Weeknight meals can be a challenge for many families. Between work, school, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to find the time and energy to come up with tasty yet budget-friendly recipes. However, there are plenty of delicious options that don’t require a lot of money or effort. In this blog post, we’ll share our favorite budget friendly recipes for weeknight meals. From quick one-pot dishes to slow cooker meals, you’ll find something that fits your family’s tastes without breaking the bank. So keep reading to discover some of our top picks!
One Pot Mexican Tomato Rice
To make this dish, start by heating a large pot over medium heat and adding some oil. Once the oil is hot, add diced onion and cook until softened. Then add garlic and jalapeño pepper and cook for an additional minute. Next, add in your rice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and all of the spices. Give everything a good stir to combine and then pour in the broth. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Once cooked through, fluff with a fork and serve with your favorite toppings such as sour cream or cheese!
Ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil – 2 Tbsp
- Red onion, finely chopped – 1
- Yellow capsicum, deseeded, thinly sliced – 1
- Dried oregano – 1 tsp
- Ground cumin – 1 tsp
- Ground coriander – 1 tsp
- Paprika – 1 1/2 tsp
- Long grain white rice – 1 1/2 cups
- Crushed tomatoes – 410 g
- Kidney beans, rinsed and drained – 400 g
- Sour cream, to serve
- Coriander leaves, to serve – 1/2 cup
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Serving: 4
Cooking Time: 25 mins
Carrot Mac & Cheese Bites
Carrot Mac & Cheese Bites are the perfect budget-friendly recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these bite-sized snacks are packed with flavor and sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Best of all, they can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week, making them perfect for busy families on the go.
Ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil – 2 Tbsp
- Large brown onion, coarsely grated – 1
- Medium carrots, coarsely grated – 3
- Plain flour – 1/3 cup
- Milk – 3 cups
- Grated pizza cheese – 1 cup
- Cooked macaroni – 3 cups
- Chives, finely chopped – 1 bunch
Serving: 12
Cooking Time: 60 mins
Black Bean Burritos
Black bean burritos are the perfect weeknight meal. They're easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are budget-friendly. To make black bean burritos, simply heat up a can of black beans in a saucepan over medium heat. Once heated, add the beans to a large flour tortilla along with some shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions. Roll up the tortilla and enjoy!
Ingredients:
- Olive oil – 2 Tbsp
- Onion, chopped – 1
- Cloves garlic, crushed – 3 cloves
- Carrot, grated – 1
- Cumin – 2 tsp
- Coriander – 2 tsp
- Paprika – 2 tsp
- Chilli flakes – a pinch
- Chopped tomatoes – 400 g
- Black beans, not drained – 400 g
- Red kidney beans, drained – 400 g
- Chopped coriander – 1 cup
- Tortilla wraps – 6
- Sour cream (lite) – 1/2 cup
- Grated cheese – 1 cup
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Serving: 6
Cooking Time: 70 mins
Smoky BBQ Mac and Cheese
This dish is a flavor-packed mac and cheese that will please any BBQ lover! Smoky paprika, cumin, and chili powder give this mac and cheese its signature flavor, while sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses make it extra creamy. This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to eat. This Smoky BBQ Mac and Cheese is the perfect budget friendly weeknight meal! It's packed with flavor from the smoky BBQ sauce and the sharp cheddar cheese, and it's so easy to make. Just throw everything in the crockpot and let it cook! This recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- Macaroni – 300 g
- Butter – 50 g
- Onion, diced – 1/2
- Flour – 1/3 cup
- Milk – 2 cups
- Barbecue sauce – 1/4 cup
- Ground paprika – 2 Tbsp
- Tomato paste – 2 Tbsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Grated or crumbled cheese (use cheddar or a blend of leftover cheese board cheeses) – 2 cups
- Ham, diced (use leftover glazed ham) – 200 g
- Panko breadcrumbs – 1/3 cup
Serving: 4-6
Cooking Time: 40 mins
Honey Soy Chicken Stir-Fry
This dish is an easy, budget-friendly recipe that comes together in under 35 minutes. Honey soy chicken stir-fry is a great weeknight meal option that the whole family will enjoy. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal. This dish is so easy to make and so delicious – it’s a weeknight staple in our house! Simply cook up some rice, throw everything in a pan, and dinner is ready in no time. The best part? It’s super budget-friendly too!
Ingredients:
- Oil – 1 Tbsp
- Chicken breast, sliced thinly – 450 g
- Sesame oil – 1 tsp
- Spring onions, sliced – 2
- Garlic cloves, sliced – 2
- Grated ginger – 1 Tbsp
- Courgette, sliced – 1
- Red capsicum, sliced thinly – 1/2
- Toasted sesame seeds – 1 Tbsp
Serving: 4
Cooking Time: 35 mins
Simple Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
This recipe for simple slow cooker pulled chicken is perfect for a budget friendly meal. With only a few ingredients, it's easy to make and can be served with rice or potatoes. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. Top with onions and BBQ sauce. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with a fork. Serve with rice or potatoes.
Ingredients:
- Plain tomato pasta sauce or passata – 1 x 400-500ml
- Small brown onion, sliced – 1
- Bean mix – 1 can
- Chicken breasts or boneless thighs – 500 g
- Chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
- Ground cumin – 1/2 tsp
- Paprika – 1/2 tsp
- Salt, to season
- Pepper, to season
Serving: 4
Cooking Time: 130 mins
Conclusion
We hope these budget friendly recipes have given you some inspiration on how to make delicious and nutritious meals without breaking the bank. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up wholesome weeknight dinners that your family will love. So go ahead and take advantage of the savings – happy cooking!
