If you’ve got a big crew to feed, then you know how fast dinner can disappear and take your grocery budget with it.
When I was trying to figure out how to stretch my grocery list into something that’ll fill everyone up, I start looking at big, bulky meals.
Cheap breakfasts were easy to figure out, but dinner?
I had to come up with some smart swaps, simple prep, and stuff that I could cook in big batches.
And what I learned was that I didn’t need pricey ingredients or complicated recipes to make it work!
You can get hearty, tasty dinners on the table without stressing over the cost.
Here are some of my favorite meals that keep everyone full and my budget intact:
Large Cheap Meals for Your Family
I get what it’s like when money’s tight, especially when we went down to one income.
After I was done stressing, I got creative and found ways to feed my family for cheap.
I hope these ideas help you too!
1. Spaghetti With Meat Sauce
Spaghetti is one of the cheapest big-family dinners because you can stretch a single pound of ground meat with canned tomatoes, onions, and seasonings.
Boil a large pot of pasta, brown the meat with garlic, then add crushed tomatoes, a bit of water, and whatever spices you like.
Let it simmer while the pasta cooks so the flavors come together without extra effort.
To keep it budget friendly, swap half the meat for finely chopped mushrooms or lentils.
2. Chicken Drumsticks With Roasted Potatoes
Drumsticks stay tender and cheap, so you can season them with basic spices and still get a great dinner.
Chop potatoes, toss them with oil and garlic powder, and spread everything on one sheet pan.
Roast until the chicken browns and the potatoes crisp up.
Make a big batch of seasoning mix ahead of time so you can throw this together fast on busy nights.
3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables
Slice whatever sausage is on sale and pair it with hearty veggies like carrots, potatoes, or peppers.
Toss everything with oil, garlic, and simple spices, then spread it on a sheet pan.
Roast until the sausage caramelizes and the veggies soften.
Pre-chop the veggies earlier in the week to make this a super quick dinner later.
4. Chili With Beans and Cornbread
Combine canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chili powder, then simmer until it starts to thicken.
Add a mix of beans to keep it cheap and filling, and use a small amount of meat or none at all.
Let it bubble on low so the flavors blend.
Freeze half the pot for an easy dinner on a night you don’t feel like cooking.
5. Baked Ziti
Mix cooked ziti with marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella, then bake until everything gets bubbly and golden.
It’s hearty without needing much meat, so it stays budget friendly.
Add extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms if you want to stretch it further.
This dish freezes well in foil pans, making it great for batch cooking.
6. Sloppy Joes
Brown ground meat with onions, then stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and a little sugar.
Simmer until it thickens into a rich, saucy mix that piles easily onto buns.
Add diced peppers or lentils to stretch the meat and keep it filling.
7. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Mix cooked rice, shredded chicken, broth, and frozen veggies in a big bowl.
Add a cream sauce or a can of cream soup to bring everything together, then bake until warm and cozy.
This one feeds a crowd without costing much at all.
Shred a big batch of chicken earlier in the week to make this even easier to throw together.
8. Taco Night With Ground Turkey
Cook ground turkey with taco seasoning, then set it out with tortillas, cheese, lettuce, beans, and rice.
Everything comes together fast and fills a lot of people without requiring pricey ingredients.
Add extra beans to stretch the meat even further.
9. Lentil Soup With Bread
Simmer lentils with carrots, onions, garlic, broth, and tomatoes until everything softens and thickens.
Lentils stay cheap, protein-packed, and perfect for feeding a big family.
Serve with simple bread or rolls to make it more filling.
You can make a double batch and freeze portions for later.
10. Shepherd’s Pie
Cook ground meat with onions and veggies, then add broth and a bit of tomato paste to make a simple gravy.
Spread mashed potatoes on top and bake until the top browns slightly.
It’s filling, budget friendly, and great for using up leftovers.
You can prep the mashed potatoes earlier in the week to cut down on dinner time.
11. Chicken Noodle Casserole
Cook your noodles, mix them with shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and a quick cream sauce, then bake until everything gets warm and bubbly.
It’s an easy way to turn a few cheap ingredients into a hearty meal that feeds a crowd.
Add simple seasonings like garlic and onion powder to give it more flavor without extra cost.
Prep the chicken earlier in the week to cut down on dinner time.
12. Meatball Subs
Mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning, shape into meatballs, and bake them until firm.
Simmer the meatballs in marinara so they get tender and saucy.
Load them into soft rolls with a little cheese for a filling but low-cost dinner.
You can double the meatballs and freeze half for a quick meal later.
13. Loaded Baked Potatoes
Bake a full tray of potatoes and set out toppings like cheese, broccoli, beans, or leftover chicken.
It keeps costs low because everyone builds their own plate with whatever you already have.
Add simple toppings like butter, green onions, or salsa to keep things easy.
Prep the toppings in advance so dinner comes together fast.
14. Bean and Cheese Burritos
Warm tortillas and fill them with refried beans, cheese, and salsa before rolling them tight.
Toast the burritos in a pan so the outside gets a little crisp and the cheese melts inside.
They’re cheap, filling, and perfect for nights when you need something simple.
These freeze well so you can batch cook a whole tray.
15. Stir Fry With Rice
Sauté veggies with garlic and soy sauce while your rice cooks on the side.
Add sliced chicken or skip the meat completely to keep it extra budget friendly.
Toss everything together at the end so the rice absorbs the flavors.
Pre-cut veggies make this even faster on busy nights.
16. BBQ Chicken Thighs
Season chicken thighs and brush them with BBQ sauce before baking them until sticky and tender.
Thighs are usually cheaper than other cuts but stay juicy and full of flavor.
Pair them with rice or roasted veggies to keep the whole meal inexpensive.
Marinate the thighs earlier in the day for even better flavor.
17. Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Cook chicken in the slow cooker with broth, garlic, and seasoning until it shreds easily.
Mix it with BBQ sauce and pile it onto buns for a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Add a cheap side like coleslaw, salad, or chips to round things out.
18. Veggie Pasta Bake
Mix cooked pasta with marinara, spinach, zucchini, or any veggies you need to use up, then top with a little cheese.
Bake until it all melts together into a cozy, filling dish.
It’s perfect for stretching veggies that are starting to wilt.
19. Pancakes and Eggs for Dinner
Make a big batch of pancakes with simple pantry ingredients and pair them with scrambled eggs.
This one fills everyone up without relying on pricey meat.
It’s fast, cheap, and usually a family favorite.
Freeze extra pancakes for quick future breakfasts.
20. Chicken Fajitas
Slice chicken, onions, and peppers, then cook them in a skillet with fajita seasoning.
Serve everything with tortillas, beans, and rice to make it filling without adding much cost.
This one comes together quickly and works with whatever toppings you already have.
Prep the veggies earlier in the day to save time.
21. Veggie and Beef Skillet
Brown ground beef with onions and garlic, then add chopped veggies like peppers, corn, or zucchini.
Stir in cooked rice or potatoes to stretch the meal without spending extra.
Season with simple spices to keep it flavorful and cozy.
This is a great way to use up leftovers sitting in the fridge.
22. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Cook noodles and mix them with canned tuna, peas, and a quick cream sauce.
Bake until everything gets warm and slightly golden on top.
It’s cheap, filling, and perfect for big families.
You can add crushed crackers on top for a little crunch.
23. Cheesy Broccoli Rice With Chicken
Mix cooked rice with shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and a simple cheese sauce.
Everything comes together in one big skillet so cleanup stays easy.
It’s hearty and budget friendly, especially when you use frozen broccoli.
Make a double batch if you want leftovers for lunches.
24. Homemade Pizza Night
Use cheap dough, jarred sauce, and basic toppings to make big sheet pan pizzas.
Everyone can add what they want without raising the cost.
t feeds a large family for a fraction of takeout prices.
Prep the dough earlier in the day so dinner comes together faster.
25. Potato and Ham Soup
Simmer diced potatoes, onions, and ham in broth until everything softens.
Stir in a splash of milk to make it creamy without fancy ingredients.
It’s warm, filling, and perfect for using up leftover ham.
Serve with simple bread to make the meal even heartier.
26. Ramen Upgrade Bowls
Cook instant ramen but load it with veggies, eggs, and leftover chicken or pork.
The broth gets richer with soy sauce and garlic.
It’s cheap but still feels satisfying and fun.
This one helps clear out random fridge items too.
27. Stuffed Peppers With Rice and Beef
Mix cooked rice with ground beef, tomatoes, and seasoning, then spoon it into halved peppers.
Bake until the peppers soften and the filling warms through.
It’s a filling meal that stretches a little meat a long way.
28. Chicken and Dumplings
Simmer shredded chicken with carrots, onions, and broth, then add simple drop dumplings on top.
Everything cooks in one pot so it stays cheap and comforting.
The dumplings stretch the meal without much extra cost.
This one is great on cold nights!
29. Cabbage Roll Casserole
Layer sliced cabbage with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and seasoning, then bake until it all cooks down.
It has the same flavor as cabbage rolls but takes way less effort.
It feeds a lot of people without using pricey ingredients.
30. Black Bean Tacos
Season canned black beans with garlic, cumin, and a little salsa, then warm everything in a skillet.
Spoon the mixture into tortillas and top with lettuce, cheese, and onions.
It’s insanely cheap and still filling.
Add rice to make even more servings without raising the cost.
31. Crockpot Chicken Stew
Add chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, broth, and simple seasonings to the slow cooker and let it simmer until everything turns tender.
It’s a hands-off meal that stretches a few cheap ingredients into a big family dinner.
Serve with bread or rice to make it even more filling.
This one reheats well for easy leftovers the next day.
32. Hamburger Hash
Cook ground beef with diced potatoes, onions, and peppers until everything browns and softens.
Season with garlic, paprika, and a little salt for a cozy skillet meal that comes together fast.
It’s a great way to stretch a pound of meat for a large crowd.
You can prep the veggies in advance to save time.
33. Turkey Meatloaf With Mashed Potatoes
Mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning, then bake until firm and golden.
Pair it with a big batch of mashed potatoes for a budget friendly, filling dinner.
It’s simple, hearty, and always kid-approved.
Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
34. One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
Cook chicken, garlic, broth, and pasta together in one pot so everything absorbs the flavor as it simmers.
Stir in a little milk or cream cheese to make it silky without spending much.
It’s a full, comforting meal that feeds a lot of people with minimal effort.
Prep the chicken earlier in the week so this comes together quickly.
More Cheap Dinners to Feed Your Family
Here are even more cheap dinner ideas to keep things easy on your budget:
- Turkey Chili Mac: Mix cooked macaroni into a pot of turkey chili to make it stretch further.
- Rice and Bean Bowls: Pile seasoned rice, beans, veggies, and salsa into big bowls for a filling meal.
- Cheesy Taco Pasta: Cook pasta, brown meat with taco seasoning, then stir it all together with salsa and cheese.
- Vegetable Fried Rice: Stir fry leftover rice with eggs, peas, carrots, and soy sauce for a fast, cheap dinner.
- Baked Chicken Legs and Carrots: Season both and roast on one sheet pan until everything browns.
- Sausage and Potato Skillet: Fry sliced sausage with diced potatoes and onions until crispy and golden.
- Veggie Quesadillas: Fill tortillas with cheese and sautéed veggies, then crisp them in a pan.
- Simple Beef Tacos: Season browned beef with taco seasoning and serve with tortillas and whatever toppings you have.
- Pasta With Garlic Butter Sauce: Toss hot pasta with butter, garlic, and parmesan for a super fast dinner.
- Chicken and Veggie Soup: Simmer shredded chicken with veggies, broth, and noodles for a cozy budget meal.
Feeding a Big Family Without Breaking the Bank
Feeding a big family doesn’t have to drain your budget or your energy.
With simple ingredients, smart swaps, and a few go-to recipes, you can put hearty dinners on the table without stressing about the cost.
Keep these cheap meal ideas in your back pocket, mix and match what works for your household, and you’ll have plenty of options ready to go on busy nights!
