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Groceries are expensive right now, which means everyone needs some budget-friendly recipes in their back pocket. These dishes are made with affordable ingredients, but theyโ€™re still satisfying and delicious!

Overhead view of baked chicken and rice in skillet

Budget-friendly can also be delish!

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

You know the Venn diagrams you used to draw for grade school projects? The Venn diagram for budget-friendly and comfort food dinners is basically a circle.

What Iโ€™m getting at is: so many of your favorite cozy meals are already made with affordable ingredients. Which means that budget-friendly recipes rarely disappoint!

Weโ€™re talking:

  • Affordable Proteins. Like ground beef, chicken legs, beans, split peas.
  • Pantry Staples. Rice, pasta, broth, canned tomatoes are all things you likely have on hand (and if you donโ€™t, they inexpensive to buy).
  • Meals That Reheat Well. Because a meal is even more budget-friendly when you can get a dinner out of it and a lunch the next day!
Cheeseburger casserole in a creamy tomato sauce, mixed in a large pot with a wooden spoon.
Cheeseburger Casserole
This one stretches a package of ground beef into a full, hearty dinner with pasta, cheese, and a creamy sauce.
Check out this recipe
crispy baked chicken legs on a serving platter
Baked Chicken Legs
Chicken legs are one of the best budget proteins out there. Theyโ€™re flavorful, affordable, and hard to overcook. Pair them with roasted vegetables or rice and youโ€™ve got a complete dinner without much effort!
Check out this recipe
A bowl of cabbage and noodles, with a fork resting on the plate.
Cabbage and Noodles
This recipe is proof that inexpensive ingredients can still feel deeply comforting. Caramelized cabbage, buttery noodles, and onions come together into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
Check out this recipe
A large black skillet filled with ground beef pasta, topped with grated cheese and chopped parsley. A wooden spoon rests in the pasta, and a striped towel sits nearby.
Ground Beef Pasta
A little ground beef goes a long way here, especially paired with pasta and sauce. This oneโ€™s going to be a hit with the whole family!
Check out this recipe
Bowl of split pea soup recipe with ham bone
Split Pea Soup With Ham
Split peas are one of the most affordable pantry staples you can buyโ€”and they turn into a soup thatโ€™s rich, filling, and surprisingly satisfying. Use leftover ham after a holiday and youโ€™ve got the coziest dinner!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of baked chicken and rice in skillet
Baked Chicken and Rice
Rice helps stretch the meal while the chicken and seasonings keep it hearty and flavorful. Everything cooks together, which also means fewer dishes to wash too!
Check out this recipe
Homemade hamburger helper in a skillet
Homemade Hamburger Helper
This from-scratch version keeps the creamy, beefy flavor people love while using simple pantry ingredients you probably already have.
Check out this recipe

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Erin Clarke

Hi, Iโ€™m Erin Clarke, cookbook author and the home cook behind Well Plated. Iโ€™ve helped millions of people cook healthier meals that actually taste amazing and sold over 190,000 books! Iโ€™m here to help you save time, dirty fewer dishes, and feel great about what youโ€™re eating, without overthinking it. Welcome!

Learn more about Erin

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