tacos, pizza toppings, or served alongside rice with added seasonings like soy or fish sauce.

The recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy a spicy, tangy dish with minimal preparation and cooking time.

This dish features juicy chicken breasts coated in a crispy blend of crushed cornflakes, Parmesan cheese, and ranch seasoning. The chicken is first dipped in melted butter to help the coating stick, then baked until golden and tender inside.

With just five ingredients, it offers a quick and flavorful meal that requires minimal prep time. The crunchy exterior pairs well with simple sides like a fresh salad or corn on the cob for a satisfying dinner.

These BBQ chicken skewers combine tender, juicy chicken pieces with smoky chipotle BBQ sauce and crispy bacon for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal. The recipe uses just five main ingredients and can be cooked on a grill or baked in the oven, making it versatile for any cooking setup.

The skewers can be customized by adding vegetables or swapping the chicken for other proteins like shrimp or beef. They work well as a main dish or party appetizer and pair nicely with a variety of side dishes or can be chopped up for salads and tacos.