If you’re looking for winter meals on a budget because you’re a rookie cook or just don’t want to break the bank on ingredients, then these 18 meal ideas are here to save the day. Use affordable ingredients like veggies, sausages, canned goods, and turn them into delicious dinners for the entire family. These budget bites are the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. Simple, healthy (for the most part) and so delicious!
Soups are another great winter meal because you can use leftover meats or veggies to throw in them.
1. Quiche
The beauty of a quiche is you can fill it with anything you desire or anything you have on hand. It’s also great to use up ingredients before they go bad. There are endless options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner quiches but if you’re overwhelmed, start with these basic ingredients below.
Ingredients
Pie crust
3 eggs
4 oz diced ham (or bacon)
1 ½ cup whipping cream
4 oz cheddar cheese (or any cheese of choice)
⅛ head of broccoli (or spinach/other cooked veggie of choice)
Fresh or dried herbs and spices like basil, cilantro, cumin, parsley, etc.
Make 3 or 4 if you wish and freeze a few to have when you need it most.
2. Sausage Potato Bake
This is one of the best winter meals on a budget because not only is it cheap, but it’s super simple with minimal prep. You can throw it all on one pan and have a delicious dinner loaded with sausage, potatoes, and veggies in under an hour.
Truthfully, if you don’t have all the ingredients to make the dressing, this dish is just as good with olive oil and any seasonings or spices sprinkled generously on top. The smoked sausage itself is jam packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Salt & pepper
1 pound potatoes
1 pound smoked sausage
1 red bell pepper
½ medium zucchini
½ red onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 clove garlic
3. Ham, Tomato, and Basil Pasta
Have any leftover ham from the holidays? If you’re over ham sandwiches, switch it up and try this delicious pasta recipe. This is a great recipe because not only will you likely have many of these ingredients at home already, but it’s incredibly quick and easy. It also makes for an easy clean up which is a huge perk after the holiday madness!
Ingredients
Tomato pasta sauce
1 tomato
2 cups ham diced
1 onion sliced
1 cup fresh basil
1 teaspoon garlic minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta of your choice
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese for serving
4. Teriyaki Chicken
This recipe provides instructions for making your own 2-ingredient teriyaki sauce but you can buy any low-cost options from the store that taste just as great. Throw in some rice and broccoli and voila! You have yourself a tasty, simple meal.
If you’re looking for a sauce that’ll take your chicken to the next level, try this recipe.
Ingredients
2 pound chicken thighs sliced into chunks
1 cup soy sauce
½ cup brown sugar
5. One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Mushrooms
Is there really anything better than the luxury of throwing everything in one pot for dinner? Turn plain old chicken into something flavorful and satisfying with garlic and lemon. Add some mushrooms for a meal that just can’t be beat all for under $5.
Ingredients
6 chicken thigh fillets
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
Small mushrooms
Butter
5 garlic cloves thinly sliced
Spinach
6. Cheesy Macaroni Mince
Cheesy macaroni mince serves four people but it’s the perfect dish to double for a freezer meal or freeze leftovers. Make this recipe yours by adding any and all lonely veggies in your fridge like onions, celery, tomatoes, and more. Depending on what you have on hand, you can always throw in some garlic, beef stock, and chili flakes.
Ingredients
Pasta of your choice – macaroni recommended
Minced beef
1 can condensed tomato soup
French onion instant soup
2 cups water
1 teaspoon mixed herbs, to taste
7. White Chicken Enchiladas
This easy, creamy meal requires a little bit of time and effort but it’s well worth it. The mouth-watering white sauce can be replaced with cream of chicken soup if you have a can isolated in the back of your pantry (doesn’t everyone?) or are looking to nix the broth and flour. Serve this delicious Mexican dish with refried beans or Mexican rice.
Ingredients
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
10 flour tortillas
2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 4 oz can diced green chiles
Salt & pepper to taste
8. Chicken Filets with Zucchini
This colorful dish comes together with ingredients you often have on hand. Everyone is guilty of changing up a recipe to fit their taste, but this is one you don’t have to mess with.
Using the chicken and zucchini, you can quickly turn it into stir fry, a crispy parmesan bake, or a tex mex meal including beans, corn, tomatoes, and cheese. The options are endless with these two key ingredients.
Ingredients
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 cup dried bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 zucchinis, sliced
4 tomatoes, sliced
⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
9. Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
This is one of those winter meals on a budget that you likely saw coming but there’s a way to master homemade pizza to make you ditch the local pizza parlor. Pizza is a surefire dinner win and this recipe has everything you want in a pie, from a crispy crust to gooey cheese. Top your pizza with peppers, sausage, onions, mushrooms, etc.
Ingredients
½ can Contadina tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon sugar
Salt & pepper to taste
Mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni
Ingredients for the crust
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 envelopes Fleischmann’s pizza crust yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ⅓ cups warm water
⅓ cup oil
10. Kielbasa & Cabbage
Don’t let cooking with cabbage intimidate you because this recipe makes it quite simple. Arm yourself with a skillet to nail a tender, buttery cabbage alongside smoked sausage. Kielbasa doesn’t always have much flavor on its own but this recipe welcomes a prominent tangy flavor.
Ingredients
12 to 16 ounces kielbasa sausage
½ small head green cabbage
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ teaspoons caraway seeds
Pinch red pepper flakes
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
11. Pesto Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese is a true classic but this version is a little less juvenile. For starters, going for a thick, crusty bread takes this sandwich to the next level. Throw a few sun dried tomatoes in for a pop of flavor and you have yourself a fancy grown up style grilled cheese.
This is one of the best winter meals on a budget because of the painless list of ingredients. This recipe calls for a homemade kale pesto but a store-bought pesto is just as great.
Ingredients
2 slices of bread
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon pesto
2 sun dried tomato pieces
2 ounces mozzarella
12. Sheet-Pan Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parm is a crowd favorite and a staple in every Italian restaurant. Add some broccoli to the pan to complete this filling meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. Serve it over noodles or eat as is, either way you won’t be disappointed.
Ingredients
1 large egg
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
Olive oil
4 cups frozen or fresh broccoli florets
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup minced fresh basil (optional)
13. Basil & Garlic Italian Style Pork Chops
Time to whip out a few basic ingredients to create the ultimate basil-garlic rub for savory, juicy pork chops. The fantastic flavor of this main dish pairs well with any veggie as your side dish. You’ll want to fire up the grill (or pan) all year long for this traditional Italian combo.
These ingredients will leave you wondering how so few can make so much flavor.
Ingredients
4 bone-in ribeye pork chops
2 garlic cloves
1 cup fresh basil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
14. Stuffed Peppers
Next up on our list of winter meals on a budget is a very filling, low calorie meal – stuffed peppers. This dinner idea is super easy to prepare and even easier to heat up the next day.
The simple but flavor-packed dish is flexible, allowing you to vary your stuffing mix to your liking or whatever needs using in your pantry. Get creative! If this is your first stab at making stuffed peppers, then follow the basic list of ingredients below.
Ingredients
1 cup red or brown lentils
2 cups water
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 pound lean ground chicken
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
Salt & pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 small bell peppers
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
15. Vegetable Enchilada Casserole
I know, I know – another enchilada dish, but doesn’t this just sound amazing? Enchiladas are such a classic comfort food and did I mention, budget friendly? Besides, this one is a vegetarian version packed with colorful, tender veggies.
The ingredient list appears long but feel free to play around and sub out any veggies or spices to fit your taste!
Ingredients
12 small corn tortillas
1.5 cups shredded taco blend cheese
1 zucchini
1 15 ounce can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 4 ounce can diced green chiles
½ bunch green onions
¼ bunch fresh cilantro
Salt
Ingredients for the sauce
2 tablespoon cooking oil
2 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups water
3 ounce tomato paste
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¾ teaspoon salt
16. Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich
This is another perfect meal to concoct using leftovers from the holiday. Make yours open-faced or top with another slice of bread, smothered in gravy either way. This basic but hearty sandwich will certainly hit the spot and you’ll be kicking yourself for not making it sooner!
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds turkey (leftovers or turkey breast deli meat)
24 ounces turkey gravy
4 slices of bread
½ cup jellied cranberry sauce
Salt & pepper to taste
17. Garlic Lemon Shrimp
Not only is this a tasty meal jam packed with protein and flavor, but it can easily be made in a rice cooker, instapot, or just a good ol’ pot on the stove. For this one, you’ll want to stick to the measurements because the lemon can easily overpower the other flavors. Put your own spin on it by adding broccoli or any roasted veggie.
Ingredients
12 ounce shrimp
1 fresh lemon
4 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons butter
1.5 cups white rice
2 cups chicken broth
½ cups water
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
18. Orange-Spiced Chicken
This 5-ingredient meal is impressive enough to serve to company and can be whipped together in a pinch. It’s the best take-out fake-out you’ll ever make.
Ingredients
½ cup thawed orange juice concentrate
¼ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
4 boneless chicken breast halves
