Being a parent who is always on the go and looking for new ways to make mealtime more enjoyable, I definitely know the struggle of creating a warm, budget-friendly supper that everyone in the family will like.
The only way, after so many years of problems, I have finally concluded that the key to eating savory meals that are not too expensive is buying foods that are familiar and easy to cook with and then transforming them into meals that are in fact truly delightful.
Be it a toddler who cannot get enough of his white food or your teenager who has suddenly declared that pasta is his favorite food, I have got you covered with these budget-friendly dinner ideas that passed the test of teenage picky-eaters.
1. Crispy Sheet Pan Chicken Tenders with Sweet Potato Fries
Who doesn’t love a chicken and fries combo? Making it even healthier and more budget-friendly, I have perfected this child-favorite dish. By using panko instead of flour, and the ones that are baked instead of the ones that are fried, the tenders will surely come out crispy with every bite.
Moreover, the sweet potato fries would be something that even vegetable-fearing kids would love eating. You should just coat chicken strips with breadcrumbs that you dip in the mixture of seasonings before putting them on the sheet pan together with sweet potato wedges and bake them right until they are golden brown.
2. Build-Your-Own Taco Bar
I have realized in my experience with kids that giving them control over their meals helps them actually eat the food that they have prepared.
Create an uncomplicated taco bar complete with seasoned ground turkey (which is cheaper than beef), soft and hard tortilla shells, as well as grated cheese, lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
3. Creamy Mac and Cheese with Hidden Vegetables
The whole concept of serving healthy meals with creativity is built on the idea of helping our children develop a lifelong love of good food. Hidden in creamy, luscious cheese sauce are all the veggies your kids need and want. Moreover, it can also be piled up with minced beef and shredded carrots.
4. One-Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
I’ve reimagined this no-doubt epic by cooking everything in an unbreakable pot with both dish reduction and the time prep. The tasty meatballs, which, as I used a blend of ground turkey and pork, are both tasty and price economic, are one of the dishes.
The sauce, as some say, is the only sauce that can be a hit with sauce haters, as it boils beside the pasta, thus making a rich flavor. Make more meatballs to store in the freezer for other meals.
5. Breakfast for Dinner Pancake Bar
Who else heard of the phrase breakfast for dinner or is it something that we all have as our favorite meal? I utilize traditional pancake ingredients (much cheaper than the box mix) to coat the whole cascading waterfall of pancakes and provide other toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate chips, and whipped cream.
Also, I stir a combination of scrambled eggs and turkey bacon on the side for protein. This tasty dish costs just a few bucks for each meal and makes everybody happy.
6. Baked Potato Bar
Wow, this customizable meal that is ridiculously cheap to make has come to be another friend of ours. I heat my potatoes all the way through, so they are super fluffy and then I put some toppings on them like I put shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and steamed broccoli.
Every person is free to fill in their own blank on a baked potato – a simple type of food that will run you no more than some cents per serving. It is a wonderful nutritious meal that fills even the picky and adventurous eaters.
7. Homemade Pizza Night
The process costs less than ordering a pizza and it is your kids’ favorite food. I usually make an uncomplicated dough (it’s not as hard as you imagine!) and then everybody can choose their favorite among a choice of toppings.
Buy cheese in bulk when on sale, and use easy toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Actually, the most of them who dislike other foods make an exception for cheese pizza.
8. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup
This isan sufficacious and cost-effective stew. I choose going for cheaper bone-in thighs rather than pricier breasts for enhanced flavor, pair them withrice,carrotscelery to the vegetable stew.
The slow cooker is doing the job, while children find it easy to eat familiar ingredients. Crackers or bread with whole grain are also really good options as they should be for a complete meal.
9. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
These extremely plain quesadillas are a hit with kids and so very affordable. I have refried beans (a protein bomb) and melty cheese in a flour tortilla, I then cut them into triangles. Add simple toppings such as sour cream and mild salsa. It’s a fast, filling meal that just costs a few bucks and is easily put together.
10. Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Rice
Sometimes you can skip your local McDonald’s and cook these baked chicken nuggets at home in a very simple way. I chop chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, dip them in breadcrumbs with a precise amount of seasoning, and then bake them until they are brown. Have it with rice and a plain vegetable on the side. It is both healthier and more affordable than fast food, yet it keeps the kids’ favorite flavors.
11. Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
When I’m using such inexpensive meat as flank steak, the recipe for stir-frying with simple ingredients comes out to a really simple one. I prefer mild flavors for those who are not into big flavors and all, but I do have available other sauces for the ones that like more kick. Add it on top of rice and do not overcook the broccoli it should be a little crunchy – it seems to be somewhat IU.
12. Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
This traditional blend instantly makes you feel good and costs only a minimal amount of money for its preparation. I make a plain tomato soup from canned tomatoes and cream, and I serve it with ordinary grilled cheese sandwiches made on American bread with cheese. It is the most perfect comfort food that even the fussiest eaters will seldom say no to.
13. Fish Stick Tacos
Change boring fish sticks into some fish tacos that your kids will love to eat. I use them in soft tortillas with shredded cabbage and a light cream sauce. This is a no-thrills method of introducing fish to reluctant home-cooks and the fact that they cook fish that’s more familiar to the little one makes it more accessible.
14. Simple Pasta with Butter and Parmesan
In many cases, the most basic and easiest kind of food is the most delicious. I cook spaghetti a lot and I put the topping of butter and the cheese that is grounded Parmesan. It is very cheap and is a great source of comfort for spaghetti lovers. And those who would like of steamed vegetables should add them to their meal as a side dish.
15. Turkey and Rice Meatballs
The use of ground turkey and rice in these meatballs provides a delicate and delicious flavor while still being economical. I serve them with a moderate tomato sauce and either pasta or rice. The rice inside the meatballs adds to the quantity, which in turn, makes it an ideal choice for those with kids as it’s actually approved by them.
Conclusion
Whipping up an inexpensive, kid-friendly meal that’s also rich in nutrients and tastes mouth-watering doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. My personal experience is that the recipe you choose can lead you to success and the use of simple, familiar materials is the path to it.
Take the 15 dinner ideas provided here as a challenge to see if you can find a way to feed your family delicious meals on a budget, even if some of them are picky. Remember, on some occasions, the easiest meals become long-standing family favorites, and when kids are active participants in the cooking process, they are more likely to try new foods.
These recipes are the ideal ones to which you should stick, and that will ensure everyone in your home not only eats well but also stays within the budget.
