Looking for cheap dinner ideas? Whether you’ve just paid rent or would rather save your money for future travel plans, saving money doesn’t have to mean missing out on delicious food. With some clever techniques and an arsenal of inexpensive pantry staples like rice, pasta, beans, frozen foods, and chicken thighs, your cheap meals can be your best meals too. We’re talking about Hetty McKinnon’s creamy, flavorful stew Kimchi and Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. Basically, editor Sarah Jampel comforts Lemon Tortellini Soup that happens (mostly!) all year round. And Andy Baraghani’s store-bought udon bathed in it Butter tomato broth. These 71 cheap dinner ideas are proof that eating on a budget can be tolerably fun!