Cheap dinner meals are a must when the grocery budget takes a cut due to economic downturns. Easy recipes using just 3 ingredients make cooking quick meals on a budget possible. When the schedule is busy and to many things are going on, it’s easy to head to the drive thru for fast food. Planning ahead and stocking the pantry for cheap meals using just three ingredients helps curb the urge to drive thru and cuts expenses. Finding budget recipes to use makes choosing these cheap dinner recipes even more inviting. Consider these five kid friendly dinner meals using just 3 ingredients.
Three Ingredient Ravioli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Large Can Ravioli in sauce
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
- 8 slices American cheese
Directions
- Brown meat and drain grease
- Empty Ravioli into 9X13 baking dish
- Top with meat
- Place cheese slices on top
- Bake in 350 degree oven until ravioli is warm and cheese melted
Bubble Cheese Pizza 3 Ingredient Style
Ingredients
- 3 cans refrigerated biscuits
- 1 16 oz jar spaghetti or pizza sauce
- 8 oz shredded cheese
Directions
- Cut biscuits into quarters
- Toss biscuits into sauce and pour into 9X13 pan
- Cook 20 min at 350 degrees
- Check for doneness by inserting knife in biscuit to be sure center is cooked
- Add cheese and return to oven until melted
- Variation: Add additional leftovers like ground beef or vegetables as ingredients
Three Ingredient Frito Pie
A simple Frito pie is a favorite at sports events but can be served as a quick easy meal on a busy night.
Ingredients
- 1 bag Fritos
- 1 can Nacho Cheese soup
- 1 can chili
Directions
- Heat chili
- Melt cheese according to soup directions
- Layer Fritos, chili and cheese on plates.
Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
A prepared version of alfredo sauce makes this pasta recipe a quick easy dinner meal for the entire family.
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz pack fettuccine noodles
- 1 16 ounce jar alfredo sauce
- 1 cup leftover shredded chicken or 1 can chicken
Directions
- Cook noodles and drain
- Heat sauce with chicken pieces
- Mix sauce with noodles and serve
3 Ingredient French Fry Casserole
Make an easy potato casserole using a bag of French fries
Ingredients
- Large bag French fries
- 2 cans nacho cheese soup
- Leftover taco meat
This casserole is an excellent follow up to a taco night meal. Use the left over taco meat to top the casserole cutting grocery costs and preventing waste.
Directions
- Brown fries
- While fries are browning, prepared nacho soup for a topping
- Reheat taco meat
- Layer fries, meat and cheese on each plate.
Making three ingredient kid friendly dinner meals makes the preparation easier and quicker so meal time is not stress time. Use these budget recipe ideas to develop more cheap dinner meal ideas and reduce grocery costs even further.
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