31 Cheap and Easy Dinners That Taste Like Grandma’s Cooking Without the Grocery Bill

Stretching a dollar shouldn’t mean stretching your patience. These 31 cheap and easy dinners are all about solid, comforting meals that wouldn’t make grandma raise an eyebrow—just without the full shopping cart. Every recipe is designed to keep dinner under control and under budget, with zero sacrifice in flavor. It’s like eating at grandma’s house, except you don’t have to sit through stories about how bread used to cost a nickel.

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

No one’s claiming this will fix your week, but it’ll definitely fix dinner. Pasta e Fagioli Soup comes with all the old-school charm and none of the long shopping list. It’s warm, hearty, and manages to feel like a big deal even though it’s the cheapest thing in the kitchen. Perfect for nights when cooking feels like a trap. Also perfect for pretending you planned ahead.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Chicken Fried Rice

You could order takeout, but this version costs less, cooks fast, and skips the delivery charge. Chicken Fried Rice hits that comfort-food mark without needing anything fancy or expensive. It’s filling, low-effort, and brings the kind of satisfaction that comes from a meal that actually makes sense at the end of a long day. You won’t find yourself snacking an hour later or regretting your life choices. Just one of those easy wins that feels like cheating—but isn’t.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

You don’t need a white tablecloth or a reservation to pull this off. Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka is big on flavor without being big on budget. It brings a restaurant-style dinner home for the cost of one of those sad plastic salads. Perfect for when you’re trying to impress someone—or just yourself—with zero extra effort. Skip the dress shoes, keep the comfort.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Birria de Res

This one delivers a lot of flavor with very few hoops to jump through. Birria de Res brings that long-cooked, rich comfort you’d expect from something that usually takes all day—but without the hassle or price tag. It’s filling, cozy, and works for quiet weeknights or feeding a crowd that thinks you did something fancy. Just don’t tell them it was this easy. And maybe let them think it cost more.
Get the Recipe: Birria de Res

Easy Mexican Rice

This one’s the side that quietly turns into the whole meal. The best part about Easy Mexican Rice is that it plays nice with whatever’s in the fridge—and costs less than your coffee. It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t need a plan, doesn’t make a mess, and somehow still tastes like someone’s been standing over a stove all day. Nothing complicated, just solid food that does the job. And yes, it reheats like a champ.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mexican Rice

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Not everything has to be new to be good. Pineapple Upside Down Cake has been doing the most with the least for decades, and it still works. It’s sweet, simple, and doesn’t care about trends—it’s too busy tasting like something you remember from every good holiday gathering. This is comfort food in dessert form, minus the sticker shock. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Cream of Onion Soup

You won’t need a fancy chef hat for this one. Cream of Onion Soup is rich, cozy, and surprisingly straightforward, even though it tastes like something you’ve spent hours on. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if you’re still wearing your morning coffee as part of your outfit. Serve it with whatever bread you’ve got, and suddenly, it’s a meal. Simple, easy, and makes leftovers taste just as good.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup

Ukrainian Potatoes

Sometimes, all you need is a solid side that works with everything. Ukrainian Potatoes are like a silent hero—filling, comforting, and easy to make. They’re the kind of dish that doesn’t demand attention but quietly steals the show anyway. Nothing fancy or over-the-top—just solid potatoes that make a meal feel complete. And let’s face it, no one will ever complain about having too many potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes

Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

If dinner feels like a joke, this one is the punchline you’ll actually enjoy. Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots are exactly the kind of thing you make when no one wants a salad and everyone’s already in pajama pants. They’re cheap, satisfying, and weirdly better than the real thing. Plus, no one’s charging you extra for dipping sauce. Make them once, and suddenly, you’re the fun house.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Domino’s Cheddar Bacon Loaded Tots

Eggless Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

Not every dinner needs a theme or a side story. Eggless Breakfast Casserole with Sausage covers the need for food and the want for comfort all in one cheap, easy dish. It’s a straight-up crowd pleaser with no ingredients that send you Googling substitutions. Works just as well for breakfast-for-dinner nights as it does for feeding people with random dietary preferences. And yes, it’s freezer-friendly if you’re pretending to meal prep.
Get the Recipe: Eggless Breakfast Casserole with Sausage

Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

This one’s sloppy in the best possible way. Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich brings that old-school diner feel into your kitchen, no paper hat required. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and tastes like something that’s been passed down through generations who knew how to make a dollar stretch. No bells, no whistles—just a messy sandwich that does the job right. Keep napkins close and expectations high.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

You don’t argue with grandma, especially when it comes to this one. Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole is the kind of meal that doesn’t ask questions—it just fills the plate and makes people happy. It’s cozy, cheap, and somehow even better the next day, which is rare in the leftover world. No complicated steps, no fancy topping—just the kind of food that keeps showing up at family dinners for a reason. And yes, everyone always wants seconds.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Healthy doesn’t have to mean bland. Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes is as satisfying as it is filling, and it won’t break the bank. It’s got texture, it’s got flavor, and it’s one of those dishes that looks fancier than it is—without trying too hard. It’s fresh, it’s light, and it feels like the kind of meal you could eat for lunch or dinner, no problem. It’s the perfect mix of simple and good-for-you.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Baked Spanish Rice

Baked Spanish Rice is one of those dishes that quietly becomes a household staple because it works with everything. It’s not trying to be fancy or over-the-top—it’s just a great meal at a great price. Perfect for those nights when you don’t have time to fuss but still want something that tastes like effort. Throw it in the oven and forget about it, only to be surprised by how great it is once it’s done.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spanish Rice

Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

It’s like taking a trip to the deli, without leaving your house. Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup is creamy, comforting, and ready to take on a whole bowl of bread. It feels like a dish that took all day, but it’s ready in no time. Simple, satisfying, and something everyone can agree on. Bonus: it tastes just as good the next day.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jason’s Deli Irish Potato Soup

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

There’s something about sweet, sour, and smoky that just clicks. Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon pulls those flavors together in a way that feels surprisingly elevated, despite being incredibly easy to throw together. It’s an underdog that sneaks onto the dinner table and quickly becomes a favorite. A little tangy, a little sweet, and with bacon doing what bacon does best—making everything better. It’s not complicated; it’s just good.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sweet Potato Cornbread

This one’s a hybrid between sweet and savory that keeps things interesting. Sweet Potato Cornbread nails that balance between being hearty and just the right amount of sweet. It’s the kind of dish that fits any dinner but feels special enough to serve at family gatherings. You can make it ahead, and it’ll be just as perfect on day two as it was on day one. Who knew cornbread could go sweet without feeling like a dessert?
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Texas BLT

The Texas BLT is everything you expect from a classic sandwich—only bigger and bolder. It’s got the right amount of crunch and freshness, but with a little extra oomph. It’s the perfect solution when you’re craving comfort food but don’t want to take too long making it. No one will complain about a sandwich that can be a meal in itself—this is one that fills you up and keeps things simple. And let’s be honest, everything’s better when it’s bigger.
Get the Recipe: Texas BLT

Corned Beef Hash

Some meals are just better when they’re simple—and Corned Beef Hash is the perfect example. It’s comfort food at its finest, using just a few ingredients that come together in a filling way. No fancy frills or hard-to-find stuff, just solid, hearty food that will stick with you. It’s an easy dish to make, and once it’s done, it’s practically begging for a second helping. It’s the kind of meal you’ll make when you’re craving something both comforting and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Hash

Beef and Barley Soup

Beef and Barley Soup is one of those meals that tastes like it’s been simmering all day long, but you can make it in no time. It’s hearty, filling, and somehow better than you’d expect for something this easy. It’s the kind of soup that can warm you up on the coldest nights or keep you satisfied after a long day of running around. Simple, delicious, and budget-friendly—the perfect trifecta when you don’t want to overthink dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Barley Soup

Pizza Pasta Salad

It’s pizza, but in salad form, so it’s totally fine to eat at dinner. Pizza Pasta Salad mixes the best parts of a pizza with the easygoing vibe of a pasta salad—no oven required. It’s colorful, fun, and has that satisfying comfort factor we all look for. It’s perfect for when you want the flavors of pizza but without the commitment of ordering out. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have leftovers to snack on later.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Beef & Broccoli

This is the easy version of the takeout classic, minus the price. Beef & Broccoli is the kind of dinner that feels like you’ve pulled off something impressive—but without the need to leave your kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and hits all those cravings you didn’t even know you had. No need to get dressed up for takeout when this meal does all the heavy lifting. It’s like getting all the best parts of a restaurant meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Beef & Broccoli

Classic Meatballs

There’s something comforting about a simple meatball, and Classic Meatballs brings that flavor home without the high price tag. They’re easy to make, filling, and versatile enough to serve on their own, over pasta, or in a sandwich. This meal brings all the nostalgia without requiring you to cook all day. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or satisfaction.
Get the Recipe: Classic Meatballs

Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef turns a simple protein into a full-on flavor explosion. It’s one of those dishes that sneaks up on you—it’s quick, it’s cheap, and somehow still feels like something you want to savor. Serve it in tacos, on a salad, or over rice—this versatile meal does it all without costing much. It’s one of those no-fuss, full-flavor dishes you’ll find yourself coming back to.
Get the Recipe: Carne Molida: Mexican Ground Beef

Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

When you’re looking for something easy but flavorful, Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes has you covered. It’s simple, satisfying, and feels like a dish you’d order at a restaurant—except you’re making it for pennies. The creamy ricotta and fresh tomatoes make this dish feel like more than the sum of its parts. If you’re short on time or ingredients, this meal pulls everything together without any stress.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Ricotta & Tomatoes

Greek Spaghetti

Greek Spaghetti takes a classic pasta dish and adds a little Mediterranean flair without extra cost. It’s the kind of meal that feels fresh but doesn’t leave you wondering where your next meal is coming from. Perfect for when you’re craving something light but still want that comforting pasta dish. Simple ingredients come together in a way that’s unexpectedly satisfying, and it’s easy enough to make without a second thought.
Get the Recipe: Greek Spaghetti

Ham Fried Rice

Sometimes you just want a meal that doesn’t require a trip to the store, and Ham Fried Rice is the solution. It’s quick, satisfying, and an easy way to use up leftovers. This dish comes together fast and hits all the right notes of comfort food without costing an arm and a leg. Whether for lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack, it’ll get you fed without any extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Ham Fried Rice

Creamy Spinach Orzo

If you need something creamy but don’t want to bust the budget, Creamy Spinach Orzo is your answer. It’s filling, smooth, and has that richness without needing anything too fancy. The creamy texture makes it feel special, even though it’s as easy as boiling pasta. Whether you’re having it as a side or a light meal, it’s comfort food without the heavy price tag.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Orzo

Ground Beef and Broccoli

When you want something quick and filling, Ground Beef and Broccoli delivers. It’s one of those dishes that’s good enough to serve on busy weeknights, yet still feels satisfying. You get your protein and veggies in one bowl without any fancy techniques or ingredients. It’s hearty enough to keep you full and simple enough to get on the table fast—just the kind of meal that gets the job done.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Mexican Street Corn Soup takes everything you love about street corn and puts it in a bowl—without the extra cost. It’s creamy, a little tangy, and perfectly satisfying, even though it doesn’t take hours to prepare. Perfect for those days when you want something hearty but don’t want to deal with a complicated recipe. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but bold enough to feel like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

This is the pasta salad that feels like it’s secretly the star of the show. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad turns a classic idea into a new favorite without complicating anything. It’s light, filling, and has just the right amount of creaminess to make it addictive. It works as a side, but don’t be surprised if it ends up becoming the main dish. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just sitting in front of the TV pretending you didn’t make extra.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad