78 Easy Dinners That Won't Break the Bank
The act of cooking dinner from scratch rather than turning to takeout or microwave meals is a money-saving strategy in itself, so if you're reading this, you're already off to a great start! Beyond that, consider making vegetarian meals out of staples like beans and other legumes, rice, quinoa, pasta, and eggs. (While less meat-centric recipes are typically more affordable, inexpensive cuts like ground beef and turkey, chicken thighs, and bacon have a place in budget-friendly meal planning, especially when they're not the main event.) To make things easier, we curated more than 75 recipes that won't break the bank; keep reading for inspiration.
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Vegan Pumpkin-Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin-chickpea soup
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Ginger Fried Rice With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: ginger fried rice with poached egg
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Roasted Italian Sausage, Peppers, Potatoes, and Onion
Get the recipe: roasted Italian sausage, peppers, potatoes, and onion
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Cheddar, Bacon, and Leek Frittata
Get the recipe: cheddar, bacon, and leek frittata
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Pasta Carbonara With Leeks and Sundried Tomatoes
Get the recipe: pasta carbonara with leeks and sundried tomatoes
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Balsamic Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Kale With Caramelized Onions
Get the recipe: balsamic mushrooms, chickpeas, and kale with caramelized onions
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Black Pepper Stir-Fried Noodles With Spinach and Tofu
Get the recipe: black pepper stir-fried noodles with spinach and tofu
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Chicken Parmesan and Roasted Zucchini
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan and roasted zucchini
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Eggy Pasta With Spinach and Bacon
Get the recipe: eggy pasta with spinach and bacon
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Korean Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce
Get the recipe: Korean tofu with spicy garlic sauce
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Tex-Mex Ground Beef Tacos
Get the recipe: Tex-Mex ground beef tacos
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Vegan Chickpea Soup
Get the recipe: chickpea, garlic, and rosemary soup
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Creamy Cauliflower Fettucine Alfredo With Bacon
Get the recipe: creamy cauliflower fettucine alfredo with bacon
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Kale, White Bean, and Meatball Soup
Get the recipe: kale, white bean, and meatball soup
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Vegetarian Japchae
Get the recipe: vegetarian japchae (Korean stir-fried sweet potato noodles)
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Greek Chicken With Green Beans and Potatoes
Get the recipe: Greek chicken with green beans and potatoes
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Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cannellini Beans and Spinach
Get the recipe: baked sweet potatoes with cannellini beans and spinach
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Pasta With Vegan Pink Sauce
Get the recipe: pasta with vegan pink sauce
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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Spaghetti
Get the recipe: chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti
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Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese
Get the recipe: chicken and broccoli shells and cheese
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Sautéed Mushrooms With Poached Egg
Get the recipe: sautéed mushrooms with poached egg
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Peanut Soba Noodles With Broccoli Rabe
Get the recipe: peanut soba noodles with broccoli rabe
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Cream of Tomato Soup With Crunchy Lemon Chickpeas
Get the recipe: cream of tomato soup with crunchy lemon chickpeas
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Black Bean and Butternut Squash Quesadilla
Get the recipe: black bean and butternut squash quesadilla
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Vegan Korean Nourish Bowl With Barley
Get the recipe: vegan Korean nourish bowl with barley
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Cilantro-Lime Chicken With Rice and Black Beans
Get the recipe: cilantro-lime chicken with rice and black beans
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Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Quinoa Salad With Jalapeño Lime Dressing
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Vegetarian Carbonara
Get the recipe: vegetarian pasta carbonara
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Grain Bowl With Teriyaki Sauce, Greens, and Soft-Boiled Egg
Get the recipe: grain bowl with teriyaki sauce, greens, and soft-boiled egg
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Vegan Miso Soup With Soba and Mushrooms
Get the recipe: vegan miso soup with soba, mushrooms, and bok choy
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Black Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad
Get the recipe: black bean, corn, and radish salad
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Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
Get the recipe: cauliflower macaroni and cheese
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Shells With Red Pepper Tomato Sauce
Get the recipe: shells with red pepper tomato sauce
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Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino
Get the recipe: spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and pepper flakes
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Chickpea Soup With Kale and Bacon
Get the recipe: Tuscan chickpea soup with kale and bacon
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Spicy Sausage, Kale, and Orecchiette Soup
Get the recipe: spicy sausage, kale, and orecchiette soup
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Microwave Chicken Noodle Soup
Get the recipe: microwave chicken noodle soup
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Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette
Get the recipe: spicy, citrus-dressed black bean quinoa salad
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Linguine With Kale and Chickpeas
Get the recipe: linguine with kale and chickpeas
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