Let’s face it, having affordable and easy dinner ideas during hectic weeknights is a godsend. While there’s an impression that delicious food demands spending long hours in the kitchen, there are a plethora of easy meals that don’t take too much time to create. Many of these dishes are also inexpensive, helping you significantly reduce your monthly grocery bill during trying times.
If you’re looking for some new easy dinner ideas to add to your repertoire to turn even a fussy eater around, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up 11 dinner ideas to keep everyone on the dinner table happy and healthy.
11 Cheap and Easy Dinner Ideas
1) Spaghetti and Meatballs
This classic dish is always a hit with kids and adults alike. It requires minimal effort and can be customised to your liking.
For a heartier meal, add some leftover vegetables to the sauce or top with grated cheese. You may even substitute the meatballs for another hearty alternative like bacon and Spam.
2) Chicken Parmesan
You can’t go wrong with chicken parm. It’s hearty, flavorful, and relatively simple to make. Serve it over a bed of pasta with a side of steamed broccoli.
If you want to add some sauce to this dish, we recommend a classic marinara or Alfredo. You could also try something new and experiment with different herbs and spices. Don’t forget the melted cheese, either! They’re sure to elevate the dish to the next level.
3) Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
This comforting combo will never go out of style. The tomato soup is the perfect complement to the grilled cheese, as the two come together to create a harmony of flavours that results in a filling and satisfying meal.
For an extra special treat, add a few slices of ham to your grilled cheese sandwiches. This gives the dish a protein boost and is sure to be a hit with the kids.
4) Spicy Tacos
Tacos are delicious, versatile, and easy to customise to everyone’s liking. Load them up with all your favourite toppings and make enough for the entire family, plus seconds!
Fish tacos are a particularly delicious taco type to eat for dinner. Use white fish fillets, like mahi-mahi or cod, and add in some shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and a creamy sauce. This is a guilt-free pleasure that’s low in calories but high in flavour.
5) Chicken Tikka Masala
Are you in the mood for something a little more exotic? Have more spice bottles than you know what to do with? This Indian-inspired dish will be right up your alley.
Chicken tikka masala is a fragrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal. It’s relatively easy to make and can be served with rice or naan bread. If your family has been craving Indian food, this dish can be your table’s centrepiece. Be sure to marinate the chicken ahead of time for efficiency.
6) Cheesy Mash Meatloaf
Want to add a fun twist to the classic meatloaf? Add some cheese and potatoes to it!
This delectable dish is cheesy, savoury, and sure to please everyone at the dinner table. It’s also a hearty and filling meal, perfect for celebratory nights. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a more well-balanced meal.
7) Chickpea Pasta Salad
There’s nothing quite like a good pasta salad after a long day. This is particularly true when the dish tastes fantastic and is nutritious all at once!
Chickpea pasta is a great alternative to regular pasta, as it’s high in protein and fibre. Best of all, this pasta salad is light enough that you won’t feel bloated afterwards. You can prepare this dish hot or cool – both variants are delicious!
8) Pad Thai
This Thai classic is sweet, salty, sour, and spicy all at once. It’s also incredibly easy to make at home!
While the traditional variant makes use of expensive ingredients like shrimp, you can always substitute it with ingredients that are more affordable or readily available at home. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can browse the specials at Coles and experiment with new ingredients altogether.
9) Chicken and Bacon Pizza
Have some leftover Rotisserie chicken? Put it to good use and make a pizza with it!
This pizza dish is easy to whip up and is a great way to make use of leftovers and ingredients at home. The chicken and bacon provide a meaty and savoury flavour, while vegetables like onion and tomatoes tone down the grease and inject the meal with a little bit of healthiness.
10) Stir Fry
Stir fry is a versatile and easy-to-make dish that can be tailored to your liking. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand, and feel free to experiment with different proteins and sauces.
For a quick and tasty meal, try whipping up a tempeh stir fry. This dish is high in protein and packs a flavorful punch. Serve it with rice or noodles and enjoy the burst of flavours that await.
11) Veggie Burrito Bowl
If you’ve been bingeing on fast food and greasy foods lately, try whipping up your own home-cooked veggie burrito bowl. This dish is hearty, filling, and loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins to keep you energised throughout the day.
A good veggie burrito bowl will have some brown rice, sour cream, black beans, grilled vegetables, salsa, and avocado. If a vegetarian option is not for you, you can also add in some protein, like chicken or tofu, to complete the meal.
So, there you have it! 11 cheap and easy dinner ideas to get you through the week. Which one will you be trying this week?
