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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Easy Cheap Recipes We Love Right Now

    Published: May 17, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding easy and budget-friendly recipes can make mealtime a breeze. Here are 17 simple dishes that are not only affordable but also packed with flavor. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a family, these recipes will help you whip up something delicious without breaking the bank. We know "cheap" can mean different things to different people, so here you will find recipes fitting a variety of budgets - but all without any unnecessarily expensive ingredients.

    Marinated Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe gives you chicken with a crispy skin and juicy meat. The outside is golden brown while the inside stays tender and flavorful.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    Pasta with pancetta and peas is a quick and simple dinner that you can whip up in under 20 minutes. Crispy pancetta combines with green peas and orecchiette pasta, all topped off with some grated parmesan cheese.

    Get the recipe

    4-Ingredient Chili

    A bowl of chili.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This is a filling meal that won't break the bank, and you only need 4 simple ingredients to whip it up. It's perfect for when you want something hearty without spending too much time or money.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Alfredo sauce has a spicy kick that gives a new spin to the classic recipe. Using just common powdered seasonings you likely have in your pantry, this is a great option when you're looking to save some money.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Ham Stir Fry

    A bowl of stir fried rice with leftover ham.
    Photo Credit: Feast for a Fraction.

    This dish is a great way to use up leftover ham. Just chop it up, mix in some affordable ingredients, and you can have a tasty dinner ready in under 15 minutes for less than a dollar per serving.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    This dinner comes together in under thirty minutes and is packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and more. It's a tasty one-pan meal that's perfect for a quick and easy evening.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Pasta

    Garlic butter pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a quick pasta dish that you can whip up using ingredients you likely have on hand. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that you can whip up in less than 45 minutes. The dish features a flavorful tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, making it a great choice for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple with just 12 minutes, 5 ingredients, and one pot. This is an easy and affordable meal option that anyone can whip up.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick to make with just three ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to cook. The bright pesto sauce combined with Greek yogurt creates a simple and satisfying meal that you'll want to have regularly.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta

    A plateful of 15-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Plant Based on a Budget.

    Cherry tomato basil pasta is a simple dish that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. With fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, it's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Sticky Tofu

    A plate of sticky tofu.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This easy dinner is perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and satisfying. It's a simple meal that won't break the bank and is sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Oven BBQ Chicken

    BBQ chicken.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This crispy oven recipe uses only two main ingredients: barbecue sauce and chicken (plus a little olive oil, salt, and pepper) - to make the crispiest, most perfectly glazed, sweet, sticky, and juicy baked barbecue chicken you will ever have.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

    Slow cooker queso chicken tacos.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow cooker queso chicken is a creamy and flavorful chicken dish that's great for making quesadillas or sandwiches. It's an easy and affordable meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Ras El Hanout Chicken

    Ras el hanout chicken.
    Photo credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This juicy Moroccan chicken is simple to prepare with just 4 ingredients. It comes out with a tasty, crispy skin that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to make. It's perfect for a quick meal that won't break the bank.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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