A Month of Budget Meals for Two Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

Week 1: Simple Lemon Herb Chicken

Fresh lemon juice, pepper, and oregano add bright flavor to chicken breasts. Cut into strips and serve over a simple green salad such as this Spinach Pomegranate Salad. This filling and nutritious combination is just what you need to jumpstart your week.

• Watch the video.

Week 1: Pork Fried Rice

This recipe calls for boneless pork loin chop, but you can also substitute chicken or shrimp. "Just like at a restaurant!" says recipe creator Deidre.

Week 1: Stuffed Tomatoes

When tomatoes are at their best, you'll forget all about stuffed peppers and opt for these simple stuffed tomatoes instead. Here, fresh tomatoes are stuffed with canned tomatoes and peppers, bread crumbs, Cheddar cheese, and smoked sausage. The classic Cheddar cheese and tomato combination takes on new form in this recipe.

Week 1: Tomato Basil Salmon

Salmon fillets are topped with dried basil and fresh tomato slices. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake. This simple recipe is one you'll want to keep in your rotation for easy weeknight dinners. Serve over rice.

Week 1: Eggplant Sandwiches

Going meatless just once a week can do amazing things for your budget. "I make this almost every week! One of the best veggie meals. Even my carnivore of a husband said that he liked it," says reviewer Fran.

Week 2: Chana Masala (Savory Indian Chickpeas)

This healthy and filling combination of chickpeas, tomatoes, onion, and numerous spices means Meatless Mondays never have to be boring. Serve with Indian Naan Bread, basmati or jasmine rice.

Week 2: Broken Spaghetti Risotto

"This pasta dish is not really risotto; it only refers to the similar technique used in that famous Italian dish," says recipe creator Chef John. "Like the grains of Arborio rice, pieces of broken pasta are tossed in hot butter or oil before the liquid is added, but here we're going even further, and toasting it to a gorgeous nut-brown. This gives the dish its signature look, as well as adds a subtle nutty flavor."

• Watch the video.

Week 2: Baja-Style Chicken Bowl

These make-your-own burrito bowls are a whole lot cheaper than takeout. It's a great way to use any leftover chicken or rice you may have on hand. "For a little extra flavor, add the salsa while cooking instead of after," suggests recipe creator mlreffey.

Week 2: Authentic Thai Basil Chicken (Very Easy and Fast)

Fresh basil is the key to this quick and easy stir-fry. Be careful not to overcook it, instead, stir the basil in right before serving. Reviewer samantha505 says, "This comes together very quickly and is a great way to use up extra basil growing in the garden."

Week 2: Turkey Avocado Panini

Keep things simple on a Friday with this panini consisting of turkey, avocado, provolone cheese, fresh spinach, and roasted red peppers. If you don't have a panini press, you can place the sandwich in a skillet with a little oil, and top with a heavy skillet (such as cast iron) to press.

Week 3: Cheesy-Crust Skillet Pizza

It's hard to believe this entire pizza is made with just four ingredients: shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. The melted, shredded mozzarella makes a crispy, thin crust (that's gluten-free!). Take it from reviewer Britney who says, "I was skeptical a cheese crust could hold up to the toppings I prefer. IT DID!"

• Watch the video.

Week 3: Asian Salmon Wrap

Canned salmon is cheaper than fresh, making it an excellent, budget-friendly protein source. These wraps are loaded with green onions, radishes, cucumbers, rice, and salmon, all tossed in a soy sauce mixture. "I love sushi but nori paper is so expensive. This gives me my fix!" says reviewer soozeeque.

• Canned Salmon Recipes

Week 3: Zucchini Caprese

Looking for a use for that summer zucchini crop? This caprese-inspired salad makes a meal when stirred into pasta. You can even add grilled chicken for more protein.

Week 3: Easy and Spicy Thai Basil Chicken with Egg

Although this recipe calls for ingredients you'll likely only find at specialty grocery stores, you can easily swap out the Thai basil with regular basil and the Thai peppers with serrano peppers, as Allrecipes Allstar lutzflcat did: "This was so full of flavor and so darn easy to make I simply couldn't believe it."

Week 3: Garlic-Herb Linguine

This simple linguine is made using ingredients you likely have in your kitchen right now. Try adding grilled or sauteed veggies to make it a meal.

Week 4: Orange Chicken with Asparagus

Chicken and asparagus are tossed in an orange-soy sauce and served over brown rice to make a well-balanced weeknight dinner. If you prefer the sauce a little thicker, combine equal parts cornstarch and water, mix until combined, and stir into sauce.

Week 4: Tuna Panini Melt

Canned tuna is an affordable, high-quality source of protein, and it's hard to resist in this cheesy panini melt. Serve with homemade potato chips for a diner-style dinner.

• 24 Recipes That Start with Canned Tuna

Week 4: Mushroom and Black Bean Quesadillas

Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will enjoy these quesadillas loaded with mushrooms, onions, black beans, cilantro, mozzarella cheese, and lime juice. Serve with salsa on the side, if desired.

Week 4: Creamy Pesto Penne with Sausage

This five-ingredient dinner comes together in just 25 minutes. You can use homemade pesto or jarred pesto in place of pesto sauce mix, according to reviewers.

Week 4: Quinoa Dijon and Swiss Burger

Allrecipes Allstar Buckwheat Queen describes these quinoa burgers as, "A veggie burger to sink your teeth into." Serve on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings, and pair with homemade sweet potato fries.

More Inspiration

• Pictured: One Pan Orecchiette Pasta
• 19 Dinner Ideas for Two
• 20 Budget-Friendly Dinners for Beginner Cooks
• More Budget Cooking Recipes