Dinner time is a special moment in every home – the whole family sits together at one table and eats food, and talks throughout the day. But in today’s times of inflation, making new dishes daily can put a little stress on the budget as well. So why not we explore some such dinner ideas which are pocket-friendly and tasty too?
In this blog, we will talk about some amazing, budget-friendly dinner recipes that can be made using the staples of your kitchen, will be liked by your family too, and will fit in the budget too. So let’s start!
Table of Contents
🌾 1. Khichdi – cheap, tasty and healthy
Cost-effective, nutritious and quick dinner option.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tomato (optional)
• 1 tsp jeera
• Turmeric, salt, and garam masala
• Ghee or oil
Recipe:
1. Wash rice and lentils and soak for 15 minutes.
2. Heat ghee in cooker, add cumin.
3. Add onion, fry lightly. If you want to add tomatoes then add it now.
4. Add turmeric and salt and add rice-lentils.
5. Put 3-4 cups of water and cook till 3-4 whistles.
Serve with curd and pickles. This is a very light, nutritious and budget-friendly meal.
🥔 2. Potato and Tomato Sabzi + Roti
Simple Desi dinner that never fails!
Ingredients:
• 3-4 potatoes
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 onion (optional)
• Turmeric, chilli, coriander powder
• Cumin, asafoetida
Recipe:
1. Boil the potatoes. Peel and chop them.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin and asafoetida.
3. Fry onion and tomatoes. Add spices.
4. Fry the potatoes and add some water, let the gravy prepare.
Serve with roti. Cheap, quick and full desi vibe!
🍝 3. Vegetable Masala Pasta – with Desi Tadka
Kids’ favourite, a little cheaper but still in the budget.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup pasta (any shape)
• Mixed veggies (carrot, capsicum, peas)
• Onion, tomato, garlic
• Salt, chilli flakes, oregano, turmeric, garam masala
Recipe:
1. Boil the pasta.
2. Saute onion-garlic in oil, then add the veggies.
3. Add tomatoes and spices. A little ketchup also works.
4. Add pasta, mix well.
Budget Tip: Use whatever veggies are in the fridge!
🍛 4. Chole + Rice – Protein-packed Punjabi Delight
Friends, eating a plate of chole rice makes someone happy.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup chickpeas (soaked)
• Onion, tomato, ginger-garlic
• Chole masala, turmeric, salt
Recipe:
1. Pressure cook the chickpeas.
2. Make onion-tomato masala.
3. Add chickpeas to the masala, add some water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve with steamed rice or even roti. It is filling and economical too!
🧅 5. Onion Paratha + Curd
When you can’t understand anything, Paratha is the right one!
Ingredients:
• Flour
• Finely chopped onion
• Green chilli, coriander
• Salt, ajwain (optional)
Recipe:
1. Make dough, fill onion mixture.
2. Fry on a pan with ghee or oil.
Serve with curd and pickles. Simple, fast, and budget king!
🥬 6. Mixed Veg Pulao – One Pot Wonder
Leftover veggies? They can be used perfectly here!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup rice
• Mixed veggies
• Onion, cumin
• Salt, turmeric, garam masala
Recipe:
1. Fry onions in cooker, add veggies.
2. Mix spices, pulses and rice.
3. Add 2 cups of water and take 2-3 sips.
A very easy and low-cost meal. Serve with Raita.
🥣 7. Besan Chilla – Quick Protein Fix
It tastes like breakfast, but is best for dinner too.
Ingredients:
• Besan
• Onion, tomato, coriander
• Salt, turmeric, ajwain
Recipe:
1. Make the batter, add veggies.
2. Fry the chillies on a pan.
Serve with green chutney or curd. It reminds me of my childhood!
🌽 8. Corn-Cheese Toast – Light Dinner Option
If you want something light and light in dinner.
Ingredients:
• Bread
• Corn (boiled)
• Cheese
• Salt, chilli flakes
Recipe:
1. Spread corn-cheese on bread.
2. Toast in a pan or oven till cheese melts.
Serve with ketchup. Children’s favourite!
🥦 9. Tawa Fried Rice – Leftover Ka Jadoo
If you have leftover rice from last night, this is the perfect solution.
Ingredients:
• Cooked rice
• Onion, capsicum, carrot
• Soy sauce, salt, pepper
Recipe:
1. Stir fry the vegetables.
2. Add rice and sauces. Mix well.
Full-on restaurant feel at home budget!
🧆 10. Sookhe Kale Chane + Poori
Special feel, simple cost!
Ingredients:
• Black chickpeas (soaked)
• Onion, ginger, spices
• Flour for Poori
Recipe:
1. Boil the chickpeas.
2. Roast the masala, add chickpeas and dry them.
3. Make a Poori and serve.
Sunday dinner sorted!
🍽️ Final Tips for Budget-Friendly Dinner Planning:
1. Plan meals – make a weekly menu, avoid random shopping.
2. Use leftovers – next day’s lunch or a new dish can be prepared.
3. Buy seasonal veggies – they are cheap and fresh too.
4. Buy staples in bulk – keep a stock of dal, rice, atta.
5. Keep meat-less days – Veg meals are generally pocket-friendly.
💬 What is your favourite budget dinner?
I hope these recipes inspire you to try some new and pocket-friendly options in your daily dinners. Share your special home recipes or tips with us in the comments! 😊
Food can be tasty as well as budget-friendly — with a little planning and desi jugaad!