Being a parent to a large family brings immense joy, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to meal times. As a mother of four, I understand firsthand the struggle of putting together meals that are not only satisfying and delicious but also budget-friendly. With rising grocery costs, finding cheap Meals For Large Families has become more crucial than ever. This guide is packed with my go-to, family-approved recipes that prove you don’t have to break the bank to feed a large family well.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Meals for Large Families
These recipes are designed with large families and busy weeknights in mind, offering solutions that are:
- Budget-Conscious: Made with everyday ingredients and pantry staples, these meals prioritize affordability without sacrificing flavor. Say goodbye to expensive cuts of meat and hard-to-find seasonings!
- Adaptable & Flexible: Life happens, and pantries vary! These recipes are incredibly forgiving and offer easy substitutions, allowing you to make dinner work no matter what ingredients you have on hand.
- Generously Portioned: Forget about second helpings leaving you short. These meals are created to feed a crowd, ensuring everyone at the table is satisfied, and potentially with leftovers for lunch!
- Flavorful & Wholesome: Eating on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on taste or nutrition. These recipes are loaded with delicious, wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about serving your family.
- Effortlessly Easy: When money is tight, time often is too. These recipes are designed for quick and easy preparation, perfect for those hectic weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Cheap Family Meals
To maximize your budget, the following cheap dinner ideas focus on recipes with minimal meat and common, affordable ingredients. In my experience, meat often represents the biggest expense in grocery bills, followed by specialty sauces and pricey spices. These recipes lean on simple, budget-friendly staples to create delicious and filling meals.
This collection starts with family-favorite casseroles, moves into comforting soups, then satisfying pasta dishes, and rounds out with even more budget dinner ideas to keep your meal planning fresh and affordable.
Cheap Casserole Recipes
Close-up of a cheesy Sloppy Joe Casserole in a red casserole dish, showcasing the bubbly topping and rich sauce.
My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole
This Sloppy Joe Casserole is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. It’s made with inexpensive, readily available ingredients, and the recipe includes simple instructions for making your own delicious sauce from scratch. To further reduce costs, feel free to substitute ground beef with any other ground meat you have on hand – it works just as well!
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Ham and Potato Casserole
Transform leftover ham or affordable deli ham into an unforgettable meal with this Ham and Potato Casserole. This incredibly comforting and melty casserole features a simple yet decadent cheese sauce that brings everything together in perfect harmony. It’s a fantastic way to stretch your grocery budget and create a dish the whole family will request again and again.
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An angled shot of Stuffed Cabbage Casserole in a white baking dish, highlighting the layers of cabbage, meat, and tomato sauce, with a serving spoon resting in the dish.
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Cabbage is incredibly budget-friendly and forms the heart of this hearty and warming Stuffed Cabbage Casserole. This dish delivers all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls in an easier-to-assemble casserole format. Like other recipes featuring ground beef, you can easily use any ground meat you prefer, including options with higher fat ratios, which often offer more flavor and can be even more economical.
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Quick, Easy, Cheesy Chicken Potato Casserole
For a truly fuss-free and flavorful meal, look no further than this Cheesy Chicken Potato Casserole. Utilizing frozen hashbrowns, pre-cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works wonders for convenience!), and a simple creamy sauce, this cracker-topped casserole is bursting with flavor. It’s a comforting and satisfying dish that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
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A top-down view of a slice of Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole on a white plate, accompanied by a fork, showcasing the layers of tater tots, eggs, and sausage.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Breakfast for dinner is always a fun and budget-friendly option! This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is the perfect way to feed a large family a satisfying and affordable breakfast-inspired meal. Featuring frozen tater tots, simple seasonings, and your favorite breakfast sausage, this casserole is both incredibly delicious and incredibly budget-conscious. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for weekend brunches or a comforting weeknight dinner.
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Cheap Soup Recipes
Soups and stews are fantastic budget-friendly options for large families. They are inherently cozy, comforting, and often incredibly easy to prepare, frequently in just a single pot! Beyond their simplicity, soups are also highly versatile; they can easily be made vegan or vegetarian, and are a wonderful way to incorporate plenty of vegetables into your family’s diet, making your budget meals healthy and nutritious too.
A white bowl filled with creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, garnished with pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of olive oil, set against a warm, autumnal backdrop.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
When autumn arrives and squash is abundant, this Roasted Butternut Squash Soup becomes a go-to recipe for its incredible flavor and unbeatable price. Squash is often incredibly affordable during its peak season, making this aromatic and delicious soup a truly budget-friendly choice. Roasting the butternut squash beforehand deepens its sweetness and adds a wonderful caramelized flavor to the soup.
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Crockpot Vegetable Soup
Make the most of your freezer stash with this incredibly easy and flavorful Crockpot Vegetable Soup. This set-and-forget recipe is perfect for busy days; simply toss in your favorite frozen vegetables, pantry staple spices, and a touch of tomato paste for richness, and let your slow cooker do the rest. It’s a hearty and healthy dinner that everyone will enjoy, and it’s a fantastic way to use up whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup is consistently one of my most popular recipes, and for good reason! It’s not only incredibly delicious and comforting but also surprisingly budget-friendly. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this soup is made with super easy-to-find ingredients, many of which can be purchased canned or frozen, further enhancing its affordability and convenience.
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Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup
For a truly hearty and filling soup that stretches your budget, look no further than Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup. All you need is a bag of 15 bean soup mix (incredibly economical!), some ham (optional, but adds great flavor), and your favorite extra vegetables and seasonings. The beans themselves are packed with protein and fiber, making this soup incredibly satisfying and a fantastic value for money.
A close-up shot of a spoon drizzling crema over a bowl of Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup, highlighting the creamy texture and vibrant colors of the soup and toppings.
Cheap Pasta Recipes
Pasta is a quintessential budget-friendly ingredient, and at most supermarkets, a large box of store-brand pasta is incredibly affordable, often around just $1. It’s the perfect base for feeding a large family, with enough to go around and often leftovers for lunch the next day! These pasta dinner ideas utilize simple, inexpensive ingredients like eggs, canned tomatoes, and ground meat to create delicious and satisfying noodle dishes that the whole family will love.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Skip the boxed stuff and make your own Homemade Hamburger Helper! This homemade version is not only significantly more delicious than the store-bought counterpart but also likely uses ingredients you already have in your pantry. Use your choice of ground meat (beef, turkey, or even chicken) and transform it into a flavorful taco pasta that everyone will devour.
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Overhead shot of tongs lifting a portion of One-Pot Spaghetti from a white bowl, showcasing the simple yet appetizing dish.
Spaghetti in One Pot
Spaghetti is a classic cheap dinner for a reason, and this One-Pot Spaghetti recipe makes it even easier and more convenient. Not only is it incredibly budget-friendly, but you also only have one pot to clean afterwards – a win-win! Savory, creamy, and perfect for kids (and adults!), this has become my new favorite way to serve spaghetti. For added protein and convenience, consider using frozen meatballs – they cook right in the pot with the pasta!
Spaghetti Carbonara
Don’t let the fancy name fool you – Spaghetti Carbonara is surprisingly one of the cheapest and easiest pasta dishes you can make! With just a handful of affordable ingredients – parmesan cheese, eggs, peas (frozen are perfect!), and bacon – you can create a rich and incredibly delicious pasta dish in no time. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for a quick and impressive weeknight dinner.
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A plate of One-Pot Spaghetti, garnished with fresh parsley and grated cheese, served next to a slice of crusty bread, highlighting a complete and satisfying meal.
More Budget Dinners for Large Families
The beauty of home cooking lies in the endless possibilities to create amazing meals with simple, affordable ingredients. Here are a few more of my family’s favorite budget-friendly dinner ideas. My kids loved these growing up, and they became even more essential when they were in college and looking for delicious meals that didn’t break the bank!
Chicken Chili Recipe
This Chicken Chili Recipe is a long-time family favorite and is incredibly easy to make. Using shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut), canned goods (beans, tomatoes), and frozen vegetables, you can create a hearty and richly flavored chili that will have everyone coming back for seconds. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for cooler evenings.
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A platter piled high with Carnitas Tacos, showcasing the shredded pork filling and an array of toppings like onions, cilantro, and lime wedges, perfect for a build-your-own taco night.
Mouthwatering Carnitas Tacos
Tacos are a staple budget meal in our house, and Carnitas Tacos are definitely at the top of the list! Pork shoulder is often incredibly affordable and frequently goes on sale, making it a super economical choice. One large pork shoulder can feed a large family for days, providing versatile leftovers for various meals. The slow-cooked pork is incredibly flavorful and tender, perfect for taco night and beyond.
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Barbacoa Beef
This incredible Barbacoa Beef recipe is incredibly versatile and budget-adaptable. While traditionally made with beef, you can easily substitute pork shoulder for equally delicious results at often half the price! Just like carnitas, barbacoa is incredibly versatile and can be used in tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, and so much more, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping and stretching your budget.
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A close-up of a Pulled Pork sandwich on a brioche bun, topped with creamy coleslaw, highlighting the tender, juicy pork and the contrasting textures.
Pork Loin Pulled Pork
Pork loin is a fantastic and often overlooked budget-friendly cut of meat that is perfect for making pulled pork. However, this Pulled Pork recipe works just as well with pork shoulder or Boston butt – use whatever you can find on sale! Once cooked, get ready to enjoy pulled pork in countless ways: on nachos, pizza, rice bowls, sandwiches, salads, and almost anything else you can imagine! It’s a versatile and economical protein source for large families.
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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili was one of the very first recipes I shared with my kids when they went off to college, and it’s been a staple for them ever since, even after they started families of their own! My absolute favorite thing about this recipe is its simplicity. Beyond adding spices, the entire process is simply dumping a few bags of frozen vegetables and cans of beans and tomatoes into a slow cooker, and turning it on. It’s incredibly hands-off, budget-friendly, and packed with nutrients.
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Two white bowls filled with vibrant Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili, showcasing the colorful vegetables and rich tomato-based broth, with the hashtag #SundaySupper visible in the image.
Tips on Budget Meals for Large Families
- Embrace Store Brands: For many pantry staples like frozen vegetables, spices, and dried goods such as pasta and rice, store brands offer comparable quality to name brands at significantly lower prices. Don’t hesitate to make the switch and save!
- Frozen Vegetables are Your Allies: Frozen vegetables are incredibly convenient and economical, especially for dishes like chili, soup, and casseroles. Since they are cooked for extended periods in these dishes, any texture difference compared to fresh vegetables is negligible. Plus, frozen veggies have a long shelf life and are often more affordable than fresh, especially out of season. My freezer is never without frozen peas, corn, and spinach!
- Canned Goods are Pantry Heroes: Stock up on canned goods like tomato sauces, vegetables, and beans. They are generally more affordable than fresh counterparts and cook up just as deliciously in many recipes. Canned beans and tomatoes form the base of countless budget-friendly meals.
- Stock Up on Long-Lasting Vegetables on Sale: When you see staples like garlic cloves, carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery on sale, buy in bulk! These versatile vegetables are used in a vast array of recipes and will last for weeks in your refrigerator or pantry. Pro-tip: Store onions and potatoes separately to prevent them from spoiling quickly.
- Consider Less Expensive Protein Sources: Beef-based proteins tend to be pricier. Explore more affordable protein options like chicken, pork, beans, and lentils to keep your grocery bills down. When using ground beef, opt for higher fat ratios like 80/20; these are often more budget-friendly, and you can always drain off excess fat after cooking.
- Make Sauces from Scratch: Bottled sauces can add up quickly in cost. When possible, try making your own sauces at home. Many classic sauces are surprisingly easy to recreate using pantry staples like soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and mustard. Check out online resources for easy homemade sauce recipes!
- Shop Seasonally for Produce: Take advantage of seasonal produce sales. Squash varieties like zucchini and eggplant are often heavily discounted during the summer months, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes can be incredibly cheap in the fall. Buying fruits and vegetables in season ensures the best flavor and the best prices.
- Bone-In Meat is Often More Affordable: Meat with bones is generally cheaper than boneless cuts. Mixed packs of bone-in pork chops are frequently much less expensive than boneless chops, and the same principle applies to chicken. Buy meat in bulk when it’s deeply discounted and freeze portions for later use.
- Frozen Chicken is a Budget-Friendly Staple: Frozen chicken is an invaluable resource for budget-conscious cooks. It has an extended shelf life, is typically cheaper than fresh chicken, and surprisingly, often cooks up even more tender and juicy than chicken that has never been frozen.
- Dried Herbs Offer Great Value: Dried herbs are a fantastic and economical alternative to fresh herbs. They can be used in almost all recipes calling for fresh herbs. If you frequently use fresh herbs, consider growing your own herb garden – even a small pot on a windowsill can provide a continuous supply of fresh herbs for the cost of seeds and soil.
- Explore more Kid Friendly Easy Weeknight Dinners for Families for even more budget-friendly meal inspiration!
