25 Quick & Easy Cheap Meal Ideas for Families That Everyone Will Love!

Last Updated October 6, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Looking to save money while still feeding your family meals they’ll love? These cheap meal ideas for families will keep everyone happy without putting a strain on your budget. 

Whether you’re cutting back on takeout or trying to stretch your grocery bill, you don’t have to sacrifice taste or nutrition to save money. With a little planning and creativity, you can whip up delicious, filling meals that won’t break the bank. 

In this post, I’m going to share the best cheap meal ideas for families including easy healthy dinner ideas. 

After reading this post you’ll have plenty of cheap easy meals on a budget that will keep the whole family full and satisfied. 

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10 Best Cheap Foods

Before we get into these cheap meal ideas for families, here’s a quick list of cheap foods you can buy when money is tight. These ingredients are perfect for the recipes in this post and can be used to create a variety of budget-friendly meals. I suggest buying them in bulk to get the most value for your money. 

• Rice
• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Oats
• Bread
• Frozen fruits and vegetables
• Eggs
• Chicken legs
• Tuna or frozen white fish
• Canned soups
• Spices

Read here for a full list of the best cheap foods to buy on a tight budget. 

The best way to save both time and money is by planning your meals in advance. Creating a weekly menu and grocery list will help you stay organised and avoid last-minute takeaways.  

To make it easier, grab my FREE printable weekly meal planner below and start planning your meals. 

Learning how to budget groceries and meal prep on a budget can make a huge difference in keeping costs down and feeding your family well. 

If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly meal plan, I highly recommend the $5 meal plan. It’s a meal-planning service that sends affordable, family-friendly recipes and grocery lists straight to your inbox every week for just $5 a month. 

It’s a great way to simplify meal planning, save time, and stick to your grocery budget – all while feeding your family delicious easy meals. 

You can try it FREE for 14 days by signing up here.

25 Tasty Cheap Meal Ideas for Families:

1. Curry Tuna & Rice

Let’s start with something super simple and affordable: tuna and rice. This is one of my go-to dinners when I want something quick and nutritious. You probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. 

Grab a can of tuna, some rice, and a few spices – garlic, onion and curry powder are a great combo. Boil your rice, cook the tuna in your spices and some fresh onions and tomatoes and you’ve got a tasty protein-packed meal. Add some spinach for extra nutrients. 

This is a great budget-friendly meal that can be cooked in larger portions for the whole family. If your kids are hesitant about the spices, you can leave out the curry powder. 

2. Mexican Beef & Rice

Mexican beef and rice is a meal that is both hearty and customisable. You can use ground beef, but for a more budget-conscious option, mix in black beans or even replace the beef with beans entirely. The best part about this cheap meal idea is that it’s even better as leftovers. 

Make a big batch, and your family can enjoy it for lunch the next day. If you have picky eaters, you can let everyone build their own bowl with toppings like cheese, salsa and avocados. Read here to get the full recipe. 

3. Chicken, Potato and Veggie Tray Bake

For busy families, tray bakes are a lifesaver. This chicken, potato and veggie tray bake is easy, requires minimal prep and is all done in one pan – meaning fewer dishes to clean. 

All you need is some chicken thighs (cheaper than breast and juicer), potatoes, and whatever veggies you have – carrots, broccoli, zucchini throw it all in. Toss everything in olive oil and seasoning and roast it in the oven. 

This meal is healthy, tasty and perfect for feeding a crowd. Plus, the leftovers make for an easy lunch the next day. 

4. Curry Chicken & Rice

Curry chicken and rice is a flavourful budget-friendly option that’s great for meal prep. It’s one of my favourite meals, especially for a Sunday family dinner. Lately, I’ve been serving it with a side of tzatziki and it takes the meal to another level!  

You can easily make a big batch and store the rest in the fridge or freezer as it will keep well. If your family isn’t used to the spice you can easily adjust the heat by using a mild curry powder. I always opt for mild because I can’t handle too much spice lol  

Serve it over rice and a fresh salad or roasted veggies for a complete hearty meal. 

Try this recipe. It’s perfect for stretching your budget, especially if you use affordable cuts like chicken thighs or drumsticks. 

5. Macaroni Cheese

Is there a more classic, kid-friendly meal than mac and cheese? It’s one of those meals the whole family will love and it’s super cheap to make. 

In my culture macaroni and cheese is a side dish, not a main. However, if you add some leftover protein like chicken and chopped veggies you can make it a main meal. 

Plus, you can make a big batch and have the leftovers throughout the week. 

6. Crispy Chilli Chicken Wraps

If you’re looking for a quick tasty dinner, these crispy chilli chicken wraps are a great option. 

You can serve the chicken in wraps or over some rice with veggies like cucumber and carrots. It’s like takeout but healthier and way cheaper.

Watch this video for the recipe, it’s the 2nd meal idea. 

7. Chicken Stir Fry

Stir-fries are one of the best cheap meal ideas because you can throw in whatever you have. They are also a great option for busy families because they are quick, easy and can be customised to fit everyone’s tastes. 

For this chicken stir fry, you just need chicken, some veggies and 3 simple ingredients to make the sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles and you’ve got a budget-friendly delicious meal.

8. Tahini Tofu with Rice & Veggies

If you’re looking for a plant-based option, try tahini tofu with rice and veggies. Tofu is very affordable and takes on whatever flavour you give it. 

There are a few different ways you can prepare this dish. My favourite way is to pan or air fry the tofu until it is nice and crispy before tossing it in the tahini sauce. 

You can just use store-bought tahini as it is, but I like to jazz it up by adding yoghurt, olive oil, garlic powder and some lemon juice. Mix it together until you have a smooth, runny paste. 

Once the tofu is crispy, toss it in the sauce and serve it over rice with steamed or stir-fried veggies. It’s hearty, packed with protein and super budget-friendly. 

9. Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a family favourite because they are quick, easy and can be stuffed with whatever you have. Cheese and tortillas are the basics, but you can add leftover chicken, beans or veggies for extra nutrition. 

Pair it with salsa or sour cream for dipping and you’ve got one of the best cheap meal ideas for families that’ll please everyone from toddlers to teens. 

10. Hamburger Pasta Bowl

This dish is like a burger bowl but in pasta form. I was inspired by a pasta salad I grabbed for lunch the other day. It was decent but lacked a bit of flavour, so I decided to recreate it with my own spin – and it turned out even better!

The pasta salad used meatballs but ground beef is fine. Cook some ground beef or meatballs and toss it with pasta, a can of diced tomatoes, some cheese and this burger sauce. 

This hamburger pasta bowl is cheap, filling and can feed a family (or give you leftovers for days). Plus, kids will love this one. 

11. Chicken Fajita Bowl

Chicken fajita bowls are great for feeding a family because they are customisable. Cook your chicken with fajita seasoning or your own mix, then serve it with rice, beans, sliced peppers, salsa and cheese.

Let each family member build their own bowl with their favourite toppings. It’s a fun hands-on meal that keeps everyone happy and full. 

12. Homemade Burger and Fries

Who needs takeout when you can have homemade burgers and fries? Set up a “build your own burger station” where the kids can choose their own options. I made this with my niece and nephew the other weekend and they loved it. 

You can make the patties with ground beef or turkey and season them however you like. I usually use garlic and onion powder, mixed herbs and beef seasoning. 

Slice up some potatoes, toss them in olive oil and seasoning and bake or air fry them for crispy fries. 

This is a fun affordable family dinner that feels like a treat without the extra cost. 

13. Sloppy Joes

 

Sloppy joes are a fun kid-friendly meal that’s budget-conscious and quick to prepare. 

Serve it on buns, or if you’re looking to stretch the meal further, serve it over rice or pasta. It’s a messy fun meal kids will enjoy. You can check out the recipe here. 

14. Veggie Fried Rice

Leftover rice is like a goldmine for families. Veggie fried rice is a great way to use up rice from last night’s dinner.  

Add some frozen veggies, an egg and sauce and you’ve got a super quick meal. You can stick with simple soy sauce or make your own blend. I like to mix sesame oil, soy sauce, honey and sriracha – it’s the perfect balance of savoury, sweet and spicy!  

This dish is perfect for families because it is cheap, easy to customise and you can make a huge batch to last for multiple meals. 

15. Chickpea Curry

For a hearty, budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for chilly nights, try this chickpea curry. 

Chickpeas are inexpensive and packed with protein so they’re perfect for family meals. It’s a simple, nutritious meal that even picky eaters might enjoy. 

16. Ramen Noodles

When you need a quick meal on a busy night, ramen noodles are a lifesaver. 

Dress them up with frozen veggies, leftover chicken or tofu and a soft-boiled egg. Add some soy sauce and chilli flakes for flavour. 

This is an affordable and easy dinner that can be made in minutes and the kids will love customising their own bowls. 

17. Chili

Chilli is a great budget meal for families because it’s easy to make in large batches and it freezes well. You can use ground beef or turkey, but to make it even more budget-friendly, use a mix of beans and veggies. 

Serve it with rice, cornbread or even baked potatoes. This is a filling cheap meal that can be enjoyed over several days. Read here for the full recipe. 

18. Black Bean Tostadas

Black bean tostadas are an easy, affordable meal that’s perfect for a family dinner. 

Let the family customise their tostadas with toppings like lettuce, salsa, cheese or avocado. It’s a fun way to get everyone involved in the dinner-making process. Read here to follow the recipe.

Easy Cheap Meal Ideas for Families for Breakfast and Lunch

19. Baked Oats

Baked oats are a cheap, simple, nutritious option for breakfast or even a dessert. There are many recipes but this is my favourite one (you’ll need to double up the ingredients to make a bigger portion). I make it at least once a week when I’m craving a sweet breakfast.  

This is a great way to get your family to eat a healthy breakfast that’ll keep everyone full until lunch. 

20. Spanish Omelette

A Spanish omelette is a great go-to meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s affordable, full of protein and packed with hearty ingredients like potatoes and onions. 

You can also add extras like peppers, spinach or chorizo to give it more flavour. The best part is it’s easy to make in large portions which makes it a great budget-friendly meal the whole family can enjoy.  

21. Yoghurt Bowl

This a quick affordable breakfast you can put together in no time. Simply heat up some frozen fruit in the microwave, then top it with crunchy granola, a handful of nuts, a sprinkle of coconut flakes and a drizzle of peanut butter. 

It’s an easy, delicious breakfast to start your day. 

22. Oats with Fruits

Oats are a classic nutritious breakfast that’s easy on the wallet. Heat up some frozen fruit in the microwave and finish it off with a drizzle of peanut butter for a hearty, satisfying start to your day. Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavour.

23. Egg Salad Sandwich

This is one of the most simple affordable cheap meal ideas for families and perfect for lunch. Simply boil a few eggs, mix them with some spices and mayo, and pile it onto fresh bread or toast. 

It’s quick easy and delicious – perfect for a low-cost, filling lunch. 

24. Baked Potatoes

When you need a quick, no-fuss meal, a baked potato is hard to beat. Load it up with butter, cheese, tuna, or even leftover chilli for a filling budget lunch or dinner. 

25. Pancakes

You can use simple ingredients like flour, eggs, milk and bananas to make pancakes. This is a budget-friendly staple for breakfast or a snack. 

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Final Thoughts on Cheap Meal Ideas for Families

Feeding a family on a budget doesn’t have to be stressful. With these cheap meal ideas, you can whip up delicious, affordable dishes that everyone will love. 

Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners, kid-friendly options, or meals that can stretch over a couple of days, this post has something for every family. 

I hope you have found this post helpful and now have many delicious cheap meal ideas for families. What are your go-to family meals? Let me know in the comments below! 

This post was all about cheap meal ideas for families.

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