7 Cheap Family Dinners Under $10 for 4 People

Getting a decent dinner on the table for under $10 for four people is absolutely achievable - the key is choosing ingredients with a low cost-per-serving and avoiding anything that needs fresh herbs, specialty cuts, or more than one complicated component. All seven meals below have been costed at standard supermarket own-brand prices.

1. Chicken Thigh and Rice Bowl - ~$7.50 total (~$1.90/person)

Six bone-in chicken thighs seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, salt and olive oil. Roasted at 200°C for 40 minutes alongside a large batch of white rice. Serve with a simple dressed cucumber salad. Each adult serving comes in around 480 kcal, 36g protein, 42g carbs, 14g fat.

For four seasoning variations that keep this from getting boring by Thursday, see our chicken thigh meal prep guide.

2. Lentil and Vegetable Soup - ~$4 total (~$1/person)

The best cost-to-calories ratio in family cooking. A bag of red lentils ($1.50), two cans of tomatoes ($1.50), an onion, a carrot, two stalks of celery, and stock made from a cube. Simmers in 30 minutes, makes 8 generous bowls. ~320 kcal, 18g protein per serving. Freeze half for next week.

Full recipe with storage instructions: Lentil and vegetable soup.

3. Pasta Bake with Canned Tomatoes - ~$5 total (~$1.25/person)

500g pasta, two cans of tomatoes, one onion, two garlic cloves, a handful of grated cheese on top. Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes. This is the weeknight workhorse - endlessly adaptable based on whatever protein or veg is left over. ~520 kcal, 19g protein per serving without added meat (add ground turkey or chicken to push protein to 30g+).

Three variations and a full recipe in our budget pasta bake guide.

4. Egg Fried Rice - ~$4 total (~$1/person)

This works best with day-old rice that's dried out slightly in the fridge. Fry two cups of cold rice in oil, push to the side, scramble 4-5 eggs in the same pan, mix through with frozen peas and a splash of soy sauce. 10 minutes total. ~380 kcal, 16g protein. One of the fastest meals on this list and kids consistently like it.

5. Chicken Casserole with Veg - ~$9 total (~$2.25/person)

A chicken casserole with mushrooms and carrots feels like a proper weekend meal even on a Tuesday. Use bone-in thighs for the best texture and flavour. The casserole can be fully assembled in 15 minutes and then left in the oven for 35 minutes - minimal active cooking time. ~490 kcal, 34g protein per serving.

6. Baked Beans and Eggs on Toast - ~$3 total (~$0.75/person)

Don't dismiss this one. Two cans of baked beans, 6 eggs fried or poached, served on thick-cut toast. Under $3 for four people. ~420 kcal, 22g protein per serving. It's fast, universally liked by kids, and genuinely filling. Add a sliced tomato or some wilted spinach to get some veg in.

7. One-Pot Chicken and Rice - ~$8 total (~$2/person)

Four chicken thighs browned in a pot, then simmered with 1.5 cups of rice, diced onion, garlic, chicken stock and a tin of tomatoes. Everything goes in one pot and cooks in 25–30 minutes. The rice absorbs the cooking liquid and turns deeply flavourful. A simplified version of the classic pressure cooker chicken and rice that works on the stovetop too. ~520 kcal, 38g protein per serving.

Meal Prep Tips

Several of these (soup, casserole, pasta bake) double well for next-day lunches and freeze without issues. For a full weekly plan built around meals like these, see our complete family meal planning guide - including a $75 weekly shopping list and batch cook routine.

If you want to match these dinners to specific calorie or macro goals, the free macro meal planner generates recipe combinations based on your targets - no sign-up required.