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    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.

    stack of grilled pork chops on rectangle platter

    Grilled Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (84 cents/serving)

    sliced marinated meat on oval platter

    Soy Ginger Meat Marinade

    asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.

    5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe

    white bowl of chili with spoon and cloth nearby

    Best Ever White Bean Chicken Chili (82 cents/serving)

    breakfast table with fruit egg cassserole bread and bruschetta

    Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole (87 cents/serving)

    bowl of sunbutter noodles

    60+ Best Meatless Meals To Help Save You Money

    deep dish pineapple pizza cut into quarters

    How to Make Pan Pizza at Home

    pizza bagels on tray with red checked cloth

    Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels Recipe (54 cents/serving)

    A mushroom pizza on a plate

    Portobello Pizzas – Make Pizza on a Mushroom!

    hand pulling slice of kale pizza off pan

    Kale Pizza with Mushrooms and Tomatoes (53 cents/slice)

    big pot of marinara sauce on red striped cloth

    Marinara Sauce Simple Enough for Everyday

    spoon digging into pan of Overnight casserole

    Overnight Noodle Casserole

    bowl of pasta with salad bar toppings in white bowl

    Pasta Salad Bar How-To

    A dish is filled with Noodle Casserole

    30+ Best Casseroles You Can Make with Pantry Staples

    side view of turkey and black bean taco

    Baked Ground Turkey & Black Bean Tacos

    cut open black bean pot pie

    Try Black Bean Pot Pie for Your Next Meatless Monday

    bowl of irish stew from overhead.

    Irish Stew & Other St Patrick’s Day Recipes

    dinner plate with chicken and rice

    Chicken and Wild Rice Bake

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    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

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    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.

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