21 Lazy, Low-Cost Meals My Family Requests Even When We’re Not On A Budget

Weeknights get a lot easier when you have a short list of lazy, low-cost meals your family actually asks for, even when money is not tight. Each recipe uses simple ingredients and easy shortcuts to get dinner on the table fast. Enjoy reliable favorites that cut stress, save money, and keep everyone fed and happy without extra hassle.

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Easy Cheeseburger Pie gives you all the cozy burger flavors in a simple slice that goes from oven to table with hardly any effort. It leans on staple ingredients you probably keep on hand, so you can skip a grocery run yet still serve something that feels fun. The whole pan disappears fast, which makes it perfect for picky eaters, casual guests, and relaxed weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Lettuce Wraps with Turmeric Infused Ground Beef

Lettuce wraps with turmeric-infused ground beef pack a creamy, spiced filling into crisp, refreshing leaves for a fun handheld dinner. The turmeric enhances the beef and creamy toppings, giving each bite a flavorful contrast. Arrange them on a platter and let everyone build their own wraps for a casual, family-style meal.
Get the Recipe: Lettuce Wraps with Turmeric Infused Ground Beef

Lazy Lasagna

Lazy Lasagna keeps every bit of cheesy comfort you want from the classic while skipping the fussy layering. Cabbage steps in for noodles, the Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, and dinner lands on the table in about thirty minutes. You get a hearty bake that tastes rich and cozy yet still leans lighter than traditional pasta.
Get the Recipe: Lazy Lasagna

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio turns pantry staples into a silky garlic pasta that feels restaurant-worthy. Golden garlic, a hint of chili, and good olive oil coat each strand so every forkful tastes special. Have it on its own, add a side salad, or top with a fried egg for a simple but luxe style dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

Sheet pan sausage and vegetables bring color to the table with juicy sausage nestled among caramelized veggies. Everything roasts on one tray, so the edges get crisp, the centers stay tender, and your hands stay mostly free. Serve it straight from the pan, over fluffy rice, or tucked into warm wraps for an easy all-in-one meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

Air Fryer Shrimp

Air Fryer Shrimp comes together fast with a simple seasoning blend that turns out smoky, tender bites. The shrimp cook in minutes, then a squeeze of lemon wakes everything up with bright flavor. Tuck them into tacos, toss them over pasta, or scatter on salads for an easy seafood upgrade.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs turn cheap ingredients into a dinner that looks like you spent way more time in the kitchen. The thighs stay juicy while the broccoli chars at the edges, so you get that mix of tender centers and crisp bits in every bite. Clean up stays minimal, so you can finish eating and then move straight into chill time.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole layers ground beef, tender green beans, and plenty of cheese into one cozy baking dish. It bakes in under an hour using budget-friendly ingredients, which makes it an easy go-to option when you want something hearty without much prep. Leftovers reheat well, so you can count on tomorrow’s lunch being just as comforting.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Chicken Breast gives you juicy, tender meat with a lightly crisp seasoned crust in under half an hour. A quick spice rub goes on, the air fryer handles the rest, so you can focus on sides or just relax. Slice it for salads, grain bowls, or sandwiches, so you have easy protein ready for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Sheet Pan Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken brightens up dinner with golden pieces of chicken tucked in beside colorful vegetables. You can pair it with rice, pasta, or a simple salad, so it easily fits whatever you already planned for the week. The whole tray roasts in about half an hour, so you spend less time hovering over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Salsa Chicken in the slow cooker is the no-fuss recipe you throw together in minutes with chicken breasts and your favorite jar of salsa. While it simmers away, the meat turns tender enough to shred for tacos, rice bowls, or simple burrito fillings through the week. One batch works for several meals, which keeps your budget in check while protecting your energy, too.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Mississippi Pot Roast

Mississippi Pot Roast delivers fork-tender beef with rich gravy using only a handful of simple ingredients. You load it into the slow cooker in the morning, then by dinner time, you have a comforting main dish ready for potatoes or rice. Any extra meat stays juicy for days, which makes relaxed weekend sandwiches or quick lunches very easy.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Skillet

Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Skillet delivers all the melty, savory cheesesteak vibes without the pricey steak. Everything cooks together in one pan with peppers, onions, and gooey cheese, so cleanup stays easy. Scoop it onto toasted rolls or spoon it over rice for a fast meal that feels like takeout at home.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak Skillet

Pork Chops and Applesauce

Pork Chops and Applesauce bring that cozy, sweet, savory combo to the table with hardly any effort. The pork chops get a quick seasoning, a buttery sear, and a spoonful of warm applesauce that ties everything together. Serve it with mashed potatoes, a green salad, or crusty bread for a dinner that feels special without stretching your budget.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground Beef and cabbage stir fry come together in one skillet, so dinner feels fast but still balanced with meat plus veggies. Everything cooks in about twenty minutes, which makes it perfect for nights when you walk in the door already hungry. You can tweak the seasoning to be mild or bold, so every plate fits your crew’s taste.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet turns humble ingredients into a cozy one-pan meal in half an hour. The cabbage softens in the skillet while the sausage browns at the edges, so every bite has that mix of tender and crisp. Pile it into bowls for a simple dinner that works just as well for next-day lunches.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Sausage Skillet

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry delivers big takeout-style flavor in under thirty minutes from a single pan. Saucy beef coats tender broccoli florets, plus you can adjust the spice level so every plate hits the right note for your crew. Spoon it over rice or noodles for a quick dinner that tastes like a treat but still keeps things affordable.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo wraps tender cabbage ribbons and savory Italian sausage in a creamy sauce. It cooks in one skillet, so you get cozy pasta night energy without boiling a separate pot of noodles. Dish it up for a quick weeknight dinner that feels rich yet still uses simple, budget-friendly staples.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Taco Meat

Taco Meat in a skillet makes a weeknight dinner feel easy while still tasting like something you planned ahead. Minced mushrooms stretch the ground beef and blend right in with the spices, so even mushroom skeptics dig in. Leftovers turn into quick tacos, burrito bowls, or nacho topping for fuss-free meals.
Get the Recipe: Taco Meat

Ground Beef Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ground Beef Egg Roll in a Bowl brings all the best parts of takeout egg rolls straight to your skillet. Savory beef cooks with cabbage, carrots, and a punchy sauce so you get that familiar flavor without any deep frying. Scoop generous portions into bowls for a speedy dinner that feels cozy but still light enough for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Egg Roll in a Bowl

Herb-Crusted Chicken

Herb-Crusted Chicken brings that Texas Roadhouse style flavor home with juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a bold mix of dried herbs and black pepper. It comes together quickly in one pan, which makes hectic weeknights feel a lot less hectic while still giving everyone something special for dinner. You get a budget-friendly favorite that works for meal prep, easy lunches, and even last-minute company.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken