Struggling to find budget-friendly meal options that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table? Don't worry, we've got your back! Say goodbye to mealtime woes with our mouthwatering lineup of cheap dinner ideas that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family.

From comforting classics to inventive twists on old favorites, these recipes prove that you don't have to break the bank to enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal together. So, let’s gather around the table and get ready to indulge in flavorful dishes that’ll have your whole family asking for seconds!

18 Cheap Dinner Ideas for an Affordable Night at Home

Feeling the pinch at dinnertime? We've compiled cheap meal ideas that are perfect for those evenings when you want to enjoy a delicious meal with your family. These budget-friendly dishes will help you savor the simple joys of dining in without sacrificing flavor or quality. Let’s dive in!

1. Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

These Philly cheesesteak sliders are easy on the wallet, offering all the savory flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak in a convenient slider format. With thinly sliced steak, affordable cheese options, and basic pantry staples, you can create a satisfying meal that's both delicious and budget-friendly.

Plus, these sliders are perfect for feeding a crowd without a lot of fuss. They’re quick and easy to assemble, making them the perfect dinner for busy weeknights or casual gatherings with your loved ones. Their bite-sized nature also makes them perfect for little hands, so even your little ones can dig in.

2. Sloppy Joe Sliders

When it comes to cheap, easy dinner ideas, Sloppy Joe sliders are a go-to. With seasoned ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and sweet onions sandwiched between soft slider buns, these sliders deliver big on taste without breaking the bank.

These sliders use simple and inexpensive ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens. With ground beef being a budget-friendly protein option and pantry staples like ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar providing the base for the flavorful sauce, you can create a satisfying meal that’s bound to become a staple at your dinner table.

3. Nacho Dogs

Combining the best elements of two beloved dishes—hot dogs and nachos—these nacho dogs are sure to please both your taste buds and your wallet. Hot dogs are a budget-friendly protein option, and when paired with simple ingredients like tortilla chips, cheese, and salsa, you have a meal that's both delicious and cost-effective.

At the same time, these nacho dogs are incredibly versatile, so you can easily customize them to suit your family’s preferences and budget. Whether you’re craving classic toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, and jalapenos or more indulgent options like guacamole, sour cream, and black beans, the possibilities are endless. You can also use leftover ingredients from other meals to create unique flavor combinations.

4. Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Looking for hearty cheap meals that’ll serve the whole family? Bacon cheeseburger sliders use reasonably priced ingredients like ground beef, cheese slices, bacon, and slider buns, putting a creative twist on your traditional burgers.

These sliders are perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank. By using slider buns instead of full-sized hamburger buns, you can control portion sizes and stretch your ingredients, ensuring everyone gets their fill without overspending. Plus, their bite-sized nature makes them ideal for sharing at family gatherings. Win-win!

5. Sweet Spicy Baked Corn Casserole

This sweet spicy baked corn casserole is an ultra-filling meal that can serve as a main dish or a side dish, making it a versatile option for families on a budget. By pairing it with protein sources like grilled chicken or beans, you can create a complete and balanced meal that's both nutritious and budget-friendly.

This casserole can also be adapted to fit your budget and preferences. You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of jalapenos or chili powder. Plus, you can add other budget-friendly ingredients (think: diced bell peppers or onions) to bulk up the dish.

6. Mini Pizzas

Instead of ordering takeout, why not make your own mini pizzas at home? These mini pizzas allow you to make the most out of ingredients you probably already have on hand, like rolls, tomato sauce, and cheese.

You can use whatever toppings you have available, whether it's leftover vegetables, meats, or cheeses, to create fun flavor combinations that suit your family's preferences. Plus, because they're small, you can use less toppings overall, which helps stretch your ingredients further.

7. Pulled Chicken Sliders

If you have leftover chicken in the fridge, pulled chicken sliders are one of the best cheap meals to make. Using leftovers helps reduce food waste and maximizes the value of ingredients you've already bought, making pulled chicken sliders a cost-effective option.

These bite-sized delights are incredibly versatile, allowing you to use whatever ingredients you have on hand to infuse your sliders with flavor. Whether you season your pulled chicken with barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, or a simple blend of herbs and spices, you can customize the sliders to suit your family's preferences without buying expensive specialty ingredients.

8. Turkey and Cheddar Cheese Sandwiches

Want to keep it simple? Turkey and cheddar cheese sandwiches are a beloved classic. Turkey is typically more affordable than other deli meats, making it a wallet-friendly protein option that still offers plenty of flavor and nutrition. Plus, cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with turkey, adding richness and creaminess to the sandwich.

The best part? Since these sandwiches are quick and easy to make, they’re perfect for when you’re short on time. With minimal prep, you can make a satisfying meal that’s ready to enjoy in just a few minutes. These sandwiches are a hit with both kids and adults, making them a crowd-pleasing option for the whole family.

9. BBQ Meatball Sliders

These BBQ meatball sliders are one of the best cheap meals to make—and for good reason. They use affordable ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen, like ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, eggs, and barbecue sauce. You can also use leftover ground meat or bread to make the meatballs, and any extra BBQ sauce can be saved for future meals.

Plus, you can adjust the recipe based on what ingredients you have on hand or what's on sale at the grocery store. Whether you prefer using homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce or adding extra spices and seasonings to the meatball mixture, there are plenty of ways to tailor the recipe to suit your preferences without breaking the bank.

10. Grilled Pepperoni Pizza Sandwiches

Looking for cheap meals for family dinners? Make sure to add grilled pepperoni pizza sandwiches to your recipe list. These sandwiches use simple ingredients like bread, pepperoni, cheese, and pizza sauce, making it easy to create a satisfying meal with pantry staples.

Assembling these sandwiches is a breeze, making them ideal for hectic weeknights or laid-back weekends. With a handful of basic ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a fulfilling dish that's ready to savor within moments. Plus, grilling creates a delectably crispy outer layer and a tantalizingly gooey, melted center that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

11. Ham and Swiss Sliders

These ham and Swiss sliders use simple and economical ingredients like deli ham, Swiss cheese, and rolls, offering a cost-effective dinner option for your dinner rotation. They’re also convenient for busy families since they can be assembled in advance and baked when ready to serve.

Ham and Swiss sliders are highly customizable, so you can suit your family’s tastes and preferences with your favorite toppings. Whether you add a spread of mustard or mayo, add toppings like pickles or onions, or stick with the classic combination of ham and cheese, these sliders are sure to leave your family craving seconds.

12. Meatball Subs

When it comes to cheap and easy dinner ideas, nothing beats meatball sliders. They use affordable ingredients like ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, and basic seasonings, which are often pantry staples. This way, you can create a satisfying meal without breaking your grocery budget.

Meatball sliders are ultra-convenient for busy families. You can make them in large batches and freeze them for future meals—or assemble them in advance and bake them when it’s time for dinner. This means minimal hands-on preparation time, making them ideal for chaotic weeknights or whenever you’re looking for a quick meal option.

13. Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Want to add some spice to your family dinners? Buffalo chicken sliders only require a few ingredients. Plus, you can use leftover chicken to transform scraps into a delicious meal—all while cutting down on food waste and saving money on groceries.

These sliders are incredibly versatile, so you can experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to find the best option for your family and budget. Whether you’re craving a mild or spicy buffalo sauce, or extra toppings like cheese or coleslaw, there are countless ways to tailor these sliders to your taste.

14. King’s Hawaiian Turkey Casserole

Our King’s Hawaiian turkey casserole is one of the best cheap family meals in the book. It maximizes the use of affordable ingredients, like turkey, cheddar cheese, and King’s Hawaiian rolls, ensuring every component of the dish contributes to its cost-effectiveness.

This turkey casserole is an ideal make-ahead option—perfect for families seeking convenience without compromising on flavor. By preparing the casserole in advance and refrigerating or freezing it for later use, you can streamline mealtime prep and reduce the need for costly takeout or dining out.

15. Grilled Bread

Feeding picky eaters? Grilled bread is a timeless classic with a crispy, warm texture that the whole family is sure to love. Grilled bread requires minimal ingredients—just bread, butter or olive oil, and optional seasonings or toppings.

Grilled bread can serve as a canvas for your favorite toppings, making it a versatile meal or appetizer. Whether you add simple toppings like butter and jam or more substantial ones like avocado, tomato, or melted cheese, grilled bread can be adapted to suit what you have on hand and your family's tastes.

16. Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

If you’re looking for easy, cheap dinner ideas, add these chicken bacon ranch sliders to your dinner repertoire. Chicken, especially when bought in bulk or on sale, is an economical protein choice. Meanwhile, bacon and cheese add flavor—and you don’t need large quantities to bring these sliders to life.

This dish is also a great way to repurpose leftover chicken and maximize the value of your grocery purchases. Leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken works perfectly in these sliders, making it a smart way to stretch your budget. At the same time, the sliders’ small size makes them perfect for little hands and portion control, ensuring everyone at the table is satisfied.

17. Chopped Italian Subs

Craving a heartier meal? Chopped Italian subs are here to save the day. These subs are made with deli meats like turkey, ham, and pepperoni, which are often available at reasonable prices, especially when purchased in bulk or on sale. This way, you can treat the whole family to a flavorful and satisfying protein source without breaking the bank.

Chopped Italian subs require minimal preparation and assembly, so you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen or invest in expensive cooking equipment to whip up a culinary masterpiece. Plus, if you have leftover deli meats or vegetables on hand, these subs are a perfect way to use them up.

18. BBQ Chicken Caesar Sliders

These BBQ chicken Caesar sliders are one of our favorite cheap dinners—and it’s easy to see why. These sliders are perfect for repurposing leftover chicken. Whether you’re using leftover grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even baked chicken, these sliders can make use of what you already have on hand.

These sliders are also a go-to choice for feeding a crowd on a budget. From family dinners to potlucks and casual get-togethers, BBQ chicken Caesar sliders can be made in large batches without expensive ingredients or complex preparation.

Food for Any Event with King’s Hawaiian

Want to upgrade your family dinners without breaking the bank? King’s Hawaiian has got you covered. With affordable recipes and budget-friendly products that don’t compromise on flavor or quality, you can enjoy satisfying and delicious dinners that bring everyone together around the table. Start exploring our cheap family dinner ideas today to delight your family with meals they'll love!