by Steph. Inexpensive, seasonal, real-food based dishes to feed a crowd, bring a side dish to share, or use up leftovers. Many of them are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, egg-free, and paleo.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. But for some reason, those things love to happen in mid-autumn. We were broke for a number of years, and while we never had to host family — 20 people unanimously voted to NOT cram into our square-foot space — we did take on multiple family meals.

Feeding everyone is expensive, especially if you want to feed them somewhat healthy. So I compiled a list of Frugal Holiday Dishes. And may we share that abundance with everyone around us. Kelly says: Only 5 ingredients for this much-loved casserole.

My go-to recipe for feeding lots of people or for comfort food! Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon. This looks fancy, but the instructions are so easy. If you find beef on sale, I recommend giving it a shot! Gabriel says: A very easy to make and delicious, slow cooker beef bourguignon recipe made with the healthiest ingredients.

This recipe is both gluten-free and Paleo. It is essentially made with Beef cubes, potatoes, white mushroom, and carrots, which are all inexpensive ingredients. As for the red wine, any cheap red wine will do the trick. This 5-minute, slow cooker, meatless recipe is the foundation for Burritos, Tacos, Nachos, Dip, Burritos, Taquitos, Chimichangas, and more.

You can add meat if you like — see recipe for more. An authentic, hearty, ground beef staple that uses a few ingredients and costs pennies per serving. Picadillo is also gluten-free and dairy-free. Spaghetti Squash Lasagna. Kushi says: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna is a super easy and flavorful pasta dish that will be your favorite recipe for dinner this holiday season.

Simple, inexpensive tomato soup ready in 10 minutes and full of real food ingredients you can find at any store. Dairy-free version too! Cheesy Lentil Pie. A cheesy, tomato-y vegetarian main dish. Simple to make, extremely frugal thank you, lentils , and completely delicious.

The homemade cream sauce in this crunchy, bacon-topped green bean casserole is a total game-changer. The recipe calls for fresh green beans, but you could certainly sub inexpensive canned ones instead, along with bacon bits for a budget-friendly twist. This budget-friendly slow cooker recipe is the ultimate comfort food.

This crowd-pleasing potato side dish is a must-have for your next holiday dinner. Who knew canned creamed corn could be so irresistibly delicious? Savory spices and a Southern cooking secret combine for a sinfully good holiday side dish.

Soup is one of my go-to meal ideas for feeding a crowd, and this holiday recipe has all the best parts of fall—butternut and buttercup squash, Granny Smith apples, and savory seasonings. Skip the overly sweet glaze this year and make a simple yet delicious alternative for your holiday ham.

Chicken thighs are the ultimate budget-friendly cut of meat, and the homemade garlic butter for this crispy oven-baked chicken will make these over-the-top flavorful. This is one meal where everyone will WANT to eat their veggies. This easy pork tenderloin is stuffed with apples and honey, and thanks to your Instant Pot, it has all the flavor without the time commitment.

Give your holiday dessert a kick with this moist, decadent chocolate rum cake. Most if not all ingredients are guaranteed to be on sale, and you get several servings out of one batch. You may have to make a double batch because nobody can have just one.

Layers of peppermint cake and fluffy whipped topping make this candy cane layered cake a guaranteed hit at your next holiday meal. Serve up slices with a mug of hot cocoa for the ultimate seasonal experience.

Trim protein costs. A whole turkey is less expensive per serving than a turkey breast. Lean roast beef, pork loin and some types of fish, such as cod or flounder are lower cost options.

Consider serving soup or a casserole that can extend your protein dollar. Serve it simple. Sometimes serving dishes with less ingredients can be healthier as well as save time and money. For example, this recipe for Lemony Green Beans might be a tasty alternative for a green bean casserole.

Shop smart. Beware of store displays that are designed to tempt you to buy things you didn't plan on purchasing. Using unit pricing to help compare different brands and different sizes of products can help you save money. Prefer to do your grocery shopping online?

We've got some great tips for saving money online. Cook ahead. Instead of purchasing some of the more expensive convenience items, many of your dishes can be prepared or partially prepared a day or two in advance: roasting a turkey , cranberry relish, cube and dry bread for stuffing, and pre-prep vegetables for salads and casseroles.

Make smart beverage choices. Water is easy on the wallet and people typically will drink less of the other beverages if they can use water to quench their thirst. Regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks can be expensive and usually contain a lot of added sugar.

Get your money's worth of leftovers. Handle leftovers safely so that they can be used for meals in the days ahead. Always wash hands with soap and water before handling food. Leftovers should be stored within two hours of cooking. Divide leftovers into smaller portions and refrigerate in covered shallow containers so they cool quickly.

Use refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.

Meatballs. Mozzarella balls on skewers with grape tomatoes and a leaf of basil. Stuffed mushrooms are mostly ball-shaped. Marinated olives. The Inexpensive, seasonal, real-food holiday dishes to feed a crowd, bring a side dish to share, or use up leftovers. Allergy-free options too! Even though you're on a budget, your Christmas can be every bit as delicious as a non-budgeted feast. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between

Budget-friendly holiday meal ideas - Pantry Pasta · Buttered Egg Noodles · Tyler's Spaetzle · Spaghetti Aglio e Olio · rated of 5 stars. 16 ; Stew Up Savings · French Sausage Stew · Chicken Stew Meatballs. Mozzarella balls on skewers with grape tomatoes and a leaf of basil. Stuffed mushrooms are mostly ball-shaped. Marinated olives. The Inexpensive, seasonal, real-food holiday dishes to feed a crowd, bring a side dish to share, or use up leftovers. Allergy-free options too! Even though you're on a budget, your Christmas can be every bit as delicious as a non-budgeted feast. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between

Not a fan of cheese or looking for a lighter option? You could also chop up some raw veggies—or buy precut ones at the store—and arrange them in holiday shapes, like a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Check out some of these holiday veggie tray ideas from Mom to Mom Nutrition. Turkey, pot roast or roasted chicken could be cost-effective and festive options.

Consider this slow cooker pot roast recipe from Brooklyn Farm Girl or this roasted chicken recipe from Allrecipes. Keep the side dishes to two or three options to help stay within your budget. For a classic comfort food item, check out this baked mac and cheese recipe from RecipeTin Eats.

And for a traditional side with added flavor, consider this recipe for garlic Parmesan green beans from Southern Living. One or two dessert options should be plenty for the grand finale of your holiday dinner—especially for a dinner with multiple courses. Your favorite holiday cookies can be a safe bet, or for something new, try this recipe for Mexican wedding cakes.

Besides limiting the options for each course to one or two things, there are even more ways you can make your holiday dinner special while still staying within your budget.

Here are a few tips to consider. One way to keep your holiday dinner under budget is to have a smaller, more intimate gathering.

Using items you already have—or can easily get for free—can make for a cost-effective holiday dinner, but you can still make it special too. For example, you could gather leaves or pine cones outside to use as decorations for your dinner table.

Paper towel rolls can be cut and decorated for easy and environmentally friendly napkin rings. You might also put round Christmas tree ornaments into a vase or hurricane glass for a festive centerpiece. There you could find decorations, plates, serving dishes, table runners or napkin holders at affordable prices.

You could also consider shopping for items at discount stores or with Capital One Shopping to find deals on items for your festive meal.

One way to cut the costs for your holiday meal is to host a potluck. You could provide the drinks and main course, for example, and ask your guests to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert.

It can be a fun way for everyone to contribute to the meal and show off their culinary skills. Just make sure you have a list or way to communicate what everyone is bringing or you could end up with too many desserts.

With some planning, keeping each course to a few options and doing things like repurposing decorations, you can find ways to save. article November 29, 10 min read. article November 29, 3 min read. article December 6, 5 min read. Round out your meal with: Crab Cakes featured Bibb Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Parker House Rolls.

Beef Rib Roast Menu Save money and carving time by swapping a pricey standing rib roast for fork-tender short ribs. Special Seafood Supper Menu Sure whole lobster can be an elegant addition to your table, but one taste of this buttery shrimp scampi and no one will miss that costly crustacean.

Round out your meal with: Shrimp Scampi featured Caesar Salad Cheesy Garlic Bread. Turkey Cutlet Supper Menu Rather than going with a big-ticket whole turkey, try modest turkey cutlets, which still deliver full flavor.

Holiday Ham Dinner Menu Try grilled ham steaks as a delicious and penny-pinching alternative to the traditional holiday ham. Round out your meal with: Grilled Ham Steak featured Scalloped Potatoes Orange-Glazed Sugar Snap Peas.

Beef Bourguignon Dinner Menu Instead of an expensive roast beef, make like Julia Child and simmer up rustic beef bourguignon. Round out your meal with: Beef Bourguignon featured Brussels Sprouts in Garlic Butter Rice Pilaf with Herbs. Lamb Chop Dinner Menu Juicy lamb chops are a bargain compared to ritzy leg of lamb — this version gets even more bonus points for its mint-infused crust.

Round out your meal with: Mint Lamb Chops with Caramelized Shallots featured Dressed Peas Smashed Fingerling Potatoes. Fish Feast Don't bother roasting a whole fish when these crunchy fish fillets can easily feed the family in style.

Round out your meal with: Potato-Rosemary Crusted Fish Fillets featured Glazed Carrots Roasted Broccoli with Lemon-Garlic Pine Nuts.

Beef Pot Pie Menu Instead of fussy beef wellington, try a savory beef pot pie that uses lots of veggies and thrifty round steak. KEEP SCROLLING FOR NEXT STORY. I WANT TO MAKE. Close Share this recipe: {{title}}. Pinterest Facebook Email. No Results. There are no results for your search. Please modify your search and try again.

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