15 Budget-Friendly Summer Dinners Under $5
Let’s be honest — feeding yourself (or your family) during summer can get pricey fast, especially when you’re juggling pool days, BBQs, road trips, and late-night cravings. But guess what? Dinner doesn’t have to drain your bank account.
These 15 recipes are cool, crave-worthy, and cost under $5 per meal — sometimes way less. We’re talking fresh veggies, pantry staples, and smart shortcuts that turn budget basics into seriously delicious summer dinners.
1. Garlic Butter Pasta with Zucchini
Cost per serving: ~$1.25
Description:
This one’s as cheap as it is comforting. Sautéed zucchini in garlic butter gets tossed with pasta for a super simple, summery dish that tastes way fancier than it is. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan if you’ve got it on hand!
Ingredients:
- ½ lb spaghetti
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, pepper, chili flakes
Instructions:
- Cook pasta, reserve ¼ cup water.
- Sauté garlic in butter, add zucchini and cook until golden.
- Toss with drained pasta and pasta water.
- Season and serve warm or cold.
2. Egg Fried Rice with Veggies
Cost per serving: ~$1.50
Description:
Got leftover rice? This 10-minute wonder is packed with flavor and protein thanks to scrambled eggs and colorful veggies. You don’t even need a wok — just a big skillet and some soy sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (day-old is best)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup frozen mixed veggies
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions:
- Scramble eggs in a hot pan and set aside.
- Add oil, sauté veggies, then stir in rice.
- Add eggs back in, drizzle soy sauce, and toss everything together.
3. Cheesy Bean Quesadillas
Cost per serving: ~$1.75
Description:
These crispy, melty quesadillas are made with canned beans, cheese, and tortillas — and they’ll fill you up fast. Serve them with salsa, sour cream, or just as-is for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 can refried or black beans
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- 4 tortillas
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Spread beans and cheese on half of each tortilla.
- Fold and fry in a skillet until golden on both sides.
- Slice into wedges and dip into your fave sauce.
4. Tuna Pasta Salad
Cost per serving: ~$2.00
Description:
Cool, creamy, and protein-packed — this pasta salad is perfect for hot nights when you don’t want to cook. Use canned tuna, some mayo or yogurt, and whatever crunchy veggies you’ve got.
Ingredients:
- ½ lb short pasta (like rotini)
- 1 can tuna
- ¼ cup mayo or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup chopped celery or cucumber
- Salt, pepper, lemon juice
Instructions:
- Cook pasta and rinse under cold water.
- Mix with tuna, mayo, veggies, and seasoning.
- Chill and enjoy cold.
5. Sweet Potato & Black Bean Skillet
Cost per serving: ~$2.25
Description:
This one-pan dish is smoky, sweet, and full of fiber. You just need a sweet potato, some black beans, and a few spices — and boom, dinner’s done.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato, diced
- 1 can black beans, drained
- ¼ onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & oil
Instructions:
- Sauté sweet potatoes in oil until soft.
- Add onion and garlic, cook 2 mins.
- Stir in beans and spices. Cook until hot and serve.
6. Zucchini Fritters with Yogurt Dip
Cost per serving: ~$1.50
Description:
Zucchini’s in season and super cheap — and these fritters are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and so good with a simple yogurt dip. No fancy tools needed!
Ingredients:
- 1 zucchini, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
- ¼ cup yogurt + lemon juice for dip
Instructions:
- Mix zucchini, egg, flour, and seasoning.
- Pan-fry spoonfuls in a little oil until golden.
- Stir lemon juice into yogurt for dipping.
7. Baked Potato & Cottage Cheese Plate
Cost per serving: ~$2.00
Description:
It’s basic, but don’t knock it — a fluffy baked potato topped with seasoned cottage cheese and veggies is light, satisfying, and surprisingly tasty. Budget-friendly and protein-rich.
Ingredients:
- 1 large potato
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- Salt, pepper, herbs
- Optional: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hot sauce
Instructions:
- Bake or microwave potato until soft.
- Top with cottage cheese and seasonings.
- Add raw veggies or hot sauce if desired.
8. One-Pan Tomato & Egg Stir Fry
Cost per serving: ~$1.35
Description:
This Chinese-inspired dish is light, savory, and made with just a handful of pantry staples. Eggs and tomatoes are the stars here, and when simmered together in soy and garlic? Magic. Serve it over rice or eat it as-is.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- Oil, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Scramble eggs in a pan and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and tomato until soft.
- Add soy sauce and eggs back in, stir gently.
- Serve alone or over rice.
9. Garlic Butter Chickpea Bowl
Cost per serving: ~$1.50
Description:
Crispy chickpeas sautéed in garlic butter? Yes please. Add in a handful of spinach or frozen peas and you’ve got a high-protein, satisfying bowl that comes together in 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Handful of spinach or peas
- Salt, pepper, chili flakes
Instructions:
- Sauté garlic in butter, add chickpeas and cook until crispy.
- Add greens and cook until wilted.
- Season and serve warm.
10. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Cost per serving: ~$1.75
Description:
Skip the flavor packet — this ramen remix is next-level. Stir-fried with veggies and a quick soy-sesame sauce, it’s way tastier and still ultra-cheap.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack instant ramen noodles
- ½ cup mixed veggies (frozen or fresh)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp sesame oil or any oil
- Garlic, chili flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook noodles, drain.
- Sauté veggies in oil, then add noodles.
- Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil. Serve hot.
11. Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce
Cost per serving: ~$1.60
Description:
A budget version of shakshuka! Crack eggs into a bubbling skillet of tomato sauce and bake or simmer until set. Scoop with toast or eat straight from the pan.
Ingredients:
- ½ can crushed tomatoes
- 2 eggs
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Olive oil, herbs, chili flakes
- Optional: toast or flatbread
Instructions:
- Sauté garlic in oil, add tomatoes and seasoning.
- Simmer 5 mins, then crack in eggs.
- Cover and cook until eggs are just set.
- Serve with toast.
12. Tortilla Pizza (Pan or Oven)
Cost per serving: ~$2.00
Description:
This thin-crust pizza hack is endlessly customizable and ready in 10 minutes. Use whatever you’ve got — tomato paste, cheese, veggies, even leftover meats.
Ingredients:
- 1 tortilla
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce or paste
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
- Veggies or meat toppings
Instructions:
- Spread sauce on tortilla.
- Add toppings and cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 8–10 mins OR pan-fry on low until cheese melts.
13. Grilled Veggie Sandwiches
Cost per serving: ~$2.25
Description:
This one’s peak summer — roasted zucchini, peppers, and onions layered in a toasted sandwich with a swipe of hummus or melted cheese. Light, flavorful, and cheap!
Ingredients:
- ½ zucchini, sliced
- ¼ bell pepper, sliced
- ¼ onion, sliced
- 2 slices bread
- Optional: hummus, cheese
Instructions:
- Sauté or grill veggies until tender.
- Toast bread and layer with veggies + spread.
- Press and heat in pan if you want it melty.
14. Creamy Peanut Noodles
Cost per serving: ~$1.60
Description:
Peanut butter in noodles? Trust. This creamy, nutty sauce clings to pasta like a dream and turns even plain spaghetti into a bold, satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- ½ lb spaghetti or noodles
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp garlic or ginger (optional)
- Water to thin
Instructions:
- Cook pasta and reserve ¼ cup water.
- Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, and seasoning.
- Toss noodles with sauce and pasta water until creamy.
15. Veggie & Egg Stir Fry Rice Bowl
Cost per serving: ~$1.85
Description:
Cheap, cheerful, and packed with protein — this rice bowl uses scrambled egg and any stir-fried veggies you’ve got. It’s endlessly flexible and crazy quick.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup mixed veggies
- Soy sauce, oil, pepper
Instructions:
- Scramble eggs and set aside.
- Sauté veggies in oil, add rice and stir.
- Stir in eggs, drizzle soy sauce, and serve hot.
