Cheap & Easy Weeknight Dinner

I’m not sure what to even call this besides our “dump dinner”. It’s not a pretty name for it, but it’s the perfect dinner to clean out the fridge!

Here’s what I used:

Potatoes

Carrots

Onion

Green pepper

Sausage

Garlic

Seasoning: season salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, paprika, & black pepper.

Substitute any of the veggies for whatever you have in the fridge!

Cover and put in the oven on 425° for about an hour and a half, removing the foil the last 30 minutes.

#budgetmeals #cheapdinner #budgetdinner #dinner #food #dinnerideas #lemon8food #lemon8 #foryoupage #fyp @Lemon8 Food

2024/9/12 Edited to

... Read moreAs someone who's always looking for cheap & easy weeknight dinner solutions, let me tell you, this 'dump dinner' has been an absolute game-changer in my kitchen! It's not just a recipe; it's a strategy for tackling those evenings when you're tired, hungry, and trying to stick to a budget. I've found it to be one of the best cheap hearty meals out there because it truly fills you up without emptying your wallet. What makes this type of weeknight dinner so brilliant? First, it's all about using up what you have. That half onion, those last few carrots, a bell pepper that's seen better days – they all find a happy home here. This means less food waste and more savings. I always keep staple ingredients like potatoes and some kind of sausage on hand, so even when my fridge looks bare, I can still pull together something delicious. It's truly an easy food to make when you're short on time and energy. Let's talk about making it your own, because that's where the magic truly happens with cheap easy meals. While I love potatoes, carrots, and sausage, you can swap out almost anything! For proteins, try diced chicken, turkey sausage, or even a can of drained chickpeas for a vegetarian twist. For veggies, broccoli, zucchini, sweet potatoes, or even some canned corn can be fantastic additions. The key is to cut everything into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. This flexibility also means you can adapt it to what's on sale or what's in season, making it even more of an easy budget recipe. To make this an even more hearty meal on a budget, don't be shy with your seasonings. That blend of seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, paprika, and black pepper creates such a comforting flavor profile. But feel free to experiment! A dash of cayenne for a kick, some Italian seasoning for a different vibe, or even a sprinkle of cheese in the last few minutes can elevate it. Baking everything at 425° for about an hour and a half, removing the foil for the last 30 minutes, ensures everything is tender and perfectly roasted. And for those of you with large family gatherings on a budget, this recipe scales up beautifully! Just use a bigger pan (or two!), increase your ingredients, and you've got a fantastic, filling meal that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank. It's truly one of my favorite cheap dinner ideas because it delivers on both taste and practicality. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite weekday dinner solution!

41 comments

Jordan Pate's images
Jordan Pate

Update: I used Conecuh sausage. And it is perfect 😍🙌 Thank you for this recipe!

Jordan Pate's images
Jordan Pate

I bought Conecuh sausage, is that okay to use? I’m asking because most smoked sausage is cooked already.. this sausage isn’t. So I was wondering would I cook a little longer or maybe cook the sausage about halfway first?

See more comments

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