Simple, Tasty and Cheap Family Meals Under $10

Spaghetti Night with Homemade Sauce

You don’t have to do much to make spaghetti feel like dinner. This version skips the jarred stuff and starts with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and whatever seasoning you’ve got. Add ground beef or turkey if the budget has room, or just keep it simple—either way, it works.

I usually use:

• A box of spaghetti – about $1
• One can crushed tomatoes – $1.50
• Garlic and onion – say $0.75 for both
• Half a pound of ground beef – $3.50
• Olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning – around $1 combined

Total: $7.75

Boil the spaghetti like normal. In another pan, heat a little olive oil and cook the chopped onion and garlic until soft. If you’re using meat, brown it here, then drain the extra grease. Add the crushed tomatoes and season it all up—salt, pepper, whatever herbs you like. Let it bubble on low for 15 minutes while the pasta finishes.

Toss the cooked spaghetti straight into the pan with the sauce. Give it a good mix and serve it just like that. If you’ve got Parmesan, great. If not, nobody’s going to complain.

Chicken and Rice Casserole That’s Cheap and Cozy

This is one of those meals I pull out when I need something filling and hands-off. Chicken thighs are way cheaper than breasts and honestly taste better in a casserole. I just mix everything in one pan, bake it, and call it a day. No fancy steps. No sink full of dishes.

What I usually use:

• 1 lb chicken thighs – about $4
• 1 cup of rice – $1
• Can of cream of mushroom soup – $1.25
• Frozen mixed veggies – $1
• Onion – $0.50
• 2 cups chicken broth – $1
• Salt and pepper – $0.25
  Total: around $9

Here’s how I throw it together:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a big bowl, stir the rice, soup, broth, and veggies together until it’s kind of soupy. Pour that into a greased baking dish.

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and lay them right on top of the rice mix. Sprinkle the chopped onion over everything. Cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes.

Take the foil off and bake another 15 minutes or so. You want the chicken cooked through and the rice soft—not crunchy.

That’s it. It’s creamy, hearty, and totally hits the spot. I’ve never had leftovers last more than a day.

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 That Start With Quesadillas

I make these when I need something fast, cheap, and filling. Everyone likes them, they use barely any ingredients, and I don’t have to think too hard. That’s a win.

Here’s what I usually pull out:

• Flour tortillas – $2
• Can of refried beans – $1.25
• Shredded cheese – $2.50
• Salsa – $1.50
• Rice – $1
  Total: around $8.25

First, I get the rice going. Just follow the instructions on the bag—nothing fancy.

While that’s cooking, I heat a skillet over medium heat. I grab a tortilla, spread some beans on one side, sprinkle cheese over the top, and fold it in half. Then I toss it in the pan.

A couple of minutes on each side is all it takes. The outside gets golden and a little crispy, and the inside turns into this warm, cheesy goodness that somehow tastes like more than the sum of its parts.

I serve them with salsa and that side of rice, and suddenly dinner is done. If I’ve got extras like sour cream, jalapeños, or leftover veggies, I’ll throw those on the table too. But honestly? Even just as-is, these always disappear fast.

This meal saves me when the fridge feels empty but I still need to feed everyone without a fuss.

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 That Feel Like Pizza Night Wins

Homemade pizza sounds fancy, but it’s one of my go-tos when I want something cheap that everyone’s happy about. I either use a store-bought crust or whip one up if I have extra time, but most nights I go the easy route.

Here’s what usually ends up on the counter:

• Pre-made pizza crust – $2.50
• Jar of pizza sauce – $1.50
• Shredded mozzarella – $2.50
• Toppings (like pepperoni, bell peppers, onions) – $3.00
  Total: around $9.50

First, I preheat the oven (whatever temp the crust package says—usually around 425°F). I spread a layer of sauce over the crust, dump a generous handful of cheese on top, and add whatever toppings I can find in the fridge. Sometimes it’s leftover chicken. Other times, just onions and bell peppers.

The whole thing bakes for 10 to 15 minutes, and I know it’s done when the cheese is bubbly and the edges start to brown.

It’s cheaper than takeout, faster than delivery, and honestly tastes just as good. Everyone gets excited when they see pizza on the menu—even if it came from the fridge and not the freezer or a box. I’ll cut it into squares or triangles, depending on the mood, and we call it dinner.

Pizza night always feels like a treat, but it never wrecks the grocery budget.

Lentil Soup That Actually Fills You Up

I make this soup when the weather’s weird or I just need to clean out the fridge. Lentils don’t get enough credit—they’re cheap, full of protein, and they soak up flavor like a sponge.

Here’s what usually goes in:

• Lentils – $1.50
• Carrots – $1.00
• Celery – $1.00
• Onion – $0.50
• Can of diced tomatoes – $1.00
• Vegetable broth – $2.00
• Spices (salt, pepper, cumin) – $0.50
  Total: around $7.50

Rinse about a cup of lentils and set them aside. I chop up a couple carrots, a few ribs of celery, and an onion. Heat a little oil in a big pot, then throw in the veggies and let them soften up.

Once they’re smelling good, I toss in the lentils, a can of diced tomatoes, and about 4 cups of broth. Then I add salt, pepper, and a little cumin—maybe a teaspoon, maybe more if I feel like it.

I let it simmer for 30 minutes or so until the lentils are soft. Sometimes I splash in a little vinegar at the end if I want some brightness. That part’s totally optional.

I usually serve it with bread if we have any, but even without it, this soup is filling. It makes enough for lunch the next day too, which saves me from scrambling to figure out what to eat when I’m busy.

Out of all the cheap family meals under $10, this one feels like it comes with a little peace and quiet. Everyone just eats, and I get leftovers. That’s my kind of dinner.

Baked Potato Bar Night

This one’s so easy it barely feels like cooking. Bake a few big potatoes, throw out some toppings, and let everyone load theirs up however they want. Cheese, sour cream, green onions, maybe bacon bits if they’re on sale. You don’t need much, and somehow it always feels like more than just a potato.

Here’s what I usually grab:

• 4 large potatoes – $3.00
• Shredded cheese – $2.50
• Sour cream – $1.50
• Green onions – $1.00
• Bacon bits – $2.00

Total: $10.00

Start by heating the oven to 400°F. Wash and dry the potatoes, poke them a few times with a fork, and toss them right on the oven rack. They’ll need about an hour to get soft all the way through.

While those are baking, get the toppings ready. Grate the cheese if it’s not already shredded, chop the green onions, and cook the bacon bits if you’re not using store-bought.

Once the potatoes are done, pull them out and let them cool a little so nobody burns their fingers. Cut them open, fluff the inside with a fork, and just set everything out on the counter.

People can build their own and dinner kind of handles itself from there.

Tuna Casserole That Gets the Job Done

I know tuna casserole isn’t the flashiest meal, but when the pantry’s looking sad and I need something filling, this one always pulls through. It’s easy, warm, and comes together with stuff I almost always have on hand.

Here’s what usually goes into mine:

• Egg noodles – $1.50
• Can of tuna – $1.25
• Can of cream of mushroom soup – $1.25
• Frozen peas – $1.00
• Shredded cheddar – $2.50
• Milk – $1.00
  Total: around $8.50

I start by boiling about 3 cups of egg noodles. While that’s cooking, I grab a big bowl and mix the can of tuna (drained), one can of cream of mushroom soup, about a cup of frozen peas, and a splash of milk—just enough to loosen it up a bit. I throw in a handful of shredded cheese, maybe a cup, depending on how cheesy I want it.

Once the noodles are done, I drain them and stir them into the tuna mixture. Then I pour everything into a greased 9×13 dish and top it with a little more cheese (if I have it left). Bake it at 375°F for about 25 minutes, or until it’s bubbling and golden around the edges.

It’s not fancy, but it fills everyone up and there’s usually enough left for lunch. That’s a win in my book. Cheap family meals under $10 don’t have to be exciting—they just have to work. This one does.

Chili Night Always Works

I keep coming back to chili when I need something cheap that actually feeds everyone without complaints. It’s one of those meals that’s easy to throw together, fills the house with good smells, and somehow tastes even better the next day.

Here’s what you need:

• Half a pound of ground beef – around $3.50
• One onion – $0.50
• A few cloves of garlic – maybe $0.25
• One can of kidney beans – $1.00
• One can of black beans – $1.00
• One can of diced tomatoes – $1.00
• Chili powder – about $0.50
• Salt and pepper – say $0.25

Total: about $8.00

Brown the beef in a big pot. Drain off the grease. Add the chopped onion and garlic and let them cook down until soft. Dump in the beans and tomatoes—liquid and all. Stir in a couple tablespoons of chili powder, plus salt and pepper. Let the whole thing simmer for 30 minutes, maybe give it a stir here and there.

That’s it. You can top it with cheese or sour cream, or just eat it how it is.

Mac and Cheese That Feels Like a Win

When I’ve got pasta, cheese, and a little time, I make this. Way better than the box and just as fast. I don’t measure anything too perfectly, and it still turns out the way I want—gooey, cheesy, and gone in ten minutes.

What I usually use:

• Elbow macaroni – $1.50
• Butter – $1.00
• Flour – $0.50
• Milk – $1.50
• Shredded cheese – $3.50
• Salt and pepper – $0.25

Total: around $8.25

Boil a couple cups of pasta, drain it, and set it aside. In the same pot, melt some butter, then add a little flour and stir until it looks pastey. Pour in milk a little at a time while whisking like crazy. Let it bubble until it thickens, then stir in your cheese.

Season it how you like. Dump the pasta back in, stir it all up, and eat it straight from the pot if you’re having that kind of night.

Sloppy Joes That Actually Get Eaten

There’s just something about Sloppy Joes that brings everyone to the table fast. Maybe it’s the smell. Maybe it’s the fact that you get to eat something messy on purpose. Either way, they’re cheap, easy, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand.

Here’s what I use:

• ½ lb ground beef – $3.50
• 1 onion – $0.50
• 2 cloves garlic – $0.25
• Ketchup – $1.00
• Brown sugar – $0.25
• Mustard – $0.25
• Worcestershire sauce – $0.50
• Hamburger buns – $2.00

Total: $8.25

Brown the ground beef in a pan, then drain off the grease. Add the chopped onion and garlic and let it cook down until everything’s soft and smells amazing. Stir in about half a cup of ketchup, a tablespoon each of brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes or so.

Scoop it onto hamburger buns and serve it with whatever you’ve got—chips, carrot sticks, or nothing at all. It’s messy, for sure. But that’s kind of the point.

Chicken Tacos for When Everyone’s Hungry and You’re Over It

These are quick, easy, and everybody builds their own, so you’re not stuck playing short-order cook. I use chicken thighs because they’re cheaper than breasts and honestly have more flavor. Season, cook, shred, and let everyone pile on what they want.

Here’s what I grab for this:

• 1 lb chicken thighs – $3.00
• Taco seasoning – $0.75
• Tortillas – $2.00
• Shredded lettuce – $1.50
• Shredded cheese – $2.50

Total: $9.75

Season the chicken with taco seasoning and cook it in a big pan until it’s cooked through and golden. Let it cool for a few minutes, then shred it up with two forks. Warm the tortillas however you want—microwave if you’re in a rush, skillet if you’ve got a few extra minutes.

Set everything out and let people build their own. Chicken, lettuce, cheese, maybe salsa if it’s in the fridge. Dinner’s done, and there’s no arguing about who likes what.

Here’s the thing—eating on a budget doesn’t have to feel like you’re stuck making the same sad meals over and over. You really can pull off cheap family meals under $10 that taste good, fill everyone up, and don’t make you want to toss your grocery list out the window. A little planning goes a long way, and honestly, once you get into the groove, it kind of becomes second nature.

I stick to stores that don’t drain my wallet—Aldi, Walmart, and Costco when I’m stocking up. Buying in bulk helps with pantry stuff like pasta, beans, and rice. Those are the kinds of things that can show up in tons of meals without feeling repetitive. And if chicken thighs or ground turkey are on sale? That’s dinner for the week, done.

Leftovers are your best friend here. A big pot of chili or a tray of baked ziti can stretch across two meals without anyone complaining. And breakfast-for-dinner? Always a win. Pancakes, eggs, toast—it’s cheap, easy, and somehow feels like a treat every single time.

You’re not aiming for gourmet. You’re just trying to get something on the table that tastes good and won’t eat up your whole paycheck. These cheap family meals under $10 are for the nights when your brain’s fried and your fridge looks questionable, but you still need to feed people. And if everyone’s fed and full? That’s a win, no matter how you got there.