11 Budget-Friendly Quick-Fix Meals

Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese

If your family loves mac and cheese, try a twist on the traditional by adding ground beef and taco seasoning. The add-in opportunities are endless!

• Recipe: Taco Dinner Mac and Cheese
• Watch: Quick-Fix Mac and Cheese

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Canned biscuits turn into delicious dumplings in this quick-and-easy version of the traditional recipe. Use deli-roasted chicken to save time; one roasted chicken yields about 3 cups, the amount needed for this recipe.

• Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings 

Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch Noodles

Total Time: 20 minutes

Just stir a few ingredients into cooked noodles for a super-fast, creamy supper. Maximize your time by steaming the broccoli and chopping the cooked ham while the pasta cooks.

• Recipe: Ham-and-Broccoli Ranch Noodles

Speedy Lasagna

Jarred spaghetti sauce and no-cook noodles take the labor out of this hearty traditional lasagna. The microwave speeds up the whole process and gets the dish on the table in an hour.

• Recipe: Speedy Lasagna 

Extra Cheesy Grilled Cheese

Online User Comment:
"I made these with sourdough and they were amazingly delicious. Then again, how can you go wrong with butter and cheese :)"
-tobey

Recipe: Extra Cheesy Grilled Cheese

 

Richard’s Sloppy Joes

Jalapeños give Richard’s Sloppy Joes a zesty kick. If you prefer less spice, just reduce the amount of picked peppers.

• Recipe: Richard’s Sloppy Joes

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Total Time: 20 minutes

A homemade white sauce ready in 10 minutes? Yes, please. Round out the meal with a mixed green salad and lightly toasted Italian bread. You can lighten up the entrée by using reduced fat turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk.

• Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Mini-Cheeseburgers

Bake Mini-Cheeseburgers easily in the oven for a new take on an old favorite. The small size is kid-friendly, and cooked patties can be frozen for a quick solution for school lunches.

• Recipe: Mini-Cheeseburgers

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Enjoy fried chicken without the added fat or mess. Dredge the tenders in saltine crackers and pecans to add an extra layer of crispiness and a nutty flavor. Then lightly coat them with cooking spray just before baking to ensure an extra crisp crust every time. Serve this simple weeknight meal of oven-fried yum with your favorite honey mustard or Ranch dressing.

• Recipe: Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Chicken Parmesan Pizza

A frozen garlic bread loaf and deli fried chicken strips ensure this five-ingredient pizza will be ready for the oven in only 15 minutes. Serve it with a simple romaine lettuce salad tossed with grated Parmesan cheese, croutons, and your favorite bottled Caesar dressing.

• Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Supper Ideas from the Pros
Test Kitchen Professional Rebecca Gordon shows you how to cook Chicken Parmsan Pizza for supper tonight.

• Watch

Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu

Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu will be on the table in 20 minutes. If you don't have Swiss cheese or Canadian bacon, don't stress. Substitute with what you have on hand--cheddar or Provolone and ham or turkey deli slices would be delicious. Complete the meal with a microwavable bag of rice and a simple green salad.

• Recipe: Easy Skillet Cordon Bleu

Supper Ideas from the Pros

Jump start supper in no time with more kid and budget friendly meal ideas from Test Kitchen Professional Rebecca Gordon.
• Watch

Send Us Your Recipe!
Do you have a great time-saving supper recipe? If so, we'd love to try it.
• E-mail Us