Thrifty Thursday | Themed Dinner Ideas
Meal planning is such a great way to save time and money. And planning your meals can happen so much quicker when you use themed dinner ideas. Today I’m sharing some great ideas for your next Thrifty Thursday themed dinner. I hope you love this collection of budget friendly meal ideas!

This list of Thrifty Thursday or budget friendly meal ideas will help you save money on your grocery budget and plan this week’s menu!
I love themed meal planning because it helps me come up with ideas without thinking too hard and long about it. For instance, when planning your menu for the week, your thought process might look like this:
This Thursday our themed dinner menu will be Thrifty Thursday. What can I make that’s a favorite meal from my childhood?
Be sure to check out The Ultimate List of Themed Dinner Ideas here.
I became a vegetarian in 1998 and my family is vegetarian. In fact a large majority of my extended family is vegetarian as well. Sometimes I make vegetarian dinners that are just you know, naturally vegetarian. However, sometimes I take recipes that call for meat and replace the meat with a vegetarian option.
Being a vegetarian has many health benefits.
Vegetarian substitutions for meat:
You’ll find these products in the freezer aisle or health food section of your local grocery store. You can also find these products at most health food stores like Whole Foods.
- ground beef or turkey > vegetarian burger crumbles
- chicken > Quorn Meatless Pieces
- chicken breast > Quorn Meatless Filets
- shredded chicken or pork > canned jackfruit
- beef, chicken, or pork > black beans, pinto beans, or chickpeas
- deli meats > Lightlife Deli Slices
- sausage > Gimme Lean Breakfast Sausage, Field Roast Apple Sage Sausage
- tuna > chickpeas
- bacon > Morning Star Farms Veggie Bacon
- pepperoni > Veggie Pepperoni
Thrifty Thursday Themed Dinners
How to plan your menu in 4 easy steps:
- Select your main dish.
- Choose 2 – 3 side dishes that compliment your main dish.
- Think about variety of food groups. Try to choose something from each of the main food groups.
- Focus on providing well rounded, nutritious meals.
45 Thrifty Thursday Recipes | Budget Friendly Meal Ideas
Main Dishes
Here are 45 budget-friendly meal ideas for your next Thrifty Thursday-themed dinner.
Raspberry Overnight Oatmeal Recipe
Easy and perfect for breakfast on the run, we love this overnight oats recipe!
Strawberry Overnight Oats (Easy Make Ahead Breakfast)
This delicious Strawberry Overnight Oats recipe is perfect for meal prep and busy mornings. Prep them in just 5 minutes for a quick and easy make ahead breakfast.
Banana Overnight Oats (Easy Breakfast Idea)
This Banana Overnight Oats recipe is the perfect make ahead breakfast. Creamy, delicious, made from real food ingredients and only takes 5 minutes to prep!
Overnight Oats - Maple Walnut
Maple and walnut are a delicious combo for these overnight oats. We like to top them with berries or fruit for a complete breakfast.
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Chocolate Chia Pudding tastes like dessert, but it's a healthy, as well as delicious breakfast with no refined sugar.
Vanilla Overnight Oats Recipe - How to Make Overnight Oats
These Vanilla Overnight Oats are made with probiotic-rich vanilla kefir, which is the perfect complement to prebiotic oats for the best gut health combo.
Fresh Blackberry Protein Overnight Oats
Make a batch of overnight oats every Sunday evening and grab them for breakfast on busy weekday mornings. These mason jars are packed full of protein and fiber to power you through the day.
Banana Chocolate Chia Pudding
This delicious chocolate banana chia pudding is going to become your go-to breakfast. Start your day with sweetness in a jar!
Creamy Mango Overnight Oats
Mango overnight oats are the perfect on-the-go breakfast that you can prep the night before. This dairy-free breakfast is creamy, slightly sweet, and a healthy breakfast.
Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats
The classic easy prep-ahead breakfast! Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats are a healthy, gluten-free, vegan recipe for those busy mornings when you're rushing out the door but still need some sustaining food to fuel your day!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Overnight Oats Recipe
Start your day with a taste of Fall with my pumpkin spice latte overnight oats! Made with real coffee, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice, this easy recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Easy Flaxseed Pudding
This flaxseed pudding makes a healthy (high in fiber and protein) and satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert. Nuttier and milder in flavor compared to chia pudding, it's a cheaper alternative that's also vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and paleo-friendly.
Easy Lemon Chia Seed Pudding
This easy lemon chia seed pudding is energy-boosting! It's perfect to prep ahead for tomorrow or the week. Naturally dairy free, gluten free, keto, paleo, yet the fresh lemon and coconut make this sooo creamy and delicious.
Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats with Greek Yogurt (High Protein)
These Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats are the easiest breakfast prep ever! You need just 5 minutes to mix everything together and the fridge does all the magic. Each serving has 33g of protein!
Easy Biscoff Overnight Oats (4 Ingredients)
These Biscoff overnight oats are the best overnight oats you'll ever eat! They're creamy, chewy, a little sweet, and have hints of caramel.
Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds (4 Ingredients)
No chia seeds? No problem! Make these overnight oats without chia seeds with just 4 ingredients in less than 10 minutes! They're creamy, chewy, and a perfect vessel for your favorite toppings.
Overnight Breakfast Chia Pudding (5-Ingredients)
A 5-ingredient overnight breakfast chia pudding with chocolate chips. Store this super easy chia seed pudding in mason jars to grab and go in the morning!
Easy Cranberry Oatmeal Recipe
Nothing like delicious oatmeal for breakfast! This Easy Cranberry Oatmeal Recipe is so easy to prepare and it’s very delicious.
Overnight Oats 5 Ways
A nutritious filling breakfast made with whole grain rolled oats, greek yogurt, and chia seeds. A no-sugar-added breakfast that everyone will love!
Protein Chia Pudding
This chia pudding has minimal ingredients and is perfect for a quick breakfast. Top this chia with granola, fruit, and any other toppings of your choice!
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Overnight Steel Cut Oats offer a wholesome and time-saving breakfast solution, allowing the nutty and chewy texture of steel-cut oats to soften and absorb flavors while you sleep. By preparing them the night before, you wake up to a ready-made, nutritious meal that ensures a great start to your day.
Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding
This Strawberry Chia Pudding is such an easy and delicious recipe to make for breakfast or as a dessert. A healthy combination of chia, coconut milk, and strawberry, this breakfast recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
Chia Seed Pudding Recipe (5 Flavors!)
Overnight chia seed pudding is an easy, healthy make-ahead recipe -- perfect for busy mornings. Enjoy plain or choose from 5 yummy flavors!
Mason Jar Thai Chopped Salad: Beautiful Layering
Indulge in a colorful and flavorful Thai Chopped Salad in a Mason Jar, a deliciously convenient breakfast option that's as healthy as it is satisfying. With layers of crisp veggies, edamame, and a zesty dressing thoughtfully assembled, this make-ahead marvel ensures a crunchy start to your day without compromising on taste or nutrition.
Meal Prep Greek Yogurt Parfaits with Granola and Fruit�
This Meal Prep Greek Yogurt Parfait is the perfect prep ahead breakfast or snack! Way better than just any pack of single yogurt and you get fresh fruit and sweet crunchy granola to add texture, flavor and dimension. Perfect for on the go or just to already have prepared at home!
Meal Prep Breakfast Bowls - Better than Jimmy Dean
In under 20 minutes, you can prepare 10 breakfast bowls in mason jars that are high protein and easy to customize.
Mango Chia Pudding Recipe
Mango chia pudding is simple to make and filled with tropical flavor. Deliciously creamy and perfectly sweet and refreshing.
Side Dishes Ideas
Use two or three of of these budget-friendly side dish options to round out your Thrifty Thursday meal.
- steamed frozen vegetables (corn, broccoli, etc.)
- white or brown rice
- baked potatoes, fried potatoes , or boiled potatoes
- beans or peas
- fruit salad or sliced fruit
- garden salad
- bread, rolls, or toast
- lima beans
- macaroni and cheese
- buttered noodles
- corn on the cob
- mashed potatoes and gravy
- sweet potatoes
- tater tots, French fries
Theme Day Menus: Thrifty Thursday
Let’s put it all together. I’ll show you how I would create menus based on the Thrifty Thursday-themed dinner ideas (budget-friendly meal ideas) I’ve shared above.
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Wish someone would do all your menu planning for you? Good news! Eat at Home Meal Planning service is a simple solution for busy women just like you.
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8 Thrifty Thursday Menu Plans
These budget friendly meal plans will help you figure out what to cook this week!
Themed Dinner Idea #1
- Homemade Sloppy Joes
- macaroni and cheese
- frozen broccoli
Themed Dinner Idea #2
- Vegan Chickpea Nuggets
- mashed potatoes and gravy
- frozen peas
Themed Dinner Idea #3
- Sweet Potato Curry
- brown rice
Themed Dinner Idea #4
- Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- mashed potatoes
- garden salad
Themed Dinner Idea #5
- Tater Tot Casserole
- frozen broccoli
- sliced fruit
Themed Dinner Idea #6
- Corn Chowder Recipe
- yeast rolls
Themed Dinner Idea #7
- Easy Tuna Casserole
- frozen broccoli
- frozen corn on the cob
Themed Dinner Idea #8
- One Pot Pasta
- garden salad
- garlic toast
Free Printable Meal Planner
