• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Party Food
  • Start Here
  • Members
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Party Food
    • Start Here
    • Members
    • All Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
      • Cookbooks
    • About
      • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Main Dishes

    Frugal Main Dish Recipes

    The main dish is the starring attraction, the one that can make or break the meal. It can also make or break your budget.

    Whether you're going meatless with Spring Vegetable Soup or beefing things up with this homemade Carne Asada recipe, these frugal main dish recipes are sure to save your bacon.

    white gratin dish with two cheese enchiladas topped with olives and green onions next to fork and dish of sour cream on the table.

    Cheese Enchilada Recipe

    hot dog in whole wheat bun topped with sauteed peppers and onions.

    Sausage & Hot Dog Toppings Bar

    spinach salad with oranges and cranberries

    Cold Dinner Ideas & No-Cook Suppers

    two bean and beef burritos on a white dinner plate topped with sauce, cheese, and cilantro.

    Bean and Beef Burritos (63 cents/each)

    black meal prep boxes with fish, green beans, potatoes, and tartar sauce.

    Lunchtime Meal Prep to Help You Save Money

    tuna macaroni salad in large wooden bowl with a red spoon.

    Tuna Macaroni Salad (45 cents/serving)

    hand holding unwrapped steak pita sandwich with all the toppings.

    Greek Pita Sandwich Recipe

    tongs holding up piece of grilled sirloin tip above the grill.

    Grilled Sirloin Tip Steak with Greek Marinade

    mini peppers stuffed with sausage and cheese on white platter.

    Stuffed Mini Peppers with Sausage (98 cents/serving)

    single serve green rectangle dish with chicken divan topped with breadcrumbs.

    Easy Chicken Divan with Curry (79 cents/serving)

    Italian sub sandwiches on platter bursting with cold cuts and other fillings.

    Italian Sandwiches

    best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.

    Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    carved chicken pieces on a platter with fresh herbs.

    How to Carve a Chicken (or Turkey)

    whole roast chicken on a white cutting board.

    What to Make with Rotisserie Chicken: 40+ Recipes with Cooked Chicken

    chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.

    Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole (63 cents/serving)

    ten grilled brats ready on the grill.

    Grilled Brats with Peppers and Onions (94 cents each)

    hand holding square plate with macaroni salad, fruit salad, and a hot dog with mustard.

    Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad with Cheese (47 cents/serving)

    frozen strips in freezer bag

    How to Make Your Own Frozen Grilled Chicken Strips

    • « Go to Previous Page
    • Page 1
    • Interim pages omitted …
    • Page 9
    • Page 10
    • Page 11
    • Page 12
    • Page 13
    • Interim pages omitted …
    • Page 24
    • Go to Next Page »

    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    What's New

    • chocolate pistachio loaf sliced on a board with nuts nearby.
      Chocolate Pistachio Loaf Cake
    • array of hot cross buns in basket.
      Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns
    • pair of cornbread waffles topped with blueberries and whipped cream on a white plate near a stack of waffles.
      50+ Easy Brunch Ideas & Recipes
    • cheese plate with a variety of cheese on wooden board and cheese knife.
      Serve a French Cheese Course to Elevate Your Meals
    • square crop of tuna on pasta salad.
      What to Make with Canned Tuna
    • vanilla almond granola atop a yogurt and blueberry bowl.
      Vanilla Almond Granola

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe
    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    What's New

    • Plastic sandwich bag made into instant oatmeal packet on white counter.
      How to Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal Packets & Bowls
    • close crop of cauliflower stir fry on plate with noodles on side.
      Quick & Easy Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry
    • array of pancakes on platter with sausage and fruit as well as orange juice.
      Pancakes for Dinner – Recipes & Tips
    • square crop of red pickled onions in glass dish with tongs.
      Quick Pickled Onions
    • instant pot mac and cheese on a spoon over the pot.
      Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    • collage of thanksgiving breads in baskets and on baking sheets.
      20+ Thanksgiving Bread Basket Ideas

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Shipping Policy
    • Return Policy
    • Digital Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2026 Good Cheap Eats