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Category: Cheap & Easy

Find simple, cheap, and easy recipes on The Frugal Ones. Get tips for affordable meals that fit your busy life and your budget without sacrificing taste.

8 min read 0

30-minute Family Dinners that Taste Great (20 Recipes Under $5)

  • Diana
  • September 9, 2025

If you’re juggling a full schedule, a tight budget, and picky eaters, family dinners can feel like an uphill battle. Good news: weeknight meals don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to be a crowd-pleaser. With a grocery bill that stays under five bucks for a family of four, you can serve delicious dinners fast—without sacrificing flavor or appeal. Every recipe here uses basic pantry staples, leans on familiar tastes, and comes together in under half an hour. These go-to’s will keep your crew full and happy (and your wallet breathing a sigh of relief).

2 min read 0

How to Make Simple Hawaiian Chicken in Your Slow Cooker

For a breezy take on weekday dinner, simple Hawaiian chicken in the slow cooker is a clear winner—sweet pineapple, smoky barbecue sauce, and tender chicken swap out the stress for some much-needed ease. Toss boneless chicken into a greased slow cooker, then pour over a blend of tangy barbecue sauce and juicy pineapple (go bold with a little extra sauce if you’re feeling it). Let your slow cooker do the work, filling your kitchen with the scent of tropical comfort. Serve it up over rice for a pop of color and laid-back flavor, perfect for anything from Sunday lounging to a spontaneous weeknight reset.

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Frugal Quick Mediterranean Ground Beef with Vegetables [Healthy and Hearty]

Frugal Quick Mediterranean Ground Beef with Vegetables layers punchy cumin and fresh herbs over bright veggies and hearty ground beef, balancing warmth and zest in every forkful. You get the aromatic rush of seared meat, bell peppers, and just enough spice to keep things interesting, whether you pile it on pillowy rice or fold it into pita. It’s weeknight-ready but still feels special, a low-cost staple with all the character of your favorite seaside bistro. Grab a bowl, and you’re on your way to simple comfort—no passport required.

2 min read 0

How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Wraps for Less [Quick]

Mediterranean chicken wraps set the mood for easy eating—juicy grilled chicken meets crisp cucumber, plump cherry tomatoes, and briny feta, all tucked in a toasty wheat wrap with a swipe of spice-laced yogurt or cool tzatziki. The colors pop, the tastes collide, and every bite feels like summer on a city street. No prep marathons, no inflated grocery totals, just bold flavors and real texture in minutes. Wrap up your lunch or dinner in something fresh and stylish, and let weekday meals finally catch up with your appetite.

1 min read 0

How to Make Frugal Southern Lima Beans and Ham in Your Slow Cooker [Step-by-Step Guide]

Slow cooker Southern lima beans and ham bring together simple ingredients for a down-home, budget-friendly meal. Toss lima beans, diced ham, and chopped onion into your slow cooker (just add a bit of salt, black pepper, and maybe some garlic powder), then let it cook low and slow about seven hours until the beans are tender and the flavors blend together. Serve it over warm cornbread—the soft beans and smoky ham pair well with sweet, crumbly bread—then round out the meal with a crisp green salad. You can make this on the stove, but the slow cooker method is low-effort and always fills the house with a cozy, inviting smell.

1 min read 0

Black-Eyed Peas in the Slow Cooker [Affordable Southern Comfort]

Southern black-eyed peas in the slow cooker bring comfort with every spoonful, blending creamy beans with bold, smoky notes from ham or sausage. Each bite is soft but never mushy, layered with a mellow earthiness and hints of garlic and herbs. Cook them low and slow, and you get a classic Southern centerpiece—simple, nourishing, and rich with tradition. Pair with crusty cornbread, and you won’t miss a single crumb.

2 min read 0

Frugal Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet [Kid’s Love]

During busy weeknights, one-skillet meals become our dinner saviors. This family-friendly, quick recipe is one of our go-to when we need a satisfying dinner on the table in under an hour. Featuring ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese, this Mexican beef and rice skillet all comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal prep. It’s a total weeknight dinner win—we won’t blame you if it becomes a staple on your weeknight rotation. Tip: We cook rice at least twice a week, so I always fill the rice cooker and freeze the extra.

2 min read 0

The Best Money-Saving Chili Recipe Using Your Slow Cooker

Chili powder and Rotel tomatoes add most of the flavor here, doing what decades of chili recipes get right: building comfort with heat and tang. Slow-cooked dry beans pick up beefy richness and, when you toss in a few fresh tomatoes at the end, you get a bright lift that keeps things fresh and balanced. Ready to try this money-saving chili recipe with dried beans?

1 min read 0

How to Make Authentic Red Beans and Rice [Step-by-Step]

This authentic Cajun red beans and rice recipe packs rich Louisiana flavor into every bite, using dried red beans, smoky sausage, and simple pantry spices (soak or no-soak both work here). I’ll walk you through creamy results from scratch, with advice on seasoning, cook time, and the best ways to store leftovers—just like locals do it.

1 min read 0

Simple Mexican Rice to Save Time After Work [Updated]

This Simple Mexican Rice cooks up soft and fluffy, with rich tomato flavor and just the right amount of seasoning. You only need a few simple ingredients and 25 minutes on the stove (hands off, no peeking) for a side that pairs beautifully with tacos, enchiladas or even simple grilled chicken.