Cheap Family Meals Under $10: Delicious & Budget-Friendly Recipes
Rising grocery prices making it harder to stick to your monthly budget? You’re not alone! When I find myself needing to stretch my grocery budget, I rely on my favorite cheap family meals under $10 to get us through the month without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Affordable eating doesn’t have to be boring! These cheap family meals under $10 are incredibly budget-friendly and packed with flavor. These are my top 10 favorite affordable meals to feed my family of 4. For visual guides and step-by-step instructions, watch me prepare these cheap meals on my YouTube channel!
For more budget-friendly meal ideas, check out my Eating for $5 a Day (Full Week) meal plan and don’t miss my latest collection of 5 Cheap but Delicious Fall Dinners Under $10.
10 Delicious and Cheap Family Meals Under $10
Here are 10 of my go-to recipes when I need to feed my family without spending a fortune. These meals are not only budget-friendly, but also easy to prepare and satisfying for the whole family. Let’s dive in!
Spanish Rice Soup
Spanish Rice Soup
This Spanish Rice Soup is one of my most affordable recipes, typically costing just over three dollars. It’s a hearty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
With a couple of extra dollars, you can grab toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, a squeeze of lime, or fresh herbs to elevate this simple soup into a truly satisfying meal. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings to find your family’s favorites!
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Frozen Onions and Peppers: $1.38
- Black Beans: $0.78
- Canned Corn: $0.50
- Knorr Rice Sides Spanish Rice: $1.26
- Total: $3.92
Why this works: Frozen vegetables are cost-effective and reduce prep time. Canned beans and corn are pantry staples that add protein and fiber. The rice side provides flavor and substance.
Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables
Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables
We often reach for ramen noodles when our wallets are feeling thin, but I bet you haven’t prepared them like this! Ramen Noodle Stir Fry is surprisingly flavorful and delicious, a far cry from the basic college meals you might remember.
Transforming ramen noodles into a stir fry adds a healthy and satisfying twist. The vegetables add vitamins and fiber, while the savory sauce elevates the flavor profile. This is a budget-friendly meal that even picky eaters will enjoy.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: $2.48
- 3 Packages Ramen Noodles: $1.08 each (Total: $3.24)
- Total: $5.72
Why this works: Pre-cut stir-fry vegetables save time. Ramen noodles are incredibly inexpensive. Use the flavor packets or create your own stir-fry sauce with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole
Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole
This is one of my favorite budget recipes because it doesn’t taste like a cheap recipe at all! It tastes like something you’d order at a Sunday brunch, making it perfect for a weekend treat or a simple weeknight dinner.
The flaky crescent rolls create a delicious crust, while the sausage and eggs provide a hearty and savory filling. It’s a comfort food classic that’s easy to customize with your favorite cheeses and vegetables. Consider adding some chopped bell peppers, onions, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Crescent Rolls: $1.98
- 1/2 Package Sausage: $1.38
- 6 Eggs: $2.44
- Total: $5.80
Why this works: Crescent rolls are an easy and affordable base. Sausage adds flavor and protein, and eggs are a cheap and versatile source of protein.
Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli
Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli
When you’re on a budget, you might be tempted to cut meat entirely out of the picture, but you can still enjoy meat while saving money! Chicken casseroles using canned chicken are a great way to keep meals high in volume but low in cost.
This Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli is a complete meal in one dish. The canned chicken provides protein, the rice provides carbohydrates, and the broccoli adds essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a balanced and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: $0.68
- Cream of Chicken Soup: $0.68
- Canned Chicken: $1.26
- Wild Rice Mix: $1.22
- Frozen Broccoli: $0.98
- Total: $4.82
Why this works: Canned soups create a creamy base. Canned chicken is a cost-effective protein source. Rice mix and frozen broccoli add substance and nutrients.
Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta
Pasta is one of my all-time favorite meals, and this Creamy Tomato Bacon pasta is surprisingly cheap yet tastes like it came straight from a restaurant! It’s a simple dish that’s packed with flavor and sure to satisfy your pasta cravings.
The creamy tomato sauce is rich and decadent, while the bacon bits add a smoky and savory element. It’s a comfort food classic that’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Pasta: $0.98
- Diced Tomatoes: $0.88
- Alfredo Sauce: $1.74
- Bacon Bits: $1.70
- Total: $5.30
Why this works: Pasta is a pantry staple and inexpensive. Diced tomatoes add flavor and acidity. Alfredo sauce creates a creamy base, and bacon bits add smoky flavor.
Easy Cheese Manicotti
Easy Cheese Manicotti
You might not think of manicotti as a cheap meal, but my Easy Cheese Manicotti is one of my favorite budget-friendly meals. I keep this one vegetarian to keep costs down, making it a healthy and affordable option for the whole family.
The creamy ricotta cheese filling is rich and satisfying, while the pasta sauce adds a tangy and flavorful element. It’s a classic Italian dish that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a vegetarian meal.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Manicotti Pasta: $1.68
- Pasta Sauce: $1.18
- Ricotta Cheese: $2.48
- Mozzarella Cheese: $1.00
- Total: $6.34
Why this works: Manicotti pasta is readily available and fills you up. Pasta sauce provides flavor. Ricotta and mozzarella create a cheesy and creamy filling.
White Bean and Spinach Soup
White Bean and Spinach Soup
Eating cheaply does not have to mean eating poorly. I make sure that all of my meals are nutrient-dense, including this White Bean and Spinach Soup! It’s a simple yet satisfying soup that’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
The white beans provide protein and fiber, while the spinach adds essential nutrients. It’s a healthy and affordable meal that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Onion: $0.55
- Cannellini Beans: $0.78
- Diced Tomatoes: $1.36
- Frozen Spinach: $1.12
- Total: $3.81
Why this works: Onions add flavor. Cannellini beans are a cheap source of protein and fiber. Diced tomatoes add acidity and frozen spinach packs a nutritional punch at a low cost.
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
Beans are an amazing cheap protein and fiber source. They’re so affordable and so filling! This Black Bean Enchilada Casserole is a delicious and easy way to incorporate beans into your diet.
The layers of tortillas, beans, corn, and enchilada sauce create a flavorful and satisfying casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Add some shredded cheese on top for an extra cheesy touch.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Pinto Beans: $0.78
- Black Beans: $0.78
- Canned Corn: $0.50
- Enchilada Sauce: $1.54
- Corn Tortillas: $1.98
- Total: $5.58
Why this works: Multiple types of beans offer varied textures and nutrients. Canned corn adds sweetness and texture. Enchilada sauce provides a ton of flavor, and corn tortillas are cheaper than flour.
Lentil Spaghetti
Lentil Spaghetti
Lentils are a cheap and easy way to boost the nutritional value of any dish. I love adding them to spaghetti sauce! It tastes just like normal spaghetti, only heartier and more filling. My kids love this one, and they don’t even realize they’re eating lentils!
Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber, making this Lentil Spaghetti a healthy and satisfying meal. The frozen zucchini and squash add extra vegetables to the dish, making it a complete and balanced meal.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Lentils: $1.34
- Pasta Sauce: $1.18
- Spaghetti: $0.98
- Frozen Zucchini and Squash: $1.92
- Total: $5.42
Why this works: Lentils bulk up the sauce and add protein. Pasta sauce provides a base. Spaghetti is a cheap and classic option, and frozen vegetables save money and time.
Easy Red Beans and Rice
Easy Red Beans and Rice
Red Beans and Rice is a classic, cheap, and easy meal to make. I make this one with a red beans and rice mix, and it ends up being so cheap and affordable, perfect for those nights when you need a quick and satisfying dinner without breaking the bank.
The kielbasa sausage adds a smoky and savory flavor to the dish, while the red beans and rice mix provides a hearty and filling base. It’s a complete meal in one pot that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- Kielbasa Sausage: $3.46
- Zatarain’s Red Beans and Rice Mix: $2.52
- Total: $5.98
Why this works: Kielbasa adds flavor and protein to a traditionally vegetarian dish. A prepared red beans and rice mix saves time and ensures consistent results.
Make These Cheap Family Meals Tonight!
I hope these budget-friendly meals help you feed your family without overspending. Remember that these are estimated costs, and prices may vary depending on your location and the stores you shop at. Don’t be afraid to substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand or what’s on sale.
If you’d like to watch me make these recipes step-by-step, check out those videos here and here. Happy cooking, and happy saving!
Finding affordable meals doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals without breaking the bank. So, try these recipes and see how easy it is to eat well on a budget!