20 Dinner Ideas Under $10

Feeding your family doesn’t have to be complicated or pricey. With affordable ingredients, pantry staples, and the right seasonings, you can make delicious meals for under $10.

These ideas are flexible — swap ingredients based on what you have.

Here are 20 dinner ideas under $10 — no strict recipes, just helpful inspiration you can make your own.

1) Cabbage & Sausage Skillet

Sauté shredded cabbage + sliced sausage + onions.
Serve with rice or bread.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

2) Pasta with Veggie Tomato Sauce

Cook pasta + toss with jarred or canned tomato sauce + veggies (fresh, frozen, or canned).

Seasoning:

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

3) Chicken & Rice Bake

Season chicken + bake with rice and broth.
Add carrots or frozen veggies.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Onion powder
• Thyme or paprika

4) Sweet Potato + Black Bean Bowls

Roast sweet potatoes → serve over rice with black beans + onions.

Seasoning:

• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder

5) Beans & Rice

Simmer beans with onion + garlic + seasoning.
Serve over rice with toppings you like.

Seasoning:

• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Salt + pepper

6) Cabbage Stir-Fry with Rice or Noodles

Cook shredded cabbage + onions + carrots → toss with soy sauce or bouillon → serve over rice/noodles.

Seasoning:

• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Black pepper

7) Loaded Baked Potatoes

Top baked potatoes with veggies, cheese, or beans.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Chives

8) Breakfast for Dinner

Pancakes or waffles + eggs + fruit.

Seasoning (for eggs):

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

9) Tuna or Chicken Pasta Salad

Mix pasta + canned tuna/chicken + veggies + simple dressing.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Dill or parsley
• Lemon juice (optional)

10) Mac & Cheese with Veggies

Stir peas, broccoli, or carrots into mac & cheese.

Seasoning:

• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

11) Lentil or Bean Soup

Simmer lentils/beans with onions, carrots, garlic, broth.

Seasoning:

• Bay leaf
• Cumin
• Black pepper

12) Broccoli Cheddar Rice

Steam broccoli + stir into rice with butter + cheddar.

Seasoning:

• Garlic powder
• Salt + pepper
• Onion powder

13) Veggie Fried Rice

Use leftover rice + mixed veggies + egg or canned meat.

Seasoning:

• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Black pepper

14) Potato & Egg Hash

Pan-fry diced potatoes + onions → add eggs.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

15) Spaghetti with Meat or Beans

Stretch meat by mixing with beans + tomato sauce.

Seasoning:

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

16) Veggie Quesadillas

Stuff tortillas with cheese + veggies.
Serve with salsa.

Seasoning:

• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder

17) Black Bean & Corn Rice Bowls

Serve warm beans + corn + rice with seasoning.

Seasoning:

• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Salt + pepper

18) Sheet-Pan Veggies & Sausage

Roast potatoes, carrots, onions + sausage.

Seasoning:

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

19) Tortilla Pizzas

Top tortillas with sauce + cheese + veggies.

Seasoning:

• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder

20) Soup + Toast Night

Grab canned/boxed soup → add veggies or pasta.
Serve with toast or grilled cheese.

Seasoning (if boosting flavor):

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic
• Parsley

Helpful Budget Staples

Keep these around to make dinners easier:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Beans
• Canned veggies
• Frozen veggies
• Eggs
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Tomato sauce
• Bouillon
• Tortillas

Buy once → make multiple meals.

Flavor Essentials

A few seasonings go a long way:

• Salt + pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Soy sauce

They’re inexpensive and make simple meals taste amazing.

Tips To Stay Under $10

• Use seasonal produce
• Choose budget proteins (eggs, beans, chicken thighs)
• Stretch meat with beans or rice
• Reuse leftovers (soups, bowls, stir-fries)
• Keep pantry staples stocked

A little planning goes a long way!

Delicious food doesn’t have to be expensive.
With the right mix of pantry staples, seasonal produce, and basic spices, you can serve your family satisfying dinners for less than $10.

Mix and match, use what you have, and keep it fun.

Shop Budget Staples on Amazon:
→ Rice
→ Pasta
→ Beans
→ Tomato Sauce
→ Bouillon / Broth
→ Cooking Oil

Shop Spices + Seasonings:
→ Garlic powder
→ Onion powder
→ Italian seasoning
→ Chili powder

Shop Canned Proteins:
→ Tuna
→ Chicken

Shop Helpful Kitchen Tools:
→ Skillet
→ Sheet Pan
→ Knife

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