Affordable Family Meals for Busy Weeknights really come in handy when the day’s been full and there’s still dinner to think about. These are the meals I prefer when I need something simple, quick, and that everyone will actually eat. They don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen—just easy, everyday stuff that comes together without too much fuss. It’s the kind of food that feels warm and familiar, and still fits into a busy schedule.
Pasta with Beef
Kıymalı Makarna is a comforting and easy-to-make Turkish pasta dish with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and simple spices. This dish is perfect for a busy weeknight meal and pairs beautifully with garlicky yogurt on top and a bowl of Çoban Salatası (Turkish Shepherd's Salad) on the side.
To learn more: Kıymalı Makarna - Turkish Pasta with Ground Beef
Kadinbudu Kofte
Kadınbudu Köfte – Turkish Meatballs with Rice is one of those classic Turkish dishes mainly known and loved by regular households in Turkey. These golden, pan-fried meatballs are made with ground beef, cooked rice, onions, and a few everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand. They’re soft and tender on the inside, with a crisp coating on the outside—simple, comforting, and full of flavor.
To learn more: Kadınbudu Köfte – Turkish Meatballs with Rice
Lebanese Ground Beef and Rice
Hashweh is a lightly spiced delicious Lebanese dish made with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and toasted pine nuts. This comforting one-pot meal is easy to prepare yet full of warm, aromatic spices that bring out the richness of the meat. It is traditionally served as a hearty main dish or as a stuffing for vegetables, poultry, or lamb.
To learn more: Hashweh - Lebanese Ground Beef and Rice
Cottage Pie
This Easy Cottage Pie is classic British comfort food made with a rich meaty sauce topped with creamy and cheesy mashed potatoes.
It is very easy to cook and also very affordable.
To learn more: Easy Cottage Pie
Air Fryer Meatloaf
This quick and easy Air Fryer Meatloaf recipe is perfect for hectic weeknight dinners when you need something delicious on the table in just 35 minutes!
Made with basic everyday ingredients, it provides maximum flavor without any fuss, making it the perfect comfort food that the whole family will love.
To learn more: Meatloaf in Air Fryer
Chicken Fatteh
Fatteh is an Egyptian and Levantine dish made with pieces of fresh, toasted, grilled, or stale flatbread topped with other ingredients such as chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, garlicky yogurt, and cooked leftover chicken or turkey pieces.
To learn more: Chicken and Eggplant Fatteh
Rice Stuffed Onions
Rice Stuffed Onions, or Sogan Dolmasi is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that brings out the best in simple ingredients. This delicious dish combines tender onion shells stuffed with a rich filling made with ground beef, rice, tomato paste, fresh herbs, and warming spices.
To learn more: Rice Stuffed Onions - Sogan Dolmasi
Chicken Kofte
You're going to love this Chicken Kofte (or Kofta) Recipe! It's super easy to make, ready in just 20 minutes, and packed with delicious Mediterranean flavors. You can pan fry, bake, grill, or air fry them—they all turn out fantastic.
To learn more: Chicken Kofta Recipe
White Chicken Enchiladas
Soft flour tortillas filled with flavorful chicken and shredded cheese then topped with a velvety white sauce made with flour, butter, chicken broth, sour cream, and jalapeños to create a perfect balance of authentic flavors.
Ready in just 45 minutes, this White Chicken Enchilada casserole is perfect for an easy and quick weeknight meal that the whole family will love!
To learn more: Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe with White Sauce
Air Fryer Falafel
This Vegan and Gluten-free Air Fryer Falafel Recipe delivers perfectly crisp and incredibly flavorful falafels every time.
They’re affordable, freezer-friendly, and ideal for meal prep.
To learn more: Vegan Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
Turkish Orzo Soup
Arpa Şehriye Çorbası, or Turkish Orzo Soup, is a comforting and delicious tomato-based soup made with orzo pasta, and chicken stock, and flavored with garlic, mint, and flaked chili. This Turkish favorite is super easy to make, uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, and works beautifully as a quick starter or a light, comforting meal.
To learn more: Arpa Şehriye Çorbası - Turkish Orzo Soup
Air Fryer Chicken Patties
These deliciously juicy Air Fryer Chicken Patties are effortless to make and ready in just 20 minutes—a perfect solution for weeknight dinners! Being busy with work and family, finding time to cook wholesome meals can be tough. But ever since I added air fryer chicken patties to my weekly meals, dinner’s been a breeze.
These savory patties cook up way faster than traditional meals, making them perfect for hectic weeknights or lazy weekends.
To learn more: Air Fryer Chicken Patties
Chicken Stir Fry with Noddles
You will never want to order takeaway Chicken Stir Fry With Noodles after you try out this delicious, healthy, and colorful recipe.
It’s one of our favorite quick and simple weekday night meals - it only takes 30 minutes to prepare!To learn more: Chicken Stir Fry With Noodles
Mediterranean Green Beans
Mediterranean Green Beans (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye in Turkish) is a popular vegetarian/vegan dish that is cooked quite often in most Turkish homes during the summer.
This simple yet delicious dish can be made beforehand and usually served warm or at room temperature. All you need is green beans, ripened summer tomatoes, onions, and good-quality olive oil to cook this scrumptious summer dish.
To learn more: Mediterranean Green Beans - Taze Fasulye
Turkish Moussaka
Turkish Moussaka (or Patlıcan Musakka - Patlıcan Oturtma) is an authentic dish in Turkish cuisine that features layers of aubergines, ground meat, and tomato sauce.
It originated from Ottoman cuisine, and there are a few different variations. This hearty and flavorful dish is a favorite in many Turkish households and is perfect for a comforting meal on a cold winter night.
To learn more: Turkish Moussaka - Patlıcan Musakka
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