Welcome to the ultimate solution for busy weeknights when you need to get dinner on the table fast without breaking the bank. This Easy Dinners On A Budget recipe is a flavorful, filling skillet dish that combines budget-friendly ingredients like pasta, ground beef, and pantry staples into a meal everyone will love.
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This recipe is designed to be flexible, forgiving, and endlessly customizable. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or meal-prepping for the week, this one-pan wonder delivers big on taste and nutrition while keeping your grocery bill low.
In just 30 minutes, you'll have a comforting, cheesy, and satisfying dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients
1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
Use lean ground beef for less grease, or substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
1 medium yellow onion, diced
A yellow onion adds a sweet, savory base. You can use a white or red onion if that's what you have.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh garlic is best, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
2 cups (500ml) beef broth
Use low-sodium broth to control salt. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth.
1 can (15 oz/425g) diced tomatoes, undrained
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add extra flavor. If you only have crushed tomatoes, they work too.
1 can (8 oz/227g) tomato sauce
This helps thicken the sauce. You can substitute with tomato paste plus 1/2 cup water.
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
A blend of oregano, basil, and thyme. You can make your own or use dried oregano alone.
1 teaspoon salt
Adjust to taste. If using regular broth, you might need less salt.
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Freshly ground black pepper adds a nice kick.
2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
Any small pasta works: shells, rotini, or penne. Whole wheat adds fiber.
1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
Sharp cheddar gives more flavor. You can also use mozzarella or a Mexican blend.
Tips & Tricks
Don't overcook the pasta
Cook until al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly off the heat.
Brown the beef well
Let it get a nice crust for deeper flavor, and drain excess fat if needed.
Adjust liquid
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of broth or water. If too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes.
Pro Tips
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
2. Sauté Aromatics
Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add Liquids and Seasonings
Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Bring to a Boil
Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
5. Add Pasta
Stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low (325°F/165°C) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 12-15 minutes. The pasta should be al dente and the sauce thickened.
6. Add Cheese
Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover with a lid and let sit for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey.
7. Serve
Stir the melted cheese into the pasta or serve with cheese on top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Delicious Variations
Add vegetables
Stir in 1 cup of frozen peas or corn along with the pasta for extra nutrition.
Make it spicy
Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño with the onions.
Swap the protein
Use ground Italian sausage for a more flavorful twist.
How to Store Easy Dinners On A Budget
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, or on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short pasta like rotini, shells, or penne works well. Adjust cooking time according to package instructions.
Q: Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans or 1 cup of cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Q: How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your broth and tomato products are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: What can I serve with this dish?
A simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or garlic bread are great options to round out the meal.
Q: Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes, feel free to add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Sauté them with the onions for best results.
If you loved this budget-friendly dinner, don't forget to share it with friends and family! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Happy cooking!
Easy Dinners On A Budget
Easy Dinners On A Budget is a hearty, one-pan skillet meal that feeds a family of six for under $10, ready in 30 minutes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (500ml) beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz/227g) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
📋 Instructions
- 1Brown the Beef — Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C). Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- 2Sauté Aromatics — Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 3Add Liquids and Seasonings — Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 4Bring to a Boil — Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- 5Add Pasta — Stir in the elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low (325°F/165°C) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 12-15 minutes. The pasta should be al dente and the sauce thickened.
- 6Add Cheese — Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover with a lid and let sit for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and gooey.
- 7Serve — Stir the melted cheese into the pasta or serve with cheese on top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
