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    59 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat

    For happy wallets and heavy plates.

    by Lavanya Narayanan, Hannah Loewentheil, Melissa Jameson

    Everything is just really expensive right now. Thanks, inflation. So if you're trying to cut back on eating out, we have some good news for you. We've compiled our favorite delicious and creative dinner recipes that prove that you can still have a great meal while being kind to your wallet. *Chef's kiss*

    1. Tofu Scramble

    skillet with tofu, mushrooms, broccoli and spinach
    Simple Veganista / Via simple-veganista.com

    This recipe is easy and delicious — and, even better, you can swap out some of the vegetables for ones already in your fridge. If you have tofu, dijon, and something green, you are most of the way there. So what are you waiting for? Get scrambling!

    Recipe: Tofu Scramble

    2. Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

    skillet with tortellini in marinara sauce
    A Couple Cooks / Via acouplecooks.com

    It only takes 15 minutes to whip up this simple-but-satisfying masterpiece. Plus, the whole recipe only requires one pan. So not only will cooking be easy, but so will clean up!

    Recipe: Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

    3. Sushi Bowl

    bowl with avocado, seaweed, carrots and crab
    Budget Bytes / Via budgetbytes.com

    Craving sushi but don't want to go out? We got you. Even better, the recipe is flexible, so you can swap out the veggies or protein for whatever you happen to have on hand.

    Recipe: Sushi Bowl

    4. Vegan 3-Bean Chili

    Simple Veganista / Via simple-veganista.com

    The recipe calls for a mixture of kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans, but of course you can swap in whatever canned beans or grains that are already in your kitchen.

    Recipe: Vegan 3-Bean Chili

    5. Egg Pizza With Scallions

    Pizza with sunny-side-up eggs on it
    acouplecooks.com

    Feel free to use store-bought pizza dough to make this recipe a cinch to throw together.

    Recipe: Egg Pizza With Scallions

    6. Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala

    Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala with naan on a plate
    budgetbytes.com

    This hearty chickpea masala is the perfect recipe for vegetarians and can be prepared spicy or mild, depending on your taste. The recipe calls for a splash of heavy cream, but you can use coconut milk to keep it vegan.

    Recipe: Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala

    7. Taco Pizza

    Kitchen Gidget / Via kitchengidget.com

    This easy, kid-friendly dish starts with crescent roll dough on the bottom, then it's loaded with ground beef, cheese, and any of your favorite taco toppings.

    Recipe: Taco Pizza

    8. Bacon and Egg Toast Cups

    Bacon and Egg Toast on a plate
    damndelicious.net

    This recipe uses baby kale to stuff the toast cups, but feel free to use spinach or arugula if kale isn't your favorite.

    Recipe: Bacon and Egg Toast Cups

    9. Baked Eggs With Roasted Vegetables

    Baked Eggs With Roasted Vegetables in a baking pan
    cottercrunch.com

    Feel free to use any hearty veggies you have on hand in place of the beets and radishes. Brussels sprouts, diced sweet potatoes, and carrots would all work well.

    Recipe: Baked Eggs With Roasted Vegetables

    budgetbytes.com

    This creamy mac 'n' cheese is loaded with all kinds of good stuff, like white cheddar, broccoli, and seared chicken. Vegetarian? Leave out the chicken. Broccoli isn't your favorite? Feel free to substitute it with whatever vegetables you have on hand.

    Recipe: White Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese With Chicken and Broccoli

    11. Caprese Grilled Cheese

    Caprese Grilled Cheese halves on a plate
    food52.com

    This baby is everything you love about caprese and grilled cheese crammed into one delicious sandwich. Serve it with salad or soup, and you've got yourself a dinner that's both fancy and budget-friendly.

    Recipe: Caprese Grilled Cheese

    12. Chicken Noodle Soup

    Chicken Noodle Soup in a bowl
    Courtesy Love Grows Wild / Via lovegrowswild.com

    This recipe calls for a lot of basic ingredients you'll already have in the pantry. It makes six to eight servings too, so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch all week. 

    Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

    13. Dal

    Curried lentils in a bowl with naan
    Alexandra Stafford / Via food52.com

    Dal is a timeless classic — and this version is an ideal starter if you've never made it before. You only need a handful of ingredients, and the whole thing only takes 20 minutes. The original recipe calls for red split lentils, but if you want to get more creative, add some French lentils, too.

    Recipe: Dal

    14. Black Bean Burgers

    Black bean burger with a sesame seed bun
    Tasty

    Black bean patties are one of the most popular alternatives to meat. They're also pretty easy to make.

    Recipe: Black Bean Burgers

    15. Caprese Balsamic Grilled Chicken

    Three pieces of grilled chicken topped with mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic drizzle
    Closet Cooking / Via closetcooking.com

    All you really need are five ingredients to whip up this family-friendly chicken dinner: any kind of boneless, skinless chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil, and balsamic vinegar.

    Recipe: Caprese Balsamic Grilled Chicken

    16. Tuna Melt

    Tuna melt with potato chips on a plate
    therecipecritic.com

    Grilled cheese meets tuna salad.

    Recipe: Tuna Melt

    17. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken

    budgetbytes.com

    This chicken recipe breaks down to only $4.83, and the all-purpose glaze — with paprika, brown sugar, and cayenne — is packed with flavor. Pair it with any greens you have handy!

    Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken

    18. 20-Minute Kimchi Fried Rice

    Kimchi Fried Rice with black sesame seeds in a bowl
    healthynibblesandbits.com

    Tangy, spicy kimchi (or Korean-style fermented vegetables) is another way to add a ton of flavor to a dish for not a lot of money. Keep a jar stocked in the fridge, then work it into fried rice, noodle bowls, or burgers.

    Recipe: 20-Minute Kimchi Fried Rice

    19. Classic Chicken and Avocado Burritos

    closetcooking.com

    When it comes to cheap and fast dinners everyone will love, it's hard to beat DIY burritos or tacos. Keep them simple with chicken, cheese, and avocado — or load up with all your favorite toppings.

    Recipe: Classic Chicken and Avocado Burritos

    20. Rice Bowl With Fried Egg and Avocado

    Rice, fried egg, and avocado in a bowl
    bonappetit.com

    Top it off with your favorite hot sauce and you're good to go. 

    Recipe: Rice Bowl With Fried Egg And Avocado

    21. Bibimbap

    Rice, shredded veggies, and mushrooms on a plate
    crazyvegankitchen.com

    Bibimbap — a Korean staple that's a mix of rice + veggies + meat + sauce — is the perfect canvas for a budget-friendly dinner. In this vegan version, pricier meat gets swapped out for mushrooms.

    Recipe: Bibimbap

    22. Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia With Veggies

    Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia With Zucchini in a roasting pan
    naivecookcooks.com

    Frozen fillets would work here too, if you need a cheaper option. For easy cleanup, line the sheet pan with foil or parchment paper first.

    Recipe: Sheet Pan Blackened Tilapia With Veggies

    reciperunner.com

    One-pan creamy goodness.

    Recipe: Southwest Turkey, Vegetable, and Rice Skillet

    24. Creamy Tomato Shells

    Creamy Tomato Shells in a bowl
    pinchofyum.com

    This recipe calls for only three ingredients, and you can always add a protein to the mix if you want.

    Recipe: Creamy Tomato Shells

    25. Chicken Pesto Bowl

    Chicken Pesto Bowl
    damndelicious.net

    Healthy, tasty, and cheap!

    Recipe: Chicken Pesto Bowls

    26. Zucchini Corn Quesadillas

    Zucchini Corn Quesadillas on paper
    damndelicious.net

    Ready in 25 minutes, these quesadillas are a perfect spring dinner.

    Recipe: Zucchini Corn Quesadillas

    27. One-Pan Pizza Chicken

    One-Pan Pizza Chicken on a plate
    damndelicious.net

    You had me at pizza.

    Recipe: One-Pan Pizza Chicken

    28. Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad

    Greek-type salad on a plate
    budgetbytes.com

    Guaranteed to be just as good as your local salad bar, for half the price.

    Recipe: Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad

    29. One-Pot Caprese Chicken Pasta

    Caprese Chicken Pasta cooking in a large pan
    reciperunner.com

    Ready in 35 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

    Recipe: One-Pot Caprese Chicken Pasta

    30. Vegan Creamy Kale Pasta

    Vegan Creamy Kale Pasta in a bowl
    pinchofyum.com

    Deliciously creamy, and without any meat or dairy.

    Recipe: Vegan Creamy Kale Pasta 

    31. Greek Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    twopeasandtheirpod.com

    A protein-packed vegetarian dinner.

    Recipe: Greek Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    32. One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac 'n' Cheese

    Close-up of Bacon Broccoli Mac 'n' Cheese
    budgetbytes.com

    Pretend your mac 'n' cheese is actually healthy by adding some broccoli to the mix.

    Recipe: One-Pot Bacon Broccoli Mac 'n' Cheese

    saltandlavender.com

    Fast, budget-friendly, and healthy: What more do you need?

    Recipe: Spicy Chipotle Buddha Bowl With Cauliflower Rice

    34. Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing

    Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing in a large bowl
    budgetbytes.com

    A super-fast summertime salad for your weeknight dinners.

    Recipe: Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing

    35. 5-Ingredient Coconut Curry

    5-Ingredient Coconut Curry in a bowl
    pinchofyum.com

    The perfect option for your meatless Monday.

    Recipe: 5-Ingredient Coconut Curry

    36. Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp

    Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp in a bowl
    pinchofyum.com

    😍

    Recipe: Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp

    37. Vegetarian Sheet Pan Zucchini Parmesan

    Close-up of Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp on a fork
    damndelicious.net

    A healthy-ish, delicious, and vegetarian take on the classic chicken Parmesan.

    Recipe: Vegetarian Sheet Pan Zucchini Parmesan

    38. Vegetable Enchilada Casserole

    Vegetable Enchilada Casserole
    budgetbytes.com

    If you want to add some meat, you can always brown some chicken and add it to the mix.

    Recipe: Vegetable Enchilada Casserole

    pinchofyum.com

    The recipe calls for both whole wheat spaghetti and zucchini noodles, but you can skip the spaghetti if you want to go fully low-carb.

    Recipe: Burst Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti With Avocado Sauce

    40. Amazing Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

    Turkey tacos
    ambitiouskitchen.com

    If you're looking for inspiration for your next Taco Tuesday, search no more.

    Recipe: Amazing Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

    41. P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    damndelicious.net

    A great copycat recipe for the perfect night in.

    Recipe: P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    42. Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers

    Close-up of Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers on a plate
    reciperunner.com

    A super-straightforward weeknight dinner that you can serve with grilled chicken if you want some added protein.

    Recipe: Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers

    43. Creamy Pappardelle Al Limone

    Creamy pappardelle in lemon sauce
    Family Style Food / Via familystylefood.com

    Introducing your new favorite pasta sauce, made with nothing more than egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon.

    Recipe: Pappardelle Al Limone

    44. 5-Ingredient Thai Green Curry

    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    This recipe calls for tofu, broccoli, and sweet potato, but you can always swap in whatever protein and veggies you like best.

    Recipe: 5-Ingredient Thai Green Curry

    45. Lemon Parmesan Risotto With Peas

    A bowl of pea risotto
    Sweet Tea and Thyme / Via sweetteaandthyme.com

    While this recipe tastes totally restaurant-quality, there's not much to it: Arborio rice, frozen peas, and chicken broth form the base of this creamy risotto.

    Recipe: Lemon Parmesan Risotto With Peas

    46. Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet

    A creamy orzo skillet with sausage
    Gal on a Mission / Via galonamission.com

    Orzo, sliced sausage, bell pepper, heavy cream, and a handful of spices are all there is to this Cajun-inspired skillet.

    Recipe: Sausage and Creamy Cajun Orzo Skillet

    47. Pasta e Ceci (Italian Chickpea Soup)

    Pasta and chickpea soup
    Pina Bresciani / Via pinabresciani.com

    This Roman-inspired recipe is made with canned chickpeas, your favorite pasta, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and a bunch of diced veggies.

    Recipe: Pasta e Ceci (Italian Chickpea Soup)

    48. 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Dash of Sanity / Via dashofsanity.com

    Grab some chicken broth, rotisserie chicken, canned diced tomatoes, ranch dressing, and canned fiesta corn mix to make this heartwarming chicken soup with a Mexican flair.

    Recipe: 5-Ingredient Chicken Tortilla Soup

    49. White Bean and Artichoke Basil Toasts

    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    Have toast for dinner, but make it fancy with this mixture of artichoke hearts, spinach white beans, and basil mashed into a creamy and savory spread.

    Recipe: White Bean and Artichoke Basil Toasts

    50. Portobello and Poblano Fajitas

    Poblano and mushroom fajitas
    Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com

    Don't let the ingredient list overwhelm you. All you really need to make these fajitas are portobello mushrooms, peppers, onion, and tortillas. Swap the avocado sauce for store-bought guacamole or diced avocado and you've got a delicious meal.

    Recipe: Portobello and Poblano Fajitas

    51. Spicy Lentil Nachos With 3-Cheese Sauce

    Spicy Lentil Nachos With 3-Cheese Sauce
    pinchofyum.com

    Lentils are often used as a healthy staple — but they can also be gloriously indulgent.

    Recipe: Spicy Lentil Nachos With 3-Cheese Sauce

    52. Flourless Black Bean Brownie Muffins

    Close-up of Flourless Black Bean Brownie Muffins on a rack
    ambitiouskitchen.com

    Black beans in chocolate muffins might sound odd, but they get super creamy and batterlike — and it absolutely works.

    Recipe: Flourless Black Bean Brownie Muffins

    53. Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

    Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce on a plate
    damndelicious.net

    You can also use coconut curry as a marinade for your meats. Here, the chicken marinates for two hours in a mixture of coconut milk, soy sauce, curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and fish sauce.

    Recipe: Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

    54. Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet

    Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Beans on a plate
    budgetbytes.com

    Beans and greens = always worth reaching for.

    Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet

    55. Grilled Cheese and Cream of Tomato Soup

    Grilled cheese beside a bowl of cream of tomato soup on a wooden board
    smittenkitchen.com

    Cozy comfort in a bowl.

    Recipe: Grilled Cheese and Cream of Tomato Soup

    56. Baked Eggs in Marinara Sauce

    baked eggs in marinara sauce
    reciperunner.com

    Using store-bought marinara sauce means prep is a breeze. 

    Recipe: Baked Eggs in Marinara Sauce

    57. Mujadarra

    Mujadarra
    afamilyfeast.com

    This Middle Eastern fave combines brown rice + lentils + caramelized seasoned onions. (And fair warning that you'll want to put the latter on just about everything.) 

    Recipe: Mujadarra

    58. Simple Black Bean Soup

    Simple Black Bean Soup
    gimmesomeoven.com

    Black beans + salsa + cilantro + cumin + garlic. 

    Recipe: Simple Black Bean Soup

    59. Big-Batch Minestrone

    Big-Batch Minestrone
    littlespicejar.com

    Prep takes all of 10 minutes, and you'll have plenty of leftovers. 

    Recipe: Big-Batch Minestrone

    This article contains content previously curated by Hannah Loewentheil, Jesse Szewczyk, Marie Telling, Melissa Jameson, and  Ailbhe Malone. It was compiled by Lavanya Narayanan.