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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.

    side shot of jambalaya on a bed of spaghetti squash.

    Spaghetti Squash Jambalaya [VIDEO]

    side shot of tuna casserole on a serving spatula.

    Tuna Noodle Casserole (No Canned Soup)

    close up of moo shu chicken in tortillas.

    Easy Moo Shu Chicken (Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Recipe)

    a bite of cottage cheese quiche on a fork next to a larger slice.

    Easy Cottage Cheese Quiche Recipe

    square overhead crop of asparagus soup in white bowl.

    Creamy Asparagus Soup Recipe (Vegan, Cream-Free)

    black dish of veggie curry and rice with a spoon to the side.

    Easy Veggie Curry Recipe (Vegetarian Recipe)

    hand pulling a slice of burrito pizza from the whole.

    Burrito Pizza Recipe – Try this Easy Black Bean Pizza

    overhead shot of chicken florentine casserole cut into and with a piece removed.

    Easy Chicken Florentine Casserole Recipe (Pasta Bake)

    overhead shot of dinner plate with fish, asparagus, and quinoa pilaf.

    The Best Skillet Fish & Asparagus (One Pan Dinner)

    overhead shot of bowl of soup on a tray with garlic bread nearby, a spoon full of soup is resting on the bowl.

    Quick & Easy Chicken Minestrone Soup (5 Ingredients!)

    platter of tuna pasta salad on white table.

    The Best Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe (No Mayo)

    ravioli casserole in white bowl with garlic bread slices.

    Easy 5-Ingredient Ravioli Casserole Recipe

    halves of BLT egg sandwich stacked on a board with chips in the foreground.

    Easy BLT Egg Sandwich Recipe (Meal Prep Lunch)

    hands holding a white bowl of chili mac with a spoon and toppings.

    Slow Cooker Chili Mac Recipe

    close up of black bean and rice salad with forkful atop bowl.

    Easy Black Bean and Rice Salad with Lime Dressing

    close up of pulled chicken sliders on a serving tray.

    Pulled Chicken Sliders (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop)

    close up of bean soup in a white bowl on a teal tray.

    Easy Instant Pot Bean Soup (Vegan Recipe)

    close up of sloppy joes sandwich.

    Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (No Ketchup)

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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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    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

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      Easy Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
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      Easy Freezer Burrito Recipe with Chicken, Beans, & Cheese
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      Shredded Salsa Verde Beef (5-Ingredient Recipe)
    • side view of buffalo chicken quesadillas with filling coming out of sides.
      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
    • jar of jalapeño salsa with sliced chiles on top and bunch of cilantro and whole on table beside.
      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • spoon of chicken taco soup over the bowl of soup.
      Chicken Taco Soup

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      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
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      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
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      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
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      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
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      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.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • close up of chips in black bowl.
      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • the finished plate of loaded nachos.
      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
    • closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
      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.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

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