If you have always-hungry teenagers at home, you know the struggle- keeping them full without blowing your grocery budget! Teens are notorious for bottomless appetites, and feeding them can feel like a full-time job. But don’t worry! These 10 cheap and filling meals for teens are budget-friendly, quick to make and packed with flavor to keep your growing teens satisfied.
From protein-packed dinners to snackable meals that double as lunch or late-night fuel, these recipes are perfect for busy families. Plus, they use simple, cheap ingredients and can easily be customized.
Let’s dive into these cheap, filling meals that teens will actually love!
10 Inexpensive Meals that will Fill Up Your Teen
1. 3-Ingredient BBQ Chicken Sliders
Cost per serving: $1.50
Servings: 4-6
Why teens love it: Sweet, tangy, and packed with protein!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie, canned, or leftovers)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 12 slider buns
Instructions:
- Mix shredded chicken and BBQ sauce in a bowl.
- Warm in a skillet or microwave.
- Pile onto slider buns and serve!
Budget Tip: Use leftover rotisserie chicken or canned chicken for a faster, cheaper meal!
2. 5-Minute Microwave Mac & Cheese
Cost per serving: $0.80
Servings: 1 (easy to double!)
Why teens love it: It’s creamy, cheesy, and ready in minutes.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup elbow macaroni
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar works best!)
Instructions:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix macaroni and water.
- Microwave for 4 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds.
- Add milk and cheese, stir, and microwave for 30 more seconds.
- Stir and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Buy bulk shredded cheese for big savings!
3. 10-Minute Pizza Quesadilla
Cost per serving: $1.25
Servings: 2
Why teens love it: Crispy, cheesy, and tastes like pizza!
Ingredients:
- 2 flour tortillas
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup pizza sauce
- 8 pepperoni slices (or favorite toppings!)
Instructions:
- Spread pizza sauce on one tortilla.
- Add cheese and pepperoni, then top with the second tortilla.
- Cook in a skillet on medium heat for 3 minutes per side.
- Slice and serve!
Money-Saving Tip: Buy tortillas in bulk—cheaper than frozen pizza!
4. Lazy Cheeseburger Wraps
Cost per serving: $1.80
Servings: 4
Why teens love it: It’s a cheeseburger—but easier to eat!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tsp salt & pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- 4 large flour tortillas
- Optional: lettuce, ketchup, mustard, pickles
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef in a pan, seasoning with salt & pepper.
- Stir in cheese until melted.
- Spoon onto tortillas, add toppings, and wrap like a burrito.
- Serve as is or toast in a skillet for extra crispiness!
My fave nonstick skillet: Reasonably priced and pretty!
5. 15-Minute Ramen Stir-Fry
Cost per serving: $1.00
Servings: 2
Why teens love it: Upgraded ramen = next-level flavor!
Ingredients:
- 1 pack ramen noodles (ditch the seasoning!)
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Cook ramen noodles and drain.
- In a pan, melt butter, add veggies, and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Add noodles and soy sauce, stir well.
- Serve hot!
Budget Tip: Stock up on frozen veggies – definitely cheaper than fresh AND they last longer!
6. DIY Crunchwrap Supreme
Cost per serving: $1.75
Servings: 2
Why teens love it: It’s Taco Bell at home!
Ingredients:
- 1 large flour tortilla
- ¼ cup seasoned ground beef
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
- 1 small crunchy tostada or tortilla chips
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp salsa
Instructions:
- Lay tortilla flat, spread sour cream in the center.
- Add seasoned beef, cheese, tostada, and salsa.
- Fold edges inward to make a sealed wrap.
- Cook in a dry skillet for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Love these meal prep containers that are pretty colors AND made out of glass!
7. 4-Ingredient Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Cost per serving: $1.90
Servings: 4
Why teens love it: Creamy, cheesy, and filling!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked pasta
- 1 jar Alfredo sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan
Instructions:
- Boil pasta, drain.
- Stir in Alfredo sauce, chicken, and cheese.
- Heat over medium for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot!
Budget Tip: Buy store-brand Alfredo sauce. It’s cheaper but still delicious!
8. Cheesy Baked Ziti
Cost per serving: $1.50
Servings: 6
Why teens love it: Cheesy, hearty, and ultra-satisfying! One of my fave cheap and filling meals for teens!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and toss with olive oil.
- In a baking dish, layer half the pasta, half the marinara sauce, and half the mozzarella cheese.
- Add remaining pasta, sauce, and top with ricotta (if using), mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Budget Tip: Buy block cheese and shred it yourself; it’s cheaper and definitely melts better!
9. Easiest Sheet Pan Nachos
Cost per serving: $1.25
Servings: 4
Why teens love it: Nachos = instant favorite!
Ingredients:
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- ½ cup cooked taco meat (or canned beans!)
- ¼ cup salsa
Instructions:
- Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with cheese and meat/beans.
- Broil for 3 minutes, then top with salsa.
- Serve immediately!
Budget Tip: Use canned black beans instead of meat for a cheaper version!
10. Easy One-Pan Chicken and Rice
Cost per serving: $1.75
Servings: 4
Why teens love it: Hearty, filling, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced chicken, season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Stir in frozen veggies and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Add cooked rice, mix well, and let everything heat through.
- Sprinkle with cheese (if using) and serve hot!
Budget Tip: Use leftover rice and frozen chicken to make this even cheaper!
Keep Your Teens Full on a Budget!
Feeding teens doesn’t have to cost a fortune! These meals are cheap, filling and easy to make, perfect for busy families looking to save money without sacrificing flavor!
Want More Budget Meal Ideas? Check out these 5 dinner ideas all under $20!
