Make These 86 Amazing Meals For $5 or Less

1 Kimchi Fried Rice

The Kimchi fried rice is definitely not for the weak, but is for those who dare to love the strong, spicy flavor of Korea's iconic pickled veggies.

Photo: Sara Yoo

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2 Italian Mac and Cheese

This Italian mac and cheese has a unique spin in that it's a hybrid of two popular dishes — pasta carbonara and mac and cheese. You won't believe how well the cheesy carbonara sauce goes with elbow pasta!

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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3 Barbecued Black-Eyed Peas

The barbecued black-eyed peas is a smokin' hot dish will be a favorite because of its great taste and cost.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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4 Spaghetti With Garlic, Olive Oil, and Chili Flakes

This simple spaghetti dish has only six ingredients but will have you coming back for more.

Photo: Camilla Salem

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5 Pasta Carbonara

Settle down with a plate of pasta carbonara, and you will feel so content.

Photo: Nicole Perry

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6 Roasted Shrimp Over Spaghetti Squash

Pasta without the carb overload? Sign me up! This shrimp and spaghetti squash seems too good to be true.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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7 Corn and Black Bean Chili

Chili is always a favorite option of the thrifty, and we do like the corn and black bean addition.

Source: Living Well Spending Less

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8 Spicy Sloppy Joes

The spicy sloppy joe is a great twist on a popular, budget-friendly burger.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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9 Warm Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce

Yet another simple meal, the warm tofu with spicy garlic sauce would make a great main dish for a weeknight dinner.

Photo: Nicole Perry

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10 Baked Eggs in Ham Cups

This high-protein dish of baked eggs in ham cups will have you salivating.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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11 Red Lentil Tomato Soup

Get your dose of protein and fiber with this healthy lentil tomato soup.

Photo: Jaime Young

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12 Meatloaf Muffins With Spinach and Pine Nuts

Don't have a sweet tooth? These meatloaf muffins will definitely be a hit. Instead of icing, you'll top off this baked concoction with mashed potato.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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13 Black Bean Salad

Add some crunch to your day with this black bean salad.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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14 Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog

An upgrade on the American classic, this bacon-wrapped hot dog will leave you wanting more.

Photo: Camilla Salem

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15 Asian Salmon Slaw

Pair one of the healthiest seafood around with veggies, and you'll have a great-tasting and fortifying Asian salmon slaw.

Source: POPSUGAR user eatspinrunrepeat

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16 Panko-Crusted Fish Over Kale

This delicious meal of panko-crusted fish over kale is the perfect post-workout meal, according to POPSUGAR Fitness.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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17 Butternut Squash Lasagna

This butternut squash lasagna definitely looks like a crowd-pleaser.

Source: Living Well Spending Less

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18 Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

This grilled eggplant parmesan makes the perfect Summer meal.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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19 Vegetable Polenta Casserole

Vegetarians would love this vegetable polenta casserole recipe.

Source: Budget Bytes

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20 Sesame Beef Stir-Fry

Throw together this beef stir-fry that's a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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21 Eggs Baked in Avocado

A perfect and guilt-free breakfast option: baked eggs in avocado.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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22 One-Pot Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

This beef and mushroom stroganoff is miles better than any stroganoff you buy in a box.

Source: Budget Bytes

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23 Garlic Anchovy Pasta With Kale

Kale and anchovy paste are what makes this pasta full of flavor.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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24 Tuna Cakes

Turn eating fish into a treat by making these healthy tuna cakes.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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25 Cumin and Honey Baked Tofu

A bowl of cumin and honey baked tofu is perfect for those who love the taste of savory and sweet.

Photo: Jenny Sugar

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26 Lyonnaise Salad

There's no better duo than eggs and bacon. Top them on some greens to create the lyonnaise salad, and you'll have the recipe for success.

Photo: Nicole Perry

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27 Lemon and Sage Veggie Pasta

This lemon and sage pasta comes together in 30 minutes and is chock-full of vegetables to boot.

Source: Living Well Spending Less

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28 Healthy Chicken Tenders

Who says chicken tenders can't be healthy?

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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29 Tangy Asian Meatballs

Add some tart to your meal with these Asian meatballs glazed with a tangy sauce.

Source: All You

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30 Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf

Spring has sprung, which means it's the perfect time to whip up a bowl of vegetable quinoa pilaf.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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31 Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Curry

This meal of chicken and broccoli curry will cost less than $1 per serving but fulfill the important food groups.

Source: All You

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32 Sesame Chicken

If you're craving Chinese, this sesame chicken dish is the perfect option.

Source: Budget Bytes

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33 Curried Chickpeas With Spinach

Curried chickpeas with spinach is a simple dish, but is delicious and nutritious.

Source: Budget Bytes

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34 Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons

What an upgrade! You'll never create a mess with this genius idea of tomato soup and grilled cheese croutons.

Photo: Nicole Perry

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35 Yogurt Alfredo

We do love the clever idea of substituting yogurt for mayo! Here's another clever recipe — yogurt alfredo.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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36 Quinoa Tabbouleh

The quinoa tabbouleh is quick, easy, and flavorful. It also tastes great when served either hot or cold.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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37 Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwiches

This classic snack has a few bites of apple in it to make it a more nutritious meal. Find out how to make a grilled cheese and apple sandwich here.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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38 Turkey Sriracha Meatballs

These turkey sriracha meatballs are a win for sriracha-lovers.

Source: Budget Bytes

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39 Skinny Orange Chicken

Turn the indulgent dish of orange chicken into something light but just as delicious.

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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40 Healthy Stuffed Peppers

Yum! Fill your belly with these delicious and healthy Paleo stuffed peppers.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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41 Pepper-Crusted Flank Steak

One of the cheapest cuts, this pepper-crusted flank steak will suit your red-meat craving and your budget.

Source: All You

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42 Chicken Cacciatore

This crockpot chicken pasta is a healthy and easy choice for dinner.

Source: Family Fresh Meals

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43 Light Summer Chicken Salad

Here's a chicken salad without the guilt. This great recipe uses yogurt instead of mayo!

Source: So Says Sarah . . .

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44 Simple Bean Burger

This really easy bean burger will make the perfect meatless Monday meal.

Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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45 Spicy Garlic Kale With Poached Eggs

Throw this simple but satisfying meal of spicy garlic kale and poached eggs together, and your wallet will thank you!

Photo: Nicole Perry

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46 Wendy's-Style Chili

A much healthier version of Wendy's chili.

Source: Mama Loves Food

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47 Mexican Chicken Spaghetti

Give regular pasta a south-of-the-border twist by adding black beans and corn to make this delicious Mexican chicken spaghetti.

Source: Mommy Hates Cooking

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48 Tofu Chili With Black Beans

Who knew meatless chili could taste so good? Check out the awesome recipe to this spicy tofu black bean chili.

Photo: Michele Foley

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49 Greek Marinated Chicken

This Greek marinated chicken uses yogurt in its extremely flavorful recipe.

Source: Budget Bytes

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50 Dragon Noodles

Spicy and oh so delicious, these dragon noodles will fulfill every craving you have.

Source: Budget Bytes

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51 Black Bean and Avocado Enchiladas

This simple vegetarian meal of black bean and avocado enchiladas is satisfying both taste- and budget-wise. Source: Budget Bytes

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52 Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables

Save money and make your own peanut butter and jelly uncrustables.

Source: Living Well Spending Less

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53 Tuna Salad Pitas

This tuna salad pita dish comes without the usual heavy mayo, but with a lot of flavor.

Photo: Michele Bell

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54 Crockpot Pork in Blackberry BBQ Sauce

The secret ingredient in this wonderful BBQ recipe is blackberry jam.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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55 Avocado Toast

Simple but satisfying. POPSUGAR Food shares how to make the perfect avocado toast.

Source: POPSUGAR Studios

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56 Artichoke Chicken Skillet

The zesty artichoke chicken skillet is perfect for those who like the taste of lemon with their poultry. Source: Budget Bytes

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57 Chinese Chicken Tacos

Add new twist on taco Tuesday with the Chinese chicken taco.

Source: Family Fresh Meals

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58 Black Bean Quesadillas

This hearty black bean quesadilla is easy to make and filling.

Source: Budget Bytes

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59 Cheesy Tortellini

Easy to make and delicious to eat. Check out the cheesy tortellini recipe.

Source: Family Fresh Meals

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60 Vegetarian Cuban Rice and Beans

This healthy vegetarian Cuban rice and beans dish will satisfy your rice and beans craving without the calories and the salt.

Source: POPSUGAR user Dara8182

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61 White Spinach Pizza

This simple white spinach pizza will have you clamoring back for seconds.

Source: Budget Bytes

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62 Veggie and Potato Frittata

Time to chop up those Spring veggies and treat yourself with this veggie and potato frittata.

Source: POPSUGAR user birdsflyinghigh

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63 Oven Fajitas

This vegetable-heavy oven fajitas recipe will keep costs down and up your fiber intake.

Source: Budget Bytes

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64 Spiced Carrot Soup With Roasted Chickpeas and Tahini

This Middle Eastern-inspired spiced carrot soup has a creamy flavor although it doesn't require any cream.

Photo: Nicole Perry

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65 No-Frills Chili

This pot of chili will surely add some kick to your day. Source: Budget Bytes

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66 Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers

If you can't get enough of stuffed peppers, you should really try this Mexican-style version.

Source: Mama Loves Food

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67 Taco Chicken Bowls

Skip Chipotle and make your own taco chicken bowls.

Source: Budget Bytes

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68 Baked Ravioli With Tex Mex

$Baked Ravioli With Tex Mex$

This baked ravioli dish with its tangy salsa sauce has a tex-mex flair to it that makes it irresistible.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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69 Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is always a budget-friendly meal option.

Source: Mama Loves Food

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70 Baked Ziti With Three Cheeses

This ooey-gooey baked ziti goodness is made in a crockpot — no baking required!

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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71 Baked Tilapia With Tomatoes

Tilipia is a budget-conscious cook's best friend, so we're totally digging this healthy baked tilapia with tomatoes recipe. Source: Budget Bytes

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72 Honey Sriracha Chicken Thighs

For die-hard sriracha-lovers, the pairings in this honey sriracha chicken thighs recipe seems like a match made in hot-sauce heaven.

Source: Budget Bytes

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73 Creamy Pesto Pasta With Chicken and Broccoli

This delicious creamy pesto pasta recipe enlists the help of cream cheese.

Source: Budget Bytes

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74 Creamy Tomato-Spinach Pasta

Need your fill of rich pasta? Try making this creamy tomato-spinach pasta dish.

Source: Budget Bytes

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75 Green Chile Turkey Burgers

Boring would never be a word to describe these green chile turkey burgers!

Source: Budget Bytes

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76 Chicken Marbella

Brown sugar and dried plums are what makes the chicken Marbella a standout dish.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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77 Sloppy Joe Nachos With Doritos

OK, so maybe this isn't exactly the healthiest meal. But sloppy joe nachos with Doritos might be a good special-occasion dish!

Source: Mommy Hates Cooking

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78 Black Bean Soup

This nutritious and frugal black bean soup will come together with ingredients you already have in your cupboard.

Photo: Michele Bell

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79 Stuffed-Pepper Soup

This crockpot stuffed-pepper soup is like basically a deconstructed stuffed pepper, deliciously swimming in tomato soup.

Source: Family Fresh Meals

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80 Breakfast-Stuffed Peppers

A twist on our favorite high-protein dish — the breakfast-stuffed peppers with eggs and sausage!

Source: Mama Loves Food

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81 Spinach Quinoa Scramble

This filling breakfast of spinach quinoa scramble will start your day off right. Photo: Lizzie Fuhr

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82 Crockpot Fajitas With Chicken and Quinoa

Quick and easy, this crockpot fajitas dish is tasty and satisfying.

Source: The Dinner-Mom

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83 Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Pasta

Just the photo of this roasted garlic and parmesan pasta has our mouths watering.

Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

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84 Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Pasta

This spicy shrimp and tomato pasta is another great choice if you're jonesing for something that will raise temperatures.

Source: Budget Bytes

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85 Chicken Penne Alfredo

This great chicken penne alfredo is gluten-free.

Source: Mommy Hates Cooking

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86 Corn and Potato Chowder

Delicious and easy on the budget — we love this corn and potato chowder.

Source: Mama Loves Food

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