19 Budget Recipes For Delicious Meals On A Dime

What's the easiest thing to cook for dinner?

In our experience, meals that feature a bunch of different ingredients thrown together (think poke bowls, burrito bowls, stews, and salads) end up being the easiest options to cook for dinner. Plus, they're a great way to clear out any leftovers you may have from the fridge!

What can I cook in 10 minutes?

Easy meals like air fryer salmon, scrambled eggs and toast, and our risotto cupscan be made in 10 minutes or less. You probably won't be able to make something like a chicken breast or casserole in 10 minutes, but that doesn't mean your dinner still can't be delicious!

What can I cook in 30 minutes?

In addition to the 10-minute meals mentioned above, there are plenty of recipes you can make in 30 minutes (some of them are right on this list!). You can also check out our Instant Pot Recipes and Air Fryer Recipes for some more quick and delicious meals.

What meals can I make for $5?

Meals like canned soup, frozen veggies, bagged salads, and other single-serve, pre-assembled meals usually fall under $5. Frozen pizza and spaghetti with marinara sauce are some other great hearty options!

Easy Dinner Recipes To Make Tonight

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

We love a good Instant Pot meal, and this creamy and delicious pasta dish does not disappoint. It's great for any day of the week, and the leftovers save really well to last you all week! (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Heart-Shaped Pizza

20-Minute Vegan Nachos

Nachos that have no animal byproducts and only take 20 minutes? BRB — we're adding this to our easy dinner recipes lineup for the week. (via Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Steamed Cod With Ginger Scallion Sauce

This easy Instant Pot-made dish can be on your table in roughly 30 minutes. From a frozen state, the fish only takes 5 minutes to pressure-cook! (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Pressure Cooker Vegan Chili

Easy dinner recipes are supposed to be simple. Just dump the ingredients for this pick into your pressure cooker, and you'll have enough food to feed a family, all in less than 30 minutes. (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

10-Minute Vegan Trader Joe's Stir-Fry

Keep a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies and frozen brown rice on hand, and you have the base of a healthy, fast meal you can enjoy for dinner and beyond. (via Brit + Co)

Mango Shrimp Curry

A jar of mango chutney acts as the base of this flavorful shrimp stir-fry. Talk about summery goodness! (via Brit + Co)

Pancetta Pasta

This hearty, saucy, and salty pasta inspired by none other than Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis is the perfect easy dinner idea to whip up on chilly nights. You can make some easy swaps if you don't have pancetta or Pecorino on-hand, using bacon and Parmesan instead. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Dinner Recipes To Try This Week

Vegan Veggie Sausage Foil Packs

Whether you cook them on the grill or in the oven, these foil packets require no cleanup. That's why they're one of the best easy dinner recipes to keep in your back pocket! (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Thai Basil Stir-Fry

Punchy Thai basil, chiles, and garlic add a burst of flavor to this simple ground chicken stir-fry. Serve with sticky white rice, so you can soak up every last bit of sauce. (via Ashley Bare for Brit + Co)

4-Ingredient Vegan Baked Ziti

Bake your pasta without having to boil it beforehand by giving it a quick soak. You'll be surprised at how much time you save with this easy dinner idea. (via Brit + Co)

20-Minute Pizza

Trader Joe's ready-made pizza dough saves the day for this easily customizable pizza idea. (via Meredith Holser forBrit + Co)

Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

A rotisserie chicken cuts a lot of the labor involved in assembling these lettuce wraps. You can even use canned chicken if a rotisserie is out of reach. Add blue cheese crumbles and walnuts for a meal that's a little more elegant than your usual chicken salad. (via Anna Monette Roberts for Brit + Co)

Cacio e Pepe Chickpeas

Get the classic flavor of cacio e pepe in even less time than usual. Skip waiting for a pot of pasta water to boil, and swap your noodles for chickpeas instead. They have more protein, too! (via Audrey Bruno for Brit + Co)

Foil Pack Chicken & Broccoli

Seasoned with your favorite spices or marinade, these flexible chicken and broccoli packets can be changed up every time you make them for dinner. (via Jessi Devenyns for Brit + Co)

Instant Pot Tuscan White Bean Soup

We love easy dinner recipes that are hearty and perfect for winter! Start with this veggie-loaded soup, then add sausage, bacon, and Parmesan. (via Brit + Co)

Easy + Quick Dinner Ideas

Vegetarian Pigs in a Blanket

Three ingredients, 12 minutes, and vegetarian to boot — could it get any easier?! (via Melanie Burke for Brit + Co)

Sheet-Pan Lemon Chicken, Squash, and Green Beans

We love everything about this simple and fresh sheet-pan chicken and veggies. Swap out the veg depending on what you've got in the fridge for an easy dinner. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Sheet-Pan German Sausage and Veggies

Hearty vegan cooking doesn't have to take forever. Whip out your handy sheet-pan, and you'll be eating this medley of veggie sausage, potatoes, and cabbage in about 45 mostly hands-off minutes. (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Make These Fast Dinner Ideas Tonight!

Mexican-Style Hot Dogs in Lettuce Wraps

A jumble of veggies and black beans put a much fresher spin on traditional hot dogs. (via Patricia Conte for Brit + Co)

20-Minute Tahini Salmon Salad

The rich and nutty tahini dressing is the key to transforming this salmon salad into an scrumptious easy dinner recipe you'll actually get excited about eating. (via Brit + Co)

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With All-O the Parsley

You will always have something to eat when you bust out this recipe, which calls for all pantry staples: spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, anchovy, red pepper, and whatever herbs you have. (via Where Cooking Begins)

Easy Chicken Piccata

Whip up your this easy dinner recipe in just over a half hour with a cast iron pan! A side of pasta or mashed potatoes completes the meal perfectly. (via Munchkin Time)

Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast

Sneak in some veggies by sandwiching them in between slices of cheese and chicken. (via Primavera Kitchen)

Baked Greek Chicken Wings With Tzatziki

Chicken wings don't have to be a labor of love — this recipe bakes them on a sheet tray for easy clean-up. Tangy tzatziki dip on the side is a fresh alternative to ranch dressing! (via My Modern Cookery)

Tasty Easy Dinner Ideas

Bean Stuff Casserole

Cheesy bean casserole will please the whole fam any night of the week. (via Crazy for Crust)

15-Minute Spam Fried Rice

This quick fried rice dish is savory, salty, and protein-filled, thanks to the addition of Spam. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Pizza

You won't think twice about adding more Brussels sprouts to your meals after you taste them in this smoky, cheesy pizza. (via Bowl of Delicious)

Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

This stir-fry will please those on paleo, low-carb, or gluten-fee diets. Plus, it's thrifty in time and cost of ingredients. (via Wholesome Yum)

Chicken Scallopini

This classic pasta dish stars a few secret convenient ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. (via The Cozy Cook)

Chorizo Scallop and Kale Stir Fry

Spicy chorizo and sweet scallops cook up quickly in this kale-flecked stir-fry. (via Neil's Healthy Meals)

Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil

Cooking this buttery salmon in foil means you've got an easy dinner recipe that has a very seamless cleanup. (via Primavera Kitchen)

Greek Chicken Sheet-Pan Dinner

Sheet-pan chicken gets a big boost of flavor with lemon, feta, olives, and roasted veggies. (via Laughing Spatula)

Hearty Easy Dinner Ideas For You!

Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops

Using the grill for these pork chops adds another nice layer of unexpected flavor. (via The Life Jolie)

Easy Dinner Recipes For Every Season

Honey Ham, Gouda, and Apple Quesadillas

This unique spin on the quesadilla is the tastiest answer for nights when you can't bear the thought of eating yet another grilled cheese. (via Simple Seasonal)

Kale and Shrimp Tortellini

Keep frozen tortellini on-hand for when you need to whip up some filling dinners in a flash. (via Goodie Godmother)

Lemon Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Loaded with veggies, these protein-packed lemon chicken quinoa bowls fill you up while fueling your body with good stuff. (via Foodal)

Margarita Chicken Quesadillas

Make your quesadillas into a more substantial meal by filling them with tequila-lime chicken. A dollop of sour cream on top, and dinner is served. (via Life as a Strawberry)

Mexican Shrimp Skillet

This savory Mexican shrimp skillet can be on the table and ready to eat in 20 minutes tops. (via Family Food on the Table)

Pasta With Peas & Ricotta

Creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheeses transform this pasta dish into a grown-up version of macaroni and cheese. (via Mindy's Cooking Obsession)

Quinoa Taco Salad

Skip the fried tortilla bowl, and add extra nutrition to your taco salad by including a healthy dose of quinoa. If you're still craving some crunch, sprinkle in a handful of pepitas. (via Fannetastic Food)

Coconut Lime Shrimp

Zesty shrimp cooks up in minutes for a seriously ideal meal any night of the week. (via Salt & Lavender)

Spicy Vietnamese Salad With Garlic Shrimp

This is not your average salad. Garlic shrimp, avocado, rice noodles, and lots of herbs combine for a hearty bowl with quite the kick! (via The Rustic Foodie)

Spinach & Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Bake these rolled chicken bites in the oven for a surprisingly easy and satisfying meal. (via Primavera Kitchen)

Tortellini, Pesto, and Asparagus Soup

A cozy soup featuring pasta and veggies is the fastest way to sate your comfort food cravings. Pesto contributes to the bright, herbaceous flavor of this easy dinner recipe. (via The Freelancer's Cookbook)

Tuna Panzanella

Adding a little protein to your favorite Italian bread salad makes it into a full meal. Use oil-packed Italian tuna for a luxurious touch. (via Inside the Rustic Kitchen)

Za'atar One Pot Chicken & Rice

Za'atar, a blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame, puts a Middle Eastern twist on this easy, one-pot chicken and rice dish. (via Living Sweet Moments)

Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese

Prepped with just water, this frozen mac has stolen the hearts of many Aldi shoppers.

"I loooove this," one fan wrote on Reddit. "I gotta stop buying it because I eat the whole box. 😂"

Aldi Specially Selected Ice Cream

Aldi's ice creams truly cannot be beat. With flavors like Dulce de Leche and Strawberry Cheesecake, they've got something for every kind of sweet tooth!

"The high-quality of the ice cream was so satisfying that I was good after a few bites, so the pint will last me a while," one Redditor wrote in a review. "Highly recommended if you guys see it."

"All the Specially Selected items are fantastic," another user chimed in.

Burman's Chicken Dipping Sauce

Heralded as a dupe for Chick-fil-A's famous sauce, Aldi shoppers have totally hit the jackpot with this bottled find.

"I feel like it's not as sweet, but it definitely tastes like the other sauce," one Aldi fan noted.

"I liked it better than the real chick fil a sauce," one user concluded. "Some people seem to hate it though so I guess it's something you just gotta try for yourself."

Park Street Deli Chickpea Salad

With a medley of chickpeas, edamame, cranberries, carrots, and bell peppers, this is one healthy find you can get from Aldi. One shopper said that it carries a "light tanginess, good texture and flavor!"

"Love love love this," another fan said.

One Aldi shopper even offered up an easy lunch recipe using this product:

"This is one of my favorite things to get at Aldi. I mixed it with the antipasti olive mix, tomatoes, usually grape or cherry, some croutons, and a little creamy Caesar dressing. It makes for a tasty lunch."

Clancy's Cuban Sandwich Kettle Chips

Flavored like an authentic Cuban sammie, these kettle chips from Aldi are definitely not to be missed!

"I wait all year for these cuban sandwich chips," one person wrote.

"I just bought a bag and am obsessed!" another user agreed. "I may have to grab a few more to hold me over."

Specially Selected Coconut Crusted Flounder

Ooh, we love an easy dinner find! This flounder crusted with coconut also comes out so tasty in the air fryer, per Aldi shoppers.

"We have the coconut and macadamia in our freezer for a quick easy dinner with veggies and rice! Love them," one Redditor said.

"Yesss, I love these!" another person commented. "I just tried the tortilla-crusted one too and had the same great results."

Park Street Deli Dill Dip

For a nice snack, Aldi shoppers swear by this dill-y dip. It's light, creamy, and flavorful, so it can go with a wide variety of different pairings.

"Picked this up on my last trip, I’ve been eating it with tinned fish!" one Redditor said.

"I like it with pumpernickle bagels, great with any kind of chip, even veggie dip with baby carrots and cukes and red peppers," another person offered.

"My family uses it on wraps and sandwiches," one more user commented. "Pretty much anywhere you would think to put a creamy ranch condiment or a pickle flavor - it seems like they appreciate it mostly with turkey, but I like it with pan fried tofu!"

Season's Choice Tempura Crinkle-Cut Zucchini & Carrot Coins

These frozen bags of tempura veggies from Aldi make a great starter or side for an upscale-feeling dinner right at home! Just a bit in the air fryer, and they come out deliciously golden and crispy.

"Bought the zucchini hoping that they’d be similar to Carrabba’s fried zucchini. Different breading but really tasty," one Redditor reported. "The sauce I made was: Greek yogurt, avocado mayo, fresh dill, fresh garlic, onion powder and a little bit of salt. They were gone in minutes."

"Eating the carrot and the shrimp for lunch as I write this!" another user said. "SO good. Going to go back to get another bag to stock up."

Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese

Aldi shoppers of all kinds agree that this cheese is a great affordable gourmet option for cooking, charcuterie boards, and snacking sessions.

"You can make a beautiful board for next to nothing," one person said.

"This one is so amazing!" someone said about this cranberry-tinged cheddar.

"Their garlic and herb goat cheese is a staple in my bi-weekly grocery shopping visit," another user offered. "Great in eggs, couscous, and orzo, and on steamed vegetables."

Benton's Aussie Style Wafer Cookies

Finally, some sweets! These wafer cookies that resemble Australian TimTams are beloved by the Aldi community. They're a must-try for cookie lovers of any kind!

"I got some and they are simply delicious!" one person exclaimed.

"They are so rich and delicious!" another agreed.

"Grabbed two packs of chocolate the other day!" one more Redditor noted.

Elevation Protein Puffs

With 42 grams of protein per bag, these crunchy puffs are a great work snack. Though they have gotten mixed reviews from Aldi shoppers, you simply need to try 'em for yourself.

"They're not bad especially for high protein, low cal," one person said.

"I keep these around as my only real snack like thing on an aggressive cut," one dieter mentioned. "They’re great for that."

Simply Nature Chickpea Rotini

For a different kind of protein boost, this chickpea pasta with 12 grams of protein per serving is widely known as a great pantry staple from Aldi. You can use it for an easy pasta dish for dinner or pasta salad for lunch!

"I love these and the Aldi protein wraps," one user commented.

Rachel Zegler's Snow White is more inspirational than ever.

In the standout ballad “Waiting on a Wish," Snow White wonders “is it almost someday?” as she confronts the exhaustion and weary hope of waiting for a day of peace she’s not sure will ever come. Snow knows her father can set everything right, but struggles to believe she’s as “fearless, brave, fair, and true” as he is, even if she knows her true identity is a future queen.

Throughout the course of the movie, she finally comes to believe it’s up to her to change the fact the Evil Queen has “poisoned everyone into believing it’s everyone for themselves.” It’s that echo from the wishing well that provides an undercurrent to this new story — Snow White is waiting, but she’s actively waiting.

We are, after all, living in a post ‘90s-princess world, where our canon includes Belle daydreaming about a life outside her village and Mulan taking destiny into her own hands. Rachel Zegler’s Snow White isn’t just dreaming of a different life, she’s dreaming about actually changing her life, and becoming the boldest, truest version of herself.

This shift proves Disney movies are no longer purely about celebrating an original story’s beauty or providing comfort; they’re a call to action. Whether that shift is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, but I walked out of the theater feeling better than I did walking in.

Despite Disney’s OG princess getting a couple contemporary updates, the integrity of the character remains intact because the updates aren’t harsh or biting. The character doesn’t steer into one-dimensional territory where she’s only obsessed with true love or only obsessed with reclaiming the kingdom. Snow White doesn’t let anyone step all over her, but none of her sweetness is sacrificed for shock value, and that combination of firm and bold kindness inspires change in others.

Whether it’s offering comfort or literally saving someone’s life, Snow White actually shows up for people. And the butterfly effect of her actions culminate in a true, old fashioned showdown between Snow White and the Queen. Snow White’s return to the palace — as princess and not servant — moves the townspeople to sing her parents’ old song, in turn giving her the confidence to claim she’s “everything [she was] wishing and waiting for.”

'Snow White' is the kind of nostalgic Disney movie we haven't seen in years.

Erin Cressida Wilson's script feels like the kind of sweet Disney story we all love, with emotional beats, pacing, and humor that had me reminiscing on titles like Tangled, Miramax's Ella Enchanted, and the first season of Once Upon a Time on ABC.

Director Marc Webb reframes the original cartoon’s theme of waking up in a really remarkable way because outside the literal poison apple of it all, after Snow White challenges the Queen, she reminds the soldiers of their true identities to wake them up and reclaim the palace.

Snow also ties the idea of waking up with falling in love, because contrary to internet chatter, the live-action Snow White does actually have a love story. And it’s one that had me literally giggling. Rachel Zegler and Andrew Burnap’s fun banter quickly morphs into butterfly-inducing stares and smaller, quiet moments every romance fan will love. And yes, they do address the kissing-without-consent issue a lot of Disney viewers have with the original cartoon.

The fleshed-out love story as well as added subplots about Dopey’s inability to speak and Snow White’s desire to make her father proud — plus a truly gorgeous score from Jeff Morrow — add so much nuance and emotion to the iconic story that people in my theater gasped and applauded throughout the third act.

Rachel Zegler is a true shining star.

Rachel Zegler is radiant as Snow White, and her performance makes the whole film shine. I’ve said for years that her voice solidifies her as a generational talent, but her expressions and awareness of the world around her truly set her apart. Not to mention the fact the film itself is a gorgeous, textured visual display that made me forget I was in a movie theater. And I could talk forever about the animated woodland animals!

The movie features songs from the original like “Whistle While You Work” (and if you listen closely, you can hear Rachel humming a few notes of “Someday My Prince Will Come” during a key scene), but the movie also adds some new songs from Justin Paul and Benj Pasek that join the ranks of great Disney music — especially “Waiting on a Wish” and “A Hand Meets A Hand,” which they co-wrote with Lizzy McAlpine.

But Gal Gadot's performance leaves something to be desired.

Compared to Rachel Zegler’s stellar performance, Gal Gadot’s role as the Evil Queen left me wanting more, especially when it comes to her big number “All Is Fair,” which I wish I'd heard from a Broadway diva. The character’s obsession with her physical beauty in and of itself also feels thin and outdated compared to the depth the new story offers Snow White. (The beginning of the movie does mention the Queen’s beauty is the source of magical power, but it’s so brief I forgot about it until my second watch).

And while I found the animated Seven Dwarves charming (and their story brought me to tears), I still don’t understand the decision to animate the characters rather than casting seven actors with dwarfism.

Overall, Disney’s live-action Snow White is a heartfelt film that inspires audiences to not just dream of redemption, but to actually make changes that better the world around them. Because Snow White will always be kind, but she’s not whispering anymore.