17 Budget Fall Recipes for Big Families

Fall is expensive with back-to-school costs and holidays coming up, but you still gotta feed everyone good food. These recipes use cheap ingredients that go far and most can be stretched even further with extra rice or bread.

Lots of these use your slow cooker which saves time and energy costs too. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need something filling that won’t break the bank.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This feeds a crowd for way less than you’d think. Use cheaper cuts of beef like chuck roast – they get tender in the slow cooker and taste amazing. Throw in whatever vegetables you got on sale like carrots, potatoes, and celery. The long cooking time makes everything super flavorful. Make extra cause it tastes even better the next day and freezes good too.

Get the recipe here.

Pumpkin Chili

Canned pumpkin is cheap and makes this chili really hearty without adding much cost. The beans and ground turkey stretch it far and add protein. You can barely taste the pumpkin but it makes the chili thicker and more filling. This makes a huge pot that feeds everyone with leftovers for lunch. Serve with cornbread or crackers to make it go even further.

Get the recipe here.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Potatoes are cheap and filling, perfect for feeding lots of people. This soup tastes fancy but costs almost nothing to make. Add whatever cheese you have on hand and some bacon bits if you got them. Kids love this cause it tastes like their favorite baked potato. You can make it in the slow cooker too which saves watching the stove.

Get the recipe here.

Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Lentils are super cheap protein that nobody really notices when you cook them right. This soup is basically free to make and really healthy too. Use whatever vegetables are on sale – carrots, celery, onions all work good. The lentils make it thick and filling like a stew. This is my go-to recipe when money’s tight but I still want something that tastes good.

Get the recipe here.

One-Pot Chicken and Rice

Using chicken thighs instead of breasts saves money and they stay more moist too. Everything cooks in one pot which means less dishes and the rice soaks up all the chicken flavor. Add whatever vegetables need to get used up in your fridge. This makes enough for dinner plus lunches tomorrow. Season it different ways to keep it interesting.

Get the recipe here.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Skillet

Sweet potatoes are cheap year-round and canned black beans cost almost nothing. This is filling and healthy but doesn’t taste like diet food. Add some cheese and serve with tortillas to make it feel more like a meal. The sweet potatoes get caramelized and taste amazing with the beans. Good for meatless Monday when you wanna save money.

Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Apple Cider Chicken

Chicken thighs and apple cider both go on sale in fall so stock up. The cider makes the chicken really flavorful and tender. Throw in some root vegetables if you got them. This smells amazing cooking all day and makes your house feel cozy. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes to stretch it further.

Get the recipe here.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

This uses frozen broccoli which is cheaper than fresh and cooks the same in casseroles. The rice makes it really filling and the cheese makes everyone happy. You can use whatever cheese you have or what’s on sale. This reheats good for lunch the next day. Add some chicken if you got leftover cooked chicken lying around.

Get the recipe here.

Turkey and Stuffing Bake

Ground turkey is usually cheaper than beef and works great in casseroles. Mix it with boxed stuffing mix and some vegetables for a complete meal in one dish. This tastes like Thanksgiving dinner but costs way less. The stuffing mix already has seasoning so you don’t need to buy extra spices. Makes enough for leftovers which is always good.

Get the recipe here.

Roasted Root Vegetable Medley

Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and turnips are dirt cheap in fall. Just chop them up, toss with oil and whatever seasonings you got, and roast until tender. This is a great side dish that fills people up without costing much. You can roast a huge pan and eat it all week with different main dishes.

Get the recipe here.

Harvest Vegetable Soup

Use whatever vegetables are getting old in your fridge before they go bad. Add some broth and canned tomatoes and you got soup. This is basically free if you use vegetables that would otherwise get thrown away. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches made with cheap bread and cheese for a complete meal that everyone loves.

Get the recipe here.

Maple Glazed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is really cheap when it’s in season and one squash feeds several people. Just cut it in half, scoop out seeds, and bake with a little butter and maple syrup. The natural sweetness makes it taste like dessert but it’s actually healthy. This is fancy enough for company but cheap enough for everyday dinners.

Get the recipe here.

Budget-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie

Use ground turkey or the cheapest ground beef you can find. Stretch the meat with lots of vegetables and top with instant mashed potatoes for speed. This feeds a ton of people and uses cheap ingredients that fill everyone up. The potatoes on top get golden and crispy which makes it look fancy. Great for using up leftover vegetables.

Get the recipe here.

Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Apples go on sale in fall so this is the perfect time to make apple crisp. The oat topping is cheap to make and way better than store-bought desserts. One big pan feeds a crowd and costs almost nothing. This smells amazing baking and makes your house feel like home. Serve with ice cream if you can afford it or just eat it plain.

Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Split peas are super cheap and make really thick hearty soup. Add a ham bone if you got one or just use a little bacon for flavor. This cooks all day in the slow cooker so you don’t have to watch it. The soup gets really thick and filling – almost like eating a meal instead of just soup. Makes a huge pot that lasts for days.

Get the recipe here.

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Adding pumpkin to regular mac and cheese makes it more filling and nutritious without anyone really noticing. Use the cheap boxed mac and cheese and just stir in some canned pumpkin. The orange color makes it look fancy and fall-like. Kids think it’s fun and don’t realize their eating vegetables. Way cheaper than fancy organic mac and cheese from the store.

Get the recipe here.