Luxury Meals on a Budget – 20 Five-Star Recipes Under $15!

 1. Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 4 medium potatoes (diced)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the herb mixture onto the chicken thighs.
4. Arrange the chicken, potatoes, and carrots on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Cost: $12

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2. Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin (sliced thin)
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and cornstarch.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned.
3. Add broccoli and stir-fry until tender.
4. Pour in the sauce mixture and cook until thickened.
5. Serve with rice or noodles.

Cost: $13

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 3. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 5 sandwich buns
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
2. Slow cook pork in a crockpot on low for 8 hours or until tender.
3. Shred the pork and mix with BBQ sauce and vinegar.
4. Serve on sandwich buns.

Cost: $14

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4. Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. In a bowl, mix cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, basil, and salt.
4. Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and parmesan.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Cost: $12

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5. Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia

Ingredients:

• 5 tilapia fillets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and serve.

Cost: $10

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6. Cheesy Baked Pasta Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
3. Mix cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and parmesan.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Cost: $12

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7. Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably cold)
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry until tender.
3. Push veggies to the side and scramble eggs in the pan.
4. Add cold rice and soy sauce, stir well, and cook for 5-7 minutes.
5. Serve hot!

Cost: $10

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8. Chili Mac

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef in a pot until browned.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
4. Mix pasta with chili, top with shredded cheese, and serve.

Cost: $13

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9. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 5 bell peppers (tops cut off, seeds removed)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ground beef in a pan, add tomatoes and cumin.
3. Mix in rice and stuff each pepper.
4. Place peppers in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Cost: $12

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10. Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants (sliced)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried basil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Layer baked eggplant slices with marinara sauce and cheese in a baking dish.
4. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly.

Cost: $12

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 11. Loaded Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 5 large russet potatoes
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crispy bacon (crumbled)
• 2 green onions (sliced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake potatoes for 45-60 minutes, until tender.
3. Slice potatoes open and fluff the insides with a fork.
4. Top with sour cream, cheese, bacon, green onions, salt, and pepper.
5. Serve immediately!

Cost: $10

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12. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

• 10 chicken drumsticks
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Coat drumsticks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through.
4. Brush with BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy.

Cost: $12

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13. Veggie Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan, add garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender.
3. Add soy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Serve with rice or noodles!

Cost: $10

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14. Shakshuka

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until softened.
2. Add tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Make wells in the sauce and crack eggs into the wells.
4. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until eggs are set.
5. Serve with pita bread!

Cost: $10

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15. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 5 sandwich buns
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken breasts in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours until tender.
2. Shred the chicken and mix with BBQ sauce.
3. Serve on sandwich buns.

Cost: $12

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16. Gnocchi with Garlic Butter

Ingredients:

• 1 package gnocchi
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook gnocchi according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Toss cooked gnocchi in garlic butter.
4. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

Cost: $12

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17. Margherita Flatbread Pizza

Ingredients:

• 2 flatbreads
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella (sliced)
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread marinara sauce over flatbreads.
3. Add mozzarella slices and bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
4. Top with fresh basil and drizzle with olive oil.

Cost: $11

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18. Baked Zucchini Boats

Ingredients:

• 4 zucchinis (cut in half and hollowed out)
• 1 lb ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ground meat in a pan, add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
3. Stuff zucchini halves with the meat mixture and top with mozzarella.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.

Cost: $12

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19. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 20 jumbo pasta shells
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup spinach (cooked and chopped)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions.
3. Mix ricotta and spinach and stuff the shells.
4. Place stuffed shells in a baking dish, cover with marinara sauce, and top with mozzarella.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

Cost: $13

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 20. Creamy Penne Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• 1/2 cup red onion (diced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Add pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
4. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.

Cost: $10

Turkey & Chicken Leftovers |20 Fast, Cheap & Tasty Dinners Meal Ideas | For 5+ People

 

 Turkey or Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked white rice (preferably cold)
• 1 cup leftover chicken or turkey, diced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add diced meat and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Push meat to one side, pour in beaten eggs, and scramble until cooked.
4. Add rice and frozen vegetables, stirring well to combine.
5. Drizzle soy sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through.
6. Top with green onions before serving (optional).

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 BBQ Chicken/Turkey Sliders

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 8 slider buns
• 1 cup coleslaw (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, combine shredded meat and BBQ sauce. Cook until warmed through.
2. Toast slider buns in a separate pan or oven, if desired.
3. Assemble sliders: layer BBQ meat and a spoonful of coleslaw on each bun.
4. Serve immediately with chips or a side salad.

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 Chicken/Turkey Tacos

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add shredded meat, taco seasoning, and water. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring until the meat is coated and heated through.
2. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
3. Fill each tortilla with seasoned meat and desired toppings.
4. Serve with rice or beans on the side.

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 Leftover Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or diced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 packet chili seasoning (or 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth or water

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened.
2. Add turkey, beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir well.
3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Serve hot with cornbread or crackers.

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Chicken/Turkey Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 tbsp butter or oil

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter or oil.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle half with shredded meat, cheese, and a spoonful of salsa.
3. Fold the tortilla in half and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
4. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Slice into wedges and serve with sour cream or guacamole.

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 Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or diced
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 refrigerated pie crust (or homemade)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix turkey, vegetables, soup, milk, and pepper.
3. Pour mixture into a pie dish. Place pie crust on top, sealing the edges.
4. Cut a few slits in the crust for ventilation. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.