2023 was a fabulous year of eating well for less here at Meals With Maria. My family saved money, ate some pretty delicious food, and I had the pleasure of sharing that with you. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for another fantastic year. 2024 is set to be even better! And as a thank you, I’ve looked back through 2023 to find the 23 best easy recipes for families that will help you eat well without breaking the bank. Every one of these recipes gets me so excited, and I hope they’ll do the same to inspire you!
1. FIREFIGHTER CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This Firefighter Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe is one that stands out to me from last year. It’s an absolute game-changer for your dinner table. This casserole is not only hearty but also bursting with rich flavors that will leave you craving more.
2. TASTE OF HOME CHICKEN POT PIE
I’ve tried a lot of Chicken Pot Pie Recipes and I really think this one is the best! If I say I’m making Chicken Pot Pie my family all starts to say, “winner, winner, chicken dinner!” And that’s how you know it’s good!
3. FRENCH ONION CHICKEN
This French Onion Chicken recipe, was originally crafted for a $20 date night but it’s perfect for any special occasion or even a weeknight dinner!
4. CHICKEN BROCCOLI AND RICE
Chicken Broccoli and Rice is a timeless favorite. Somehow this dish had slipped off my radar but made a triumphant return to our dinner table. Dive into the simplicity, budget-friendliness, and comforting flavors of this beloved classic.
5. BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD
This is an Ambitious Kitchen recipe that I learned about from a fabulous Buzzfeed article about feeding your family of 5 for under $120. I seriously recommend checking out the salad and the article!
6. BANH MI RICE BOWLS
These versatile Banh Mi Rice bowls not only cater to your taste buds but also allow you to stay within budget by utilizing cost-effective ingredients! I’ve made them over and over again this year because they are just so delicious and they are a perfect make ahead lunch!
7. BBQ CHICKEN SKILLET
Get ready to dig into something special – my BBQ Chicken Skillet! It’s ridiculous how delicious this is and how easy it is to make!
8. MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN SKILLET
I stumbled upon this Mississippi Chicken Potato Skillet, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. Usually, I’m all about the crock pot, but this skillet version? Pure perfection. Juicy chicken, seasoned to the heavens, mixed with crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and a hint of zing from banana peppers.
9. DETROIT STYLE PIZZA
This Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe is a nod to my school days—the iconic Square Pizza. This recipe takes that nostalgic school lunch favorite and elevates it to a whole new level. Buckle up as we recreate the magic in your own kitchen!
10. FUDGY LUNCH LADY BROWNIES
I made these Fudgy Lunch Lady Brownies right around the same time I made the Detroit Style pizza. Let me tell you these will teleport you back to the good ol’ days of school lunches and beyond! I don’t do a ton of desserts but I really felt these needed to make the 2023 list!
11. GRANDMA’S GREEN BEANS
This side dish is easy to make and pairs perfectly with lemon chicken. I really like the tangy flavor of vinegar with the fatty hearty bacon! The sauce really coats these and makes them crave-able! I originally made this when I was trying a bunch of different recipes shared by grandmothers! You can see the other recipes here!
12. BETTY WHITE’S CHICKEN WINGS
If you’re looking for a fun and delicious recipe to make for your next get-together, look no further than Betty White’s soy sauce chicken wings. Yes, you read that right: the beloved actress and comedian has a chicken wing recipe, and it’s amazing. These are so fun to make! You’ll love them!
13. GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN WITH ZUCCHINI RICE
I saw this on one TikTok and had to give it a try. This chicken is better than restaurant chicken. It’s juicy, flavorful, and doesn’t take a lot of time or ingredients to cook. Chicken, garlic, butter, and parsley are the cornerstones of this recipe and they do not disappoint.
This zucchini rice can really feed a crowd! And it absolutely knocks it out of the park on flavor. It’s funny that my 7 year old Tommy insisted that I have always put zucchini in rice. Which, I definitely haven’t done before. But I was glad to hear he was happy with it! I’ll definitely be making this again especially during zucchini season. You can get the recipe here!
14. BIG MAC BOWLS
Finding recipes that are both delicious, nutritious, and budget friendly, can be a game-changer. This fantastic recipe has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok—the Big Mac Bowl. We make this a lot around here as an easy lunch!
15. TAQUITO CASSEROLE
This Taquito Casserole recipe uses a combination of pantry friendly ingredients and cheap taquitos from Walmart. The Taquitos (under $5 for 16 from Walmart) are all dressed up and your family will love it!
16. FISH TACOS
I based my recipe off of this Skinny Taste Recipe and I’ll likely never go back! I used cod but the original recipe calls for tilapia which can be quite a bit cheaper. Topping that delicious mixture with coleslaw mix and cilantro was plenty flavorful and filling. I like to have 3 tacos at around 450 calories which is a perfect dinner for me! I made a bunch of 450 or less calorie recipes here!
17. SHRIMP ROLLS
This shrimp roll is one of the best low calorie meals, not only because it is only 195 calories, it’s also $1.43 a roll! This will remind you of an expensive seafood dinner out at a fraction of the price. The original recipe here uses greek yogurt but I used mayo instead. If you have it on hand, a sprinkle of Old Bay really spices things up! Get the full recipe here!
18. CANNED CHICKEN AND CORN CHOWDER
For me, this chicken and corn soup recipe is a budget friendly must make! I enjoy this year round. In the summer I make it along side a shrimp salad roll and in the winter it’s great with some crusty bread on the side!
19. CHICKEN FLAUTAS
In my opinion canned chicken is best served in a tortilla or a soup! These chicken flautas are the perfect way to use canned chicken that tastes absolutely delicious!
20. CHICKEN BACON RANCH QUESADILLAS
These Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas are heavenly! They are great for a weeknight dinner, football game, or Taco Tuesday! The air fryer gets them so crispy and chicken bacon ranch is a classic for a reason!
21. CHICKEN COBB SALAD
Truthfully, I’ve been a Cobb Salad fan for years and year but this is the first time I’ve shared a recipe! And this one is great! I like that my family can grab what they’d like from the rows of toppings. It’s great for getting kids to try new things or making picky eaters happy!
22. TURKEY BURGERS
These turkey burgers are a hit with the family and cost less than $10 to make. Grab a pack of ground turkey for about $4-6 and some hamburger buns. Don’t forget to check out Aldi’s salad kits, which often go on sale for 99 cents. Pick up some avocados and cheddar cheese to complete the meal! Every time I make these the family is shocked how good they are considering they are turkey!
23. BAKED EGGPLANT PARMESAN
This is one of my favorite baked eggplant parmesan recipes because the eggplant is baked and not fried. While I really enjoy fried eggplant, my thighs really don’t. And I find that using this method is just as delicious without all the extra calories.
Watch The 23 Best Recipes of 2023 on My YouTube Channel:
FOR MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:
- 8 Meals that Saved Me $100’s
- 20 Expert Tips to Slash Your Grocery Bill
- Cheap but Underrated Budget Meals
MORE MONEY SAVING RECIPES TO TRY:
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