When I’m running low on both time and money, cheap one pot meals are always my go-to. As a frugal mom with a 9 to 5 and a side hustle, it’s sometimes a challenge to balance running a household, keeping up with work tasks and preparing healthy meals without going over budget.
Thankfully, I have a bank of cheap recipes that I love rotating as I do my weekly meal planning and meal prepping. On an evening after work when I’m tired and have no energy but know that cooking at home is healthier and will save money, there’s nothing more comforting than throwing it all into one pot and churning out warm, home-cooked meal!
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If you know anything about me at all, you’ll know that I’m always trying to find ways to save money on food and groceries. Food is one of our only variable expenses after all. From finding Cheap $1 per person recipes t0 feeding my family on just $15 per week, if there’s a way to cut my grocery bill by half, I’m gonna find it!
Aside from the price tag, what I love most about these cheap one pot recipes is that although they use budget ingredients, they do not sacrifice on flavor or nutrition! In fact, they check every box when it comes to taste and flavor!
Additionally, one pot makes for an easy clean up after dinner! The less dishes to wash, the more reasons to celebrate, right?!
Table of Contents
30 Cheap One Pot Meals that are Easy & Delicious
1. Chicken Piccata Pasta
Pasta is always a favorite in our household. And this Chicken Piccata Pasta recipe from The Cookin Chicks is no different! This is a flavorful and comforting meal made with lemon juice, capers and cream.
It is a light and zesty dish that is always a crowd-pleaser!
2. One Pot Lasagna Soup
All the classic flavors of lasagna but without the hassle and hard work? Um, yes please! You will love this One Pot Lasagna Soup Recipe from The Cookin’ Chicks! With just a few budget ingredients, one pot, and a few minutes of your time, your family will be devouring this bowl of comfort and running for seconds.
3. Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo
It doesn’t get better than this Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo from Hungry Whisk! From tender chicken, cooked to perfection, to creamy orzo, lemon and lots of veggies, this meal is packed with flavor.
This recipe is so easy, it’s fool-proof. Plus, a one pan skillet meal means easy clean up! “Tired, weekday YOU” will be so thankful this made it to your weekly meal plan.
4. One Pot Pasta
What if you could have a cozy and comforting meal in just 15 minutes? Well, with this effortless One Pot Pasta recipe from Naturallie Plant-Based, you absolutely can! Just throw in all of your ingredients into the pot and churn out this heavenly pasta dish that satisfies with every bite!
5. One Pot Lasagna Pasta
This One Pot Lasagna Pasta is another delicious one pot pasta dish from Naturallie Plant-Based. All the things you love about lasagna – the rich tomato sauce, the creamy ricotta, the melted cheese, and the perfectly cooked pasta – all in one effortless pot!
You’ll have a flavorful lasagna meal, but in a fraction of the time!
6. Beef and Barley Stew
This Beef and Barley Stew from Hungry Whisk is a hearty and nutritious dish that is ultra satisfying for the whole family. Once you taste this soup, this meal will be making it to your weekly one pot dinner line up, week after week!
7. Beef and Cabbage Bowls
Nothing beats a one-pot, 30 minute meal! This Beef and Cabbage Bowl recipe from Right At Home is healthy, nourishing and oh-so-delicious! Using affordable pantry staples, you’ll have this dish whipped up before the kids can even think about saying they’re hungry!
8. Caprese Pasta
This one-pan Caprese Pasta from Craving Something Healthy will quickly become a family favorite in your home! The tomatoes, pesto, balsamic vinegar and creamy mozzarella combo will have you scraping your plates clean and then grabbing seconds.
Super satisfying, this will surely become a staple in your weekly meal plan menu!
9. Creamy Chicken & Tortellini
Another 30 minutes, one-pot meal, you’ll fall in love with the flavor combo of this Creamy Chicken & Tortellini recipe from Flavorful Eats. Delicious sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and fresh tortellini with chicken in a creamy Parmesan sauce… Mmm.. Yummy!
Bursting with flavor, everyone will be happy to dig in!
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10. Mexican Cheesy Taco Beef & Rice Skillet
Enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex flavors with every spoon of this Mexican Cheesy Taco Beef & Rice Skillet from Modern Honey. Simmered in savory beef broth and spices and topped with melted cheese, this is a dish that I never get tired of!
Made in just 30 minute and in one pot, this meal is perfect for tired mamas on busy weeknights.
11. Chili Recipe with Corn
If you’re looking for comfort in a bowl, this Chili Recipe with Corn from Risa’s Family Kitchen is a must for your weekly dinner line up! It’s such a cozy one pot dinner that will hit your soul with its intense burst of flavors.
The spice mixed with the slight sweetness of the corn is an epic adventure for your taste buds!
12. French Onion Pasta
French onion soup turned into a creamy cheesy pasta dish? Yes, please! This one pot French Onion Pasta from Modern Honey features all the classic, savory flavors of your favorite French onion soup.
13. Chickpea Curry
This creamy Chickpea Curry is a vegan dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. The Cooking Foodie‘s recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients for a deep flavor.
This dish will easily become a household favorite!
14. Mediterranean Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet
This Mediterranean Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet from A Cedar Spoon is a low-carb, high-protein, super healthy and flavorful meal. It highlights Lebanese spiced ground beef with zucchini noodles, fresh tomatoes, herbs and feta cheese.
Satisfaction with every bite, and zero guilt whatsoever!
15. Potato Sausage Skillet
Golden brown potatoes, incredibly delicious sausages, caramelized onions and charred bell peppers – this Potato Sausage recipe from The Buttery Fairytale combines layers of flavors that come together beautifully.
This dish is also extremely versatile. Switch out ingredients for what’s left in the fridge or for what’s on sale at your neighborhood grocery store!
16. Gluten Free Chili Mac
This Gluten Free Chili Mac recipe from Whole New Mom is a simple dish that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! This recipe uses a few simple ingredients not just to create a nourishing meal, but to create one that will knock your socks off in the flavor department.
Seriously, your family will be begging you to make this dish again and again!
17. Gluten Free Tortellini Soup
For another gluten free option, you’ll love this Gluten Free Tortellini Soup from Simple and Fraiche. Done in 20 minutes, this is the perfect one pot meal for busy weeknights.
The flavors of cheesy tortellini, rich Italian sausage and spinach simmered in a mouth-watering tomato broth – maximum flavor with minimum effort!
18. Beef Enchiladas Skillet
In just 20 minutes, you’ll have this Beef Enchiladas Skillet recipe from Fit Mama Real Food, from stove to table. Each bite delivers flavors that are out of this world, making this a family fave in every home!
19. Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
This simple recipe, made in minutes, is always a huge hit in any household. On My Kids Plate‘s Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice is an aromatic and effortless meal that brings a satisfying texture and flavor to every bite!
Delicious, nutritious and oh-so-full-of-flavor!
20. Chicken Pot Pie
Is there any other meal more comforting than Chicken Pot Pie with Cream of Chicken Soup? Chicken Fried Kitchen shares this hearty recipe which features appetizing chunks of rotisserie chicken, a creamy filling and a flaky pie crust that is simply perfection!
21. Pizza Pasta
This one pot Pizza Pasta from Yellow Bliss Road meshes together all of your favorite classic pizza flavors into this unique pasta dish.
From popular pizza toppings such as pepperoni, Italian sausage and green peppers, to pizza sauce, cheese and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish boasts of layers and layers of flavor that is a simple weeknight cook with easy clean up! Win!
22. Beef Stroganoff
You’ll love this One Pot Beef Stroganoff, also from Yellow Bliss Road. A creamy, rich dish with ground beef and tender pasta in a savory mushroom sauce – this will definitely be a top contender on your weekly list of cheap one pot meals!
23. Beef Taco Pasta Skillet
OMG. This Beef Taco Pasta Skillet from Eating on a Dime is a family-friendly one pot dish that is bursting with flavor with every bite! The ground beef, salsa and pasta combo creates an indulgent meal that will have your family counting down the minutes (and seconds!) to dinner.
24. Slow Cooker Meatball Sliders
Sliders are always a go-to meal option for busy evenings. So if you’re the same as me, you’ll absolutely love this Slow Cooker Meatball Sliders recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker!
Tender meatballs smothered in marinara sauce makes such a delish filling for these quick, weeknight sliders.
25. One Pot Spanish Rice with Chorizo
This One Pot Spanish Rice with Chorizo from The Spice Adventuress will be a huge hit with its well seasoned flavors. Once you try this recipe, you’ll see this making an appearance on your meal plan over and over again!
26. Hamburger Helper Potato Stroganoff
If you want stroganoff but you’re not a fan of pasta, you should try this Potato Stroganoff recipe from Well Fed Baker. This hamburger helper variation creates a faster version of the classic beef stroganoff that tastes like perfection!
27. Beef and Green Bean Ragu
This Beef and Green Bean Ragu recipe from Where Is My Spoon is such a low effort winner for dinner. One thing’s for certain, this meal does not skimp on nutrition or flavor!
You’ll be adding this to your weekly meals rotation again and again!
28. Gnocchi and Meatballs
Tender, pillowy gnocchi simmered with juicy, seasoned meatballs – this delicious meal comes together in no time at all but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Using simple, affordable ingredients, this One Pan Gnocchi and Meatballs from Pumpkin ‘N Spice will easily become a household fave.
29. Arroz con Pollo
An authentic Puerto Rican meal, this one pot Arroz con Pollo, or rice with chicken, from Sense and Edibility is rich, nutritious and super simple to put together. Trust me, every bite is full of flavor and oh-so-satisfying!
30. One Pot Asian Rice and Fish
This One Pot Asian Rice and Fish from Recipes from a Pantry feature elevated flavors using simple ingredients. This meal is so simple, you’ll have it whipped up in no time, and everyone will be raving like if you spent all day in the kitchen!
Additional Info on Cheap One Pot Meals – FAQs
What are some budget-friendly one pot meals?
Budget-friendly one pot meals usually focus on cheap pantry staples such as rice, pasta, beans and cheap protein sources such as ground meat or even sausages. One pot meals often incorporate these key ingredients, along with herbs, seasonings and spices to bring it all together into one delicious dish.
Soups are also quite popular as a budget-friendly one pot meal.
What is the cheapest meal you can cook?
They don’t call it a “rice and beans budget” for nothing. In fact, Dave Ramsey (a personal finance guru), when explaining his simple approach to finance, often says “beans and rice, rice and beans” as a way of explaining how to stick to the basic necessities to save money.
Rice and beans is the cheapest meal you can cook that is still filling and somewhat nutritious.
How can I feed my family with $10?
Feeding your family with $10 is totally possible. Not only is it possible but you can put together a healthy and nutritious meal for $10. With $10, you can buy rice/pasta or bread, a protein and vegetables on the side.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can check out this list of dirt cheap meals that cost $1 per person, or this $18 per week meal plan (yes, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners for 7 days for a total of just $18!).
What is the $5 meal plan?
The $5 meal plan is a meal planning subscription that sends you budget-friendly weekly meal plans to take the guesswork out of cooking at home. Try it here for free.
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$55/ Week Cheap Walmart Meal Plan for a Family of 4
Final Thoughts on Cheap One Pot Meals
With this list of cheap one pot meals, you can finally take control of your evenings and your wallet by saving both time and money. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated!
Do you have any other cheap one pot recipes that you swear by? Share with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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