Delicious Budget Dinner Ideas - Cheap & Easy Meals for One
Delicious Budget Dinner Ideas - Cheap & Easy Meals for One
Eating well doesn't have to break the bank, especially when you're cooking for one. Whether you're looking to save on your grocery bill or just want some quick and easy meals, there are plenty of cheap dinner ideas that are both delicious and nutritious.
With a little bit of planning and a handful of ingredients, you can whip up meals that are both satisfying and affordable. From ground beef to chicken breast, and even vegetarian options, these recipes are perfect for those who want to stick to their grocery budget while enjoying good food.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the best meal ideas, featuring simple ingredients and easy recipes, perfect for single servings. So, if you're looking for cheap meals for one that are both easy to make and tasty to eat, you're in the right place!
How do you cook dinner on a budget?
Cooking dinner on a budget is all about using simple ingredients and planning ahead. One great way to save is by buying in bulk sections at your local grocery store. For instance, you can get chicken thighs, which are cheaper than chicken breast packages, and use them to make a delicious stir fry with fresh veggies like bell peppers and sweet potatoes.
Brown rice is another budget-friendly option that makes a filling meal and pairs well with many dishes. You can also make a big batch of chili using white beans and chicken broth, which is an ultimate comfort food that can last for several meals. An easy way to add lots of flavors without breaking the bank is by using pantry staples like chili powder, lime juice, and sesame seeds.
For picky eaters, try making a creamy pasta with a can of beans and cream cheese, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Utilizing an instant pot or air fryer can make these easy weeknight dinners even quicker to prepare.
The Benefits of Meal Planning
Meal planning is one of the easiest ways to save time and money on grocery shopping. By planning out your meals for the week ahead of time, you can avoid impulse buys and ensure that you have everything you need for healthy, delicious meals. With a meal plan, you can streamline your grocery shopping and make the most of your budget.
How do you plan meals on a budget?
Planning meals on a budget starts with creating a grocery list that focuses on simple ingredients and pantry staples. Start by planning your meals for the week, making sure to include some easy dinners that use affordable ingredients like chicken thighs, brown rice, and fresh veggies.
A great way to save money is by making use of bulk sections at your grocery store for items like beans, rice, and spices. You can also save by planning to use leftovers, like making chicken salad with leftover rotisserie chicken.
When planning your meals, look for recipes that use the same ingredients in different ways to minimize waste and save money. For example, a large batch of chicken broth can be used in soups, stir fries, and pasta dishes throughout the week. Incorporating a mix of vegetarian options and meat-based meals can also help stretch your grocery budget further.
Cheap & Easy Meal Plan for One with Recipes
Easy weeknight cooking is a must-have in our home, which is why I prep a weekly meal plan with a shopping list every week. I like to have about a dozen easy recipes on hand so I can flip through them every week when I’m meal planning. While I'm usually cooking for my family, all of the healthy recipes on this meal plan make great dinners for one too!
Having healthy meals on hand helps me to feel free during the week and like I'm a super organized mom.
While I've shopped at plenty of grocery stores, I find shopping at Aldi is the most convenient for my grocery budget because I can often save money. Plus, Aldi offers curbside pickup!
If meal planning seems overwhelming to you, check out my printable meal planner template. You can get it here. I'm certain you'll save time with it!
Mongolian Beef
Jessie introduced me to this recipe, and it’s become a semi-weekly staple in our house! I love that you can cook it in literally 20 minutes flat.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ yellow onion, diced
½ teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, onion, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes together. Then, Cook the ground beef with sesame oil in a skillet on medium heat until well done. Drain the fat.
Pour the soy sauce mixture over the meat and combine together. Simmer for a few minutes while the sauce thickens. Serve over white rice.
Breaded Lemon Chicken
This recipe is based off of Half Baked Harvest’s Florentine Butter Chicken, and it is delicious as a main dish! It’s slightly more involved than the others, but SO worth it!
I make this at least once every two weeks. You can serve it without orzo pasta if you’re watching your grains and add in a green vegetable like asparagus.
Ingredients:
1lb chicken tenders
1 large egg, beaten
¼ cup of gluten free flour
4 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 ½ cups cherry tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup of white wine
3 lemons
½ lb of orzo pasta
Instructions:
While I like to use chicken tenders for this recipe because they cook quickly, you can also use chicken breasts. One of my tricks to this recipe is setting out two plates. On the first plate, sprinkle the ¼ cup of gluten free flour, salt and pepper.
Beat one egg in a small bowl to dip the chicken tenders into. After dipping the chicken tenders in the egg, place the chicken into the flour to coat. Set it on the second plate.
Boil salted water for the orzo. Slice one lemon. Squeeze the juice of two lemons into a bowl and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken tenders from the heat and place onto the plate.
Add the 4 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once the butter melts, add the slices of lemon to caramelize for one minute. Remove the lemon slices and set on top of the chicken.
Add orzo pasta to the boiling water and cook for several minutes until cooked through. Drain the pasta and drizzle olive oil over it, so it doesn’t stick.
Add the thyme and cherry tomatoes to the pan. After a few minutes, the cherry tomatoes will start to burst. Once they do, add the white wine and lemon juice and cook for 2 minutes. Then, re-add the chicken tenders back to the pan to cook.
The sauce will thicken and chicken tenders will cook through.
Cheese Quesadillas & Chicken Fajitas
Meals that can easily be made for the entire family are key to weeknight cooking. I love that Aldi has a mix of great produce and other ingredients as well as pre-cooked meals.
I found a pre-cooked pack of Chicken Fajitas that was the perfect complement to this meal.
Ingredients:
El Milagro Tortillas
2 cups Chihuahua cheese
1 pack of chicken fajitas from Aldi
Instructions:
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add one Milagro tortilla.
Top with ¾ cup of Chihuahua cheese and another tortilla. Cook for one minute and allow the cheese to slightly melt. Flip the tortilla and brown the other side.
Slice with a pizza cutter and serve with a side of chicken fajitas. You can also add black beans or cheddar cheese to this recipe, too!
Ravioli with Grilled Italian Sausage
Italian is an easy weeknight go-to for us. I like to keep a few packs of raviolis in the refrigerator and Aldi has a great variety to choose from! Also, a few cans of pasta sauce on hand is always a good idea - I consider it to be a pantry staple.
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Ingredients:
One pack of Ravioli
One can pasta sauce
1lb of mild Italian Sausage
¼ cup water
3 tablespoons of Italian seasoning (Oregano, Thyme and Basil)
½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a glass dish, pour ¼ cup of water.
Place the Italian sausage in the water and sprinkle Italian seasoning on top. Cook for 30 minutes in the oven flipping midway through.
Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling. Add the ravioli and cook for 2 minutes until they float to the top.
Drain and top with pasta sauce. Slice the sausage into ½ pieces and add to the pasta sauce. Heat for 2 minutes
I hope you find this free Aldi meal plan handy! I know that when I sit down to meal plan and then grocery shop, it makes our week run more smoothly. For more meal ideas, check out this section on the blog, and stay tuned for more weekly Aldi meal plans!
How to Create Your Cheap & Easy Meal Plan
Start by taking inventory of your pantry staples and freezer items. This will help you determine what you already have on hand and what you need to buy.
Use a printable shopping list to jot down the ingredients you'll need for your meals. You can find printable shopping lists online or create your own.
Plan out your meals for the week, taking into account any dietary restrictions. Consider incorporating easy recipes that require minimal prep time, such as slow cooker meals or sheet pan dinners.
Head to your local Aldi or preferred store to do your grocery shopping. Use your shopping list to guide you as you navigate the aisles and select your ingredients.
Once you've finished shopping, take a moment to review your total cost and make any adjustments as needed. You'll be amazed at how much money you can save on your grocery bill by sticking to the list.
Sample Cheap & Easy Meal Plan
Here's a sample cheap & easy meal plan to get you started:
Monday: Mongolian Beef
Tuesday: Breaded Lemon Chicken
Wednesday: Ravioli with Grilled Italian Sausage
Thursday: Cheese Quesadillas & Chicken Fajitas
Friday: Ahi tuna poke bowls with soy sauce, rice, and fresh vegetables.
The Best Part?
With a cheap & easy meal plan, you can enjoy delicious budget meals all week long without spending a fortune. By focusing on simple ingredients and utilizing pantry staples, you can create a variety of meals that are both nutritious and satisfying. Planning ahead and being resourceful with your ingredients can help you maintain a healthy and budget-friendly diet. So, get creative in the kitchen, enjoy these cheap meals, and make the most of your grocery budget!
Note: Prices and availability may vary by location. Check with your local grocery store for the most up-to-date information.
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Hi, I’m Jen!
Hi, I’m Jen, your perpetually optimistic, fun-loving, witty friend. When I’m not working at The Marketing Greenhouse, you can find me gardening in the sun, playing games with my kids or creating content that inspires people to try new things and be the best version of themselves.
