Trying to cut grocery costs? Here are 10 budget friendly Instant Pot meals. Each meal serves between 4-8 people and costs less than $10 total!

Budget Friendly Instant Pot Meals
The prices I have listed below are from Smith’s grocery store (Kroger) in Utah in July 2020. Different areas and different grocery stories will vary in price.
#1: Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Casserole
Fresh broccoli, melty cheese, smoked sausage, a homemade creamy sauce and rice make this casserole the quintessential comfort food. An easy Instant Pot recipe with no browning or sauteing steps.
Estimated cost (6 servings = $1.25 per serving): $7.48
- ¾ cup long grain white rice: $0.23
- 10 oz fresh broccoli florets: $1.12
- 12 oz fully cooked smoked sausage: $3.49
- ¼ cup mayo: $0.46
- ¼ cup sour cream: $0.17
- 4 oz cream cheese: $0.60
- ¼ cup milk: $0.03
- ½ tsp pepper: $0.02
- 2 tsp garlic powder: $0.10
- â…› tsp salt: $0.01
- 1 cup grated medium or sharp cheddar: $1.25

#2: Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken
This cheesy and creamy chicken casserole with tortillas and Rotel has its roots in Texas but that doesn’t mean us non-Texans can’t enjoy it too! Whip up my version in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot and NO cream of soups!
Estimated cost (6 servings = $1.64 per serving): $9.87
- ½ cup chicken broth: $0.16
- 1 cup diced onion: $0.28
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts: $3.00
- 1 (10 oz) can rotel: $1.00
- 1 tsp cumin: $0.05
- 1 tsp chili powder: $0.01
- 1 tsp garlic powder: $0.05
- ½ tsp dried oregano: $0.02
- 1 tsp salt: $0.01
- 1 red bell pepper: $1.25
- 1 cup half and half: $0.50
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch: $0.04
- 11 (6 inch) soft corn tortillas: $1.00
- 2 cups grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese: $2.50

#3: Instant Pot Chili Cheese Rice
Beefy chili, rice and cheddar together in one dish. Made easy (and fast) with your electric pressure cooker.
Estimated cost (6 servings = $1.66 per serving): $10.00
- 1 pound lean ground beef: $3.99
- 1 cup diced onion: $0.28
- 1 tsp kosher salt: $0.02
- 1 Tbsp chili powder: $0.03
- 1 Tbsp cumin: $0.15
- â…› tsp cayenne pepper: $0.01
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic: $0.10
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar: $0.02
- 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce: $0.69
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste: $0.13
- 2 ½ cups beef broth: $0.84
- 2 cups uncooked brown rice: $0.82
- ½ cup warmed half and half or heavy cream: $0.25
- 1 (14.5 oz) can kidney beans: $0.79
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese: $1.88

#4: Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes
Create a baked potato bar for an easy and cheap dinner. I love making baked potatoes in the Instant Pot because they are faster than the oven, fluffy and moist, don’t require foil and you can make a bunch at the same time.
Estimated cost (8 servings = $1.15 per serving): $9.17
- 5 pound bag of potatoes: $2.29
- Carton of sour cream: $1.39
- Frozen Broccoli: $1.00
- Bacon crumbles: $1.99
- Grated cheese: $2.50
Instant Pot baked potatoes can be customized to your preferences. Here are some topping ideas:
- crumbled bacon
- grated cheese
- cheese sauce
- steamed broccoli
- chili
- sour cream
- plain yogurt
- butter
- salt and pepper
- chives
- green onions
- cubes of ham
- chunks of chicken
- taco meat
- salsa
- cottage cheese
- everything bagel seasoning
#5: Instant Pot Pasta Primavera
Pasta primavera is a pasta and vegetable dish. Rigatoni pasta is cooked quickly in your pressure cooker along with tomatoes, fresh green beans, carrots, mushrooms, garlic and zucchini. The whole dish is tossed with grated parmesan cheese.
Estimated cost (4 servings = $2.36 per serving): $9.42
- 8 ounces uncooked rigatoni: $0.84
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth: $0.67
- 1 large garlic clove: $0.05
- 1 large carrot: $0.20
- 8 ounces mushrooms: $1.99
- 3/4 pound fresh green beans: $1.34
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes: $0.69
- 1 tsp salt: $0.01
- 2 tsp dried basil: $0.18
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano: $0.02
- 1 zucchini: $1.75
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch: $0.02
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese: $1.66
#6: Instant Pot Bacon Cheddar Egg Casserole
Hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, cheddar and spinach are all combined to make a scrumptious breakfast for dinner.
Estimated Cost (4-6 servings = $1.01 per serving): $3.93
- 6 eggs: $0.65
- 1/2 cup half and half: $0.25
- 1/2 tsp salt: $0.01
- 1/4 tsp pepper: $0.01
- 1 cup frozen hashbrowns: $0.19
- 2 handfuls of spinach: $0.57
- 1/2 cup bacon bits: $1.00
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese: $1.25
#7: Instant Pot Spaghetti Sauce
This spaghetti sauce is so delicious you’ll be licking your plate. The funny part is that it only takes a handful of easy ingredients and a few minutes in your pressure cooker. Bonus–if you want to cook a spaghetti squash at the same time as the sauce you can!
Estimated Cost (4-6 servings = $0.52-$2.36 per serving): $2.11-$9.47
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes: $1.09
- 4 Tbsp butter: $0.41
- 1 tsp onion powder: $0.05
- 1 tsp garlic powder: $0.05
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt: $0.01
- Optional: 1 small spaghetti squash ($3.87) or 8 oz pasta ($0.50)
- Optional : 1 pound ground beef ($3.99) or ground Italian sausage ($3.49)
#8: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
A broth based soup with chicken, celery, carrots and brown rice. This soup reminds me of chicken noodle soup except it has rice instead of noodles.
Estimated Cost (8-10 servings = $1.31 per serving): $10.53
- 8 cups chicken broth: $3.78
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: $4.03
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice: $0.41
- 1 onion: $0.28
- 3 large carrots: $0.60
- 3 celery ribs: $0.55
- 1 tsp garlic powder: $0.05
- 2 tsp dried parsley: $0.05
- 1 tsp dried thyme: $0.13
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary: $0.13
- 1/2 tsp dried sage: $0.13
- 1 bay leaf: $0.16
- 1 1/2 tsp salt: $0.02
- 2 Tbsp butter: $0.21
#9: Instant Pot Appalachian Soup Beans
A comforting bowl of creamy pinto beans flavored with smoky ham. A winter staple in the Appalachian states.
Estimated Cost (8 servings = $1.15 per serving): $9.24
- 4 strips of uncooked bacon: $1.06
- 1 medium onion: $0.28
- 1 Tbsp garlic: $0.10
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper: $0.03
- 1 ham hock: $3.84
- 6 cups chicken broth: $2.02
- 1 pound dry pinto beans: $0.99
- ¾ tsp kosher salt: $0.02
#10: Instant Pot Mexican Black Beans And Rice
The easiest and tastiest rice ever! Brown rice is cooked in flavorful salsa with garlic salt, a bay leaf and cumin. Canned black beans make this recipe very convenient. And my favorite part is a squeeze of lime juice and a dollop of sour cream on top. Make this as a meal or as a side dish.
Estimated Cost (4 servings = $0.78 -$1.80 per serving): $3.11-$7.22
- 1 (15 oz) can of black beans: $0.79
- 1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice: $0.41
- 3/4 cup picante sauce or salsa: $1.15
- 1 bay leaf: $0.16
- 1 tsp cumin: $0.05
- 1 tsp garlic salt: $0.05
- Fresh lime juice, to taste: $0.50
- Optional toppings: sour cream $0.74, tortilla chips $0.62, grated cheese $1.25, sliced avocado $1.50
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What Pressure Cooker Do You Use?
I use a 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I use a Crockpot Express 10qt., which does a bunch of things, and am in need of a new insert pot which I can’t find anywhere. Any suggestions from anyone?
Thank you for these recipes “other Karen” . I’m finding it more and more difficult to cook recipes now, as my husband started kidney dialysis and has become EXTREMELY picky on what he rats. Along with cooking only for 2 bow. Love my IP and its nice to have a variety of recipes to add to my pins.
Oh that is hard! I’m sorry you’re facing that! I’m glad you find value here.
I’ve been following you forever. Your recipes are great and I’ve learned a lot about my instant pot! Thank you. Do you have any low carb suggestions for the instant pot that use everyday ingredients. I’m diabetic and have been put on a low carb diet by my doctor.
Yes Judy! Here are my low carb recipes: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/recipes/?fwp_dietary_restrictions=low-carb
Hi Karen,
can i followed the same recipe for a whole chicken that is not frozen for the instant pot?
Use 6 minutes per pound of non frozen chicken
I really appreciate the price breakdown. Even if it does not fit my area exactly it was very helpful and gives me an option to replace a more expensive item in a similar recipe.
You’re welcome! Glad it is helpful!
I’m reading this post on 1/20/2023. Unfortunately the prices are outdated, especially the eggs. Eggs are now at least $5-6/dozen.
I still enjoy the recipes and I’ve saved several to make soon.
Karen, local prices aside, I DO appreciate you offering us some potentially affordable options.
I just know that I need to convert to Canadian $’s, and expect that everything in Vancouver (gorgeous though my city is) will be more costly.
You’ve reminded me of some nice options. Once again, thanks Karen!
Vancouver is so pretty! You’re welcome Jennie!
How about grow your own vegetables. Simple
When you make recipes you use you 6 quart I. I only have an 8 quart. Do I need to add more ingredients or how does this work. I’m new at this . Thank you for all the wonderful recipes.
You can pretty much make the recipes as stated. The only difference is the 8 quart will need more liquid to come to pressure than a 3 or 6 quart. So if it’s a soup recipe with lots of liquid in it you can keep the recipe exactly the same. But if it’s a recipe that has less than 1 cup of liquid in it you’ll need to increase that amount so that your 8 quart pot can come to pressure. You’ll need between 1 and 1 1/2 cups to bring your pot to pressure.
Start with a simple recipe. You’ll get hooked, and be a pro in no time.
Quick release, when recipe is done, release the pressure, to continue with the recipe
Timed release, cook the food, once it finished, some recipes need to sit, while the pressure comes down (5-10 mins) then release remaining pressure
Natural release, let the pot sits until the pin has fully dropped, and continue with the instructions.
For me budget friendly means portion freezable, preferably cookable from frozen and above all convenient. (Cos I am an impatient fella). I tried Chicken and rice once (it may have been a slow cooker version) and tolerated the freshly cooked and could not imagine it reheated so threw it away so I cook rice and pasta at the eating time using conventional methods.
I have been using the Slow Cooker to cook a sort of Jacket Potao for some years purely because an Oven on for an hour for one potato seemed daft and experimented. My first method was to stick skewers into make a sort of tripod to keep it of the base but I just wrap the potato in Kitchen towel now to reduce the stain on the Crock. Some good recipies above. Small adaptions to me needs though. Thank you.
Did you know that you can pierce a potato 6 or 8 times and wrap in a kitchen towel or put into a microwave tortilla warmer and microwave on high for 8 minutes.
Good ideas! Thanks James.
When I was eating butter, my fav way to bake a potato was to put a slice of butter on the top, wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap and put it of a microwave microwave-safe plate and microwave for 7 min. Removing it form the oven and squishing it within the wrap to make certain it was done! Delicious, skin and all!!
Now I just put one potato each In a small microwaveable lidded green plastic container with a small amount of liquid and cook for 7 minutes.
I don’t know where you folks shop, but here on the west coast prices would be considerably high per person. I need really budget friendly meals.
I didn’t see your costs. But, you would expect them to be higher on the West Coast, wouldn’t you? Try using the recipe but substitute lower cost vegetables/meat.
Hi, I am in Utah and these prices are from my local Kroger.