Cheap Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

Cheesy Chicken Penne

Do you need a cheap and easy dinner idea that won’t take too much time to prepare? Look no further than this delicious Cheesy Chicken Penne! This simple dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family and is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. The best part about this dish is that it comes together in only 30 minutes and is budget friendly to boot!

Ingredients

3 cups penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and season with garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Let simmer 5 minutes.
Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Stir to combine.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt, about 5 minutes.
Serve the Cheesy Chicken Penne hot.

Nutrition

This dish is a great source of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Each serving contains about 420 calories, 16 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbs, and 20 grams of protein.

Taco Salad

This delicious and easy Taco Salad is the perfect dish for busy weeknights! This dish comes together quickly and is loaded with veggies, protein, and flavor. Plus, it’s budget friendly and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water to the skillet and stir to combine. Let simmer 5 minutes.
Divide the romaine lettuce among 4 plates. Top each plate with the cooked beef, tomatoes, cheese, olives, salsa, and sour cream.
Serve the Taco Salad hot.

Nutrition

This Taco Salad is a great source of protein and is packed with vitamins and minerals. It is also low in fat and calories, making it a great meal for those trying to maintain a healthy weight. Each serving contains about 320 calories, 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs, and 26 grams of protein.