Recipes that have been handed down in families are often the best, and many can also help us save money. This collection of grandma’s favorite cheap recipes will bring you nostalgia and help your grocery budget.
The meal I remember my grandma making the most is tacos with fresh corn tortillas. She grew up in southern California and brought this love of good tacos with her to Oklahoma.
Tacos are a dish that is easy to make affordably. You can use less meat and instead load them up with other delicious, cheaper ingredients. Or even skip the meat altogether and use beans for the protein. I’ve also started making my corn tortillas from scratch, which can help with the cost, and they are even better. If you want to start making your own, I’m linking to a tortilla press that is similar to mine.
My great-grandmother is the one who had more experience with cheap meals because she lived through the Great Depression and during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma. I remember her talking about having to hunt squirrels to feed her family, but this is not a recipe I requested from her.
Since I don’t have a lot of cheap recipes to share from my grandma, I reached out to other bloggers to see what their grandmothers’ favorite cheap recipes were. They shared some great meal ideas that would be great to make now to save some money on groceries.
Quickly, before we get to the cheap meal ideas, I wanted to share another resource to help you find cheap recipes. I have a 5-day series covering even more cheap recipes, and it’s free to sign up. Just sign up below and then come back to see the recipes in this post. You’ll have even more waiting in your inbox when you are done.
Grandma's Favorite Cheap Recipes
Save money like grandma with these delicious, cheap recipes.
This hearty spaghetti meat sauce has been passed down from Jessica's grandmother to her dad, and now to her. Packed with rich flavor and made with simple ingredients, it’s ready in under an hour and tastes even better the next day.
Enjoy this easy old-fashioned goulash recipe that is hearty with ground beef and pasta in a tomato-based, flavorful sauce.
Tuna casserole is a classic, affordable recipe. It can also be made ahead and frozen.
Meatloaf is a recipe that everyone should know how to make. Grandma's Classic Meatloaf is just the best. Comfort food at its finest.
What a wonderful way to use up the bounty of the garden and not waste anything by utilizing the stems of the Swiss chard.
These cozy Ukrainian potato dumplings—varenyky—are like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen. Made with soft dough and a creamy mashed potato filling mixed with sweet sautéed onions, they’re simple, hearty, and perfect for sharing. Whether topped with sour cream, crispy bacon, or more golden onions, they’re a nostalgic comfort food that brings everyone to the table.
This classic recipe uses simple pantry staples—cornmeal, water, salt, and a touch of butter—to create a hearty and versatile dish. Whether served as a side or main course, it’s perfect alongside stews, grilled meats, or topped with sour cream and cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a go-to for a quick and satisfying meal. 
Grandma's delicious scrambled eggs have colorful veggies, smoky bacon, creamy, melted cheese, and a touch of spice!
Looking for a main dish that's hearty, homey, and maybe even makes you a little nostalgic? Chipped beef gravy is the epitome of just that kind of comfort food. Serve it over toast or biscuits for a hearty breakfast or dinner.
Classic stuffed peppers filled with ground chicken, rice, onion, carrot, and cheese make an easy weeknight supper.
Pasta casseroles are always a great choice for dinner! These one-pot meals are easy to make and budget-friendly. And when it comes to meal prepping on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than this tuna pasta bake!
Vanilla Wacky Cake - Also known as Depression Cake or Crazy Cake, this vanilla cake comes together quickly without the need for eggs, butter, or milk!
This recipe for Ambrosia Salad, made by my family for over 40 years, has the magic touch—a foolproof ingredient for hassle-free success.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Want even more recipes to try out? These are some vintage recipes you will find on the site that I’ve tested for you, so you know they are delicious.
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