12 Cheap Large Family Dinners

Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Casserole

This comforting casserole is packed with tender chicken and fresh vegetables, making it a perfect, affordable meal for large families.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broccoli, carrots, celery, chicken broth, and cream of chicken soup.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and crushed cornflakes on top.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
6. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

One-Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

A family favorite that combines homemade meatballs and spaghetti in a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in one pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 lb spaghetti
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then form into meatballs.
2. In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
3. Add the meatballs to the pot, browning them on all sides.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add dry spaghetti to the pot, breaking if necessary, and ensure it's submerged in the sauce.
6. Cover and simmer until the spaghetti is cooked and the sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.

Beef and Bean Chili

This hearty chili combines beef and beans with a medley of spices for a warming, budget-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic, draining excess fat.
2. Stir in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
4. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

This creamy pasta bake with tuna is an easy and delicious meal, perfect for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pasta shells
• 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a greased baking dish.
4. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu

This quick and easy stir-fry is loaded with colorful vegetables and protein-rich tofu, making it a healthy option for the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, cubed
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan and add cubed tofu, cooking until browned on all sides.
2. Add broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, and onion to the pan, stirring frequently.
3. Pour in soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Continue to stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Cheesy Baked Ziti

This cheesy baked ziti is a sumptuous dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a large family.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions, then drain.
2. Mix cooked pasta with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese.
3. Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet

A nutritious and cost-effective dish, this skillet meal features ground turkey and sweet potatoes for a balanced family dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 large sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks.
2. Add onion, garlic, and sweet potatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine.
3. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.

Sausage and Bean Stew

This hearty stew combines flavorful sausage with beans in a rich, savory broth, making it a perfect dinner for large groups.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sausage, sliced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, cook sausage slices until browned; remove and set aside.
2. Add onion and garlic to the pot, sautéing until translucent.
3. Stir in kidney beans, white beans, chicken broth, and browned sausage.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer for 20 minutes.

BBQ Chicken and Rice

This BBQ chicken and rice dish is a flavorful and easy-to-make meal that satisfies the whole family.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and cover with BBQ sauce.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cooked through.
4. In a large bowl, mix cooked rice, corn, and black beans.
5. Slice cooked chicken and serve over the rice mixture.

Vegetable and Lentil Soup

A healthy, filling soup that pairs the earthiness of lentils with a variety of fresh vegetables for a nourishing meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add carrots, celery, lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender.