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Even when you’re on a budget, you can cook up a healthy dinner the whole family will love. Look to these recipes for inspiration featuring cheap, healthy staples like canned beans, frozen vegetables and whole grains.
01of 24American GoulashView RecipeAmerican goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
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American Goulash
View Recipe
American goulash, also known as old-fashioned goulash, is the perfect economical family meal. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, so this satisfying dish can cook in just one pot.
02of 24Alphabet SoupView RecipeRecite your ABC’s while you enjoy this kid-friendly soup that you can feel good about serving–it’s packed with healthy vegetables. If you can’t find alphabet noodles, any small pasta (like orzo) will work.
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Alphabet Soup
Recite your ABC’s while you enjoy this kid-friendly soup that you can feel good about serving–it’s packed with healthy vegetables. If you can’t find alphabet noodles, any small pasta (like orzo) will work.
03of 24Two-Ingredient-Dough Margherita PizzaView RecipeYou won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make this healthy pizza. Thanks to a two-ingredient dough that combines self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, there is no need for a rise time. Just roll, top and bake, and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in under half an hour.
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Two-Ingredient-Dough Margherita Pizza
You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make this healthy pizza. Thanks to a two-ingredient dough that combines self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, there is no need for a rise time. Just roll, top and bake, and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in under half an hour.
04of 24Chicken Cordon BleuThis classic chicken recipe for crispy chicken breasts filled with ham and melty cheese is baked, instead of fried, for a lightened-up, delicious dinner.
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Chicken Cordon Bleu
This classic chicken recipe for crispy chicken breasts filled with ham and melty cheese is baked, instead of fried, for a lightened-up, delicious dinner.
05of 24Healthy Oven-Fried Pork ChopsView RecipeThese whole-wheat panko breadcrumb-coated pork chops get just as crispy as fried chops, but they’re healthier. Oven-frying saves you fat and calories while producing chops that are crispy on the outside, yet juicy inside. Serve with steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
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Healthy Oven-Fried Pork Chops
These whole-wheat panko breadcrumb-coated pork chops get just as crispy as fried chops, but they’re healthier. Oven-frying saves you fat and calories while producing chops that are crispy on the outside, yet juicy inside. Serve with steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
06of 24Chili-Cheese NachosView RecipeMake nachos a healthy dinner when you top them with an easy 30-minute chili. Serve this healthy recipe with sliced scallions, avocado, fresh tomatoes and sour cream, if desired.
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Chili-Cheese Nachos
Make nachos a healthy dinner when you top them with an easy 30-minute chili. Serve this healthy recipe with sliced scallions, avocado, fresh tomatoes and sour cream, if desired.
07of 24Tortilla Pepperoni PizzaView RecipeThis easy pizza takes only 15 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients you could find in your pantry. Tomato paste adds flavor without sogging out the crust. Skip the pepperoni for a vegetarian-friendly version, or add your own favorite toppings.
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Tortilla Pepperoni Pizza
This easy pizza takes only 15 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients you could find in your pantry. Tomato paste adds flavor without sogging out the crust. Skip the pepperoni for a vegetarian-friendly version, or add your own favorite toppings.
08of 24Black Bean TacosView RecipeMixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings.
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Black Bean Tacos
Mixing mashed canned beans with whole beans and seasonings makes an incredibly simple taco filling from your pantry. Top these speedy 5-ingredient tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa or any of your favorite taco toppings.
09of 24Pineapple-Teriyaki ChickenView RecipeGrilled teriyaki chicken with pineapple can be made with just a few pantry staples. Although it’s delicious when made with canned pineapple, fresh pineapple and its juice can easily be used in its place. Serve with brown rice and snow peas.
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Pineapple-Teriyaki Chicken
Grilled teriyaki chicken with pineapple can be made with just a few pantry staples. Although it’s delicious when made with canned pineapple, fresh pineapple and its juice can easily be used in its place. Serve with brown rice and snow peas.
10of 24Oven-Fried Beef TaquitosView RecipeThis healthy beef taquitos recipe calls for baking instead of deep-frying, making the taquitos substantially healthier than what you’d get at a restaurant. One order of these little deep-fried, rolled-up tacos at a restaurant can set you back almost 1,000 calories and 60 grams of fat! Don’t worry if some of the taquitos crack open while baking–they’re still crispy and delicious. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole and reduced-fat sour cream.
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Oven-Fried Beef Taquitos
This healthy beef taquitos recipe calls for baking instead of deep-frying, making the taquitos substantially healthier than what you’d get at a restaurant. One order of these little deep-fried, rolled-up tacos at a restaurant can set you back almost 1,000 calories and 60 grams of fat! Don’t worry if some of the taquitos crack open while baking–they’re still crispy and delicious. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole and reduced-fat sour cream.
11of 24Quick Roast Chicken & Root VegetablesView RecipeRoasted chicken in 45 minutes? No problem. This technique of starting bone-in chicken breasts on the stovetop and finishing them in a hot oven with vegetables gets a hearty dinner on the table in a hurry. While everything roasts, you still have time to make a quick pan sauce with shallot and Dijon mustard. Serve with a spinach salad.
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Quick Roast Chicken & Root Vegetables
Roasted chicken in 45 minutes? No problem. This technique of starting bone-in chicken breasts on the stovetop and finishing them in a hot oven with vegetables gets a hearty dinner on the table in a hurry. While everything roasts, you still have time to make a quick pan sauce with shallot and Dijon mustard. Serve with a spinach salad.
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Half-Hour Chili
13of 24Loaded Twice-Baked PotatoesView RecipePotatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a satisfying mixture of lean ground beef and broccoli florets plus reduced-fat sour cream and Cheddar cheese. Add a tossed salad and you have a healthy and hearty meal that will leave you feeling good.
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Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the great comfort foods, especially when stuffed with a satisfying mixture of lean ground beef and broccoli florets plus reduced-fat sour cream and Cheddar cheese. Add a tossed salad and you have a healthy and hearty meal that will leave you feeling good.
14of 24Oven-Barbecued Pork ChopsView RecipeNeed a little summertime flavor? Try this swift recipe and enjoy a “barbecue” indoors. Make it a meal: Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.
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Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops
Need a little summertime flavor? Try this swift recipe and enjoy a “barbecue” indoors. Make it a meal: Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.
15of 24Tofu ParmigianaView RecipeInstead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu “steaks” in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.
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Tofu Parmigiana
Instead of having a greasy, battered coating, the tofu “steaks” in our revamped Parmigiana are breaded and lightly pan-fried in just a small amount of oil then topped with part-skim mozzarella, fresh basil and your favorite marinara sauce. This Italian classic will please even those who are tofu-phobic.
16of 24Cheesy Chicken PastaView RecipeThis ooey-gooey pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike–think rich and creamy macaroni-and-cheese tossed with cauliflower and chicken. Serve with a spinach salad.
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Cheesy Chicken Pasta
This ooey-gooey pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike–think rich and creamy macaroni-and-cheese tossed with cauliflower and chicken. Serve with a spinach salad.
17of 24BBQ Chicken TendersView RecipeThese crispy chicken “wings,” made with boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders, stay crispy with only a light coating of oil–no deep-frying needed. Serve as an appetizer or try them for dinner with crunchy vegetables and dip on the side.
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BBQ Chicken Tenders
These crispy chicken “wings,” made with boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders, stay crispy with only a light coating of oil–no deep-frying needed. Serve as an appetizer or try them for dinner with crunchy vegetables and dip on the side.
18of 24Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy JoesView RecipeTwo of our favorite comfort-food sandwiches join forces in these family-friendly dinner sandwiches. We found that softer buns make this easier to eat, and it’s all the better when wrapped takeout-style in a sheet of foil.
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Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Two of our favorite comfort-food sandwiches join forces in these family-friendly dinner sandwiches. We found that softer buns make this easier to eat, and it’s all the better when wrapped takeout-style in a sheet of foil.
19of 24Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & OnionsView RecipeThese 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.
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Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions
These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table.
20of 24One-Pot Greek PastaView RecipeA little bit of Sunday meal prep goes a long way in this one-dish Mediterranean pasta recipe. The pasta is cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge to use for meals all week, but any leftover cooked pasta you have on hand will do. Chicken sausage with feta is especially good in this recipe.
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One-Pot Greek Pasta
A little bit of Sunday meal prep goes a long way in this one-dish Mediterranean pasta recipe. The pasta is cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge to use for meals all week, but any leftover cooked pasta you have on hand will do. Chicken sausage with feta is especially good in this recipe.
21of 24Easy Chicken Enchilada CasseroleView RecipeCasseroles make perfect meal-prep dinners–this enchilada version is so easy to prep ahead. The whole casserole can be built and left to hang out in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then all you have to do is bake it off on a busy night and you have a healthy dinner on the table in a jiff. The quick homemade enchilada sauce in this recipe is great when you don’t have any of the canned sauce on hand–just season crushed tomatoes with spices and salt for an instant enchilada sauce.
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Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Casseroles make perfect meal-prep dinners–this enchilada version is so easy to prep ahead. The whole casserole can be built and left to hang out in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then all you have to do is bake it off on a busy night and you have a healthy dinner on the table in a jiff. The quick homemade enchilada sauce in this recipe is great when you don’t have any of the canned sauce on hand–just season crushed tomatoes with spices and salt for an instant enchilada sauce.
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Skillet Chicken Parm
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Mexican Skillet Lasagna
24of 24Freezer Bean & Cheese BurritosView RecipeThis copycat version of store-bought frozen burritos is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch to store in the freezer for healthy packable lunches or a quick campsite meal.
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Freezer Bean & Cheese Burritos
This copycat version of store-bought frozen burritos is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch to store in the freezer for healthy packable lunches or a quick campsite meal.
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