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Cheap Egg Recipes for Dinner
Cost: $2-5 per meal | Prep: 5-10 min | Cook: 15-25 min | Serves: 4
Eggs are the most underrated budget protein. At ~$0.25 per egg and 6g of protein each, they're unbeatable value. Americans think of eggs as breakfast food, but they make spectacular dinners. These cheap egg recipes for dinner will change how you think about the carton in your fridge.
1. Shakshuka (Eggs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
Cost: $4.50 | 30 minutes | The most impressive cheap dinner there is
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 6 eggs ($1.20)
- 2 cans diced tomatoes ($1.80)
- 1 onion, diced ($0.50)
- 1 bell pepper, diced ($0.80)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
- 1.5 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne ($0.25)
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.20)
- Salt, pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro ($0.35)
- Crusty bread or pita ($0.85)
- Feta crumbles optional ($0.70)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and pepper 7 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Stir 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, stir and simmer 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt.
- Make 6 small wells in the sauce using a spoon. Crack one egg into each well.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat 5-8 minutes. Check often: whites should be set but yolks still runny.
- Sprinkle with parsley and feta. Serve directly from the pan with bread for dipping.
Nutrition (per serving): ~230 calories | 14g protein | 18g carbs | 11g fat
2. Spanish Tortilla (Egg and Potato Frittata)
Cost: $3.80 | 35 minutes | Can be served hot or cold
Ingredients (serves 4-5)
- 6 eggs ($1.20)
- 3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced ($1.50)
- 1 onion, thinly sliced ($0.50)
- 1/4 cup olive oil ($0.80) — you need enough to gently fry the potatoes
- Salt, pepper
- Bread for serving ($0.60)
- Aioli or mayo ($0.30)
- Optional: roasted red peppers from can ($0.40)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add potato slices and onion.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes until potatoes are tender. They shouldn't get crispy — you want them soft.
- Beat eggs with salt and pepper. Drain most oil from potatoes, then pour egg mixture over them.
- Cook over medium-low, tilting pan and lifting edges with spatula, 5 minutes.
- Flip: place a large plate over the pan, invert quickly. Slide tortilla back in, uncooked side down. Cook 3 more minutes.
- Alternatively: finish under broiler instead of flipping. Serve warm or at room temperature.
3. Fried Rice with Egg
Cost: $2.80 | 15 minutes | Best use of leftover rice
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4 eggs ($0.80)
- 3 cups cold cooked rice ($0.60)
- 1 cup frozen peas or vegetables ($0.80)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce ($0.30)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil ($0.20)
- 3 cloves garlic ($0.20)
- Green onions ($0.30)
- Sesame oil ($0.20)
- White pepper ($0.10)
- Sriracha to serve ($0.30)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large pan or wok over HIGH heat.
- Add frozen vegetables, stir-fry 2 minutes. Add garlic, 30 seconds.
- Push to the side. Add rice, press into hot pan, let it sizzle 2 minutes for crispy bits.
- Stir everything together. Push to sides again. Crack eggs into center.
- Scramble eggs until 70% set, then stir into rice.
- Add soy sauce, white pepper, and sesame oil. Toss. Top with green onions.
4. Baked Egg Pasta
Cost: $4.80 | 25 minutes | Surprisingly elegant
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4 eggs ($0.80)
- 12 oz pasta, cooked ($1.00)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes ($1.10)
- 3 cloves garlic ($0.20)
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.20)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes ($0.15)
- 1/2 cup parmesan ($0.80)
- Salt, pepper
- Fresh basil optional ($0.35)
- Crusty bread ($0.40)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Sauté garlic in olive oil 1 minute. Add tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Season well. Stir in cooked pasta.
- Transfer to oven-safe dish or skillet. Make 4 wells in pasta.
- Crack one egg into each well. Sprinkle parmesan around (not on the yolks).
- Bake 10-12 minutes until whites are set but yolks still slightly runny.
- Finish with fresh basil. Serve with bread.
More Cheap Egg Dinners
- 5. Egg Drop Soup: Chicken broth + cornstarch + drizzled eggs + soy sauce + sesame oil. Ready in 10 minutes. $2 for 4.
- 6. Huevos Rancheros: Fried eggs on warmed tortillas + homemade tomato-chili sauce + black beans. $3.50 for 4.
- 7. Egg Fried Noodles: Instant ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet) + 2 eggs + soy sauce + vegetables. $1.50 for 2.
- 8. Quiche (Crustless): 4 eggs + 1 cup milk + cheese + vegetables, baked in a greased dish 35 min at 375°F. $5 for 6.
- 9. Egg Curry: Hard-boiled eggs simmered in a quick onion-tomato-spice gravy + rice. Indian-style, $4 for 4.
- 10. Frittata: Any vegetable or leftover meat + 6 eggs. Start on stovetop, finish under broiler. Zero waste, $3-4.
Why Eggs Are the Best Budget Protein
- ~$0.25 per egg at average prices
- 6g protein per egg — competitive with any meat per dollar spent
- Complete protein with all essential amino acids
- Versatile — 50+ distinct cooking methods
- Fast — most egg dishes take under 20 minutes
- Universally liked — even picky eaters usually eat eggs
Egg Cooking Essentials
- Non-Stick Skillet 10" - Best for fried and scrambled eggs ($25)
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet - Perfect for frittata and shakshuka ($30)
- Muffin Pan - Baked egg cups and mini frittatas ($15)