45 Frugal 30-Minute Dinners (2024)

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Need quick and easy recipes to get dinner on the table fast? These
30-minute meals are the perfect solution! They’re made with simple, budget-friendly ingredients and are ideas that the whole family will love. Includes ground beef, chicken, sausage and meatless options.

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I’m in a stage of life where I simply don’t feel like I have much time to spend making meals for my family.

And yet it’s important to me to feed my family well and also not resort to lots of pre-made store-bought or restaurant meals.

So I end up relying on quick and easy 30-minute dinners a lot!

Not only do they allow me to make delicious, wholesome meals for my family, but they also often use simple ingredients that I always keep on hand too.

Whether you simply don’t enjoy cooking and want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible or are just really busy and looking for ideas to get dinner on the table fast to avoid resorting to takeout, I hope you will find this collection of recipes helpful!

Chicken Recipes

Super Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.thriftyfrugalmom.com

Hearty, delicious and made with simple pantry staples, this casserole is the perfect quick and easy family dinner!

One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

A one pan skillet meal that is full of Mexican inspired flavors and a great switch for traditional taco night.

Easy Chicken Curry Soup with Rice

This hearty soup is packed full of curry flavor and ready in just 30 minutes with minimal prep work! You can make it as mild or spicy as your family prefers.

Southwest Chicken Skillet

Photo Credit:www.budgetbytes.com

This Mexican skillet meal is delicious, easy to make, and costs less than $10 to feed 4 to 6 people! The leftovers reheat well, so you may want to make a double batch.

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Photo Credit:www.thechunkychef.com

Enjoy this classic chicken parm pasta recipe without all of the hassle, using just one pan! The ingredient list is simple and it's ready in just half an hour!

Chicken Stir Fry

Photo Credit:togetherasfamily.com

We love a good stir fry recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Serve this dinner by itself or over your favorite variety of rice for an easy 30 minute meal.

One Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice

Who's ready for comfort food in 30 minutes? Whip up this creamy chicken and rice recipe that is quick, easy, and budget friendly!

Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps

These pan-fried chicken wraps are so simple to make, full of flavor, and freeze well for later! All you need is chicken, salsa, cheese, seasoning, and tortillas to make this easy meal.

Coconut Chicken Curry

Photo Credit:www.jocooks.com

You are going to fall in love with this creamy chicken curry! No need for takeout, because this version is healthier and so simple to make. And I love that it's made in one pan for easy clean-up.

20 Minute Garlic Chicken

Photo Credit:amandascookin.com

We make this recipe all of the time and my kids love it!! I like to double the gravy because we love lots of sauce, plus it stretches it farther too!

Chicken Stroganoff

Photo Credit:lilluna.com

Italian-Style Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Photo Credit:www.themediterraneandish.com

Tender juicy chicken, mushrooms, and tomatoes made in a skillet and so delicious you would never think it could be ready so quickly! No need for sides, unless you want to serve it with rice or potatoes.

30 Minute Chicken and Dumplings

Photo Credit:www.theslowroasteditalian.com

The perfect mouthwatering comfort food and made totally from scratch. Yet simple and quick to make too!

Healthy Chicken Alfredo

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

Rich, creamy, delicious and with just the right amountof cheese, this classic favorite is always a hit! Serve with your favorite pasta and a simple salad for an easy weeknight dinner

Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

This one-pan recipe is not only nutritious and filling but it's also budget-friendly too!

30 Minute Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Photo Credit:midwestfoodieblog.com

Get the taste of Mexico in just minutes with these easy-to-make fajitas. They are hearty, tasty and also very versatile! Add more veggies, swap out the chicken for other meat or add in some hot pepper for a bit of heat.

One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Photo Credit:www.lecremedelacrumb.com

Budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, this one-pot chicken and rice recipe is great for an easy simple dinner!

Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Photo Credit:www.crunchycreamysweet.com

Made with simple ingredients, this rice bowl recipe is full of delicious Asian inspired flavors and it's ready in under 30 minutes!

Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos

You'll love these chicken tacos! They're crunchy, nutritious and have just the right amount of spice.

One-Pan Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

Photo Credit:www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

This one-pan meal is so cheesy and delicious! I love that it's made with simple, frugal ingredientstoo. Always a win!

Ground Beef Recipes

Super Easy Sloppy Joes from Scratch

This vintage recipe has a deliciously flavorful sauce that's made using basic pantry staples. Simple and kid-friendly too!

Super Easy Macaroni and Beef Skillet (American Goulash)

Made withsimple ingredients, this recipe makesa great weeknight dinner. And we think it's 10 times better than Hamburger Helper!

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:thesaltymarshmallow.com

One Pot Mexican Rice Casserole is the perfect meal when you're in a hurry. It's fast, easy and full of tasty taco flavors!

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

Packed with veggies, this simple soup makes a comforting, hearty dinner. Even my pickier eaters love it!

Taco Skillet

Photo Credit:ifoodreal.com

This skillet recipe is a one-pan wonder that allows you to make tacos in less than 25 minutes. It kind of reminds me of a Mexican pizza with the layered corn tortillas!

Speedy Spanish Rice with Ground Beef

Made with just seven simple ingredients, this easy recipe makes for a budget-friendly, quick family meal!

The BEST One Pot Lasagna Soup

Photo Credit:thegirlonbloor.com

You can easily make this soup in the slow cooker or Instant Pot - it's comfort food at its finest, freezer friendly, and tastes like the traditional dish.

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Photo Credit:kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

Zesty flavors and tender ground beef make this an easy meal that’s sure to please the whole family!

Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Photo Credit:iwashyoudry.com

This simple skillet meal will have your family asking for seconds!It's packed with classic flavors, but so much easier to make than the traditional recipe.

30 Minute One Pan Beef Penne

Photo Credit:www.girlgonegourmet.com

I love that this recipe cooks the pasta right along with everything else. Super easy! And it's such a great hearty, family-friendly dinner!

Frito Chili Pie

Photo Credit:www.lovefromtheoven.com

Homemade chili is combinedwith Frito chips and cheese for a super delicious twist!

Easy Beef Burrito Skillet

Photo Credit:www.recipessimple.com

All the classic flavors of a beef burrito but in an easy-to-make skillet recipe!

Sausage Recipes

Creamy Sausage and Potatoes

A favorite from my childhood, this easy recipe combines tender potatoeswith crumbled sausage and a creamy milk-based sauce.

One Pot Cheesy Sausage Penne

Photo Credit:www.crunchycreamysweet.com

Craving easy, delicious comfort food? This simple recipe combines Italian sausage and penne pasta with a quick tomato sauce and then tops it all with gooey cheese!

Creamy Sausage Pasta

Photo Credit:www.shakentogetherlife.com

Made with just a few simple ingredients, packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes! What's not to love?

Italian Sausage Quesadillas

Photo Credit:www.mysequinedlife.com

A simple recipe but so full of flavor! And they reheat well too.

Sausage & Rice Skillet

Photo Credit:dinnersdishesanddesserts.com

A quick, one-pan dinner that you can whip up when you are short on time. Even the leftovers are delicious! If you don't like smoked sausage you can swap it for your favorite variety.

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Photo Credit:www.lecremedelacrumb.com

Zucchini is stuffed with sausage, peppers and mushrooms, then topped with bread crumbs and cheese. Healthy, easy and delicious!

Kielbasa, Peppers, and Potato Hash

Photo Credit:www.momontimeout.com

Full of veggies and ready in under 30 minutes, this is the perfect quick and easy meal for busy days!

Other Recipes

Easy Mexican Rice Bowls

Quick to assemble, budget-friendly and made with simple ingredients, these rice bowls are a family favorite and great if you want a meatless but filling meal.

Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham

Cozy, satisfying and full of flavor (thanks to garlic & dill), this soup is the perfect recipe for any cold day!

French Bread Pizza

Photo Credit:togetherasfamily.com

Kick up pizza night with this thick French bread pizza recipe. It's simple, quick, and a favorite that is covered in melty cheese and pepperoni. Add your favorite toppings to make the options endless!

Easy Mexican Bean Soup

Photo Credit:www.thriftyfrugalmom.com

This hearty bean soup is flavorful, made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes. We love serving it with sour cream and corn chips. So good!