24 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Make Beans the Star of the Show

Budget friendly dinners don’t have to be boring, and beans are here to prove it. Packed with protein and so versatile, beans are the perfect way to stretch your meals without stretching your wallet. Whether you’re feeding a family or cooking for yourself, these hearty, satisfying meals make it easy to enjoy great food while keeping costs low.

An overhead image of pinto bean soup in a green bowl with a spoon on the side.

Pinto Bean Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

An overhead view of the Tuscan bean soup placed on a serving dish with a spoon on the side. — Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Tuscan soup with beans is a budget-friendly, hearty meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Beans take center stage in this nourishing dish, packed with flavor and warmth.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup

Beans and Cornbread

This Southern comfort food is a great choice for a cold winter day, combining simple ingredients and beans into a hearty meal. It’s quick to prepare, customizable, and budget-friendly, making it a perfect weeknight option.
Get the Recipe: Beans and Cornbread

Instant Pot Minestrone

An overhead image of a bowl of minestrone soup served in a white bowl, accompanied by a spoon on the side and a white cloth underneath. — Instant Pot Minestrone. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

An Instant Pot vegetable soup made with fresh veggies and beans, this quick recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s an easy, nutritious meal that fits into any busy schedule while keeping the costs down.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Minestrone

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

This cheesy green bean casserole features crispy beans and a golden topping, making it a savory dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes. It's a great, low-effort side dish that brings beans into the spotlight on any table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

A black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing, this salad is vegan and gluten-free, ready in just 10 minutes. It’s a quick, budget-friendly option for lunch or a side, highlighting beans as the key ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

This slow cooker black bean soup is hearty, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeks. With minimal effort and plenty of beans, it’s a warm, comforting dish that makes a filling, low-cost meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Quinoa Burger

These black bean quinoa burgers are packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, and are easy to customize. A great choice for meal prep, they’re effortless to make and full of beans, making them an affordable, healthy option.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

An overhead image of vegan white bean chili with toppings. — Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan white bean chili is ready in 30 minutes, offering a quick and hearty meal. Made with pantry staples, it’s a great budget-friendly dinner that’s loaded with wholesome beans.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

Pinto Bean Soup

This healthy pinto bean soup is perfect for a cold day, made in just one pot for easy clean-up. It’s a vegan-friendly, gluten-free meal that makes beans the star of the show with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Pinto Bean Soup

Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

A white dish with green bean casserole in it. — Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This Cheesy Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole is a perfect side dish for holiday meals, combining crispy green beans with a savory topping. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet flavorful way to incorporate beans into your spread.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup

This Instant Pot wild rice soup with cannellini beans and vegetables is creamy, vegan, and easy to prepare. It's a comforting, healthy meal that comes together quickly, making it a budget-friendly option for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup

Crockpot Vegan Chili

Close-up imag of crockpot vehan chili in a bowl. — Crockpot Vegan Chili. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Crockpot Vegan Chili is a hearty, flavorful meal packed with dry beans and spices. This low-effort dish cooks all day, making it a convenient and budget-friendly way to enjoy a warm, filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Vegan Chili

Slow Cooker Bean with Bacon

Slow Cooker Bean with Bacon Soup offers rich, comforting flavors, with hearty beans and savory bacon. This easy, slow-cooked meal is perfect for cooler months and a great way to enjoy beans on a budget.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bean with Bacon

Three Sisters Soup

This Three Sisters Soup uses beans, corn, and squash for a nutritious and easy-to-make dish. Whether made in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop, it’s a healthy, budget-friendly meal perfect for any day.
Get the Recipe: Three Sisters Soup

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili features tender chicken and creamy white beans, making it a comforting dish for fall. With minimal hands-on time, it’s an easy, budget-friendly meal that’s ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Creamy White Chicken Chili

Tuscan Kale Soup

Close-up image of instant pot bean soup in a bowl. — Tuscan Kale Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tuscan kale soup is a hearty, vegan meal made with a whole bunch of kale and simple ingredients. Beans play a starring role in this wholesome, robust dish that’s filling and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Kale Soup

Vegan Spiced White Bean Soup

This White Bean Soup is packed with Mexican spices, making it a hearty, flavorful vegan dish. Easy to make with either soaked or unsoaked dry white beans, it’s a budget-friendly and nourishing meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Spiced White Bean Soup

Slow Cooker Chunky White Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Chunky White Chicken Chili features tender chicken and white beans, with a blend of spices for a comforting fall meal. This low-effort recipe fills you up and keeps you warm while using simple, affordable ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chunky White Chicken Chili

Instant Pot Golden Milk White Bean Soup

Instant Pot Golden Milk White Bean Soup is a hearty, comforting dish that’s quick to prepare. With a creamy texture and beans as the star, it’s a budget-friendly meal for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Golden Milk White Bean Soup

Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate. — Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Smoked pork hock, bacon, and sausage slowly cook together in this Southern dish, featuring hearty beans. It’s a filling, flavorful option that requires minimal effort for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese

Green beans with cranberries, bacon, and goat cheese bring together sweet, savory, and creamy elements in this standout side dish. It's a perfect balance of traditional and modern flavors, all while featuring beans prominently.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese

Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup

This easy soup features meat, vegetables, beans, and pasta, offering a quick and hassle-free meal. Beans are the key ingredient in this hearty dish, perfect for busy days when you need something comforting.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Hearty Mung Bean Soup with Vegetables

Mung bean soup with lemony vegetables is a hearty, vegetarian meal that’s easy to prepare. It’s a simple, budget-friendly dinner made in one pot, with beans providing nourishment and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Mung Bean Soup with Vegetables

Ribollita Italian Bean Soup

Ribollita Italian bean soup combines vegetables, beans, and broth into a hearty, healthy dish. With a variety of ingredients and beans as the foundation, it’s an easy, budget-friendly recipe to make any day.
Get the Recipe: Ribollita Italian Bean Soup