My Heart Says "Go Out To Eat" (My Budget Says "No"), So I Fell For These Cheap Dinner Ideas Instead
The way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, sure, but that doesn't mean you need to shell out on an expensive dinner out at a restaurant. In fact, we think the most special dinners of all are often home-cooked (and thus majorly budget-friendly). With just a bit of prep and a few affordable staples in the pantry, all 40 of these cheap and easy dinner ideas for two are perfect for those nights you really want to impress (but you're balling on a budget) — and include take-out favorites, date-night classics, and plenty of comfort foods for good measure.
If you often find it hard the siren song of your favorite food delivery app, fear not! We've got all the tips and tricks on nailing those dishes you order on repeat (but without all the fees), like our recipes for Indian butter chickpeas, homemade pizza, and chicken fried rice. Need to really up the fanciness? Our recipes for shrimp & grits, arroz con pollo, and vodka meatballs will have your dinner guest convinced you should open up your own restaurant.
When in doubt, go the comfort food route. More often than not those solid classics rely on affordable ingredients, such as beans (for our classic chili and creamy Tuscan white bean skillet), canned tuna (for our one-can tuna pasta), and chicken thighs (for our Greek chicken and BBQ sheet-pan chicken). And don't forget the budget-friendly comfort food MVP that pretty much everyone loves: Sloppy Joes. Just be sure make it the Delish way by elevating it enough for date night with our Sloppy Joe orzo, of course.
Arroz Con Pollo
Arroz con pollo is the perfect weeknight dinner savior. It’s an easy one-pot meal that doesn’t taste like one (seriously, you just might be eating the rice straight out of the pan). The best part? It makes for incredible leftovers, so you can enjoy it all week long.
Get the Arroz Con Pollo recipe.
Vodka Meatballs
Creamy vodka sauce is the ultimate comfort food, and with the addition of easy chicken meatballs, it becomes a simple, heartier dinner. The sauce relies heavily on rich, sweet tomato paste, and vodka adds an almost spiciness to the dish and helps balance out the heaviness of the sauce. The whole dish is quick and one you’ll be able to easily master.
Get the Vodka Meatballs recipe.
Chicken Parm-Stuffed Peppers
We added all the flavors of classic chicken Parmesan into these stuffed peppers, creating a two-in-one dinner that truly is the best of both worlds. Ready in a little over an hour, this cheesy recipe is the best way to upgrade your stuffed pepper game.
Get the Chicken Parm-Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Chicken Fried Rice
If you have leftover rice hanging out in your fridge, then this fried rice is a no-brainer. Shake up your weeknight chicken dinner by recreating the take-out staple right at home. Not a chicken fan? Try our beef fried rice, kimchi fried rice, or pineapple fried rice instead.
Get the Chicken Fried Rice recipe.
Indian Butter Chickpeas
Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.
Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.
Marry Me Meatballs
Just like all of our Marry Me dishes that came before, the sauce is something to obsess over. It’s perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or tossing with your favorite al dente pasta. Serve it up with a simple salad or your favorite roasted veggie to make this a well-rounded, satisfying meal for any date night.
Get the Marry Me Meatballs recipe.
Baked Feta Pasta
Obviously roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes is going to be amazing. But is it good enough to break TikTok like this one did? Our answer, begrudgingly, is yes. It's genius—super-easy, but fancy enough for date night. 😍
Get the Baked Feta Pasta recipe.
Beef & Broccoli
A quintessential Chinese-American dish, beef and broccoli is a classic that graces the menu at almost every takeout spot across the country. In terms of popularity, it's right up there with orange chicken, and for very good reason: The combination of tender, seared beef and broccoli tossed in a garlicky, velvety sauce is practically impossible to resist.
Get the Beef & Broccoli recipe.
Mozzarella Schnitzel
Like chicken and pork schnitzel before it, mozzarella schnitzel is crispy (thanks to a golden breadcrumb crust), and pairs perfectly with a mustard sauce as a special occasion dinner main. Your boo will FLIP over that cheese pull.
Get the Mozzarella Schnitzel recipe.
Shrimp & Grits
Our recipe is extra-creamy due to a generous amount of cheese (in our book, no grits are complete without) and butter. We also took this recipe to the next-level by adding in crispy bacon. Not only does this amp up the texture of our dish, but cooking our shrimp in bacon fat adds heaps of flavor. The result is a rich and decadent weeknight dinner (or filling brunch!) we’ll happily dig into any time of year.
Get the Shrimp & Grits recipe.
Chicken Fajitas
Focusing on only 3 key ingredients, our chicken fajita recipe requires minimal prep and cook time, meaning dinner on the table FAST. Follow our classic recipe for our best-ever version or use it as a jumping-off point to experiment with your favorite proteins, veggies, and toppings.
Get the Chicken Fajitas recipe.
BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken
BBQ sauce and chicken go together like peanut butter and jelly: an undeniable classic combo that hits the mark every single time. This easy sheet-pan dinner comes complete with juicy chicken, loads of sweet–smoky flavor, and plenty of vegetables to round out the meal.
Get the BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe.
Homemade Pizza
Biting into a chewy, saucy, and cheesy slice of pizza is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Lucky for us, it’s also one that’s easily achieved at home—no delivery fees required! With simple ingredients and a little bit of patience (hot tip: make your components ahead of time), you’ll be on your way to homemade pizza that might be even better than your local pie shop.
Get the Homemade Pizza recipe.
Greek Chicken
If you're looking for a simple—but super satisfying—way to switch up your weeknight chicken dinner rotation, this is it. All it takes is a few basic ingredients (that you most likely already have on hand) to transform chicken thighs into an herby, garlicky dream. The best part? Your sides and main dish will both be ready in under an hour, making this an ideal last-minute, filling dinner.
Get the Greek Chicken recipe.
Cabbage Parmesan
If you’re reading this with doubts, please keep them at bay for a few minutes. This veggie spin on chicken Parmesan gives a refreshing twist to the classic, and is a win for anyone looking for a delicious low-carb, vegetarian dinner to impress.
Get the Cabbage Parmesan recipe.
Classic Chili
If you’re looking for a hearty, comfort food meal to eat after a long fall workday, this is the recipe for you. While many chili recipes call for simmering for at least an hour (sometimes even more), our best-ever beef chili can be made in just 40 minutes (!!).
Get the Classic Chili recipe.
Cacio E Pepe
Cacio e pepe literally translates to “cheese and pepper." These two ingredients are usually thought of as small components to a dish but in this pasta recipe, they take center stage. The fruity bite of freshly ground pepper combined with salty cheese is complex, earthy, sweet and spicy all at once.
Get the Cacio E Pepe recipe.
Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet
Creamy Tuscan anything is a cult classic here at Delish, but this vegetarian version might be our new favorite. Featuring white beans and spinach swimming in a luxurious tomato cream sauce, this hearty skillet dinner is so comforting and satisfying, you’ll never miss the chicken.
Get the Creamy Tuscan White Bean Skillet recipe.
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli
In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’re guaranteed a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
Get the Sesame Tofu & Broccoli recipe.
One-Pan Tuna Pasta
This recipe is a bit of a riff on a pasta puttanesca, using familiar ingredients such as capers, anchovies, and olives. Instead of sitting over a pot of simmering tomato sauce, we turn sun-dried tomatoes and pasta water a luscious sauce–and it’s all made in one pan!
Get the One-Pan Tuna Pasta recipe.
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
If you think every bowl of chili should be hidden under mounds of melty cheese, this is the casserole for you. With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this easy vegetarian weeknight dinner is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty.
Get the Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.
Sloppy Joe Orzo
Think beyond the bun! You don’t need to sandwich a sloppy Joe to enjoy it; transform the classic comfort food into a date night staple with this sloppy Joe orzo instead.
Get the Sloppy Joe Orzo recipe.
Mini Mushroom Pasta Bakes
For these mini baked pastas, you get the best of all worlds from a creamy, cheesy sauce reminiscent of your favorite oven-baked mac and cheese, plus crispy, savory bread crumbs and hearty, meaty mushrooms.
Get the Mini Mushroom Pasta Bakes recipe.
Salmon & Potato Skillet
While the potatoes here cook, the salmon takes a quick bath in an easy marinade that will double as cooking fat in this simple dish. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have a delicious and filling meal that can be customized every time you make it.
Get the Salmon & Potato Skillet recipe.
Egg Roll Bowls
If you're a fan of crispy savory egg rolls, then you might consider this unwrapped version your dream healthy dinner. Without the need to wrap or fry, this veggie-packed meal comes together in well under an hour.
Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.
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