21 Budget-Friendly Winter Dinner Ideas
published January 24, 2023; Updated December 2025
When these cold winter months hit, we want things that are warm and nourishing — but with the holidays either about to come or just passed, many of us also have tighter budgets or are doing a no-spend January and trying to be as frugal as possible while still feeding our families nourishing meals.
As a mom, and the keeper of the budget and meal plan, I love having easy meals like soups and one-pan dinners that come together quickly during a busy (or just tired) weeknight and still fit within the weekly grocery haul budget. I’ve asked fellow bloggers to share some of their favorite frugal winter recipes that won’t break the bank but will fuel hungry bellies all winter long!
Budget One Pot Tomato Pasta
by Mrs. jones Kitchen
Chicken & Sweet Potato Casserole
by simple living recipes
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe Copycat
by Mom Foodie
Cheesy Chicken Corn Chowder
by Well-Rooted Motherhood
Dutch Oven Beef Stew
by Primavera Kitchen
Crockpot Potato Soup
by on my kids plate
White Chicken Chili
by the cozy cook
Mexican Stuffed Shells
by 24 bite
Minestrone Soup
by veggie world recipes
Mexican Beef Mince
by mrs. jones kitchen
Easy Navy Bean Soup with Ham
by muy bueno blog
Ground Beef Casserole
by healthy recipes 101
Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole
by healthy taste of life
Easy Skillet Chicken Pot-Pie
by flavor feed
Vegetable Barley Soup
by two kooks in the kitchen
Cottage Pie with Cheese
by wanderzest blog
One-Pot Chili Mac & Cheese without Beans
by little nomad recipes
Cheeseburger Pie
by lauren fit foodie
Instant Pot Tortellini Soup
by the feathered nester
Dutch Oven Chicken Breast & Vegetables
by the oregon Dietician
Italian Mac & Cheese
by little nonni
Bubble Up Pizza
by comfort cooks
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