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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.

    A bowl of soup, with crackers

    Vegetable, Beef, and Barley Soup

    A stack of burgers on plastic wrap

    Making Burger Patties for the Freezer

    broiled bruschetta on a plate with a bite missing

    Broiled Bruschetta

    a pan of French toast on table

    Buttered Maple French Toast Casserole

    hot dog with onions on a plate with sides

    Drunken Brats and Caramelized Onions

    An egg bake on a table with salsa

    Spicy Turkey Egg Bake

    A plate of penne with bolognese on a table

    Quick Meat Sauce for Pasta

    A bowl of soup

    Creamy Vegetable Soup that’s Vegan!

    A sliced pizza sitting on top of a cutting board

    5-Ingredient Pita Pizza

    Chicken Fried Rice - Got leftover cooked chicken and rice? Then you've got the makings of a great meal.

    Chicken Fried Rice

    red ramekins with macaroni

    Alfredo Mac and Cheese

    A plate of Sausage patties

    Homemade Spicy Turkey Sausage Recipe

    Ginger-Sesame Turkey Salad on a plate

    Ginger-Sesame Turkey Salad

    Creamy Turkey Enchiladas | Good Cheap Eats - a great way to use up leftover turkey. Other meats work, too.

    Creamy Turkey Enchiladas

    A plate of Biscuit Pot Pie on table

    Turkey Pot Pie with Easy Biscuit Topping

    A bowl of soup on a table

    Soup is Good Food (or How to Make Stone Soup)

    basket with fried chicken sandwich and fries

    Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Club Sandwich cut in half on wooden board

    The Spring Street Club Sandwich

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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.

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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)
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      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
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      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
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      Chicken Taco Soup

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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

    • 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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