5 Easy & Affordable Family Dinner Ideas for Under $20

Feeding your family on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or quality! With grocery prices rising, finding cheap family dinners that are still delicious can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together these 5 easy and affordable meals that you can make for under $20, and they’ll feed the whole family! (These are based on a family of four or five people, so if you have fewer, you might have leftovers and if you have more, you might need to add extra ingredients.)

These meals use budget-friendly ingredients, are quick to make on busy weeknights, and most importantly, they’re kid-approved! Let’s dive into these affordable family dinner ideas that will save you money while keeping everyone full and happy.

1. One Pot Cheesy Chicken & Rice

The ingredients for this one are SUPER simple, AND this dish is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor… all in one pot for easy cleanup. The combination of tender chicken, hearty rice, and gooey melted cheese makes it a kid-approved favorite while keeping grocery costs low. Any recipe that only requires one pot is definitely near the top of my list of fave afforable family dinner ideas!

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large pot, cook chicken over medium heat until no longer pink.
3. Add uncooked rice, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup. Stir well.
4. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes or until rice is tender.
5. Stir in shredded cheese and let it melt before serving. Enjoy!

2. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A restaurant-quality meal at home without the high price tag! This rich and creamy dish comes together quickly in a skillet, making it one of the most perfect affordable family dinner ideas for busy crews like ours. Serve it over pasta or rice for a satisfying dinner that feels indulgent but is actually super affordable.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach (optional)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
• 1/2 lb pasta or cooked rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add sliced chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Add spinach and cherry tomatoes (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Serve over cooked pasta or rice. Enjoy!

3. Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

Who doesn’t love a hearty, cheesy pasta dish? This baked ziti is comfort food at its best, packed with gooey cheese, flavorful sausage, and a rich marinara sauce. Pair it with garlic bread for a complete meal that feels fancy but is super budget-friendly.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 loaf garlic bread

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
2. In a skillet, cook ground sausage until browned; drain excess grease.
3. Mix pasta, marinara sauce, cooked sausage, and Italian seasoning in a large baking dish.
4. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
5. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve with warm garlic bread.

Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

This one-pan wonder is perfect for busy nights when you need something healthy and filling. With flavorful sausage, roasted veggies, and crispy potatoes, it’s a no-fuss meal that requires minimal prep and cleanup. Plus, roasting brings out amazing flavors while keeping the cost low!

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss potatoes, bell peppers, and onion with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread evenly on a sheet pan.
4. Slice sausage and add it to the pan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Skip the expensive takeout and make BBQ chicken pizza at home! This crispy, cheesy, and slightly smoky pizza is loaded with rotisserie chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, and melty mozzarella. It’s an easy way to bring pizza night to your kitchen without breaking the budget.

Ingredients

• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Spread BBQ sauce evenly over pizza crust.
3. Top with shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and red onion slices.
4. Sprinkle with oregano.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
6. Slice and serve!

Eating on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or variety! These affordable family dinner ideas prove that you can make delicious, filling meals without breaking the bank. Whether you’re craving pasta, tacos, or pizza, these recipes will keep your family full and happy—all while staying under $20 per meal.

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