Print

Cheap Family Dinners Under $15: Easy Hearty Weeknight Meals

cheap family dinners under 15 - featured image
Print Recipe

A budget-friendly, easy-to-make ground beef and pasta skillet meal that feeds a family of five for under $15, ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef
  • 12 oz (340g) dry pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or spaghetti)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 oz (800g) canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
  • ½ cup (50g) shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Frozen vegetables (peas, corn, green beans, or mixed veggies) – optional

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: chop one large onion and mince 3 garlic cloves. Measure out 1 lb ground beef and 12 oz dry pasta. Measure frozen veggies if using.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned with some crispy bits. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion to the skillet with beef. Cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in canned diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly (10–12 minutes).
  5. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in boiling salted water until just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
  6. Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the sauce. Stir well and cook together for 3–4 minutes so pasta absorbs flavors. If using cheese, sprinkle on top and stir until melted and creamy.

Notes

[‘Buy ingredients like ground beef, pasta, and canned tomatoes in bulk to save money.’, ‘Do not overcook pasta; cook it just shy of al dente as it will finish cooking in the sauce.’, ‘Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles and create a silky texture.’, ‘Season gradually and taste often to build depth of flavor.’, ‘Add frozen or fresh vegetables to stretch proteins and add nutrition.’, ‘For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check broth labels.’, ‘For dairy-free, omit cheese or use dairy-free alternatives and replace butter with olive oil.’, ‘Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.’, ‘Freezing pasta dishes with tomato sauce is not recommended due to texture changes.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: cheap family dinners, budget meals, easy weeknight meals, pasta skillet, ground beef recipes, affordable dinners, quick dinners, hearty meals

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cheap-family-dinners-under-15-easy-hearty-weeknight-meals-to-try-tonight/