Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to spend more! These cheap gluten-free meals rely on affordable, naturally GF ingredients so you can prepare easy family-friendly dinners, snacks, and breakfasts without sacrificing your budget or energy!
best Tips for gluten-free meals on a budget
When initially starting a gluten-free diet, home cooks may have a bit of of sticker shock. Grocery and speciality health food stores carry certified gluten-free prepared foods that are priced astronomically higher than their traditional counterparts.
It’s a trap, though! Cheap gluten free meal ideals are all around you, and affordable recipes are possible without spending extra time or effort in the kitchen. This recipe website, as well as my gluten-free cookbook, includes many easy gluten-free dinners, made from naturally GF ingredients that are not only economical, but readily-available in your local grocery store.
Here are some easy money-saving tips for affordable gluten-free meals!
- Number one – meal plan! Avoid convenience food traps by planning out meals each week and shopping for those ingredients. You will have everything on hand, ready to go, and avoiding frequent trips to the grocery store saves money!
- Feed everyone in the family the same meal. Find easy gluten-free dinner ideas that use naturally GF ingredients and appeal to the whole family. Stir frys over rice, stuffed potatoes, casseroles, and sheet pan meals are great options!
- For pricier ingredients, such as my favorite gluten-free flour, certified GF oats, and specialty grains, buy in bulk using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, Vitacost, or Thrive Market.
- Instead of premade mixes, which often contain hard-to-decipher ingredient labels, use whole foods – fruits, veggies, affordable cuts of meat, grains, and canned goods.
- Make foods that you use a lot and are expensive to buy, such as gluten-free sandwich bread, pancakes, and gluten-free muffins.
- Alternatively, avoid using bread by substituting lettuce wraps, opting for stuffed potatoes, or serving open-faced over cheap-to-make and freezer-friendly gluten-free cornbread.
where to buy affordable gluten-free food?
A web search for “cheap gluten free meals” will turn up many options for pre-made gluten free meal delivery. Although this may be convenient and easy, there is a massive trade-off with price. Plus, small portions doesn’t make this a realistic option when feeding a family.
The number one place to buy affordable gluten free ingredients is your local supermarket. Use regular grocery store items, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and canned goods to make meals. Typically the only speciality item I buy is GF pasta, which isn’t terribly expensive if using Barilla or Ronzoni brand.
For gluten free flour and certified grains, buy in bulk using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, Vitacost, or Thrive Market. Signing up to mailing lists will alert you to coupon codes and deals, and take advantage of those deals by buying in large quantities!
cheap gluten-free dinners
The gluten free recipes listed below are great examples of using regular ingredients to make affordable, allergy-friendly dinners. If you are cooking for a family, be sure to check out Gluten Free Recipes for Kids for more affordable gluten free meals!
1. 25-Minute Walking Taco Casserole with Ground Beef
Walking taco casserole makes taco night even easier! Seasoned ground beef gets a tangy, creamy boost from cream cheese mixed in, topped with crunchy Fritos or Doritos and gooey, melted cheese. This easy taco casserole is an effortless weeknight dinner ready in only 25 minutes!
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2. Juicy Gluten-Free Meatloaf (Taste Like Mom’s!)
The best gluten-free meatloaf has a classic taste just like the old-fashioned recipe you grew up on! This simple, traditional, and dairy-free recipe has a juicy texture without using breadcrumbs, only gluten-free oats as a binder, and a rich, tangy glaze coating.
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3. Oven Baked Chicken Cacciatore
Easy oven baked chicken cacciatore recipe makesweeknight cooking a breeze! Dump chicken thighs, peppers, onions, and tomatoes in a baking dish and forget about it while youroven does all the work!
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4. Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie with Shortcut Topping
Shepherd’s pie, also known as cottage pie, combines a saucy ground beef mixture under a layer of potatoes. This easy gluten-free recipe for shepherds pie keeps all the comforting flavor, but uses a shortcut quick and cheesy hash brown topping!
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5. Crispy Gluten-Free Sweet and Sour Chicken (Baked)
Enjoy your favorite chinese take-out again with Gluten-Free Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe! Make this easy dish at home with one pan, no frying, and a sticky, tangy gluten free sweet sour sauce coating golden, crispy chicken.
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6. Best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Best Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is an easy crock pot recipe made with lean ground turkey, peppers, fire roasted tomatoes, beans, and simple kitchen spices. This healthy ground turkey chili is quick to throw together and a hit with kids and families!
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7. Cheesy Crunchwrap Gluten-Free Quesadillas (10 Mins)
Enjoy the ultimate meal or snack made in only 10 minutes! These crunch wrap gluten-free quesadillas start with a soft tortilla stuffed with perfectly-seasoned cheese and bean filling, then skillet fried or baked with a crunchy cheesy crust. It's the ideal way to level up homemade gluten-free tortillas, your favorite store bought brand, or corn tortillas!
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8. Gluten-Free Salisbury Steak (Old School Taste!)
Learn how to make an old school classic dish with this easy gluten-free recipe! Tender GF salisbury steaks use oats instead of bread crumbs to bind the hamburger patties, and are smothered with a rich and flavorful mushroom gravy that will leave you wanting to lick your plate clean!
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9. Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
Learn how to make easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls recipe on the stove top, Instant Pot, or slow cooker. Serve it with rice for a hearty weeknight family dinner, or transform it into a slimmed down low carb meal!
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10. Honey Soy Chicken Thighs
Learn how to make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with a sticky honey soy sauce. Instant Pot Honey Soy Chicken Thighs recipe uses bone in or boneless chicken thighs, a handful of ingredients, 5 minute prep, and can be served in less than 30 minutes!
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11. Easy Old School Tamale Pie (Without Jiffy!)
Made from scratch, yet quick and easy, Tamale Pie is an old school casserole with layers of seasoned beef or chicken, cornbread, and melted cheese.
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12. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Thick and creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup is a quick and easy, naturally gluten-free broccoli cheddar soup prepared in only 15 minutes!
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13. Old Fashioned Tuna Noodle Casserole with Potato Chips
Learn how to makeOld FashionedTuna Casserole with crunchy potato chips just like Mom's! This retro, classic tuna noodle recipe with cheese has a creamy homemade sauce using nocondensed soupand iseasily adaptable to make gluten-free!
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14. Meatless Baked Ziti
Looking for a creamy, cheesy meatless baked ziti recipe to effortlessly to throw together? Baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella uses only five ingredients, is freezer-friendly, and easily adapts into a gluten-free baked pasta as well!
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15. Easy Tomato Pie with Bisquick
Easy Tomato Pie recipe tastes like comforting cheesy southern tomato pie but without the work! Just mix and pat in a fluffy Bisquick crust, top with sharp cheddar cheese mayo filling, and layer on fresh tomato slices.
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16. Sausage Bake Dinner
Sausage Bake Dinner makes an entire hands-off meal in one dish. This easy baked Italian sausage recipe combines roasted sausage, sweet potatoes, and onions for a flavorful sheet pan sausage and veggies meal!
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17. Italian Sausage Pasta
Italian Sausage Pasta recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes for a quick, hearty meal. A creamy sausage red sauce with spinach coats penne pasta for a delicious recipe ready for weeknights!
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easy Gluten-free snacks
Looking for affordable gluten-free snacks that are perfect for the whole family? These affordable snacks are not only delicious, but they’re easy to prepare and perfect for movie nights, after-school snacks, or fuel for the office.
Gluten-Free Chex Mix recipe takes the original party mix and transforms it into a bold and zesty snack perfect for the holidays, homemade gifts, or entertaining. Make this easy, savory mix in the oven, microwave, or in the slow cooker!
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19. Easy Microwave Caramel Corn Recipe
Easy Homemade Caramel Corn recipe comes together in less than 10 minutes in the microwave. No bake caramel corn makes an addictive buttery, sweet, salty, and crispy snack!
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20. Gluten-Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Homemade gluten-free granola bars are easy, chewy treat ideal for breakfast bars or a grab-and-go-snack. Chocolate chip granola bars are simply irresistible with a combination of gluten-free oats, gooey chocolate, coconut, nuts, and dried fruit. They baked with a perfect combination of sweet and salty and extra chewy texture thanks to a combination of peanut butter and honey.
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21. Crispy Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks (No Breadcrumbs)
Enjoy an old school ooey, gooey treat again with easy, homemade Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks recipe. Gluten free cheese sticks have no breadcrumbs and are made with an almond flour parmesan breading so not only are they addictively tasty, but low carb and keto-friendly!
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Learn how to make the best chocolate covered popcorn with this easy recipe full of expert tips and creative ideas! Chocolate drizzled popcorn makes a fun, irresistible snack ideal for movie nights, homemade gifts, or parties.
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More Snack Ideas
- Cheese sticks wrapped with lunchmeat
- Nuts
- Fresh fruit
- Raisins mixed with gluten free cereal
- Popcorn
- Cottage cheese
- Hummus and veggies
- Dates stuffed with peanut butter
- Rice cakes with peanut butter & banana
bargain breakfasts
Great tasting gluten-free breakfasts don’t have to break the bank! These affordable options are ideal for busy school or work mornings. Many can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for quick and convenient breakfasts on the run.
23. Moist Oat Flour Banana Bread (Extra Easy)
Oat Flour Banana Bread recipe makes miraculous, golden banana bread using no flour, 100% oats, and minimal effort! Gluten-free banana bread made with oat flour requires only five minutes of effort and affordable ingredients to make this homemade moist quick bread!
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24. Easy Banana Baked Oatmeal Recipe
Banana Baked Oatmeal is a comforting and wholesome Amish breakfast casserole made with bananas, oats, and maple syrup. Make it your own baked oatmeal recipe by adding peanut butter, chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts!
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25. Instant Pot Yogurt
Learn how to make Instant Pot yogurt and discover all the tips and tricks out there behind that magic button. Incredibly simple-to-make Instant Pot yogurt recipe tastes smooth, creamy, and decadent, like eating a bowl of whipped cream without the calories!
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26. Extra Fluffy Flourless Pancakes with Banana
Fluffy Flourless Pancakes mix up quickly in a blender, have a tender, light banana oatmeal texture, and are naturally gluten free. This healthy recipe is easy to throw together and they have the look and taste of REAL pancakes.
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27. Sausage Muffins with Cheese
Sausage Muffins with cheese are perfect for breakfast on-the-go, holiday brunches, or a satisfying savory snack. These fluffy sausage cheddar muffins are take on a southern favorite, sausage balls, but as a complete breakfast in one package!
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28. Homemade Gluten Free Granola Recipe
If you love chewy, chunky granola clusters, you will go crazy for Homemade Gluten Free Granola recipe! This is hands down the best granola flavored with orange zest, warm spices, and sweetened with pure maple syrup.
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29. Fluffy, Moist Gluten Free Banana Muffins with Oil
My version of gluten-free banana muffins is ready in 30 minutes! The addition of oil in the muffin batter ensures the muffins are extra moist and tender. Serve the muffins warm with a generous spread of butter and enjoy!
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30. Fluffy, Crispy Oat Flour Waffles (Gluten-Free)
Enjoy fluffy, yet crispy oat flour waffles with this easy gluten-free recipe. Waffles made with oat flour are kid-approved, yet contain no refined sugar and are easily modified for a dairy-free, egg-free, vegan breakfast!
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31. Extra Creamy Grits
How to Make Grits is a recipe forno fail, creamy grits with butter, parmesan, and ricotta cheese. This is a perfect southern-style side dish for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
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32. Easy Gluten-Free Sausage Gravy (Foolproof, 10 Mins)
Learn how to make delicious and easy gluten-free sausage gravy to serve with fluffy gluten-free biscuits! This quick skillet recipe tastes just like authentic southern-style sausage gravy to satisfy the whole family!
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33. Fluffy Gluten-Free Biscuits
Ready in less than 1-hour, these homemade gluten-free drop biscuits are baked with all-purpose gluten-free flour. Rather than buttermilk, this recipe uses plain yogurt for terrific texture! For best results, once the biscuit dough is ready, cover it in a bowl, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.T he biscuits will emerge from the oven soft, tender and oh so fluffy!
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34. Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
Easy Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins recipe are the perfect healthy way to start the day! Traditional or gluten-free applesauce muffins are extremely moist and flavorful with applesauce, banana, oats, and cinnamon. Learn how to make oatmeal muffins with applesauce, along with the best variations, mix-ins, and expert baking tips!
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35. Fluffy Gluten Free Banana Waffles with Oatmeal
Easy gluten free banana waffles are a breeze to make in the blender! Just throw together simple ingredients such as, oatmeal, bananas, and honey, and you'll be diving into healthy, flourless gluten free waffles in no time!
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