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    Home » Main Course » Frugal Family Meals

    Frugal Family Meals

    Published: Jul 17, 2023 · Modified: Jul 17, 2023 by Anne Clark · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    As the cost of food is on the rise, it becomes a challenge for your family to manage the grocery budget effectively. However, fret not! I've rounded up 25 delicious frugal meals for families to help you prepare satisfying family dinners without breaking the bank.

    So when money's tight, don't worry about dinner – there are smart ways to make those dollars do a victory lap. Having a fixed grocery budget each month doesn't mean compromising on home-cooked meals. In fact, they come with a treasure trove of benefits, from improved nutrition to the gift of leftovers that stretch your buck further, leaving nothing to waste.

    With a little practice, you can become a meal-planning pro! Craft a weekly dinner menu so you always know what's on the plate. This savvy approach not only keeps you away from costly restaurants but also ensures you buy only what you need for your well-thought-out feasts. No more guessing games or overspending!

    Importance of Menu Planning

    Before we get to those Frugal Family meals, let's talk about the importance of meal planning, what it is, and how to do it. Meal planning on a budget can be a game-changer when it comes to saving money and reducing food waste. Here are some tips to help you become a meal-planning maestro without breaking the bank:

    Set a Realistic Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on groceries each week or month. Having a fixed budget will guide your meal planning decisions.

    Plan Your Meals Weekly: Create a weekly meal plan in advance. Take a peek inside your pantry, fridge, and freezer to identify the ingredients you already have, and then craft your meals using those existing items as a foundation.

    Utilize Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and coupons on your favorite food items. Maximize your savings by building your meal plan around the discounted items and special deals you find while shopping.

    Go Seasonal: Seasonal produce is usually fresher and more affordable. Plan your frugal family meals around what's in season to get the best deals.

    Buy in Bulk: Certain non-perishable items can be cheaper when bought in bulk. Grains, legumes, and some frozen foods are great examples. Just make sure you have the storage space and will use them before they expire.

    Cook in Batches: Prepare large quantities of meals that can be frozen or refrigerated for future days. This way, you can take advantage of bulk discounts and save time on busy days.

    Reuse Leftovers: Get creative with leftovers! Get creative with your leftovers by giving them a makeover into fresh, new dishes, or cleverly incorporate them into tomorrow's meal, ensuring no food goes to waste.

    Limit Expensive Ingredients: While it's nice to treat yourself occasionally, try to avoid extravagant or expensive ingredients in your regular meal plans.

    DIY Convenience Foods: Pre-packaged convenience foods can be costly. Instead, make your own snacks and meals from scratch – it's often healthier and more affordable.

    Plan for Flexibility: Life can be unpredictable, so leave room in your meal plan for flexibility. This way, you can adjust and adapt if something unexpected comes up.

    Explore Vegetarian Options: Meat can be one of the more expensive parts of a meal. Consider incorporating more vegetarian dishes to cut costs.

    Cook in Bulk with Friends: If you have friends or family on a budget too, consider doing meal prep together. Buying ingredients in larger quantities can be cheaper, and you can share the workload and the delicious results!

    Frugal Family Meals

    Below are 25 Frugal Family Meals! From soup to pasta, peas and rice, and casseroles, I hope you find your own favorite meals to try!

    Lemon Pepper Wings
    Everybody loves chicken wings! We coat these with a homemade lemon pepper seasoning and bake until they're crisp!
    Check out this recipe
    Baked chicken wings on white platter with lemon wedges.
    Keto Cabbage Soup
    Cabbage Soup is both budget-friendly and delicious. You can make it in a pressure cooker or on your stove in minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked cabbage soup in white bowl.
    Fried Spaghetti with Eggs
    Leftover spaghetti and a few eggs makes this meal quick, easy, & economical. The flavorful garlic infused Fried Spaghetti takes just 15 minutes and is amazing anytime of day.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of spaghetti and eggs on red and white checkered napkin.
    Stuffed Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Biscuit Bombs
    For less than 10 bucks your family can enjoy these fun and filling Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Biscuit Bombs. All you need is canned biscuits, a can of Sloppy Joe, and a box of macaconi and cheese.
    Check out this recipe
    Closeup of sloppy joe filled biscuit.
    Lemon Chicken Tray Bake
    Buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself is super budget friendly! Slide lemon slices, fresh rosemary, and garlic under the skin for a flavor blast!
    Check out this recipe
    Baked chicken leg quarter on brown plate with fresh baby spinach on the side.
    Spicy Potato Soft Tacos
    Spicy potato soft tacos are an easy meal that everyone in the family will love. This yummy take on a Taco Bell favorite will keep you from hitting the drive thru and satisfy everyone in your family. Plus, they are a great way to use up leftovers or fun way to spice up ordinary breakfast potatoes.
    Check out this recipe
    Two potato tacos on serving tray with chips and salsa on the side.
    Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup
    Sweet potatoes, black beans and corn make this flavorful soup hearty & healthy and it takes only 30 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of sweet potato black bean soup in bowl.
    Easy Crispy Chicken Thighs
    Juicy, crispy chicken thighs with just a handful of ingredients. These are budget friendly and delicious.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked chicken thighs on white plate.
    Texas Tamale Pie
    This hearty, delicious, and budget-friendly dish is so easy to prepare, with basic ingredients you likely have in your pantry. Clean up is easy since everything cooks in one skillet!
    Check out this recipe
    Baked tamale pie in cast iron skillet with one serving removed.
    Ravioli Bake
    Five-ingredient baked ravioli cheese is a 5 minute prep recipes that cook up in one pan. It is a great combination for an affordable weeknight supper, a holiday meal or meal prep.
    Check out this recipe
    Baked casserole in white rectangular dish.
    Your New Favorite Black Beans Recipe
    This easy, from-scratch Black Beans recipe combines bold savory flavors like onion, garlic, and smoky cumin with humble beans, and transforms them into something special. Two pantry-staple SECRET ingredients are added at the end to create a wonderfully balanced flavor profile!
    Check out this recipe
    Low Carb Breakfast Casserole
    This breakfast casserole is packed with flavor and the goodness of broccoli! Bacon and cheese combine with eggs for a sunny breakfast no matter what the weather outside!
    Check out this recipe
    Broccoli Bacon and Egg Breakfast Casserole sliced on white plate with parsley garnish
    Jamaican Rice and "Peas"
    Red beans, rice and flavor packed spices are simmered in coconut milk to make Jamaican rice and "peas." It's a delicious meal on its own or as a side dish.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked rice and beans in black bowl.
    Chicken Lentil Soup: Easy Weeknight Soup
    This hearty and nourishing chicken lentil soup is full of healthy vegetables like carrots, beans, and potatoes and simmered in chicken bone broth.
    Check out this recipe
    Chicken lentil soup in white bowl with white and pink striped napkin on side.
    Brown Rice Lentil Soup
    Brown rice lentil soup is super flavorful and easy to make. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe is vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
    Check out this recipe
    Baked Tortellini Casserole
    This 5 ingredient easy Bake Tortellini Casserole is for people who love lasagna but don’t want to do all that work. It is easy to adapt with endless sautéed vegetables and prepped ahead for the entire week.
    Check out this recipe
    Baked tortellini in white casserole dish.
    Tuna and Noodles
    This easy recipe for Tuna and Noodles is comfort food in bowl. It's quick, inexpensive and absolutely delicious. It's best served with Frito's and makes a fast dinner idea.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of tuna and noodles topped with Fritos corn chips.
    Dump And Start Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
    This copycat Olive Garden dump-and-start Instant Pot Minestrone is so easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes so it is great for busy, budget-conscious families.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked soup in white bowl.
    Ramen Noodles Stir Fr
    This easy to make homemade Ramen Stir Fry is so full of flavorful and more affordable than the noodles at your local Asian takeout joint.
    Check out this recipe
    Ramen noodle stir fry in beige bowl.
    Olive Garden Copycat Minestrone Soup
    Olive Garden copycat minestrone soup tastes just like the restaurant version right at home. Warm, filling, and full of veggies, this soup is still incredibly easy to make and only requires the Instant Pot or one large stock pot to make! This recipe can be ready in less than 10 minutes so you can serve it to your hungry family any day of the week! Perfect for meal prep or dinner on even the busiest weeknight.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked soup in white bowl with bread on the side.
    Pasta e Ceci (Authentic Italian Pasta and Chick Peas Recipe)
    Pasta e ceci is a classic cucina povera dish (peasant cooking) that is as delicious as it is budget friendly: only pennies a serving!
    Check out this recipe
    Pasta e Fagioli aka Pasta and Beans
    Pasta and beans stretches your pasta to make it go at least twice as far as dry pasta! Kids absolutely flip for it, too!
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked pasta and beans soup in orange bowl.
    15 Bean Soup
    15 Bean Soup is a vegetarian bean soup recipe everyone will love! Vegan, high protein, tasty & easily made in the slow cooker, instant pot or on the stove. This is the best bean soup recipe. So hearty, filling and easy to make!
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked soup in white bowl with crispy bread on the side.
    Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce with Sage
    Creamy and luxurious, this butternut squash pasta sauce is layered with all of your favorite fall flavors! Roasted butternut squash is blended until incredibly smooth with savory Parmesan and a touch of nutmeg to welcome those warm fall flavors.
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked sauce over pasta in white bowl.
    Easy 1-Pot Minestrone Soup
    Need a quick and easy meal that can be thrown together in minutes? This one-pot vegan minestrone soup is loaded with flavor and satisfying goodness!
    Check out this recipe
    Cooked soup in white bowl on a white plate. Blue Dutch oven in background.

    More Frugal Family Meal Ideas

    • cooked chicken and rice in skillet
      Southern Chicken and Rice (One Pot)
    • Baked tenders on white platter.
      Panko Chicken Tenders
    • Cooked stroganoff in black bowl with tan napkin.
      Ground Venison Stroganoff
    • Red beans and sausage next to rice on brown plate with cornbread on the side.
      Easy Cajun Red Beans and Rice

    If you'd like more easy recipes sent straight to your email, subscribe and get a free 5-day meal plan! How easy is that!

    If you tried any of these recipes, please let me know how they turned out by leaving me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

    Pinterest-friendly image below:

    « Cajun Baked Salmon
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    About Anne Clark

    Hi! I'm Anne, the founder and content creator at My Kitchen Serenity, a food blog focused on serving the needs of busy moms and dads who are looking for easy and delicious recipes for the family.

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    Hi. I’m Anne and I’m happy to share with you my easy, family-friendly recipes. I’ve been cooking for my family for 30 years, and what I’ve learned is that most busy families appreciate easy homemade meals. Now that the kids are grown, my passion is creating and sharing flavorful food for you and your family to enjoy as well. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]. 

    I’d love to hear from you!

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