Recipe Roundups

20 Delicious Family Dinners Under $10

Feeding a family on a budget can be a challenge, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or variety. With a little planning and some smart shopping, you can create delicious and satisfying meals that will please even the pickiest eaters, all for under $10. This roundup features 20 family-friendly dinner recipes that are easy on the wallet and big on taste.

1. Creamy Veggie Pasta

A simple and versatile pasta dish that can be adapted to whatever vegetables you have on hand. Roasting the vegetables with cream cheese creates a surprisingly rich and flavorful sauce.

Key Ingredients: Pasta, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cream cheese, garlic, olive oil, spices.
Instructions: Toss chopped vegetables and a block of cream cheese with olive oil and spices in a baking dish. Roast at 350°F until the vegetables are soft and the cream cheese is melted. Cook pasta according to package directions. Mash the roasted vegetables and cream cheese to create a sauce, then toss with the cooked pasta.

2. Red Beans & Rice

A classic, filling, and incredibly cheap meal that is a staple in many cultures. Using dried beans is the most budget-friendly option.

Key Ingredients: Dried red beans, rice, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, sausage (optional), spices.
Instructions: Soak beans overnight. Sauté chopped vegetables and sausage (if using). Add the soaked beans, water or broth, and spices. Simmer for several hours until the beans are tender. Serve over cooked rice.

3. 15-Bean Soup with Kielbasa

A hearty and flavorful soup that can feed a crowd. The pre-packaged 15-bean soup mix is a great budget-friendly starting point.

Key Ingredients: 15-bean soup mix, kielbasa or other smoked sausage, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, broth.
Instructions: Soak beans according to package directions. Sauté sliced sausage and chopped onion and garlic. Add the soaked beans, tomatoes, broth, and any additional seasonings. Simmer for several hours until the beans are tender. Serve with a side of cornbread.

4. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when cooked low and slow. This recipe makes a large batch, perfect for leftovers.

Key Ingredients: Pork shoulder (Boston butt), onion, garlic, your favorite BBQ sauce, hamburger buns.
Instructions: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Top with sliced onion, garlic, and BBQ sauce. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is fall-apart tender. Shred the pork with two forks and mix with the sauce. Serve on hamburger buns.

5. Classic Homemade Meatloaf

A comforting and traditional family dinner that is surprisingly budget-friendly. Using a mix of ground beef and ground pork can add flavor and keep costs down.

Key Ingredients: Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, spices.
Instructions: In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Form into a loaf shape and place in a baking dish. Top with a glaze of ketchup or BBQ sauce. Bake at 350°F for about an hour, or until cooked through.

6. Chicken and Dumplings

A one-pot wonder that is pure comfort food. Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can save time, but cooking your own chicken is more budget-friendly.

Key Ingredients: Chicken, flour, milk, butter, onion, carrots, celery, chicken broth.
Instructions: Simmer chicken and vegetables in broth until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and shred it. While the broth is simmering, mix together a simple dumpling dough of flour, milk, and butter. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the simmering broth, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.

7. Homemade Mac and Cheese

A kid-friendly classic that is much cheaper and more delicious to make from scratch than the boxed version.

Key Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese.
Instructions: Cook macaroni according to package directions. While the macaroni is cooking, make a cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, whisking in flour to make a roux, then gradually whisking in milk until smooth. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni.

8. Twice Baked Potatoes

A great way to make a simple potato into a full and satisfying meal. You can customize the fillings based on what you have on hand.

Key Ingredients: Large baking potatoes, butter, milk, cheese, bacon bits, green onions.
Instructions: Bake potatoes until tender. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving a thin shell. Mash the potato insides with butter, milk, cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Spoon the mixture back into the potato shells. Bake at 375°F until heated through and the tops are golden brown.

9. One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that comes together in one pot for easy cleanup.

Key Ingredients: Chicken breast, pasta, onion, bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, heavy cream or cream cheese.
Instructions: Sauté chicken and vegetables in a large pot. Add the pasta, broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is cooked through. Stir in cream or cream cheese until smooth.

10. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A vegetarian pasta dish that is quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful. The sauce is made with canned tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Key Ingredients: Pasta, canned diced tomatoes, fresh spinach, onion, garlic, cream cheese or heavy cream.
Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in a large skillet. Add the canned tomatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the cream cheese or heavy cream until smooth. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Toss with cooked pasta.

11. Salmon Patties

A budget-friendly way to get fish into your family’s diet. Canned salmon is a great pantry staple to have on hand for this recipe.

Key Ingredients: Canned salmon, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice.
Instructions: In a bowl, mix together all ingredients. Form into patties and pan-fry in a little oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve with a side of rice and vegetables.

12. Chickpea Curry

A flavorful and filling vegetarian option that is packed with protein and fiber. This recipe is a great way to use up pantry staples.

Key Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, canned coconut milk, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, canned diced tomatoes.
Instructions: Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger in a large pot. Add the curry powder and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the chickpeas, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the flavors have melded. Serve over rice.

13. Swedish Meatballs

A family favorite that can be made on a budget. Serve over egg noodles or with a side of mashed potatoes.

Key Ingredients: Ground beef or a mix of beef and pork, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, allspice, nutmeg, butter, flour, beef broth, heavy cream.
Instructions: Mix together the meatball ingredients and form into small balls. Brown the meatballs in a skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, make a gravy by melting butter, whisking in flour, then gradually adding beef broth and cream. Return the meatballs to the skillet and simmer until cooked through.

14. Salsa Chicken (Crockpot)

An incredibly easy and versatile chicken dish that requires just a few ingredients. The chicken can be used for tacos, burritos, nachos, or salads.

Key Ingredients: Chicken breasts or thighs, your favorite salsa, taco seasoning.
Instructions: Place chicken in a slow cooker. Top with salsa and taco seasoning. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the salsa.

15. Black Bean & Corn Quesadillas

A quick and easy meal that can be customized with whatever fillings you have on hand. A great way to use up leftover chicken or vegetables.

Key Ingredients: Flour tortillas, canned black beans, canned or frozen corn, shredded cheese.
Instructions: Layer black beans, corn, and cheese on one half of a tortilla. Fold the other half over and cook in a dry skillet over medium heat until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Flip and cook the other side.

16. Sloppy Joes

A classic family-friendly sandwich that is both cheap and easy to make. Serve on hamburger buns with a side of tater tots.

Key Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hamburger buns.
Instructions: Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Serve on hamburger buns.

17. Tuna Noodle Casserole

A retro classic that is still a budget-friendly winner. This is a great one-dish meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight.

Key Ingredients: Egg noodles, canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, breadcrumbs.
Instructions: Cook noodles according to package directions. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked noodles, tuna, soup, and peas. Pour into a baking dish and top with breadcrumbs. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

18. Breakfast for Dinner (Pancakes & Sausage)

Always a hit with kids and very easy on the wallet. You can make your own pancake mix from scratch to save even more money.

Key Ingredients: Pancake mix (or flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, egg, milk), sausage links or patties.
Instructions: Cook sausage according to package directions. Prepare pancake batter and cook on a griddle or in a skillet. Serve the pancakes and sausage with your favorite syrup.

19. Easy Baked Ziti

A hearty and satisfying pasta bake that is perfect for feeding a crowd. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.

Key Ingredients: Ziti or other tube-shaped pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, jarred marinara sauce.
Instructions: Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the marinara sauce. Pour into a baking dish and top with the remaining marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

20. Lentil Soup

A nutritious and incredibly cheap soup that is packed with protein and fiber. This is a great vegetarian meal that is both filling and satisfying.

Key Ingredients: Brown or green lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth.
Instructions: Sauté chopped onion, carrots, and celery in a large pot. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add the lentils, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.