Easy, Affordable Family Recipes

This easy skillet pasta bake is a surefire family hit. Pasta and meat sauce topped with mozzarella cheese will make everyone at the table happy, and the all-in-one-pot technique will have the cook smiling pretty. Get the kids involved in this family-friendly meal. Kids can help measure wet and dry ingredients as well as sprinkle cheese on the finished product. Use prep time with older kids to reinforce counting, conversions, and measuring by weight.

Cost for 4: $10.54
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Make your own version of this takeout classic in a flash, no special equipment required.

Skip canned tomatoes and serve these crispy, cheesy chicken cutlets with a fresh tomato-and-zucchini sauté instead, a super-easy side that takes advantage of peak-season summer produce. For a healthy whole-grain swap, use white whole-wheat flour in place of all-purpose for breading the chicken and in any sweet or savory recipe. Make sure to position your oven rack in the middle of the oven, about 6 inches from the broiler, so the cutlets don’t cook too quickly. Round out the meal with a simple green salad and garlic-rubbed toasted bread slices.

If you don't have a food processor, you can sub about 2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs for the torn bun.

Precooked rice and ground turmeric speed up this Spanish shrimp dish and keep cost in check. Let the rice sizzle in the pan to get the prized crispy layer.

Cost for 4: $11.14
Total Time: 20 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Here, we update the usual peas and carrots with a fresher take.

This classic garlicky Italian dish of breaded chicken over angel hair pasta topped with a sauce made of chicken stock, capers, lemon juice, and parsley will delight diners of all ages.

Cost for 4: $9.15
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Look for bulk sausage, not links, to save the trouble of removing the casings. You can also substitute ground pork, beef, and turkey.

Cost for 4: $7.96
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

The "gift" of these foil-wrapped packets is more than their quick prep and easy cleanup; the method also steams the fish and vegetables perfectly. Carefully unwrap the packets yourself, or bring them to the table for each person to unwrap.

Cost for 4: $10.89
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

This speedy main feels restaurant-worthy, but it couldn’t be easier or more affordable (just $2.70 a serving). Stirring fresh herbs, garlic, or lemon rind into softened butter, called compound butter, is a brilliant topper for simply cooked meats or fish, a pile of steamed vegetables, or as a spread for crostini. We stretch the butter with softened goat cheese to lower the saturated fat and add a tangy, luxuriously creamy finish. Dollop the goat cheese mixture over the pork chops and cover the plate with foil so it will melt slightly while you cook the green beans.

Cost for 4: $10.79
Total Time: 20 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Grated zucchini will cook as the pasta is tossed. If you don't have a grater, cut the zucchini like the yellow squash, and sauté both.

Cost for 4: $8.45
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Andouille, a smoky, garlicky pork sausage, adds depth, but you can use any flavorful chicken or pork sausage.

Cost for 4: $11.84
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

This fast weeknight meal boasts three times the protein compared to common store-bought varieties.

Cost for 4: $11.55
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Our quick homemade BBQ sauce is lower in sodium than bottled versions. The vinegar in the slaw balances out the sweetness of the BBQ sauce nicely, while the vegetables in the slaw provide an added crunch to the sandwich.

Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Cost for 4: $11.55
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Serve this kid classic with simply steamed carrots, if you like.

Cost for 4: $7.48
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone  can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

The vibrant glaze—which pulls bold flavors from soy sauce, honey, lime juice, fresh ginger, and garlic—would be equally delicious on chicken breasts or pork chops.

Cost for 4: $9.60
Total Time: 30 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

For this quick family dinner, a small amount of salty ham is crisped and used as a topping. That way you can use far less and still get a big flavor impact.

Cost for 4: $10.98
Total Time: 19 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

The fall family favorite goes lighter with barely sweetened apples. And instead of the typical pork chops, we go for lean, inexpensive pork tenderloin. Complete the meal with a side of Broccolini or broccoli.

Cost for 4: $7.10
Total Time: 19 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

We use whole-wheat tortillas as quick pizza crusts–a trick inspired by our friends at Serious Eats.

Cost for 4: $7.35
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

If you can’t find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

Cost for 6: $8.15
Total Time: 25 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

This recipe is a versatile template for comfort soup. Feel free to add other veggies or swap in a different noodle.

Cost for 6: $10.79
Total Time: 25 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

While many sloppy joe recipes are very sweet, this version has just a touch of brown sugar and is capped off with crunchy bread-and-butter pickles. Serve with apples or grapes for an easy side.

Cost for 6: $5.72
Total Time: 25 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

This pasta dinner is a game changer: You use just enough liquid to cook the pasta—no colander needed. 

Cost for 4: $8.43
Total Time: 29 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Each person gets three filling tacos for a satisfying meal full of fresh veggie crunch. Garlic, paprika, cumin, and vinegar turn ground beef into near-instant Mexican-style chorizo, much leaner than the traditional pork version. 

Cost for 4: $8.37
Total Time: 25 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

This healthy whole-grain spin on a comfort food classic is indulgent, creamy, and a guaranteed family-pleaser.

Cost for 4: $10.31
Total Time: 30 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

A wee bit of canned chipotle chiles goes a long way in infusing this hearty chili with rich, smoky flavor and a hint of heat.

Cost for 4: $4.69
Total Time: 28 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

We use evaporated milk here because it has a richness similar to that of sat fat-heavy half-and-half, but with far less fat. Be sure to shake the can vigorously before using. We love the flavor that bacon adds, but if you'd rather omit it, each serving will contain 212 calories, 13.2g total fat (4.4g sat), and 379mg sodium.

Cost for 4: $6.95
Total Time: 20 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

We call for chicken breast tenders here to keep things easy, but you can also use skinless, boneless chicken breasts (which are less expensive). Just cut each breast lengthwise into 3 strips.

Cost for 4: $8.61
Total Time: 20 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

A quick two-step process of microwave-steaming then roasting creates golden-brown sweet potato wedges that make for a versatile side dish or snack.

Cost for 4: $2.46
Total Time: 30 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Check around for the best price on shrimp: Sometimes, it’s at the seafood counter; other times, it’s in the freezer case. The garlic that’s rubbed on the toast at the end lends lots of punch; for sensitive taste buds, skip that step.

Cost for 4: $11.11
Total Time: 21 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Based on the versatile French dressing called vinaigrette, this sauce can be tailored to any taste. Simply add more lemon juice, olive oil, or honey to adjust the flavors. We recommend making and shaking it in a jelly jar with a lid. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week; just take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before using, and shake vigorously before dressing the salad. Speaking of salad, a head of romaine lettuce will add about $1.50 to the cost.

Cost for Recipe: $2.33
Total Time: 7 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.

Here’s a fast, efficient way to cook green beans (and other vegetables), eliminating the fuss of bringing a large pot of water to a boil or draining the veggies.

Cost for 4: $1.12
Total Time: 6 minutes

Download this recipe's how-to PDF.

This recipe is part of our Let's Cook! curriculum: Find more easy, healthy, affordable recipes anyone can make at CookingLight.com/LetsCook.