Break Out the Slow Cooker for These Weeknight Dinners
5 Cheap Dinner Ideas For Large Families For Under $20
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In today's world, feeding a large family for $20 or less might bring visions of packets of ramen noodle soup and canned vegetables to mind. It turns out, a meal for multiple people on a tight budget is not an impossibility.
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Admittedly, options narrow for family meals at the $20 price point for fast food. However, a variety of homemade food options are still well within reach.
To get inspired, here are five cheap dinner ideas for larger families.
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Domino's: Perfect Combo DealDomino's Perfect Combo Deal includes two medium one-topping pizzas, 16-piece parmesan bread bites and eight-piece cinnamon twists for $19.99. According to Domino's website, medium pizzas contain eight slices, so the deal would yield 16 slices of pizza.
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Italian Ground Beef and PotatoesThis hash-style Italian Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe from A Spicy Perspective is estimated to cost about $18 and makes six servings, which is perfect for a large family. Here's a list of ingredients — some of which you may already have on had:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
2-3 cloves garlic minced
¾ cup chopped red onion or sweet onion
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
14 ounce can diced tomatoes + 2 cans water
1 ½ pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
¼ – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley chopped
½ cup shredded Asiago or parmesan cheese
A pot of creamy potato soup can make for a hearty, filling dinner. This Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe from A Spicy Perspective serves up to eight people. Plus, it's easy to make because there's no need to peel or bake the potatoes before assembling the soup. Cook it on the stovetop or opt for the crockpot version if you want to come home to a hot meal.
Here's a list of ingredients:
8 ounces bacon chopped
1 small onion peeled and chopped
2-3 cloves garlic minced
2 ½ pounds russet potatoes
4 cups chicken broth
1 ½ cups half & half
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
2/3 cup chopped scallions divided
½ cup sour cream
Salt and pepper
The Del Taco Mega Bundle feeds up to five people and consists of a variety of eats, which is great if you have a couple of adults and two or three smaller children who don't eat much. Here's a peek at what's in the bundle:
2 Chipotle Chicken Burritos
2 Snack Tacos
2 orders Mini Cinnamon Churros
1 New Bean, Rice and Cheese Burrito
1 Mini Cheddar Quesadilla
1 order of 3-Layer Queso Nachos
1 order of Snack-Sized Chips and House-Made Guacamole
Price: $10-$12
If you have a warehouse membership to Sam's or Costco, head there to pick up two rotisserie chickens. At Sam's, they're around $4.98 each, and at Costco, they're about $5.84 each, which would cost approximately $10-$12 total and easily serve six people. To round out the meal, add some sides you have in your pantry, such as canned vegetables and pasta. If you need to pick up sides, shop for them at the grocery store to save money. The larger quantity sides available at Sam's or Costo will likely exceed the $20 budget.
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These Affordable Crock-Pot Recipes Will Save You Time And Money
30 Budget-Friendly Recipes to Make in a Crock-Pot Will Dickey
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Let's face it, no matter how many mouths you feed each day, food is expensive! And while there are so many ways to save money on groceries, it sometimes boils down to finding the right cheap dinner ideas where you can throw together a bunch of pantry staples and be done with it. Enter: these cheap Crock-Pot recipes.
Not only are these slow cooker recipes affordable, but they save so much time. It's no surprise that Ree Drummond is a fan of her slow cooker. How else do you think fed five kids and still had time to be The Pioneer Woman? As she puts it, "Dream dinner: throw everything in a slow cooker. Turn on. Go live life." Talk about the easiest way to meal prep for dinner one night and leftovers the next day! There are plenty of hearty Crock-Pot soups and chili recipes that'll fill you up and taste delicious reheated.
Here, you'll find smart money-saving ideas like using canned goods, dried beans, and frozen veggies and tasty ways of cooking more affordable cuts of meat like brisket. Learn go-to recipes like making your own beef broth and yogurt from scratch. They are less expensive ways to start so many meals, but also end up being healthier slow cooker recipes, too, because you can control the ingredients. Along with easy dinner ideas, there are also plenty of side dishes and quick breakfast recipes. Get ready to raid that pantry and save some money with these affordable Crock-Pot recipes!
Crock-Pot Mac and CheeseComforting, cheap, and easy—it really doesn't get better than that! This creamy mac and cheese is complete with a trio of cheeses: American, cheddar, and a little bit of smoked gouda.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
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Caitlin Bensel
Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef ChiliYou'll find plenty of flavor packed into this chili recipe thanks to tender beef, chipotle chiles in adobo, and smoky bacon. And take it from Ree, you'll want to top it off with a handful of corn chips!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili recipe.
Ryan Liebe
Easy Queso DipWhile you can also choose to make this queso on the stovetop, the slow cooker method keeps things so simple. You'll just add flavorful additions like garlic, jalapeño, chiles, tomatoes, and cilantro to a medley of melted cheeses.
Get the Easy Queso Dip recipe.
Will Dickey
Slow Cooker Beef StewTougher cuts of beef are often cheaper and work wonderfully in stew! Let your gadget do all the work so you get Sunday supper on the table without too much effort.
Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe.
Will Dickey
Crock-Pot Scalloped PotatoesIntroducing: your new favorite weeknight side dish! The spuds for this recipe will be perfectly tender and savory when cooked in a rich and creamy gruyère and sharp white cheddar sauce.
Get the Crock-Pot Scalloped Potatoes recipe.
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Caitlin Bensel
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork TacosTaco Tuesday just got a whole lot easier! While pulled pork can be used in a variety of meals, these tacos are just delectable—especially when topped with sweet pineapple, pickled onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos recipe.
Will Dickey
Slow Cooker Green BeansNo matter the season, you can make this tasty side dish using frozen green beans. Of course, you can use fresh veggies, too! They're made even better with the addition of seasonings, tomatoes, and crispy bacon.
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Cocktail MeatballsRee puts a new twist on the classic cocktail meatball recipe by combining chili sauce, apricot preserves, soy sauce, and sriracha for a sweet and spicy taste.
Get Ree's Cocktail Meatballs recipe.
Brian Woodcock
Crock-Pot Breakfast CasseroleEven breakfast can be made easy and affordable with the help of a Crock-Pot! This casserole combines warm potatoes, chorizo, fluffy eggs, and cheese for the perfect morning meal.
Get the Crock-Pot Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Slow Cooker BBQ ChickenJust think of all the meals you can make with this shredded BBQ chicken! Whether you pile it on nachos, throw it on a sandwich, or use it to top off your salads, it'll be saucy, smoky, and so tasty.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
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Will Dickey
Slow Cooker Potato SoupRusset potatoes are easy to find and usually pretty affordable when you purchase in bulk. Turn them into pure comfort with this soup recipe! It also freezes really well if you want to make it in advance.
Get the Slow Cooker Potato Soup recipe.
Will Dickey
BBQ Ranch Baked PotatoesAll you need is four ingredients to make this delicious meal. (Okay, it's six if you add the garnish and broccoli.) And guess what? This is one of three meals you can make from one single pot roast. It's so versatile!
Get the BBQ Ranch Baked Potatoes recipe.
Natalie Perry
Slow Cooker Pulled PorkCheck your local store and see what's on sale. If you find bone-in pork shoulder, pork butt, or Boston butt roast, any of them would work in this low-and-slow savory dish. Make sandwiches, tacos, or soups with the meat!
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Slow Cooker Split Pea SoupA bag of dried peas is super affordable and makes a hearty and healthy meal. Peas are actually a great source of protein on their own, but you can also make this a leftover ham recipe and enrich it with that smoky flavor.
Get the Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe.
Will Dickey
Slow Cooker BrisketLove beef? Brisket is one of the more affordable cuts of meat, but it tends to be a little tough. The solution is to cook it low and slow to make it tender. Let the slow cooker do it for you!
Get the Slow Cooker Brisket recipe.
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Will Dickey
Slow-Cooker White Chicken ChiliA great way to flavor simple chicken breasts is with creamy canned cannellini beans, a can of chopped green chiles, and a package of frozen corn. Serve with lime wedges and chopped avocado for freshness!
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker White Chicken Chili recipe.
Ryan Dausch
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla SoupTen minutes of prep time to make up to 12 servings is the ultimate meal prep goal! Use canned tomatoes and pre-made chicken broth to make it as flavorful as it is easy.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
Ralph Smith
Slow Cooker ApplesauceThis delicious, healthy snack is not only easy to make, but versatile, too. You can use pretty much any kind of apple you may have on hand or find on sale! It's also great if you've had apples in the back of the crisper for a while and you're not sure if they're quite as fresh.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe.
Ralph Smith
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Mac and CheeseAdding butternut squash to mac and cheese makes it flavorful, more nutritious, and cuts back on the amount of cheese you need. That means you can save a little money if the price of dairy is a little more than you expected!
Get the Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe.
Meseidy Rivera
Homemade YogurtMake a healthy breakfast without fake flavors or the price tag associated with the fancy brands. All you need is milk and some live active cultures! Then you can flavor it with whatever have on hand: jam, honey, berries, you name it.
Get the Homemade Yogurt recipe.
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Erica Kastner
Slow Cooker Refried BeansOnce you've made refried beans from scratch, you'll never want to buy cans again! You get more bang for your buck using dried beans and the result is much more flavorful. Serve as a dip or as part of your Taco Tuesday spread.
Get the Slow Cooker Refried Beans recipe.
Sommer Collier
Slow Cooker ChiliClassic and comforting, there's nothing like a bowl of chili. The great thing about this recipe, besides how easy it is to make, is that you can use practically any type of canned bean you have in the pantry!
Get the Slow Cooker Chili recipe.
Will Dickey
Slow-Cooker Drip Beef SandwichesChuck roast is often more affordable to buy, so grab it in bulk when you can! It can make so many different recipes when made in the slow cooker. Start with these delicious sammies!
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker Drip Beef Sandwiches recipe.
Ryan Dausch
Slow Cooker Pork ChopsIf you can find pork chops on sale, get them and make this! You save money by using canned cream of mushroom soup, which you probably have in your pantry right now. Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes!
Get the Slow Cooker Pork Chops recipe.
Danielle Daly
Slow Cooker BologneseWhat kind of pasta do you have in your pantry? It doesn't matter, because this savory sauce will go with all of them! It makes a big batch, so you can serve a crowd or freeze and save for later.
Get Ree's Slow-Cooker Bolognese recipe.
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Will Dickey
Slow Cooker Turkey ChiliPro tip: You'll often find ground turkey that's 85 to 93% lean for cheaper than the 99% lean option. Plus, that added fat means more flavor and it's still quite healthy! Canned beans and frozen corn keep it so easy to assemble, too.
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Will Dickey
Slow Cooker Pot RoastSometimes, the classics are the best! Pot roast is pure comfort food, and it uses that same affordable chuck roast along with easy-to-find onions, potatoes, and carrots.
Get the Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Beef BrothFrugal and full of flavor, homemade beef broth is an incredible way to start any other recipe. You can throw a few veggies in it for a quick soup or save it to make something fancy in the future. It freezes beautifully!
Get the Beef Broth recipe.
Erica Kastner
Crock-Pot StuffingNever waste bread ever again! If it has gone stale, turn any kind of bread (even a mix!) into stuffing for a comforting side any time of the year. It would taste good with roast chicken, turkey, ham, or beef!
Get the Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe.
Hector Sanchez
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese SoupShortcuts for the win! Cream of celery soup and frozen broccoli florets make this an easy lunch or dinner option for any weeknight. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for a few days, too!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe.
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Danielle Daly
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How To Create A Romantic Dinner For Two On A Budget
In 2022, starry-eyed Brits spent £990 million on Valentine's Day. There's no need to fork out big sums for a romantic dinner – here's how to cook for someone special without breaking the bank.
Whether you go all-in for Valentine's Day or snub the commercialism of the whole rose-scented event, it's a good reminder to make time to treat the one you love.
What transforms Tuesday night dinner into a statement of love? Don't underestimate the little touches, like making something from scratch, seeking out their favourite ingredients or adding a dash of heart-shaped fun to your food. Cooking side-by-side can be far more intimate than sitting in a packed restaurant full of other couples.
There's no need to spend money you don't have on champagne, oysters or even a pricey meal kit. Here's how to whip up a special three-course meal on a budget.
StartersA starter instantly makes your dinner feel fancier than normal. Opt for something that needs minimal prep or can be made well in advance. Keeping it simple can often go hand-in-hand with keeping it wallet-friendly, too. Here are some examples.
SoupThis slow-cooker onion soup has just four affordable ingredients but, thanks to all the time the onions spend caramelising, its rich flavour will never give away its simplicity. We know what you're thinking, though: is onion breath really going to help encourage romance? Well, you'd be surprised. A 2019 study shows the humble onion is actually an aphrodisiac.
If red is the colour of love, then this tomato, chickpea and pasta soup is bursting with affection. Based on the Italian classic pasta e ceci, it's surprisingly cheap and easy to pull together, made with two key store cupboard staples: tinned tomatoes and chickpeas.
Baked camembertA baked camembert – with its oozing, silky centre of melted cheese – really does feel like a special occasion starter and, if you shop around, it's possible to buy it on a budget. When we checked (early February 2023), supermarkets were selling a round 250g camembert for £2. Top with some garlic and a drizzle of oil before it goes in the oven. Serve it with bread for dipping – whatever you have in the cupboard will work and, if it's stale, just chop it up, drizzle with oil and bake alongside the cheese to make crispy croûtons.
HummusHomemade hummus is super simple to make, vegan, and has a modest price tag. It can easily be dolled up – made red with peppers or pink with beetroot and topped with pretty ingredients. You can pick up vacuum-packed cooked beetroot from supermarkets for under £1. Plus, its vibrant colour and sweet, earthy flavour will make this hummus feel like a special treat – just add it to your blender with the usual chickpeas, garlic, lemon and oil. You could serve it with grilled pitta bread or veggies like carrot and celery, cut into batons for dipping.
Main courseA good chef knows how to make an extra-special dish from simple ingredients. Whether you're using clever cuts of meat, going veggie or making pasta from scratch, a few techniques are all you need to impress.
SteakThis is often a go-to dish for people when they're looking for a treat. It can be an expensive choice – unless you're clever about it. Slash the cost by going for a cheaper cut like skirt – also known as bavette or frying steak – which will set you back far less than other options and cooks in a flash. Serve it in slices, cutting against the grain, for the best texture. Make a small amount go further by serving it with lots of vegetables in tiny tacos.
If you want a thicker, more traditional steak, rump is on the more affordable end and has great flavour. Joseph Denison Carey explains how you can get the most out of it, and why it's worth the effort: "It's best served medium or medium-rare so that the fat has enough time over the heat to melt. It's one of the best-tasting steaks, thanks to its rich and meaty flavour."
PastaHomemade pasta might seem fancy but it's actually pretty frugal, using just two ingredients: flour and eggs. And, contrary to popular belief, you don't need a pasta machine to roll out those silky sheets – a rolling pin and modest supply of upper body strength will do the job. True, the very best flour to use is specialist '00' flour, but plain flour works perfectly well in a pinch. A fancy fresh pasta kit will cost you £10–15 for a single meal, but you probably already have the ingredients in your cupboard.
For the sauce, sausages can be used to make a quick ragú or meatballs, while your slow cooker can take care of a full bolognese while you crack on with that starter.
Mushroom stroganoff makes a creamy vegetarian topping that suits rustic hand-cut pasta, too. Or a simple dollop of crème fraiche and the zest of a lemon can form a great pasta sauce that's perfect with inexpensive greens.
Even a packet of spaghetti can make a special meal for two. A classic carbonara feels luxurious and requires little more than bacon or lardons, eggs and cheese (remember, pecorino and grana Padano are both cheaper alternatives to Parmesan), while cacio e pepe only has three ingredients – spaghetti, pecorino and pepper. Just don't throw out the pasta water, it's the free ingredient that makes the dish.
Cauliflower steakDespite its budget price this brassica has become a restaurant favourite and cauliflower steak is a popular vegan option. After cutting a thick slab from the head of cauliflower, coat it in harissa paste – which you can make from scratch or buy ready-made for less than £2.50 – before baking in the oven or air fryer.
Potato side dishesIf you're going for a steak (cauliflower or beef), you'll be needing some carb on the side. This is where the mighty (albeit happily budget) potato comes in. And, such is its versatility, it can easily be dressed up into a fancy side dish, like hasselback potatoes, which only need some slicing, a rub of oil and a sprinkle of salt for moreish, crispy results.
Cream plus garlic, potatoes and a sharp knife equals decadent dauphinoise potatoes, but if you want to cut out the cost of the double cream you could instead go for lyonnaise potatoes which are equally as impressive.
Alternatively, Potato Queen and Young MasterChef judge Poppy O'Toole dresses up mash with garlic, honey and mustard to transform it into something you'd find in a bistro.
DessertChocolate is a failsafe way to end a special meal, and there are plenty of ways you can serve it up without spending loads. The key is to keep things simple with a few select ingredients. For instance, a chocolate cherry mug cake uses a handful of basic store cupboard ingredients plus a tin of cherries in syrup. The result is a speedy individual pud with a whisper of Black Forest flavour.
Otherwise, three-ingredient intense chocolate pots are a great option (just halve the ingredients in our recipe if you're cooking for two) or go classic with chocolate-covered strawberries. Look out for supermarkets' 'wonky' fruit to cut down the cost and then simply melt some cooking chocolate, dip the strawberries in and leave to set.
For a more interactive dessert, melt chocolate along with a little sugar, water and golden syrup to create your own chocolate fondue. Use whatever fruit you already have in the fruit bowl – banana, grape and orange work well.
If a zingy, citrus-based pud is more up your street, this effortless lemon posset only has three ingredients and takes five minutes to make. You can prep it ahead too – it'll happily sit in the fridge until you're ready to tuck in. There's no need for ramekins or serving glasses either, we love it served in teacups.
Finally, if you can't wait for Shrove Tuesday, pancakes make a fun and inexpensive dessert. You can top them with chocolate spread, drizzle with sauces or go classic with lemon juice and sugar. If you've got a clean squeezy bottle, you can even make them into lacy heart shapes for a Valentine's Day statement pudding without adding to the cost.
Originally published February 2023
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