21 Budget Recipes That Fed the Whole Crowd With Ease

Cooking for a crowd doesn’t need to strain the wallet. These recipes focus on simple, affordable ingredients that stretch into filling meals and sides. From hearty soups and casseroles to easy meats and vegetables, they bring flavor without the fuss. They prove you can feed everyone well while keeping it budget-friendly.

Meatloaf on a white plate cut into slices with fresh parsley garnish. — Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Parsnip Potato Soup

Parsnip potato soup takes about 45 minutes. Parsnips and potatoes simmer together with broth before blending smooth. The flavor is creamy, earthy, and slightly nutty. It’s an inexpensive soup that feels hearty enough for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Parsnip Potato Soup

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy oven asparagus roasts in about 15 minutes. Fresh asparagus spears are seasoned simply with oil and herbs. The flavor is crisp, savory, and lightly caramelized. It’s a quick side dish that fits almost any budget.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes. — Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Citrus glazed pork chops cook in about 25 minutes. Pork chops sear with a glaze of citrus juice and honey. The flavor is tangy, sweet, and savory. It’s a cost-friendly protein that feels special without the price tag.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

A close-up image of a casserole dish filled with a cheesy cabbage casserole. The top is golden brown and crispy, with a serving spoon lifting a portion, revealing melted cheese and tender cabbage underneath. — Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy cabbage casserole bakes in 40 minutes. Cabbage is layered with cheese and finished with a buttery cracker topping. The flavor is creamy, savory, and comforting. It’s an affordable dish that stretches easily to feed many.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts roast in about 25 minutes. Brussels sprouts caramelize with a tangy balsamic glaze. The flavor is sweet, savory, and slightly smoky. It’s a budget-friendly vegetable that feels full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Grilled pork pieces with brown gravy served on a bed of mashed potatoes, presented on a decorative plate with a colorful floral pattern. A meal even the most picky eaters will enjoy, making moms' lives easier at dinnertime. — Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlic herb pork and potatoes cook in about 50 minutes. Pork and potatoes roast together with garlic and herbs. The flavor is savory, tender, and filling. It’s an all-in-one dish that feeds a group easily.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Two lasagna roll-ups filled with spinach and ricotta cheese, topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese, garnished with a fresh basil leaf—dishes every foodie should try before you die. — Spinach Lasagna Rolls. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Spinach lasagna rolls bake in 45 minutes. Pasta sheets roll around spinach and ricotta filling, topped with marinara. The flavor is cheesy, savory, and comforting. It’s a budget-friendly version of lasagna that stretches servings.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Grandma’s Cornbread

Overhead shot of cornbread in a cast iron skillet with a single slice cut out. — Grandma’s Cornbread. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grandma’s cornbread bakes in 30 minutes. Cornmeal, flour, and butter create a golden skillet bread. The flavor is buttery, slightly sweet, and hearty. It’s an inexpensive bread that pairs with any meal.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cornbread

Healthy Mushroom Soup Recipe

A bowl of mushroom soup garnished with chopped parsley. — Healthy Mushroom Soup Recipe. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Healthy mushroom soup cooks in 35 minutes. Mushrooms simmer with onions, garlic, and broth into a light soup. The flavor is earthy, savory, and simple. It’s a filling yet low-cost meal for groups.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Mushroom Soup Recipe

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded cauliflower mash takes about 30 minutes. Cauliflower blends with cheese, sour cream, and bacon. The flavor is creamy, savory, and rich. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot honey garlic chicken cooks in about 30 minutes. Chicken cooks with soy sauce, honey, and garlic for a sticky glaze. The flavor is sweet, savory, and tender. It’s a quick dish that easily feeds a family.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots roast in 25 minutes. Carrots caramelize with honey, garlic, and butter. The flavor is sweet, savory, and earthy. It’s an affordable side dish made simple.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky green beans with fried onions cook in 20 minutes. Fresh beans sauté with garlic and get topped with crispy onions. The flavor is savory, crunchy, and aromatic. It’s a cost-friendly side that feels complete.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with almonds and feta take 30 minutes. Brussels sprouts roast with olive oil and finish with cheese and nuts. The flavor is nutty, salty, and savory. It’s a filling side made with simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

A white plate with a serving of shredded meat topped with sauce and garnished with herbs, perfect for movie night snacks. A fork rests on top, and a blurred dish is in the background. — Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Slow cooker pork shoulder takes 8 hours. Pork cooks until tender in a tangy mustard barbecue sauce. The flavor is smoky, savory, and slightly tangy. It’s a budget protein that stretches to serve many plates.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

Loaded bruschetta salad on crostini on a white plate. — Loaded Bruschetta Recipe. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded bruschetta takes about 15 minutes. Bread is topped with tomatoes, basil, garlic, and cheese. The flavor is fresh, tangy, and savory. It’s an affordable appetizer that feeds plenty.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Bruschetta Recipe

One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

Cooked seasoned pork surrounded by diced vegetables in a black skillet on a wooden table. — One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

One pan garlic pepper pork dinner cooks in 40 minutes. Pork, peppers, and onions roast together in one pan. The flavor is savory, slightly sweet, and hearty. It’s an inexpensive one-pan dish for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Cilantro lime chicken on a plate next to avocado and cilantro garnish. — Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cilantro lime chicken and rice takes 35 minutes. Chicken cooks with rice, lime, and cilantro in one pot. The flavor is tangy, savory, and bright. It’s a simple meal that stretches easily for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted cabbage steaks cook in 30 minutes. Thick cabbage slices roast with oil and seasoning until caramelized. The flavor is smoky, earthy, and savory. It’s a cheap vegetable dish with a big impact.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Instant Pot chicken stew cooks in 35 minutes. Chicken, carrots, and potatoes simmer in a savory broth. The flavor is hearty, rich, and comforting. It’s a quick budget stew that feeds well.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Bomb Meatloaf

Bomb meatloaf bakes in about 1 hour. Ground beef mixes with breadcrumbs, ketchup, and seasoning. The flavor is savory, juicy, and classic. It’s a budget-friendly meal that stretches across the table.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf