30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (2024)

by 24 Comments

31.0K Shares

Lower your grocery budget with these easy meatless meals! They’re cheap, simple to make, healthy and mostly family friendly too. Perfect for Meatless Mondays!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (1)

You know that I’m always looking for ways to lower our grocery bill.Well, it’s no secret that the cost of meat can easily be one of your biggest grocery expenses!

Soon after we got married and started budgeting, I figured this out and realized that I was going to need to get creative and find ways to use less meat if we were going to make our budget work.

One of the things that I started doing was to serve at least one meatless dinner a week.

We’re both meat lovers and my mom didn’t make many meatless dishes growing up, so this change felt like a pretty big deal at the time! But I’ve learned to love it.

Eating at least one meatless meal a week not only helps save us money but it’s also helped us branch out and try some foods that we wouldn’t have otherwise.

And in a small way, it allows us to help our family remember the billions of people around the world who aren’t as privileged as we are.

I think my biggest struggle with doing budget-friendly meatless meals is that I tend to get stuck in a rut and make the same few over and over, just because it’s easier than finding new recipes.

So over the last several months, I’ve been trying to be proactive and find some more easy meatless meal ideas to add to our frugal menus.

And that’s how this post came about! It started as a resource for myself. But then I figured that you are frugally minded too and would probably find it helpful as well!

Here’s to helping our budgets with delicious easy meals!

30 Easy Meatless Meals

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (2)

1.The Best Black Bean Burger via Tastes Better from Scratch
Your entire family will love these simple, tasty burgers! And you’ll enjoy the fact that they cost you just a fraction of what regular beef burgers would.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (3)

2. Crustless Spinach Quiche via Butter with a Side of Bread
You pretty much can’t go wrong with breakfast for dinner! And this quick and easy, protein-packed quiche is a great option.

If you’re a breakfast food fan, you might also enjoy theseQuick Breakfast Tacosand thisEasy Broccoli Quiche.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (4)

3. The Best Baked Potatoes via Gimme Some Oven
Not all baked potatoes are created equal! This recipe will help you make a baked potato thatis perfectlycrispy and flavorful on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside.

Top it with butter and sour cream or take it up a notch and try making this from scratchBroccoli Cheese Sauce.

4. Easy Mexican Bean Soup via Thrifty Frugal Mom
This hearty, flavorful soup takes just chili takes just minutes to throw together and makes enough that you’ll have leftovers to freeze or to enjoy throughout the week.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (6)

5. Easy French Onion Soup via The Comfort of Cooking
French Onion Soup is one of my favorites! So super simple but absolutely delicious. And to keep the cost down, I typically sub mozzarella cheese for the Gruyere.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (7)

6. Cream of Tomato Soup via Real Mom Kitchen
This recipe is almost identical to my Grandmother’s old-fashioned tomato soup recipe that we love. (Her’s doesn’t have the baking soda and calls for a bit of minced onion or onion powder for extra flavor.)

I usually pair it with grilled cheese sandwiches or a salad for an easy meal that the whole family loves!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (8)

7. Margherita Pizza via Life in the Lofthouse
Yum! This recipe proves that pizza doesn’t have to be topped with meat to be amazing! This5 Ingredient Pesto Pizza and thisGarden Veggie Pizza are also delicious options.

8. Cinnamon Pancakes with Cinnamon Roll Glaze via Inspired Taste
You all, these pancakes are absolutely amazing! My kids beg me to make them because they like them better than regular pancakes anymore!

If you want to try traditional pancakes though, give theseEasy Fluffy Pancakes from Scratcha try.

9. White Pizza Grilled Cheese via Thrifty Frugal Mom
Seriously the best grilled cheese recipe ever! Loaded with three different kinds of cheese, garlic and herbs, it’s the perfect comfort food and a favorite at our table.

More Meatless Meals on a Budget

10. Country Potato Soup via Thrifty Frugal Mom
This simple, creamy potato soup is super easy to make and is one of my go-to meatless meals!

11. Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup via Thrifty Frugal Mom
This comfort food recipe couldn’t be easier! Just cook everything together in the crockpot for an easy one-pot meal. Makes a great freezer meal too!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (14)

12. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac via Kristine’s Kitchen
This comfort food recipe couldn’t be easier! Just cook everything together in the crockpot for an easy one-pot meal. Makes a great freezer meal too!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (15)

13. Shakshuka via The Healthy Maven
This Middle Eastern dish is one of our favorite frugal meatless meals! It’s one of those recipes that is super basic, but so good.

I often add a few extra eggs to make it even more hearty and serve it with my Classic French Bread.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (16)

14.Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells via Fork Knife Swoon
Short on time? This easy meatless recipe takes just 15 minutes to put together and creates a meal that is filling and delicious.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (17)

15. Black Bean, Rice and Vegetable Tacos via Together as Family
These tacos are so hearty and filling that you won’t even miss the meat!

Pair with tortillas, fresh diced tomato, shredded cheese, and sour cream for a healthy dinner that you will want to make again!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (18)

16. Bean and Cheese Smothered Enchiladas via Oh Sweet Basil
Love a good bean and cheese burrito? Then you’ll love these enchiladas. They’re basically bean and cheese burritos, but better. And so super easy to make too!

To make them even healthier, I love using homemade refried beanswhen I make these.

17. Crustless Zucchini Quiche via Thrifty Frugal Mom
This simple, tasty quiche is loaded with zucchini, making it a nutritious meal!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (20)

18.Black Bean and Rice Casserole via Plain Chicken
This Mexican dish takes about 10 minutes to throw together and is so good! It also can easily be made ahead if that works better for your schedule.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (21)

19. Lentil Quesadillas via Robust Recipes
Take cheese quesadillas to a whole new level with this hearty recipe!

More Meatless Meal Ideas

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (22)

20. Hungarian Red Lentil Soup via Vegan Huggs
This flavorful recipe comes together fast, thanks to red lentils and easy ingredients.

21. Easy Mexican Rice Bowlsvia Thrifty Frugal Mom
Who doesn’t love a rice bowl? And this version is ridiculously easy, super filling and crazy inexpensive too!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (24)

22. Crockpot White Bean French Onion Soup via The Busy Baker
This twist on classic French onion soup is both easy and delicious!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (25)

23.Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta via Together as Family
Have a busy day? This easy recipe will help you get dinner on the table in just 20 minutes, plus it’s delicious and kid approved too!

24.Mexican Tortilla Casserole via Savory Simple
Love Mexican?This casserole is just the meatless meal for you!And guess what? It works great as a make-ahead meal and freezes well too!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (27)

25.Cheesy Spinach Lasagna Rolls via Lil’ Luna
This recipe is so hearty and filling that you won’t even miss the meat! And with three kinds of cheese…what’s not to love?!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (28)

26. Easy Vegetable Lasagna with Alfredo Sauce via Mighty Mrs.

Layers of veggies, cheese and noodles combine to make this yummy meatless dish.

Make it healthier and more delicious (wink, wink) by using myEasy Homemade Alfredo Sauce.

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (29)

27. Egg Drop Soup via Turnadough Alli
Who knew that egg drop soup was so easy to make? Satisfy your Chinese cravings with this comforting recipe!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (30)

28. Mexican Zucchini Burrito Boats via Making Thyme for Health
This simple meatless meal is packed with Mexican flavor and is healthy as well!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (31)

29.Easy Cream Taco Pasta via A Mindfull Mom
All the flavors of a taco in a simple pasta dish? Why not? You pretty much can’t beat this for an inexpensive meatless meal!

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (32)

30.Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes via Sweet Peas and Saffron
This twist on twice-baked potatoes is not only healthy, it’s also super quick and easy to make! Plus, they are a great freezer meal too.

You might also enjoy:

  • A Frugal Mom’s 25 Favorite Ways to Save Money
  • 40 Foods to Freeze to Save Time and Money
  • 25 Amazing Uses for Bacon Grease
  • 45 No Oven Meal Ideas that Won’t Heat the Kitchen

31.0K Shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily

    Thank you so much for these recipes! I agree, I can get stuck in a rut when do meatless meals. We usually do meals with meat 2-3 times a week to save money. Inflation is crazy! We use beans/lentils and eggs pretty often instead. We do hotdogs about once a month but I wouldn’t really count them as a meat source or a high protein source! 😂

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      I’m glad that it could be helpful, Emily! Beans and lentils are our favorite too. I often add them to Mexican inspired recipes with meat too to add more protein for cheap. And I know what you mean about hot dogs. 😉

      Reply

  2. Uttarakhand Guide

    Thank you for sharing these easy meatless meals, I was actually looking for same. Super excited to try this one.

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      So glad it was helpful!

      Reply

  3. Tricia M

    Amazing recipes. I have already made three and loved them. I have picked two more to try this week. I can’t wait. Great recipes. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      I’m delighted to hear this, Tricia! So glad it’s been helpful.

      Reply

  4. Tasha

    So by meatless you mean “does in fact contain meat”, yes?

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      No, meatless is what it sounds like: no meat.

      Reply

  5. Stephanie Parker

    SO many delicious recipes! Thank you for including our Black Beans & Rice Casserole.

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      It’s a delicious one, Stephanie!

      Reply

  6. Char Dham Yatra Package

    Super excited to try these Meatless Meals , these are amazing and unique. Thank you for sharing these delicious meals with us, will love to share with others too.

    Reply

    • Lydia Beiler

      You are welcome! Glad that it was helpful.

      Reply

« Older Comments

Leave a Reply

30 Easy Meatless Meals (cheap and quick too!) - Thrifty Frugal Mom (2024)

FAQs

What food to make when theres nothing to eat? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese.
  2. PB&J because duh.
  3. Tuna melt tostadas.
  4. Pancakes! Pancakes!
  5. Scrambled eggs.
  6. Waffles.
  7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal.
  8. Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

What to do when you are hungry and have no money? ›

What to do if you need emergency help with money and food
  1. Trust funds.
  2. Credit unions.
  3. Councils.
  4. Energy providers.
  5. The Government.
  6. Charities.

What to eat when you have no food or money? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

How can I eat with very little money? ›

Buy whole foods

Some foods are more affordable in a less processed form. For example, a block of cheese is cheaper than shredded cheese, and canned beans are less expensive than refried ones. Whole grains, like brown rice and oats, are also cheaper per serving than most processed cereals.

What is the cheapest dinner to make? ›

72 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Bacon and Egg Toast Cups. ...
  • Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Burgers. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
  • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
  • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
  • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
  • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp.
Aug 27, 2024

How can I eat for under $30 a week? ›

Here's how I keep my grocery bill under $30 a week
  1. Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
  2. Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
  3. Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
  4. Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
Jan 13, 2017

What can I make for dinner if I have no ideas? ›

50 quick dinner ideas for when you don't know what to cook
  • 1Mid-week lamb ragu. ...
  • 230-min crispy beef and shiitake noodles. ...
  • 3Minute steaks with broccolini & cannellini bean. ...
  • 417-minute spiced lamb cutlets with couscous salad. ...
  • 5Speedy shepherd's pie. ...
  • 6Beef stroganoff. ...
  • 7Lamb kofte with beetroot hummus. ...
  • 8Lamb korma.

What to have for dinner when you don't know what to cook? ›

33 Easy Dinner Ideas For When You're Not Sure What To Make
  • Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken Breast. tasty.co. ...
  • Honey Soy-Glazed Salmon. tasty.co. ...
  • The Best Ever Slow Cooker Pot Roast. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken & Biscuit Bake. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Oven-Baked French Bread Pizzas. ...
  • Upgraded Ramen. ...
  • Easiest One-Pot Beef with Broccoli.
May 16, 2024

150 Super Cheap Meals for When You Are Flat ...Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com ›

Say goodbye to ramen noodles! Check out these flavorful super cheap meals. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, side dishes & desserts.
These budget friendly recipes are a must for anyone on a tight budget! They are easy, healthy and delicious. Saving money is easy with these frugal meals!
These 30 frugal meal ideas (for when you're broke) will help keep more money in your pocket. It is possible to eat healthy and cheap at the same time!

What to eat at home when you don't know what to eat? ›

WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER WHEN YOU LACK INSPIRATION OR DON'T FEEL LIKE EATING
  1. Homemade queso + chips.
  2. Popcorn. ...
  3. Eggs on or with toast.
  4. Omelet – very accommodating to whatever you might have in the fridge!
  5. Grilled cheese and soup. ...
  6. Cereal. ...
  7. One skillet meals like rice, chicken and veggies.
  8. Pesto pasta.
May 27, 2020

What to do when you're hungry but have no food? ›

Doing something to occupy your mind can distract you from thinking you are hungry. Try to steer yourself toward doing activities that make you feel productive or are mentally occupying. Do something active! Get out of the house and engage in some physical activity such as a brisk walk or sports.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6171

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.