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Cheap and Easy Quick Dinner Recipes

Featured Recipes

Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce

Rather than a heavy, fried falafel, here's an updated version of this pocket sandwich: a light chickpea patty served in a whole-wheat pita with a flavorful but light tahini sauce.

» Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce

Egyptian Edamame Stew

A riff on the Egyptian classic ful medames, a highly seasoned fava bean mash, this version is made with easier-to-find edamame. Edamame (fresh green soybeans) have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. They can be found shelled in the freezer section of well-stocked supermarkets. This stew is great served with couscous, bulgur or warm whole-wheat pita bread to soak up the sauce.

» Egyptian Edamame Stew

Chicken Piccata with Pasta & Mushrooms

Our chicken piccata, served over whole-wheat pasta, has a rich lemon-caper sauce that's made with extra-virgin olive oil and just a touch of butter for flavor. If you like, you can use a mild fish like tilapia or even shrimp instead of chicken breast.

» Chicken Piccata with Pasta & Mushrooms

Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Pasta

Here's a way to use the “power vegetables” sweet potato and red bell pepper in a satisfying vegetarian pasta dish full of fresh herbs and creamy goat cheese. Any fresh herbs you have on hand, like basil, oregano, sorrel or chives, can be substituted for the tarragon. Serve with a garden salad.

» Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Pasta

Black Bean & Salmon Tostadas

Pickled jalapeños, cilantro and avocado perk up convenient canned salmon for a quick tostada topping. Skip store-bought and make your own crispy shells in the oven. Serve with: Brown rice cooked with diced tomatoes and onions or salsa.

» Black Bean & Salmon Tostadas

Tortellini Primavera

This creamy tortellini and vegetable pasta is a real crowd pleaser. To make it even quicker, use frozen chopped vegetables instead of fresh. Serve with: A green salad and whole-grain baguette.

» Tortellini Primavera

Hot Chile Grilled Cheese

This deconstructed version of a chile relleno turned sandwich packs some heat and an ooey-gooey filling. We like the flavor of sourdough, but any kind of bread will work well. Serve with: Coleslaw and sliced pineapple.

» Hot Chile Grilled Cheese


Healthy Quick Dinner Recipes for $3 or Less per Serving

When you’re busy and trying to stick to a budget, dinner needs to be quick and cheap. But there’s no need to skimp on delicious! This collection of 35 quick easy dinner recipes fits the bill: they’re all ready in 30 minutes or less and cost $3 or less per serving. Just add a quick side dish or two—steamed or roasted vegetables, quick-cooking grains (try instant brown rice or couscous) or a side salad—and you’ll have a tasty, healthy meal on the table in no time. So eat healthy and save money with these cheap quick meals from EatingWell.

Buy the book now, EatingWell on a Budget.

Quick Dinner Recipes Under $3 per Serving

Chile Verde, usually a slow-cooked stew of pork, jalapeños and tomatillos, becomes...
Hash isn’t just for corned beef. It’s also great made with catfish—or other flaky...
This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients—...
You may disagree on whether the chicken parm sandwich should be known as a “sub,” “...
Our chicken piccata, served over whole-wheat pasta, has a rich lemon-caper sauce...
These quesadillas have an irresistibly creamy filling. They also make great...
Make a perfect summer supper: grill spice-rubbed chicken breasts and tuck them into...
We've borrowed the best Mexican flavors and ingredients for this quick scramble...
Easy poached salmon is sophisticated with a creamy caper-and-lemon sauce. Make it a...
Plantains and orange juice balance this thick, Latin American pork-and-bean stew...
This exceptional sandwich originated at Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, Vermont. The...

Quick Dinner Recipes Under $2.50 per Serving

An unusual and rich flavor combination; serve this salad with sliced tomato on a bed...
Pickled jalapeños, cilantro and avocado perk up convenient canned salmon for a quick...
Here, we use healthier extra-virgin olive oil with a bit of butter added for its...
Sauerkraut from a can, pale and puckery, is no match for this a flavorful cabbage...
A riff on the Egyptian classic ful medames, a highly seasoned fava bean mash, this...
Tofu and lots of fresh vegetables are stir-fried in just a bit of oil in this...
Whip up this simple, tasty omelet on those nights when it seems the refrigerator is...
Glossy and burgundy-colored, this traditional English sweet-and-sour sauce turns...
Here's a way to use the “power vegetables” sweet potato and red bell pepper in...
Inspired by pho--traditional Vietnamese soup--this one-pot meal is garnished with...
This deconstructed version of a chile relleno turned sandwich packs some heat and an...

Quick Dinner Recipes Under $2 per Serving

Rather than a heavy, fried falafel, here's an updated version of this pocket...
Our version of green eggs and ham is full of spinach, leeks and dill, along with ham...
Huevos rancheros or “ranch eggs” is a classic Mexican dish that is great for a quick...
Here we take basic lasagna ingredients—ricotta cheese, pasta and tomatoes—and skip...
Pork medallions are quick and easy to prepare, and are particularly tasty with a...
For a great sandwich filling, spike canned tuna with salty olives and capers, bright...
Considering that this minestrone soup incorporates mostly frozen vegetables, it is...
Need a little summertime flavor? Try this swift recipe and enjoy a “barbecue”...
If you can't find a bagged vegetable medley for this easy noodle bowl, choose...
Cheese steaks are a Philadelphia tradition: thin slices from a rich and very fatty...
Oyster sauce and rice wine give this speedy stir-fry a rich flavor that balances the...
Perfect for a hot summer's night, baked tofu, bell peppers and scallions are...
For a satisfying last-minute supper, it's hard to beat a sweet potato zapped in...
Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu “steaks” in our revamped...
Not your traditional quesadilla, these feature deli turkey and Cheddar cheese, along...
This creamy tortellini and vegetable pasta is a real crowd pleaser. To make it even...

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