7 Quick, Easy, Affordable Dinner Ideas

Here are 7 quick, easy, affordable dinner ideas for you (photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)

School is back in session which means most families are trying to adjust to a hectic fall schedule. Unfortunately, this often means skipping home cooked meals and grabbing take out to save time. But eating out all the time isn’t good for your wallet or your waistline. Make sure your family’s diet doesn’t suffer by using these quick, easy dinners that won’t break your budget.

1. Stir Fry

When it comes to quick and easy dinners, there are few options that are better than a simple stir fry. You can use almost any protein, which makes it possible to choose the protein that is on sale. You can toss in almost any veggie, which makes it a great fit for almost everyone. Serving it over brown rice increases your family’s whole grain intake in a quick and affordable way.

• Arizona Beef and Veggie Stir Fry
• Stir-Fried Ginger Shrimp
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

2. Quiche

On the way home and worried that you don’t have anything to make for dinner? Don’t worry, as long as you have eggs and a couple other ingredients, you can whip up a quick quiche that is packed with protein and won’t require a stop at the store.

• Quiche Lorraine
• Arizona Quiche
• Rice Quiche

3. Quesadillas

Looking for something quick and easy that will satisfy a finicky family? Quesadillas are the answer. You can fill them with almost anything which means each person can choose what they want between their tortillas.

• Black Bean Quesadillas
• Chicken Quesadillas
• Sante Fe Veggies Quesadillas

4. Panini and Soup

A little fancier and more substantial than a simple sandwich, a grilled Panini and a bowl of soup make a great dinner that takes only minutes to make.

• Chicken and Pesto Panini and Classic Minestrone Soup
• Turkey Avocado Panini and Cool Arizona Melon Soup
• Chipotle Chicken Panini and Chicken Tortilla Soup

5. Loaded Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes might seem more like a side dish than a proper dinner, but when you add a couple extras, they can be an affordable dinner option. Make them quicker by doing most of the “baking” in the microwave.

• Ultimate Twice Baked Potato
• Baked Potato with Mushrooms
• Twice Baked Ranch Potatoes

6. Breakfast

Although many families don’t have time to enjoy a full home cooked breakfast every morning, favorite breakfast dishes like pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, and omelet’s can still be enjoyed as quick, affordable dinners.

• Boss’s Baked French Toast
• Zesty Papa Protein Scramble
• Jalapeno, Bacon, and Egg Bake

7. Pasta and Sauce

It’s an oldie, but it is also a goodie when it comes to making a quick family meal without spending a ton of money. A box of pasta and some simple sauce will fill your family up without emptying your wallet.

• Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
• Tomato Pasta Sauce
• Pasta Goat Cheese Recipe

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