33 Recipes $3 or Less per Person
Budget-friendly favorites from the Wise family kitchen—main dishes first, then sides, each sorted by cost per serving.
Tuna Mac & Cheese
A quick all-in-one weeknight meal that will please the pickiest of little eaters.
Pulled Pork in the Oven
This is a favorite at our family get-togethers. We usually have it with
Taco Via Taco Dogs
A fun twist on a Coney dog. Taco dogs are a fast and family-friendly recipe. As a kid, Saturdays were shopping days. We’d stop and have lunch at
Chicken on Sunday
This Sunday version takes a few minutes on the stove and a while in the oven, but the results are a creamy healthy rice, perfectly cooked vegetables and browned crispy skin. An updated version of my grandmother's chicken on Sunday recipe. The idea was you could get this in the oven, leave for church and come back to eat. I wouldn't suggest that, but it's kinda fun to think about.
Crockpot Chicken Street Tacos
A convenient recipe for flavorful shredded chicken street tacos. Although it takes a little time in the crockpot, there is very little effort.
Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
Ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and peas in a rich tomato beef broth—a cozy budget stretcher made in the Instant Pot.
Tulsa Style Coney Sauce
Inspired by Coney Islander in Tulsa—a loose crock pot meat sauce with cinnamon, vinegar, and warm spices for dogs or Frito pie.
Homestyle Sloppy Joes
A hearty, comforting sloppy joe made with real ingredients, plenty of veggies, and a smart bean boost that stretches your meat without sacrificing flavor. It's quick, budget friendly, and perfect for busy family nights.
Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
A fast midweek meal to keep in rotation. This comes together in a snap.
Quick Mac & Cheese for Two
Creamy stovetop mac & cheese for two—perfect for a budget-friendly and cheesy date night.
Tuna Burgers
Big flavor, tiny budget. These crispy tuna patties are packed with punch and layered onto toasted buns with melty cheese, creamy dill sauce, and all the fixings. It's the kind of sandwich that feels indulgent but costs less than $9—wise, delicious, and ready in a flash.
Air Fried Ranch Chicken Breasts
Juicy, crunchy chicken perfect on a salad. A quick chicken breast recipe that feels like fried chicken.
Budget Philly Cheesesteak
This is a really good burger with Philly cheesesteak flavors.
Bueno Muchacos
Pillowy pita shell with savory filling. This is my favorite menu item at Taco Bueno, but we don’t live close to one anymore—time to make it myself. This dough comes together pretty easily and just takes a couple of minutes for each one.
Chili Cheese Burritos
Based off the taco chain version available in the 90's, stuffed with chili and cheese.
Lemon Chicken in the Instant Pot
This summery chicken recipe is light, bright and perfect for salads.
My Mom's Spaghetti
My mom's spaghetti is all about comfort and ease. No fuss, just good food—the kind that brings everyone to the table, smiles included.
Sarmale
This warm, comforting Sarmale recipe is from my daughter-in-law. We liked it so much we had to add it to the site and make it the best version.
Mini Meatloafs
These mini meatloafs are a flavor bomb you can make on a weeknight. The gravy is optional, but can be made in just a few minutes.
Popper Stuffed Peppers
An updated twist on a family favorite, with a spicy cream cheese layer, lower carb cauliflower rice and still the nostalgia of stuffed peppers.
Hot Tuna Hero
When dinner needs to happen now, this toasted tuna sandwich steps up. Creamy, zesty filling meets melty Swiss and crisped French bread in a broiler-powered rush that still feels homemade. It's fast, flavorful, and ready to rescue your weeknight.
Bekah's Breakfast Calzone
This fun and filling calzone is stuffed with cheesy goodness, sausage and eggs. Topped with everything bagel seasoning, it's sure to please a crowd.
Chicken Adobo in the Crockpot
Chicken thighs cooked low and slow in a punchy, garlicky, savory sauce. Served best over rice; this goes well with
Classic Meatloaf
This is the recipe I grew up on and served to my own family. This tomato-based meatloaf doesn't always slice the best, but is a sure crowd pleaser and loves ketchup.
Oven Roasted Chicken
This chicken is dry brined overnight which makes it more flavorful and gives it a crispier skin. I serve this with my
Zesty Cilantro-Lime Rice
Fluffy Instant Pot rice tossed with fresh cilantro and a bright citrusy kick—an irresistible side for taco night.
4-Ingredient Coleslaw
A simple, fresh coleslaw to brighten any meal—just mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and coleslaw mix.
No-Soak Crockpot Refried Beans
These flavorful beans taste like a lot of work, but the crockpot does most of it.
Zucchini Basil Salad
A fresh, healthy salad with zucchini, basil, cherry tomatoes, and mini sweet peppers in a bright lemon dressing.
Air Fried German Potato Salad
Served warm, this German potato salad is tangy, crispy, and comforting—air fried potatoes and sweet onions balance a vinegar-forward dressing.
Apple Spinach Salad
This exciting salad includes apples, spinach, bacon, and pecans with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette—light, bright, and a great new summer side.
