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The Passport Kitchen

20 Cheap Family Meals That Are Quick, Easy, and Crowd-Pleasing

January 14, 2025 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Feeding a whole family is quite a chore: trying to figure out what everyone will eat and what recipes don’t take forever to put together. When you are working on a budget, it gets even harder. 

Before you go out and buy enough ramen to last a month, there’s a better way to stretch your food budget. You can still enjoy fresh, flavorful, delicious home-cooked meals without breaking the bank. These cheap family meals are yummy, easy, and perfect for everyone!

Easy White Biryani

Easy White Biryani.

Image Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

This easy white biryani is a simpler way to cook chicken biryani at home. This fragrant and flavorful rice dish will surely become a weeknight family favorite.

Get the Recipe: Easy White Biryani

 

Easy Taco Bowl Recipe

Easy Taco Bowl Recipe.

Image Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

Looking for a quick and delicious meal? Try this easy Taco Bowl Recipe that can be customized with your favorite toppings and ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Bowl Recipe

 

Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado)

Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado).

Image Credit: A Latin Flair.

This Cuban-style air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado) brings bold, juicy flavors to your kitchen with just a few ingredients. If you’re looking for a new, easy chicken dish, this Pollo Asado Recipe is a great choice. You’ll love how this air fryer method gives you deliciously crispy skin and tender, juicy meat in less than one hour.

Get the Recipe: Cuban-Style Air Fryer Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado)

 

Beef & Bean Budget Enchiladas

Beef & Bean #Budget Enchiladas.

Image Credit: Homemade on a Weeknight.

What is cheaper and more filling than beans? Nothing! This is a simple but flavorful homemade enchilada sauce over beef and bean-filled tortillas.

Get the Recipe: Beef & Bean Budget Enchiladas

 

Easy Sausage Tray Bake

Easy Sausage Tray Bake.

Image Credit: Gluten Free Tranquility.

This easy sausage tray bake recipe is full of flavor, and as it is a one-tray sausage bake cooked in the oven, it requires very little hands-on time. Making these oven-baked sausages cooked in gravy is perfect for an easy but tasty family weeknight dinner!

Get the Recipe: Easy Sausage Tray Bake

 

Egg Stir Fry

Egg Stir Fry.

Image Credit: Cooking with Lei.

This easy egg stir fry with onion is ideal for a fast, high-protein meal or a healthy side dish. The most budget-friendly ingredients for a delicious meal!

Get the Recipe: Egg Stir Fry

 

Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe.

Image Credit: Homemade Heather.

Tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese combine effortlessly in this easy crockpot lasagna recipe—no fuss, all flavor, and perfect for busy nights.

Get the Recipe: Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

 

Healthy High Protein Hamburger Helper Recipe

Healthy High Protein Hamburger Helper Recipe.

Image Credit: Basics with Bails.

Upgrade your comfort food game with this high-protein Hamburger Helper, a delicious blend of lean ground beef, veggies, cottage cheese, and Annie’s Cheddar Mac and Cheese. It’s a guilt-free, flavor-packed meal that satisfies your cravings and nutritional needs.

Get the Recipe: Healthy High Protein Hamburger Helper Recipe

 

Revithia (Greek Chickpea Soup with Lemon)

Revithia (Greek Chickpea Soup with Lemon).

Image Credit: Route to Longevity.

This nutritious and comforting Greek Chickpea soup with lemon, Revithia soupa, is packed with flavor and perfect for the cold winter’s days.

Get the Recipe: Revithia (Greek Chickpea Soup with Lemon)

 

Sausage and Cabbage Pasta

Sausage and Cabbage Pasta.

Image Credit: The Pasta Project.

Sausage and cabbage pasta is a popular and traditional recipe in Northern and Central Italy, particularly in the mountain areas. This simple rustic but hearty version comes from the northernmost Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. The sausage and cabbage are paired with wholewheat tagliatelle, but you can use other pasta types.

Get the Recipe: Sausage and Cabbage Pasta

 

Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe 

Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe (Slow Cooker).

Image Credit: Happy Simple Living.

This easy crock pot southwest chicken chili recipe features a spicy broth with tender chicken, corn, tomatoes, beans, and seasonings. It’s super filling and makes a large amount so it’s easy to make for a big family. 

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Southwest Chicken Chili Recipe

 

Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken Quesadillas.

Image Credit: Living Chirpy.

Chicken Quesadillas are an easy dinner idea that the whole family will love. With gooey cheese, crunchy vegetables, and flavorful chicken, this easy chicken quesadilla recipe will be a huge hit as a fun dinner on a Friday night or any other weeknight.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

 

Big Mac Casserole

Big Mac Casserole.

Image Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Big Mac Casserole with Tater Tots is everything you love about a classic Big Mac, but in casserole form, making it a comforting and easy dinner option.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Casserole

 

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup.

Image Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

This easy slow cooker cabbage roll soup gives you all the flavor of a cabbage roll but for a fraction of the effort. Just fill the pot, let it simmer, and eat!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

 

Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe

Best Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe.

Image Credit: All in the Family Recipes.

This Air Fryer City Chicken recipe is a real game changer. It’s incredible how quick and effortless it is to whip up, resulting in the most deliciously crispy City Chicken. With just four simple ingredients, this is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re short on time.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer City Chicken Recipe

 

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.

Image Credit: Cinnamon and Sage Co.

Get ready to welcome this creamy, cheesy dish to your dinner rotation! Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and delicious broccoli in one dish that the whole family will love. This is a simple, easy-to-make dish that will feed your entire family and have them come back for more!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

 

Slow Cooker Sausage and Bean Casserole

Slow Cooker Sausage And Bean Casserole.

Image Credit: iRecipeThis.com.

Love sausages and baked beans? Then you will love our easy-prep slow cooker sausage and bean casserole. Loaded with sausages, baked beans, potatoes, and carrots, it’s one of the most comforting slow cooker sausage recipes for the colder months.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage And Bean Casserole

 

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup 

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup (Easy + Extra Tasty!).

Image Credit: Foodess.

Crockpot chicken noodle soup is an easy comfort food you need. Make the best with this easy slow cooker chicken soup recipe – just 15 minutes of prep to get this cheap family meal on the table!

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

 

One Pan Egg Roll in a Bowl

One Pan Egg Roll in a Bowl–Keto, AIP, Paleo, Whole30.

Image Credit: Whole New Mom.

This Egg Roll in a Bowl is a one-pan meal that’s super healthy, loaded with veggies, flavorful, and ready in less than 30 minutes! What more could you want?

Get the Recipe: One Pan Egg Roll in a Bowl

 

Eggplant and Ground Beef Casserole

Eggplant And Ground Beef Casserole.

Image Credit: Like Hot Keto.

This hearty eggplant casserole with ground beef is the ultimate comfort food! It’s no-hassle and delicious, and this easy low-carb entree will be a staple of your weekly dinner rotation.

Get the Recipe: Eggplant And Ground Beef Casserole

Filed Under: Great Food

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