Making dinners for the whole family that are both healthy and cheap can be something of a challenge. It’s easier than you think! There are some great options out there that work well and are delicious. Better yet, they’re kid-friendly. Here are five dinners that tick all the boxes.

Squids

This dinner is usually referred to as ‘Octopus on Seaweed,’ but it’s also known more colloquially as Squids. This meal requires chicken-flavor ramen noodles, a packet of hot dogs, ketchup and mustard. Take out the hot dogs and cut them in four only halfway up. Boiling the hot dogs will cause these ends to curl. Now you have your squids! Once the ramen is finished cooking, add green food coloring. You can make little faces with the mustard and ketchup!

Pesto Pasta

You’ll feel like you’re in an Italian bistro! Your kids will love playing with the green noodles. Pesto sauce is available in most supermarkets; you can try a few of them until you find your favorite, but Pesto Alla Genovese is one of the usual favorites. You’ll need a jar of pesto and a bag of fusilli pasta (the corkscrew kind). You can feed your entire family on less than $5 with this meal. Both kids and adults will appreciate the delicate, subtle flavors of this simple pasta dish.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tikka masala has now become more British than fish and chips, and it also offers a great meal for families looking to eat healthy on a budget. Tikka masala sauce can be found in jars at the supermarket or easily made by hand for those who are interested in home cooking. Here’s a recipe if you’d like to try your hand at a delicious sauce. The combination of rice, chicken, and delicious curry sauce will put a little spice into your life. Tip: add some aged grated cheddar cheese on top to round it out!

Stir Fry

This is one of the healthiest meals you can make. Heat up some oil in a wok, add ginger, garlic and spring onion. Then you add chicken and a selection of vegetables. This might not seem child-friendly on the face of it, but if you buy some fortune cookies at the supermarket, you can make an occasion out of it. Everyone can read their fortunes around the table.

Spaghetti Bolognese

This tried-and-true recipe has always been a kid favorite. It’s easy to make, with ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and noodles. You can even purchase it pre-made if you would prefer not to take the time to cook. Adults can enjoy it with a glass of red wine, while the kids may fondly recall it years later as one of their favorite meals.

These are just a few ideas to help you out when you’re stumped for a great idea. Healthy meals that are also kid-friendly and cheap aren’t always easy to come by. These should make your next dinnertime one of the best.