10 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas for Busy Evenings

What’s For Dinner? 

That might be the #1 most dreaded comment to hear as 5pm rolls around. At least, it used to be for me. Before I started scheduling out 10 meals for dinner, I never knew what we’d be having. Often times our meals would be below par.

Now, I schedule out all the meals we will be having to stretch over the course of a week and make sure to buy everything we need at the grocery store before the week starts.

It has saved us time, money, and myself the headache of trying to figure out what to cook each night.

Meal Planning – 10 Meals for Dinner

I’ve been meal planning and trying out all different kinds of recipes for the past 3 years now, and I’ve got a handful of my favorite dinner meals picked out to share with you all. If you’re interested in seeing my list of dinner meals for the next 10 days, stick around!

Grab a pencil, some paper, and write down these meals and ingredients so you can go into the work week prepared and not stressed about what to make for dinner each night. What I love about these meals is they are all easy to cook, take 30 minutes or less, and taste delicious!

TIP:

I always bookmark the recipes I find online on my internet browser so I can easily go back and find the recipe. That way I don’t have to write down the entire recipe. I can simply write the name of the meal, add the ingredients to my grocery list, and skip copying down the entire recipe.

List of 10 Meals for Dinner to Add to Your Weekly Meal Rotation

Caprese Pesto Pasta Bake – By Half Baked Harvest:

After venturing to Italy this summer with my husband, I have been on a caprese kick! Something about that delicious fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes has my mouth watering just thinking about it. This pasta bake combines all the flavors beautifully and is a cinch to make.

Here’s the recipe: Caprese Pesto Pasta Bake

Crock Pot Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups – By Primally Inspired

Any type of meal that I can use my crockpot for I’m instantly intrigued. On busy work days, you can throw your ingredients into the crockpot when you leave in the morning, set the pot on low, and come home to dinner practically made for you. Plus I’m a sucker for any type of delicious, Asian inspired dinner meals so this recipe checks all the boxes.

Get the recipe here: Crock Pot Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups

Thai Peanut Sweet Potato Noodles – By The Fitchen

If I had to pick my #1 favorite type of food, it would have to be Thai. This is a lightened up version of Pad Thai because it’s used with sweet potato noodles. My husband LOVES this meal and is “not a fan” of zoodles or sweet potato noodles. So with that said, I have high hopes your family will love this healthy and delicious dish too!

Here’s the recipe: Thai Peanut Sweet Potato Noodles

One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – By Mother Thyme

This meal has been on constant rotation for the past 3 years in the Helm household. I even cooked it for my parents when they were over for dinner one night and my mom asked for the recipe and now has it on her dinner rotation. I promise you, it won’t disappoint. And it really couldn’t get any easier to make which is always a plus!

Get the recipe here: One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Veggie Lovers’ Pasta Salad – By Gimme Some Oven

If you’re looking for a meal that is fresh and makes you feel good, this is it! It’s a delicious pasta salad that’s loaded with veggies the color of the rainbow. It’s the perfect mix between comfort food and heart healthy because you’ve got your pasta but also all the nutrition from the veggies.

Here’s the recipe: Veggie Lovers’ Pasta Salad

Creamy Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese – By Eat Yourself Skinny

This is another fan favorite that my husband asks for often. It’s a lightened up version of your favorite comfort food, Mac & Cheese. You’ll never guess what the secret ingredient is 🙂 You’ll have to try the recipe to find out!

Find the recipe here: Creamy Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese 

BBQ Pulled Pork – By The Healthy Foodie

Who doesn’t love a good pulled pork sandwich? There’s not much to say about this one other than it’s absolutely delicious and easy to make!

Here’s the recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork

Hot Honey Crispy Chicken By Hello Fresh

I’ve tried a free trial with Hello Fresh and loved the meals! They are seriously delicious. I don’t pay to use the service as it’s a bit expensive for our grocery/meal budget, but I discovered all the Hello Fresh recipes are all online! Yay! If you’re okay with a little spice, you’ll really enjoy this hot honey chicken.

Get the recipe here: Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Recipe

Sriracha Shrimp over Rice – By Hello Fresh

Another delicious favorite from Hello Fresh! For all my seafood lovers, this recipe is a winner. The fresh crunch of the cucumber with the taste of shrimp and simple rice makes for a wonderful mix of flavor and consistency.

Here’s the recipe: Sriracha Shrimp over Rice

7 Layer Spicy Taco Dip – By Eat Yourself Skinny

Everybody loves a “game day” type of dinner night where your dinner consists of delicious food you could find at a football tailgate. This is my favorite 7 layer dip and it’s “lightened up” too!

Find the recipe here: 7 Layer Spicy Taco Dip

And That’s a Wrap!

Okay, friends, there you have it! Now you’ll be prepared with 10 meals for dinner for the next 2 weeks of work nights. Isn’t that a great feeling?! I know I always feel accomplished after planning out my meals and I no longer have to stress over “what’s for dinner”. Let me know which meal is your favorite! They’re all so good, you might have a hard time choosing 😉

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