25 Cheap Meals for Large Families

Hungarian Goulash

"This Hungarian goulash recipe is a spicy way to dress up stew beef. My mom made this when we were kids, and we loved it. It is spicy but not mouth-burning! It can be made with cheaper cuts of beef and will still turn out very tender." —ENVIRO2

Simple Chicken and Noodles

"This is a recipe my grandmother used. She lived on a chicken farm, so it is as basic and simple as it can get. Usually all we have to accompany this recipe is mashed potatoes. It's really nice on cold days and extremely cheap to make." —Clara

Easy Taco Casserole

"Love it! Easy to make and the whole family likes it, which is unusual." —Roni

Winter Lentil Vegetable Soup

"This soup has very little fat, is cheap and easy to make, and delicious. Our family practically lives on it in the winter and I usually double the recipe." —Cecile Leverman

Salisbury Steak

"This recipe has been in my family for years. It's easy to cook, but tastes like it took hours to make! I usually make enough extra sauce to pour over mashed potatoes." —Kelly Berenger

Crispy and Tender Baked Chicken Thighs

"Crispy chicken thighs are baked in the oven with a flavorful, homemade spice rub. The bone-in chicken thighs stay moist and juicy while the skin crisps up beautifully. Serve this budget-friendly main dish alongside any side dish for a dinner the whole family will love." —Nicole Burdett

Black Beans and Rice

"Black beans and rice make a great 30-minute vegetarian meal that's filling, delicious, and cheap! Great as a side dish or in a burrito bowl, too." —Eileen Mintz

Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

"This easy chicken tortilla soup is a delicious, zesty soup recipe with only 6 canned ingredients!" —Terryn

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

"This is a quick, throw together slow cooker soup packed with all the flavors you'd expect in a Tex-Mex chili." —Janeen Barlow

Nicole's Best Baked Ziti

"Perfectly baked pasta absorbs flavor from the tangy tomato sauce, contrasting beautifully with the creamy ricotta mixture. This budget-friendly meal tastes like you spent all day making it!" —Nicole McLaughlin

Easy Cheap and Yummy Casserole

"Cheap, quick, easy, and the kids love it, how can you go wrong?" —Ms. Chef Esh

Best Tuna Noodle Casserole

"This tuna noodle casserole is the best with a classic creamy taste from my childhood. The sauce is rich and creamy but not overwhelmingly heavy. The crunch from the topping and fresh bite from the parsley create the perfect balance. Let's not forget that this is a great budget-friendly meal to feed a crowd!" —Nicole McLaughlin

Ground Beef and Cabbage

"This ground beef and cabbage recipe was my mother's. She was a country cook, plain and simple. But as I have traveled and worked and experienced foods from around the world, I look back and realize that many of the dishes she prepared, while simple, were perfect for that moment." —mtgraham2

Quick Fix Tortellini Soup

"Creamy Italian-style soup that is filling and budget-friendly. My wonderful friend Janet shared this recipe with me and my family loves it. I usually have all the items in my pantry for a last minute supper or surprise guests!" —shasty

Mamaw's Chicken and Rice Casserole

"I grew up with this chicken and rice casserole recipe. My Grandmother got it from a lady from church at a pot luck a long time ago! She passed it down to my mom and it's always been a family favorite. Quick and easy for school nights, and the leftovers are just as good!" —katiefbenham

Hamburger Kidney Casserole

"My mom used to make this when I was a child. It was a meal that was budget friendly for a family of six. Plus, it is full of protein!" —thedailygourmet

Grandma's Hamburger Casserole

"My grandmother's hamburger casserole is classic comfort food! Featuring ground beef, noodles, and a creamy cheese sauce, this simple recipe dates back to the 1940s." —LaDonna Langwell

Mostaccioli

"Mostaccioli (or penne) pasta is tossed in my own spaghetti sauce in this versatile, delicious, and budget-friendly dish. You can make the sauce ahead to save time." —Luv2cook

Cilantro-Lime Grilled Chicken

"This marinated grilled chicken is not only fast and easy, it's also budget-friendly and kid-approved! Serve with lime wedges and pico de gallo." —muchemwa

Easy Sesame Chicken

"This sweet and savory dish is simple to make and budget-friendly. Add broccoli and serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal." —CookingWithSheila

Hamburger Potato Casserole

"I followed the recipe exactly and I’ve made it about 3-4 times. It is SO good. Stick to your ribs comfort food. Tasty, easy, inexpensive and with a side salad, is just perfect! Love it!!” — Elizabeth Russell Lindsey

Adobo Chicken with Ginger

"Chicken adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines. The combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and peppercorns is delicious and actually preserves the chicken! My mother taught me how to cook this using her variation on the original recipe. It's a delicious, cheap, and easy dish." —Liz Cranis

Sloppy Joes

"I wanted a Sloppy Joe recipe that was quick and easy, a little sweet, but not unbearably sweet. This was AWESOME! I make it once every 2 weeks. Quick and easy, especially on a day when we have soccer practices!" —momof2ingeorgia

Simple Hamburger Stroganoff

"Quick and easy last minute dinner...tastes delicious too!" —Antonia Frasier

Million Dollar Spaghetti

"Million dollar spaghetti is the perfect combination of noodles, lean ground beef sauce, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. It's unbelievably good!" —Coqui30

More Inspiration

• 35 Cheap Chicken Recipes for Weeknight Dinners
• 15 Budget-Friendly Dinners Using Pantry Ingredients
• 15 Cheap Casseroles to Make on a Budget