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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.

    close up of Mac and cheese on a black plate.

    3-Ingredient Mac and Cheese Recipe

    black plate of sausages, potatoes, green beans, and sour cream sauce.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes Recipe

    close up of chicken and green beans on white platter.

    Easy Chicken and Green Beans Dinner

    overhead shot of sauerkraut and pork on potatoes with dill garnish.

    Sauerkraut and Pork (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)

    slices of french bread pizza on a wooden board.

    Pesto French Bread Pizza Recipe

    cut view of bean burrito with cheese and green chiles.

    Easy Bean Burritos with Green Chiles

    cut pizzawiches stacked with cheese pull dripping down.

    3-Ingredient Pizzawiches

    side view of stack of ham and cheese sliders on foil, with melty cheese.

    Hot Ham and Swiss Sliders (Freezer-Friendly)

    overhead shot of a bowl of brie and tomato pasta on red and white cloth.

    Brie and Tomato Pasta (An Easy 5-ingredient Dinner)

    spoonful of bean and rice soup over a bowl.

    Rice and Bean Soup (A Recipe for Leftovers)

    flatly of ham and cheese croissants on a white platter with dipping sauce.

    Ham and Cheese Croissants (Starbucks Foldovers Copycat)

    turkey breast on cutting board with knife and carving fork.

    Making Turkey Freezer Meals with Leftover Turkey

    golden brown turkey stock in a large 8-cup glass measure.

    What to Do with the Turkey Bones? Make Stock!

    hand reaching for a slice of pizza out of the whole pie.

    Homemade Cheese Pizza Recipe

    overhead shot of bowl of spaghetti with crock pot sauce.

    30+ Budget Pasta Meals You’re Going to Love

    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)

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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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