Beans are a budget cook’s BFF. At about a dollar a can, they’re one of the cheapest protein sources you can snag at the supermarket. Black and pinto beans are the stars of this warmly spiced Mexican lasagna. To turn up the heat for about the same price, trade in a poblano for the green bell pepper to give this budget Mexican casserole some mild kick. Buy It: 2-Piece Pyrex Glass Bakeware Set, $11, Walmart A pound of chicken breasts is plenty to feed six when you incorporate bite-size pieces of the protein with hearty, fiber-filled ingredients like sliced mushrooms, broccoli, and farro. A carton of Greek yogurt is the secretly healthy addition that makes this budget-friendly casserole remarkably creamy. Meat can be pricey. Extend the flavor and satisfaction factor of beef and pork by mixing a small amount with a pile of earthy mushrooms. Combined with barley, tomatoes, cheese, and more in these individually portioned casseroles, 4 ounces of meat stretches further than you’d think. Yes, superfoods like kale can fit in your grocery budget. Stir them into this cheesy Italian gnocchi casserole, and even picky eaters will be kale converts. Hearty gnocchi bulk up this budget casserole recipe so you won’t wake up craving a midnight snack. Think of this cheesy pasta bake like a meatier, easy-to-make-ahead take on eggplant Parmesan. A moderate amount of ground beef goes far thanks to the addition of multigrain pasta, diced tomatoes, and the aforementioned eggplant. This budget-friendly recipe makes six servings, so you might even have leftovers for lunch the next day. Short on time? Turn to this ground beef skillet casserole that features all of your favorite taco-night flavors in one 25-minute, pantry-clean-out package. Stock up on salsa, canned beans, tomato sauce, and crunchy taco shells so you’re never more than moments from a delicious, low-calorie dinner. Buy It: Farberware Non-Stick 12-Inch Skillet, $30, Walmart Don’t fuss over individual breakfast sandwiches or entrées. This simple ham and cheese casserole bakes up 12 warm portions in one pan. Deli ham and sliced cheese, plus nine eggs, are the cheap components that make this anytime casserole taste like a Denver omelet. Thick slices of sourdough bread help soak up all the goodness of this budget-friendly breakfast casserole. No need to fuss with kneading, shaping, and arranging a crust. This pizza-flavored beef casserole flips the concept and features a biscuit topping. With your extra 98 cents, add your favorite toppings like bell pepper, onion, garlic, and/or top with herbs like basil or oregano for a fresh finish. Give leftover chicken and frozen veggies new life in this comfort food casserole. (Don’t worry, we included the cost of the precooked meat in the price.) Pies that call for homemade, flaky crust like this one are affordable because the dough requires only flour, butter, and salt—though you can shortcut this recipe with a store-bought crust if you have one on hand. On the hunt for budget-friendly breakfast casseroles? It’s hard to go wrong with this sausage- and egg-filled dish that clocks in at a little more than $1.00 per serving. Flaky biscuits mixed with sausage, eggs, and plenty of cheese makes a delicious morning casserole recipe, but you could enjoy it as a breakfast-for-dinner dish, too. This Mexican mash-up meal combines everything you love about fajitas and tortilla soup in one cheap, one-pan meal. Amp up the flavor of canned tomatoes and shredded chicken with small amounts of bolder ingredients like fresh cilantro. This cheap casserole recipe brings you the best of cheeseburgers and pizza. Use refrigerated pizza dough to create a deep-dish style crust in a casserole pan, then fill it with ground beef, Italian sausage, and your favorite cheeseburger toppings. (Think pickles and cheese.) We included the cost of condiments like ketchup and mustard in our calculations, so if you’ve already got them in your fridge, this budget casserole becomes even more affordable. Introducing, one of the cheapest casseroles on our list! Not only is it easy on your wallet, but this pizza-flavored dinner is healthier than you’d expect, too, thanks to spiralized zucchini noodles. The cost and calorie count leave enough wiggle room to add a breadstick or two to the menu, if you like. This zesty enchilada casserole recipe is packed with black beans, corn, and your protein of choice. Shredded pork, turkey, and chicken are all equally delicious when they’re covered with green enchilada sauce, so choose whichever you want to make this budget casserole dish. You can grab whichever one’s on sale or use leftovers from last night’s dinner and knock the price-per-serving down even more. Cauliflower rice is trendy and thrifty. It replaces pasta or rice in this chicken Alfredo casserole, which is conveniently made with jarred pasta sauce, rotisserie chicken, and a bag of baby spinach. The rich Alfredo sauce makes this budget casserole taste decadent, but it’s healthy thanks to all those veggies. Potato tot casserole, meet budget-friendly dinners. To bulk up the tots for a hearty meal, we added shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Alfredo sauce. Add a little freshness to your plate at the end by topping with juicy cherry tomatoes. Buy It: BIA Porcelain Oval Baking Dish, $22, Bed Bath & Beyond Convenient items like a box of pasta, jarred marinara, and frozen Italian meatballs streamline the prep for this mozzarella-dolloped dish. A side salad and garlic bread make it a complete Italian meal. We love budget dinner recipes, but we love ’em even more when they’re as easy as this cheap casserole. Less than 200 calories and $2 per scoop? That’s a win-win. For a garnish that’s equal parts creamy and crunchy, sprinkle on chopped avocado and crumbled corn chips. You could also top off this spinach and chicken casserole with fresh cherry tomatoes. Meat and potatoes are good, but you know what’s even better? Meat and potatoes with pasta and a topping of melty cheddar cheese. Those are a few of the eight layers in this cheap casserole. We’ve also layered in spinach, cream cheese, and tomato sauce.
