Looking for delicious dinners that won’t wreck your grocery budget? These 31 budget-friendly recipes are proof that you can cook flavorful, satisfying meals without spending a fortune—or breaking a sweat. Think creamy chicken and dumplings, spicy taco mac and cheese, slow-cooked Jamaican oxtail, and even a no-bake shepherd’s pie you can whip up in under 30 minutes. If easy, cozy, wallet-wise meals are your thing, you’ll want to check out every last recipe in this crave-worthy collection.

In A Snap No Bake Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

single serving shepards pie with mashed potatoes and cheese on top in a small cast iron skillet
In A Snap No Bake Shepherd’s Pie Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This delicious no bake shepherd’s pie recipe takes under 30 minutes from stove to table. Made with budget-friendly ingredients and satisfies even the hungriest eaters.
Get the Recipe: In A Snap No Bake Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

A pot of soup with chopped vegetables, garnished with herbs. A ladle is resting in the pot, and fresh bread is on a wooden board nearby. The soup appears to be on a countertop with a light-colored background.
Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

When time is short, but you still want a homemade meal that warms the soul, this easy potato soup is a lifesaver. With just three humble ingredients—onion, potatoes, and broth you can create a budget friendly hot meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy 3-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

Flavorful Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Whole roasted chicken in the crock pot
Flavorful Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This juicy, tender, crock pot whole chicken recipe is sure to become a favorite go-to recipe. Not only is it delicious, but the cost savings of making it at home compared to store-bought options is a great bonus. Your homemade crock pot whole chicken will also help you create multiple meals using the leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Flavorful Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Simple 5-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

Five ingredient crock pot potato soup with cheese and bacon on top
Simple 5-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This 5 Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup with frozen hash browns takes under 10 minutes to prep and makes a delicious, hearty pot of soup.
Get the Recipe: Simple 5-Ingredient Potato Soup Recipe

Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

A skillet with cooked ground beef mixed with diced tomatoes, stirred with a wooden spoon. Nearby are bowls of shredded cheese, salsa, and jalapeños on a wooden board. A striped cloth napkin is partially visible.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Taco night just got tastier! These Ground Beef Tacos are bold, flavorful, and way better than takeout—thanks to a homemade seasoning blend that leaves the packet behind.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe

4-Ingredient Chicken and Dressing

Four ingredient baked chicken with stuffing
4-Ingredient Chicken and Dressing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This comforting crockpot classic is rich, creamy, and packed with homemade flavor—yet only needs four ingredients. Perfect for busy nights or laid-back weekends.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Chicken and Dressing

Easy French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole Recipe

A rectangular white baking dish filled with a baked dish featuring caramelized onions, melted cheese, and herbs in a rich brown sauce. The dish is set on a wooden board with a yellow cloth beside it.
Easy French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This French Onion Chicken Casserole is packed with savory flavor, featuring juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs smothered in caramelized onions and topped with melty provolone cheese. It’s an easy, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners!
Get the Recipe: Easy French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole Recipe

Homemade Slow-Cooked Sloppy Joes

Homemade Slow-Cooked Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This homemade sloppy joes recipe has a sweet and tangy sauce that is incredibly easy to prepare and simmer in your slow cooker. It’s a great main dish recipe for busy weeknights, church potlucks, or a casual party with friends.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Slow-Cooked Sloppy Joes

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tocino Recipe

Sweet and sour chicken with rice and fried egg
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tocino Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This simple slow cooker recipe for easy chicken tocino is sweet and tangy, and can be served any time of the day. Made with a simple homemade marinade and a quick and easy replacement for annatto powder, you can make this economical recipe in minutes (while it bubbles away in the Crock Pot all afternoon).
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tocino Recipe

Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe

layered beef taco casserole
Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe is a delicious crockpot taco casserole made with taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, ground beef, and black beans, all layered in gooey cheese. It’s an easy-to-make tortilla casserole recipe that is budget-friendly and always a big crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Crockpot Recipe

A bowl of creamy white pasta topped with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes. The dish is served on a blue ceramic plate, with a sprig of fresh parsley and a grater with cheese nearby on a checkered cloth.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Crockpot Recipe Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

If you’re looking for a dish that’s going to taste delicious and is easy to make, Garlic Parmesan Chicken Crockpot recipe is the answer! With tender chicken, creamy Parmesan garlic sauce, and a touch of basil and oregano, this meal is sure to wow your guests and make your house smell amazing.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Jamaican Oxtail Recipe

oxtail soup in crock pot with beans and meat
Easy Slow Cooker Jamaican Oxtail Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This classic Jamaican oxtail recipe for stew simmers in a slow cooker with a savory sauce infused with classic Jamaican seasonings.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Jamaican Oxtail Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

chicken and soft dumplings with peas and carrots
Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Old fashioned crock pot chicken and dumplings recipe creates soft chewy dumplings, tender chicken and veggies smothered in a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Hamburger Vegetable Soup Recipe

A bowl of hearty beef and vegetable soup filled with chunks of beef, carrots, celery, beans, potatoes, and green beans in a tomato-based broth. Next to the bowl are a few saltine crackers on a wooden surface, and a blue checked cloth is nearby.
Hamburger Vegetable Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Hearty Hamburger Vegetable Soup in your Crock-Pot is an easy recipe that is packed with ground beef, potatoes, and veggies for a simple, budget-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Vegetable Soup Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti With Rotel

A bowl of creamy chicken spaghetti with shredded cheddar cheese on top. Spaghetti noodles are mixed with a cheesy sauce and diced tomatoes. A fork is lifting a portion of the dish. A red napkin and small bowls are in the background.
Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti With Rotel. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful comfort food the whole family will love! This easy slow cooker recipe uses tender chicken, Rotel tomatoes, spaghetti noodles, and a creamy sauce made with canned soup and cream cheese. With just 10 minutes of prep, the crockpot does all the work, making it perfect for busy weeknights. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and packed with a hint of spice.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti With Rotel

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with wide egg noodles, shredded chicken, and fresh parsley is placed on a decorative blue and white plate. Next to the bowl is a folded white cloth with blue stripes. Three square crackers are situated on the side of the plate.
Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Satisfying Chicken Noodle Soup is a one-pot recipe made with tender chicken breasts, herbs, and veggies in a flavorful broth, perfect for low-stress, hearty meals.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

4-Ingredient Beef Skirt Steak Recipe

A plate of shredded pot roast covered in brown gravy with mushrooms, served over a bed of rice. A black fork is lifting a portion of the tender meat. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top as a garnish.
4-Ingredient Beef Skirt Steak Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This beef skirt steak crock pot recipe is perfect when you need a no-fuss dinner that still feels special. With only 4 ingredients and five minutes of prep, you’ll have a comforting, slow-cooked meal that’s ideal for weeknights, potlucks, or hosting family and friends.
Get the recipe: 4-Ingredient Beef Skirt Steak Recipe

Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe

A white oval dish filled with creamy beef stroganoff pasta. The dish contains wide noodles, sliced mushrooms, and a creamy sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. A striped napkin is partially visible on the side.
Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This beef stroganoff with ground beef is a creamy, budget-friendly comfort meal that comes together in just 35 minutes. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s perfect for feeding a family or serving a crowd without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Deliciously Spicy Taco Mac And Cheese Recipe

A white ceramic dish filled with pasta shells mixed with ground beef and diced tomatoes, all coated in a yellow-orange sauce. The dish is placed on a brown cloth.
Deliciously Spicy Taco Mac And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

It’s taco night meets mac and cheese! This easy one-dish wonder is spicy, cheesy, and topped with fresh taco fixings for extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Deliciously Spicy Taco Mac And Cheese Recipe

Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes Recipe

cracker barrel hashbrown casserole on a plate with cheesy topping
Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish your whole family will love, then you need to make this Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes in Crock Pot recipe. It will only take you 10 minutes to prep and then your crock pot does all the work from there.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes Recipe

Pork Chops and Gravy Crockpot Recipe

Pork chops and gravy over mashed potatoes
Pork Chops and Gravy Crockpot Recipe. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

This simple crock pot pork chops recipe requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of preparation! With no effort, you can serve saucy crock pot pork chops that will be a hit with both kids and adults alike. 
Get The Recipe: Pork Chops and Gravy Crockpot Recipe

Slow Cooked Chicken With Ranch

A plate of creamy chicken alfredo pasta garnished with shredded cheese and green onions. A fork is lifting a portion of the dish. The plate rests on a blue and white striped cloth.
Slow Cooked Chicken With Ranch. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken With Ranch Recipe is a simple to make, yummy recipe that combines cream cheese, zesty ranch seasoning with tender, juicy chicken for a meal the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooked Chicken With Ranch

Crockpot Mexican Steak Picado Recipe

Mexican steak piccata
Crockpot Mexican Steak Picado Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Authentic Mexican Steak Picado Recipe smothers tender beef strips in a smoky tomato sauce with plabanos, jalapenos, green peppers, and onions.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Steak Picado Recipe

Rich and Creamy Cajun Smothered Chicken with Gravy

cajun chicken
Rich and Creamy Cajun Smothered Chicken with Gravy. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This rich Smothered Cajun Chicken Recipe is loaded with flavorful gravy and tender chicken breasts. Creole cuisine has never been so easy. Just pan-sear your chicken and finish this dish in a Crock Pot for a meal that needs 15 minutes of prep time and almost no effort at all. Great for a dinner party or a family night.
Get the Recipe: Rich and Creamy Cajun Smothered Chicken with Gravy

Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

A casserole dish filled with a tater tot hotdish. The top layer consists of crispy, golden tater tots arranged in neat rows, drizzled with ketchup. Some are removed to reveal a filling of mixed vegetables and ground beef. A plaid cloth is nearby.
Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This authentic original tater tot hotdish recipe stays true to its Midwestern roots, combining simple, hearty ingredients in a way that has stood the test of time.
Get the Recipe: Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

Simple Slow-Cooked Navy Beans Recipe

crock pot navy beans
Simple Slow-Cooked Navy Beans Recipe. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Thick and hearty Crockpot Navy Bean soup is made with simple ingredients like dried navy beans, onion, fresh garlic, broth, and a savory ham hock. The best part is that it only takes 15 minutes to prepare and then simmers in your crockpot all day.
Get The Recipe: Simple Slow-Cooked Navy Beans Recipe

Slow Cooked Chicken Parmesan

A plate of spaghetti topped with homemade chicken parmesan, marinara sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with fresh basil leaves. The dish is served on a red and white plate, with a grater and a striped cloth napkin in the background.
Slow Cooked Chicken Parmesan. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Enjoy this Italian favorite without the fuss or cost—this easy crockpot version is a budget-friendly dinner for your dinner menu.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooked Chicken Parmesan

Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese being scooped up with a wooden spoon
Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe will become a family favorite, I promise! There’s nothing like the creamy, cheesy goodness of digging into a hearty helping of homemade mac and cheese. It’s especially delicious when it’s cooked in the slow cooker, mostly because it requires almost no effort. The hardest part is cooking the pasta. For real!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Delicious 16-Bean Soup Crockpot Recipe

A bowl of hearty bean stew with chunks of meat, diced carrots, and a wooden spoon. The dish is topped with shredded cheese and garnished with herbs. Crackers are placed beside the bowl on a wooden surface.
Delicious 16-Bean Soup Crockpot Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This simple step-by-step recipe will teach you how to cook hearty 16-bean soup with a ham bone in your crock pot. It’s great for easy make-ahead meals.
Get the Recipe: Delicious 16-Bean Soup Crockpot Recipe

Crock Pot Hamburger Soup Recipe

A bowl of vegetable soup with a spoon. The soup contains chunks of carrots, potatoes, celery, pieces of broccoli, and ground meat in a rich, seasoned broth.
Crock Pot Hamburger Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest

This humble and simple Crock Pot Hamburger Soup recipe is the perfect comforting dinner or quick weeknight meal. Filled with ground beef and veggies with a hearty and flavorful broth, this soup will make it to the weekly rotation. Plus, it’s super affordable!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Hamburger Soup Recipe

Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup

A baked casserole with melted cheese, ground meat, and chopped herbs on top, in a white ceramic dish. The dish is placed on a rustic surface with a small leafy plant and a navy cloth in the background.
Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This hamburger potato casserole is a hearty, homemade comfort food made with creamy potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a rich sour cream and cheese sauce—no canned soup needed! Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy, family-friendly meal everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup

31 Summer Desserts That’ll Take You Back to Grandma’s Porch!

A lemon sheet cake topped with creamy frosting, lemon slices, and mint leaves. The cake is partially sliced in a white baking dish next to two plated servings adorned with similar garnishes. Fresh mint and a whole lemon are placed next to the dishes.
31 Summer Desserts. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Nothing says summer like desserts made with love—and these 31 treats feel like stepping onto Grandma’s shady porch with a plate of something sweet. From no-bake banana split cake and peach cobbler to rich rice pudding and strawberry shortcake, every recipe is packed with nostalgic flavor and seasonal simplicity. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just craving something cozy, these vintage-inspired summer desserts bring the charm and comfort of home to every bite. Get All The Recipes: 31 Summer Desserts That’ll Take You Back to Grandma’s Porch