Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    17 St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Decorations

    Looking for a golden idea? You're in luck. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebrations with our shamrock garlands, rainbow balloons, leprechaun traps, and more.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Recipes
  4. Quick, Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

Quick, Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

By Anna Kovel
Updated November 26, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Alpha Smoot
These delicious are perfect meals for when time is tight—and even when it isn't. The fact that they're economical to make is just an added bonus.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Alpha Smoot

There are a few approaches to follow when a quick, budget-friendly dinner solution is needed. This is not the time to fall back on takeout from your local Chinese restaurant or pizza place; in fact, cooking the meal yourself is not only more economical than ordering in, but it's also healthier, too. Instead of picking up the phone, rely on streamlined recipes like the ones in this carefully curated selection. Once you have a few good recipes in your back pocket, you're halfway there.

Several of the quick dinner recipes here rely on products that will make meal prep faster and more effective; be it a bag of frozen shrimp, a tube of pre-cooked polenta, or a bottle of fish sauce. When planning meals, it's important to know where to spend your money and where you can save. Doing the cooking yourself and keeping the recipes simple and fresh is the first step. Then you can justify opening your wallet for a nice piece of Parmigiano Reggiano, which is a good example of where quality really makes a difference. You'll use it for 30-minute pasta dinners as well as the finishing touch on soups like the Shortcut Italian Wedding Soup shown here. It's also delicious over top of polenta and adds a little something extra to many other meals.

There's something for pretty much everybody in this set of quick dinner recipes, whether they are meat lovers, vegans, or vegetarians. Choose from these fast, family-friendly recipes, and—if you set up your pantry, fridge, and freezer accordingly—you'll have a whole new repertoire of meals you can pull off quickly. Other strategies to help you get dinner on the table fast and under budget include using local, seasonal vegetables when possible (they will always taste better and should be less expensive than those that have traveled across the world) or those that have been pre-cut for you. Once in a while, though, a tropical ingredient like fresh pineapple can give you the license to break out of your rut or make your favorite dish from the Thai place you used to have on speed dial.

Let these quick, budget-friendly dinner recipes inspire you to create delicious meals all year long.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skillet Cod with Bulgur, Zucchini, and Tomatoes

Credit: Justin Walker
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In true Mediterranean style, this rustic-chic fish dish is as doable as they come. If you can't find harissa powder, use harissa paste which can often be found in jars or tubes (and is a handy panty ingredient to have on hand), or use a mix of equal parts paprika, ground cumin, and ground coriander, plus a pinch of cayenne.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Inside-Out Pork Dumplings

Credit: Raymond Hom
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a very quick dinner that takes delicious inspiration from Chinese takeout meals. It's as if you took the dumpling filling and tossed it in a pan with the wrappers

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Beef and Cabbage Tacos

Credit: Yuki Sugiura
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Do you have a weekly Taco Night? The quickest, tastiest solution for a filling is seasoned ground beef with raw, thinly sliced vegetables. Here's another trick to get the most flavor from a few ingredients: Grate the zest of the limes before you squeeze them for juice.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cajun Shrimp and Rice

Credit: Ren Fuller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everything simmers in one pan together to create this soulful and filling dinner. Spicy andouille sausage is worth seeking out for its true Cajun flavor.

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Thyme-and-Sesame-Crusted Chicken Thighs

Credit: Justin Walker
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Boneless chicken thighs are more flavorful and cost less per pound than chicken breast does. They are our go-to cut for easy, budget-friendly chicken dinners. Also, they take to frying beautifully.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Super-Grain Soup with Watercress and Mushrooms

Credit: Justin Walker
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A bowl of clear broth, wholesome quinoa, and vegetables is the proof that quick can be healthy, too. Use vegetable broth to make this a vegan dinner or go with chicken broth for a meat-free meal.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Parmesan Pork with Polenta and Asparagus

Credit: Ren Fuller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This Italian-inspired dinner has only three components, and each one plays off the other perfectly. If you take a short cut and use pre-cooked polenta from a tube, this is a super quick dinner. If you've got a bit more time, save a little money and make a pot of polenta yourself.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Minestrone with Collard Greens and White Beans

Credit: José Manuel Picayo Rivera
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Beans and greens are two sources of filling fiber in this meatless soup. Make a double batch and you'll have lunch on hand for another day.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chicken-Teriyaki Noodle Bowls

Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is sure to become a favorite weeknight dinner—and one that will be easy to pull off if you stock your pantry with staples like rice vinegar and udon noodles, and your freezer with edamame. If you're not an eggplant fan, substitute your favorite vegetable.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spicy Pork-and-Pineapple Stir-Fry

Credit: Justin Walker
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Brown rice is the perfect foil for this highly flavored, sweet and spicy stir fry. Plan ahead and start a pot of rice before you begin the stir fry—or cook it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer in batches.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Swiss-Chard and Almond Pasta

Credit: Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this fast vegetarian dinner, almonds replace the usual pine nuts to give a nutty flavor and crunch to an unusual and tasty sauce that doesn't require a food processor or a mortar and pestle. It's really that easy.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Grilled Tofu Sandwiches

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Another recipe that's bound to become a regular on your weeknight rotation, this vegan baguette sandwich is inexpensive to make and deliciously different. When pressed before grilling and grilled (in a grill pan on the stovetop or on an outdoor grill), tofu takes on the flavors of the spicy marinade and a delicious smoky grilled flavor, too. All the better for pairing with a quick carrot salad that's put together while the tofu marinates.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Anna Kovel

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 13
2 of 13 Skillet Cod with Bulgur, Zucchini, and Tomatoes
3 of 13 Inside-Out Pork Dumplings
4 of 13 Beef and Cabbage Tacos
5 of 13 Cajun Shrimp and Rice
6 of 13 Thyme-and-Sesame-Crusted Chicken Thighs
7 of 13 Super-Grain Soup with Watercress and Mushrooms
8 of 13 Parmesan Pork with Polenta and Asparagus
9 of 13 Minestrone with Collard Greens and White Beans
10 of 13 Chicken-Teriyaki Noodle Bowls
11 of 13 Spicy Pork-and-Pineapple Stir-Fry
12 of 13 Swiss-Chard and Almond Pasta
13 of 13 Grilled Tofu Sandwiches

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

Quick, Budget-Friendly Dinner Recipes You'll Make Again and Again
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.