7 Cheap Dinners That You Should Try This Week

Welcome back to our weekly culinary adventure! This time, we’re diving into the world of delicious yet budget-friendly dinners. Who says eating on a budget has to be boring? With a bit of creativity and these fantastic recipes, you can enjoy satisfying meals without breaking the bank. Let’s get cooking!

1. Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or penne)
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Toss in cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper, top with grated Parmesan cheese, and serve hot.

2. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add chili powder and cumin, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes and beans. Bring to a simmer.
4. Cook for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with desired toppings.

3. One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
2. In a large skillet, sear chicken until golden brown on both sides.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Pour in rice and chicken broth. Place lemon slices on top.
5. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is cooked and chicken is tender.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

4. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shredded cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, brown ground beef with onion and garlic.
3. Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each bell pepper half with the meat mixture.
5. Place stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

5. Veggie Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions:

1. In a wok or large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and garlic, stir-frying for 1-2 minutes.
3. Toss in mixed vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
4. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce and honey.
5. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir until coated and heated through.
6. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

6. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 1 can refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• 4 large flour tortillas
• Salsa, guacamole, sour cream for dipping

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Spread refried beans on one half of a tortilla.
3. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and fold the tortilla in half.
4. Place quesadilla in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides.
5. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
6. Cut into wedges and serve hot with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

7. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over low heat.
3. Add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until garlic is golden but not browned.
4. Toss cooked spaghetti in the garlic oil until well coated.
5. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve immediately.

There you have it! Seven delicious, wallet-friendly dinner options to spice up your week without breaking the bank. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, stir fry, or a comforting stew, these recipes have got you covered. Happy cooking!