Cheap Easy Meals for 2
Simple & Affordable Recipes
60+ simple, budget-friendly meals perfect for couples. Easy recipes under $8 that take 30 minutes or less. No complicated techniques, just delicious food.
Easy Meals by Cooking Time
5-Minute Meals
Super quick meals when you're in a rush
Instant Ramen Upgrade
15-Minute Meals
Quick and satisfying meals in quarter hour
30-Minute Meals
Complete meals ready in half an hour
Chicken Stir Fry
Sample Week of Cheap Easy Meals
Total Week Cost: $40.80
Daily average: $5.83 • Save $200+ vs dining out
Monday
Simple start to the week
Tuesday
Taco Tuesday vibes
Wednesday
Midweek comfort food
Thursday
Quick and easy
Friday
Friday night treat
Saturday
Weekend comfort
Sunday
Prepare for the week
Easy Cooking Success Tips
Keep It Simple
Use 5 ingredients or fewer
- One-pot meals reduce cleanup time
- Pre-cooked ingredients save steps
- Simple seasonings work best
- Fresh herbs add flavor without cost
Smart Shopping
Buy ingredients that work in multiple meals
- Rice and pasta are meal foundations
- Eggs work for any meal time
- Frozen vegetables last longer
- Buy meat on sale and freeze
Time Management
Cook smarter, not harder
- Prep vegetables when you buy them
- Cook grains in batches
- Use a rice cooker for hands-off cooking
- Clean as you go to save time
Flavor Shortcuts
Maximum taste with minimal effort
- Pre-made sauces save time
- Garlic and onion improve everything
- Lemon juice brightens flavors
- Cheese makes everything better
Essential Ingredients for Easy Meals
Stock these basics to always have easy meal options available
Proteins
- Eggs
- Canned tuna
- Dried beans
- Peanut butter
Grains
- Rice
- Pasta
- Bread
- Oats
Vegetables
- Onions
- Garlic
- Frozen mix
- Canned tomatoes
Seasonings
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Hot sauce
Dairy
- Cheese
- Milk
- Butter
- Yogurt
Meals by Your Cooking Skill
Beginner
Never cooked before? Start here
Perfect Meals:
- Scrambled eggs
- Toast variations
- Instant noodles
- Sandwiches
Tips for Success:
Getting Confident
Basic skills, ready for more
Perfect Meals:
- Pasta dishes
- Stir fries
- Omelets
- Simple soups
Tips for Success:
Kitchen Pro
Comfortable cooking, want efficiency
Perfect Meals:
- One-pot meals
- Meal prep dishes
- Creative leftovers
- Flavor combinations
Tips for Success:
More Easy Cooking Tools
Cheap Dinner Ideas for 2
More budget-friendly dinner recipes for couples
15-Minute Meals
Super quick recipes when time is tight
AI Recipe Generator
Create easy recipes from your ingredients
Food Picker
Filter meals by effort level and budget
Budget Cooking Guide
Learn money-saving cooking strategies
Shopping List Maker
Generate shopping lists for easy meals
Start Cooking Easy, Cheap Meals Tonight
With these simple recipes and tips, you'll be making delicious, affordable meals for two in no time.