5 Cheap Dinner Recipes Under $6 Each

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These 5 cheap dinner recipes are simple, filling, and made with budget-friendly ingredients. Each meal came in at under $6 based on the prices I paid, with everything from cheesy chicken and rice to soup, casseroles, and easy skillet dinners. They’re perfect for busy weeks when you need an affordable dinner without a lot of extra work.

If you love simple, affordable recipes like these, my Complete Cookbook Bundle has 250+ of my favorite easy family dinners, casseroles, slow cooker meals, soups, and more.

Budget note: Grocery prices vary by store, location, and brand. These prices are based on what I paid at my local Walmart in Utah.

Why You’ll Love These Cheap Dinner Recipes

Every meal is under $6: Based on the ingredient prices used for this roundup, all five dinners cost between $4.65 and $5.83.
Simple ingredients: These recipes use affordable staples like rice, potatoes, frozen vegetables, canned chicken, sausage, and ham.
Easy family dinners: Nothing here requires complicated techniques or a long ingredient list.
Plenty of variety: You get soup, casseroles, skillet meals, chicken, sausage, and ham so budget meals don’t have to feel repetitive.

If budget casseroles are especially helpful for your family, my Tater Tot Casserole is another easy comfort-food dinner made with simple ingredients.

Made With Love,

If you like easy chicken-and-rice meals, you might also like my Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli.

Ingredients & Prices

Ingredient	Price
12 oz bag frozen broccoli cuts	$0.94
8 oz cheddar cheese	$1.87
5 oz canned chicken	$1.32
10 oz can cream of chicken soup	$0.74
1 lb bag white rice	$0.96
Total Cost	$5.83

Instructions

Cook the rice according to the package instructions and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat.
Add the frozen broccoli and cook for a few minutes until heated through and lightly browned.
Drain the canned chicken and add it to the pan.
Season with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Stir well.
Add the cream of chicken soup and cooked rice. Stir until everything is combined.
Shred the cheddar cheese and stir it into the mixture until melted and creamy.
Serve warm and enjoy!

2. Chicken & Vegetable Soup

A hearty, comforting soup made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients.

Soup is one of my favorite ways to stretch inexpensive ingredients into a filling dinner. If you want another veggie-packed option, try my Vegetable Soup.

Ingredients & Prices

Ingredient	Price
3 russet potatoes	$0.73
1 lb ground chicken	$1.98
12 oz bag frozen carrots	$0.98
14 oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes	$0.96
Total Cost	$4.65

Additional Ingredients

7 cups chicken broth or water prepared with bouillon powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons minced onion

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground chicken until almost completely cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the frozen carrots and stir. Cook for about 8 minutes.
Peel and dice the potatoes, then add them to the pot.
Add the can of Italian-style diced tomatoes, including the liquid.
Pour in the chicken broth or prepared bouillon water.
Add the black pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, and minced onion. Stir well.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Serve warm.

3. Chili Cornbread Casserole

A cozy, easy casserole with savory chili and golden cornbread on top.

This is exactly the kind of shortcut casserole I love when dinner needs to be inexpensive and easy. For another comforting casserole made with everyday ingredients, try my Tater Tot Casserole.

Ingredients & Prices

Ingredient	Price
2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix	$1.00
2 cans (14 oz each) chili with beans and beef	$4.36
Total Cost	$5.36

Additional Ingredients

Ingredients listed on the corn muffin mix boxes
Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prepare both boxes of corn muffin mix according to the package instructions.
Spray a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Pour both cans of chili into the baking dish and spread evenly.
Carefully spread the prepared cornbread batter over the chili.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden and cooked through in the center.
Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

4. Sausage, Broccoli & Cheddar Rice Skillet

A quick one-pot dinner loaded with savory sausage, broccoli, and cheesy rice.

One-pot rice dinners are especially helpful when I need something filling without using a pile of dishes. If you have chicken on hand instead, my One-Pan Chicken & Veggie Rice is another easy option.

Ingredients & Prices

Ingredient	Price
1 lb ground sausage	$3.12
5.7 oz bag cheddar broccoli rice	$1.17
13 oz bag frozen broccoli cuts	$0.94
Total Cost	$5.23

Additional Ingredients

Water and milk as directed on the rice package

Instructions

In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until browned and fully cooked.
Drain off any excess grease.
Add the cheddar broccoli rice mix and frozen broccoli.
Pour in the amount of water and milk specified on the rice package.
Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Cover and cook according to the rice package instructions, approximately 10 minutes or until the rice is tender and the broccoli is heated through.
Stir well and serve warm.

5. Ham Fried Rice

A simple takeout-inspired dinner made with rice, ham, and mixed vegetables.

Fried rice is one of my favorite ways to turn inexpensive ingredients into a complete dinner. If you want another version to try later, check out my Easy Ham Fried Rice.

Ingredients & Prices

Ingredient	Price
1 lb bag white rice	$0.96
1 lb diced ham	$3.46
12 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables	$0.98
Total Cost	$5.40

Additional Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

Instructions

Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
Add the diced ham and cook until lightly browned.
Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook until heated through and lightly browned.
Add the cooked rice to the skillet.
Pour in the soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Serve warm and enjoy!

The $5 Dinner Cost List

Here’s how much each of these five budget dinners cost using the prices from this meal plan:

Recipe	Total Cost
Broccoli Cheese Chicken & Rice Casserole	$5.83
Chicken & Vegetable Soup	$4.65
Chili Cornbread Casserole	$5.36
Sausage, Broccoli & Cheddar Rice Skillet	$5.23
Ham Fried Rice	$5.40
Combined ingredient cost for all five recipes	$26.47

Budget meals don’t have to mean eating the same thing every night. Keeping inexpensive basics like rice, potatoes, frozen vegetables, canned goods, and affordable proteins on hand gives you plenty of ways to make filling dinners without a huge grocery bill.