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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.

    spoonful of soup resting on side of the bowl

    Smoky Bean Soup

    A bowl of pasta, black beans, and vegetables

    Southwest Pasta Salad

    Chicken Patties on white platter

    Crispy Chicken Patties (better than chicken nuggets!)

    overhead shot of large dish of cajun chicken pasta with sausage on black table with red cloth.

    Shrimp Pasta with Sausage

    A pan of lasagna sitting on table

    Easy Lasagne with Fresh Basil and Chives

    spoon entering casserole

    Chile And Cheese Enchilada Casserole

    A bowl of chili with toppings

    Homemade Chili with Jalapeños

    A bowl of Couscous with vegetables

    Grilled Vegetable Couscous Salad

    chicken caesar sandwiches sitting on top of a wooden cutting board

    Chicken Caesar Sandwiches for a Quick & Simple Meal

    close up of multi-colored mini charcuterie boards.

    Snacky Lunch – Simple & Easy to Make Everyone Happy

    enchilada in casserole crockpot

    Bean and Meat Crockpot Enchilada

    A bowl filled with pasta and vegetables, with Pesto

    Vegetable Pasta Salad with Pesto: A Very Quick Dinner

    place setting with large dinner salad

    Santa Fe Salad with Chicken, Corn, & Black Beans

    turkey burger on plate with blue cheese crumbles

    Easy Turkey Burger Recipe

    platter of chicken caesar salad

    Poorman’s Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

    taco rack with three carnitas tacos

    Pork Carnitas Tacos

    bowl of broccoli soup next to pressure cooker

    Super Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

    poached and shredded chicken

    Perfectly Poached Chicken (Stovetop and Instant Pot Directions)

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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.

    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.

    Mexican Food Recipes

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      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
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      Nacho Bar
    • cooked taco meat in oval dish with taco toppings nearby.
      Easy Homemade Taco Meat
    • overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.
      Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
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      Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)

    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.
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