Easy Budget Family Recipes

➡ Hearty One-Pot Beef & Rice Skillet Recipe

Ingredients:

Ground beef

White rice

Onion, diced

Can of diced tomatoes

Beef broth (or water + bouillon)

Garlic powder

Paprika

Salt & pepper

Instructions:

Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add rice, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender. Stir before serving.

Tips & Swaps:

Use ground turkey or chicken for a more affordable option.

Add frozen veggies like peas or carrots for extra nutrition.

Double the recipe for leftovers or meal prep.

➡ Budget-Friendly Baked Ziti Recipe

Ingredients:

Pasta (penne or ziti)

Marinara sauce

Shredded mozzarella

Cottage cheese or ricotta

Ground Italian sausage or beef

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until al dente. In a skillet, brown sausage or beef. Drain excess fat. Mix pasta, sauce, meat, and half the cheese. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly.

Tips & Swaps:

Use canned tomato sauce and seasonings for homemade sauce.

Skip the meat for a vegetarian option.

Use any pasta you have on hand.

➡ Slow Cooker Chicken & Vegetable Stew Recipe

Ingredients:

Bone-in chicken thighs

Potatoes, diced

Carrots, sliced

Onions, chopped

Chicken broth (or water + bouillon)

Italian seasoning

Salt & pepper

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a slow cooker. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until chicken is tender and veggies are soft. Shred chicken before serving.

Tips & Swaps:

Use leg quarters instead of thighs for a more economical choice.

Swap fresh veggies for canned or frozen if needed.

Thicken the stew with a cornstarch slurry if desired.

➡ Frugal Breakfast-for-Dinner Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

Eggs

Diced potatoes (frozen or fresh)

Shredded cheese

Breakfast sausage or ham

Bell pepper, diced

Onion, chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook sausage, bell pepper, and onion in a skillet until browned. Spread potatoes in a greased baking dish. Top with sausage mixture. Beat eggs and pour over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 30-35 minutes until eggs are set.

Tips & Swaps:

Use any breakfast meat you have on hand.

Swap potatoes for hash browns.

Add spinach or leftover veggies for extra nutrients.

These recipes are filling, affordable, and adaptable to what you have in your pantry, use as much or as little Ingredients  as you want or can, making them perfect for feeding a family on a budget!