I’m back with more delicious, extreme-budget meals your whole family will enjoy without breaking the bank. Watch these recipes come to life on my Youtube channel!

These easy, cheap dinner recipes use simple ingredients and deliver great flavor for just a few dollars per meal. You can add them to your weekly family meal plan or pick the ones you like and might already have ingredients for.

When I shopped for these six extreme-budget meals in Utah, I managed to get nearly everything for about $20. Prices vary by location, so I’ve included a complete shopping list at the end to help you gather what you need.

If you’re looking for more ways to save, check my other budget-friendly recipe roundups and series for more ideas that fit any budget. Happy cooking — thanks for your continued support!

Extreme Budget Family Meals:

#1 Turkey Rice Taco Skillet

A flavorful one-pan meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 8.75 oz can corn, drained

Instructions:

1. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic and add the ground turkey. Break up the turkey and cook until browned.

2. Stir in rice, water, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, and corn.

3. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and flavors meld, about 20–25 minutes.

#2 Lentil Tacos with Potatoes

A hearty, nutritious taco filling of lentils and potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 lb uncooked lentils
• 3 1/2 cups water (more if needed)
• 10 medium flour tortillas
• 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, oregano (adjust to taste)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook about 3 minutes.

2. Add minced garlic and cook another minute.

3. Stir in lentils, water, seasonings, and diced potatoes. Bring to a simmer.

4. Cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and potatoes are tender.

5. Serve warm in tortillas.

#3 Lentil, Carrot, and Cabbage Stew with Potatoes

A warming, vegetable-packed stew that’s perfect for chilly days.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 yellow onion, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 1/2 lb uncooked lentils
• 1/4 green cabbage, shredded
• 3 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 5 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp oregano

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; cook about 3 minutes.

2. Add minced garlic and cook another minute.

3. Stir in lentils, cabbage, potatoes, water, and seasonings.

4. Simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and potatoes are tender.

#4 Cabbage Stir-Fry with Mixed Veggies

A quick, tasty stir-fry featuring cabbage and colorful vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4 head green cabbage, shredded
• 6 oz frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 large carrots, shredded
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add shredded cabbage, mixed vegetables, shredded carrots, garlic, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in water, soy sauce, and brown sugar.

3. Cook another 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender and flavors are combined.

#5 Rice, Chicken, and Veggie Skillet

An easy skillet meal with chicken, rice, and frozen vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 oz frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/4 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 5 oz canned chicken, drained
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion and frozen mixed vegetables about 3 minutes.

2. Stir in garlic, canned chicken, rice, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and water.

3. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is cooked and tender.

#6 Turkey Chili with Cornbread

A classic turkey chili served with cornbread on the side.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb ground turkey
• 1/4 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 6 cups water
• 15 oz can chili beans
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup white rice
• 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix

Instructions:

1. Prepare cornbread according to package directions.

2. In a large pot, cook ground turkey and diced onion over medium heat until turkey is browned.

3. Add garlic and spices, cook another minute to bloom the flavors.

4. Stir in chili beans, diced tomatoes, water, and rice. Bring to a simmer and cook about 20 minutes, until rice is tender. Serve with cornbread.

Recipe Video

Shopping List

Protein:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 5 oz canned chicken

Canned beans and vegetables:

• 14 oz diced tomatoes (2 cans or one 28 oz, divided)
• 8.75 oz can corn
• 15 oz can pinto beans
• 15 oz can chili beans

Dry goods:

• 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 lb bag white rice
• 1 bag lentils
• 10 medium flour tortillas

Produce:

• 1 lb carrots
• 1 head green cabbage
• 1 yellow onion
• garlic
• 5 lb bag potatoes
• 12 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables

Spices & Seasonings:

Check your pantry before shopping — these are often items you already have on hand.

• paprika
• Italian seasoning
• oregano
• salt
• pepper
• chili powder
• cumin
• brown sugar

How to start:

Check the shopping list, head to the store for any missing items, decide which nights you’ll cook each recipe, and you’re set for the week. Let me know which recipes you loved most.

Can I double the recipes?

Yes. Double the recipes for a larger family or to create leftovers for quick lunches. Doubling will still keep costs low while stretching meals further.

Can I choose a different protein?

Absolutely. Swap ground turkey for ground chicken or beef if you prefer—just note prices may vary slightly. The recipes will work with these substitutions.

Load up your month with these other great and easy dinner ideas:

• Healthy Dump & Go slow cooker recipes
• Quick 10-minute dinners for busy nights
• Top ground beef recipes for quick, cheap dinners

Quick links for making dinner easy:

• Family meal plans
• Kitchen tools and essentials
• Cookbook for family dinner recipes
• FREE budget meal plan
• Cooking videos

If you try these recipes, tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how they turned out!