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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.

    overhead of tortilla pizza on screen.

    Tortilla Pizza (52 cents each)

    two air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches in basket.

    Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    overhead shot of english muffin pizzas, some pepperoni some cheese, on a wooden board.

    English Muffin Pizza Recipe

    close up of cut side of two sandwiches stacked with cheese pulls and pesto showing.

    Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    overhead shot of cashew chicken on a white dinner plate with a fork nearby on the black table.

    Easy Cashew Chicken

    chopped cilantro and green onions topped on the dressing on the salad.

    Buffalo Chicken Salad

    toothpick holding up a chicken bite with steam rising from it.

    Buffalo Chicken Bites

    close up of corner of sheetpan filled with nachos topped with cilantro and jalapeno slices.

    Sheetpan Nachos with Chicken

    close up of sour cream chicken on rice.

    Sour Cream Chicken with Salsa Verde

    overhead shot of beef stew with mushrooms and olives and a sprig of rosemary, all in a black bowl.

    Mushroom Beef Stew with Kalamata Olives

    overhead shot of raclette melted over potatoes in a black dish with pickles and ham.

    Raclette Recipe Without a Grill

    close-up view of skillet full of creamy garlic shrimp pasta topped with fresh parsley.

    Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

    in front of a black backdrop are two portions of baguette sandwich with the chipotle mayo evident in a blob on the side.

    Turkey Avocado Baguette Sandwich

    close-up of soup tureen filled with roast vegetable soup near a platter of bread.

    Roast Vegetable Soup

    Italian sub sandwiches on platter bursting with cold cuts and other fillings.

    Leftover Ham Recipes to Help You Save Money

    close up of sliced roast turkey breast on white rectangular platter with fresh herbs.

    Easy Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

    close up of a scoop of mashed potato casserole on a flowered dinner plate.

    Mashed Potato Casserole (41 cents/serving)

    roast turkey on a white platter surrounded by parsley.

    How to Cook a Turkey the Easy Way

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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

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