Fall is the perfect time to enjoy hearty, budget-friendly meals. I’ve gathered 27 frugal fall dinners that taste incredible without costing much. These recipes are ideal for cozy evenings when you want something filling and flavorful. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, these dishes make the most of simple ingredients. Let’s dive into these frugal fall dinners and keep things affordable and delicious this season.
Easy Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes
This hearty soup combines carrots, lentils, and tomatoes for a filling meal that won’t break the bank. It’s an excellent choice for frugal fall dinners, especially on chilly evenings when you want something warm and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Recipe with Tomatoes
10-Minute Tomato Carpaccio
Bright and fresh, this tomato carpaccio can be made in just ten minutes. It’s a fantastic addition to frugal fall dinners, providing a simple yet elegant side that pairs well with many main dishes.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Tomato Carpaccio
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Loaded with earthy mushrooms and hearty wild rice, this soup is both delicious and budget-friendly. It’s a wonderful option for frugal fall dinners, as it warms you up while keeping your grocery bill low.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
This casserole combines ground beef and cheesy goodness for a satisfying dish. Perfect for frugal fall dinners, it’s easy to prepare and uses simple ingredients to create a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole
Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
With minimal prep and big flavor, this ham and potato soup is perfect for busy nights. It’s an ideal choice for frugal fall dinners, as it makes great use of leftover ham while delivering a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
The Ultimate Vegetarian Stew
Packed with seasonal veggies, this stew is filling and budget-friendly. It’s an excellent pick for frugal fall dinners, offering warmth and nutrition in every bite without costing a lot.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Vegetarian Stew
Whole30 Creamy Spinach Bacon Chicken
This creamy dish features spinach, chicken, and bacon for a satisfying meal. It's a great option for frugal fall dinners, combining rich flavors without requiring expensive ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Whole30 Creamy Spinach Bacon Chicken
Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe With Parmesan
This creamy sauce turns simple zucchini into a delightful pasta dish. It’s perfect for frugal fall dinners, allowing you to enjoy a comforting meal while using affordable produce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce Recipe With Parmesan
The Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Crispy chicken sausage made in the air fryer is quick and easy to prepare. This dish fits well into frugal fall dinners, providing a tasty protein option without the high price tag.
Get the Recipe: The Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Crunchy Kale Chicken Salad Recipe with Cranberries
This refreshing salad combines crunchy kale, tender chicken, and sweet cranberries for a light meal. It’s a smart choice for frugal fall dinners, as it packs a nutritional punch while being easy on the wallet.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Kale Chicken Salad Recipe with Cranberries
Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Colorful bell peppers filled with Mediterranean tuna make for a vibrant dish. This recipe is ideal for frugal fall dinners, offering a nutritious meal that’s both filling and affordable.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
The Best Quick and Easy Air Fryer Cheeseburger Recipe
Juicy cheeseburgers made quickly in the air fryer are always a hit. This recipe is a great addition to frugal fall dinners, providing a delicious meal without the need for a grill.
Get the Recipe: The Best Quick and Easy Air Fryer Cheeseburger Recipe
Pesto Chicken and Veggies
This dish features tender chicken tossed with veggies and pesto for a simple meal. It’s an excellent option for frugal fall dinners, showcasing how you can create a satisfying dish with just a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
A classic shrimp boil made easy on a single sheet pan, this meal is both fun and flavorful. It’s perfect for frugal fall dinners, as you can use frozen shrimp and seasonal vegetables to keep costs down.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
These kabobs combine juicy chicken and sweet pineapple for a delightful meal. They make a fantastic choice for frugal fall dinners, as you can easily scale the recipe to fit your budget.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Chicken Minestrone Soup
This hearty minestrone soup is loaded with vegetables and chicken, creating a comforting bowl. It’s perfect for frugal fall dinners, providing plenty of leftovers to enjoy throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Minestrone Soup
Stove Top Red Beans and Rice Recipe
A classic Southern dish, this red beans and rice recipe is both filling and affordable. It’s an excellent choice for frugal fall dinners, making great use of pantry staples for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Sweet Potato Fajitas with Zesty Lime Sauce
These sweet potato fajitas are vibrant and packed with flavor. They’re a wonderful addition to frugal fall dinners, using inexpensive ingredients to create a fun and tasty meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fajitas with Zesty Lime Sauce
Turmeric Lentil Soup Recipe
This nourishing lentil soup features the warm flavors of turmeric for added health benefits. It’s a smart choice for frugal fall dinners, offering a filling and healthy option without breaking the bank.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Lentil Soup Recipe
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
Enjoy the hearty, spicy flavors of this chili right at home. It’s a fantastic pick for frugal fall dinners, as it uses ground beef and pantry staples for a delicious, budget-friendly meal.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
Prawn Stir Fry Noodles
Quick and easy, this stir fry brings together prawns and noodles for a delicious meal. It’s a great option for frugal fall dinners, especially if you have leftover vegetables to use up.
Get the Recipe: Prawn Stir Fry Noodles
Keto Chicken Noodle Soup
This comforting chicken noodle soup is a low-carb option that’s perfect for chilly nights. It’s also a smart choice for frugal fall dinners, using simple ingredients to create a filling dish.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Noodle Soup
Keto White Chicken Chili
This creamy white chili features tender chicken and flavorful spices. It’s a great option for frugal fall dinners, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without overspending.
Get the Recipe: Keto White Chicken Chili
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
This casserole layers zucchini and cheese for a fun twist on pizza. It’s perfect for frugal fall dinners, using affordable ingredients to create a hearty meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Caprese Gnocchi Sheet Pan Recipe
This colorful dish features gnocchi with tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, all baked together. It’s an excellent choice for frugal fall dinners, as it’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Gnocchi Sheet Pan Recipe
Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds
Baked walleye with lemon and almonds is a simple yet elegant dish. It’s a great option for frugal fall dinners, as fresh fish can be affordable and easy to prepare for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemon and Almonds
Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce
This mahi mahi recipe features a zesty lemon garlic sauce that enhances the fish's natural flavor. It’s perfect for frugal fall dinners, showcasing how fresh seafood can be both delicious and budget-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce