Quick & Affordable Dinner Recipes with Field Day

Looking for some budget-friendly dinner ideas? These four Field Day–inspired recipes are simple, hearty, and easy to customize. Each one includes suggested variations so you can switch things up and keep mealtime interesting!

And now is the perfect time to try them—through December 2, 2025, all Field Day products are on sale! Stock up on the ingredients you need and save even more on Field Day’s already affordable, high-quality essentials.

Tuna Casserole

This easy meal comes together quickly and serves 4. It can easily be made ahead of time, too!

Instructions

1. Cook Rice:
   Bring broth or water to a boil. Add rice, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit until tender.
2. Prepare Tuna Gravy:
   Warm tuna in a pot over medium heat.
   Whisk 1/2 cup water and flour together until smooth.
   Pour into pot and stir until thickened. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat Peas:
   Warm drained peas and set aside.
4. Assemble:
   Layer cooked rice, peas, and tuna gravy in a dish. Top with crushed saltines. Serve warm.
   
   *If you aren’t serving immediately, you can make the casserole without the saltines. Cover and refrigerate. Once you have reheated the casserole, add the crushed saltines and enjoy!

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Optional Variations

• Top with shredded cheese and bake at 350°F until melted and bubbly (approximately 8 minutes).
• Try substituting cooked noodles instead of rice.
• Swap the peas for another vegetable like broccoli or corn.
• Use other proteins! Canned chicken or chickpeas are great options.

Cost Breakdown

During the Field Day on sale through December 2, 2025, this dish is less than $9 (about $2 per serving)!

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Potato & Bean Chalupas

This recipe is packed with flavor and is so simple that the kids can make their own!

Instructions

1. Prepare Fry Bread Chalupa Dough:
   In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in water until a non-sticky dough forms. Shape into a ball and let rest 10 minutes.
2. Cook Hashbrowns:
   Heat a skillet with a little oil. Add half the frozen hashbrowns, spread evenly, and cook, flipping every 2 minutes for 10 minutes until golden brown. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
3. Shape and Cook Chalupas:
   Divide the dough into 4 balls. Stretch or roll each into a pancake about 1/4″ thick.
   Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil (if not non-stick). Cook each piece 45 seconds per side until lightly browned.
   Optional: Shape into a “U” by placing warm bread between two jars as it cools, or keep flat.
4. Warm Refried Beans:
   Heat beans in a pan or microwave; add a splash of water if too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Assemble Chalupas:
   Spread beans on each chalupa, top with hashbrowns and salsa. Serve with tortilla chips and the remaining salsa for a delicious dinner!

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Optional Variations

• Add toppings like sliced black olives, shredded lettuce, cheese, or sour cream.
• Ground beef, TVP seasoned with chili powder, or shredded chicken would be great options, too!
• Skip the fry bread and use tortillas for tacos!

Cost Breakdown

During the Field Day on sale through December 2, 2025, this dish is less than $11 (less than $3 per serving)!

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Corn Chowder

This comforting chowder is a simple dinner that’s perfect for chilly evenings. It serves four and has many easy variations to switch things up!

Instructions

1. Cook Rice:
   Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add rice, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit until tender.
2. Start the Chowder:
   In a large pot, combine broth, corn (with liquid), 2 cups of water, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer.
3. Thicken:
   In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups of water and the flour until smooth.
   Pour into the simmering pot, stirring quickly until thickened.
4. Combine:
   Add the cooked rice to the pot and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with saltines or toast.

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Optional Variations

• Broth can be substituted for water to add more flavor
• Add cooked chicken or a can of cannellini beans for extra protein.
• Stir in a can of diced green chiles for heat.
• Add a splash of cream or some shredded cheese for a richer, creamier chowder.

Cost Breakdown

During the Field Day on sale through December 2, 2025, this dish is less than $8 (less than $2 per serving)!

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Chili with Garlic Fry Bread

This two-ingredient chili is perfect for weekday nights when you need something that’s quick and satisfying. Field Day Ranchero Chili Beans make it simple–no additional seasonings are needed! Pair it with a garlic fry bread for a comforting dinner that serves four.

Instructions

1. Prepare Fry Bread Dough:
   In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt.
   Stir in water until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
   Knead on a floured surface until smooth, then shape into a ball.
   Let rest for 10 minutes.
2. Cook the Fry Bread:
   Divide the dough into 4 equal balls.
   Stretch or roll each into a pancake about 1/4″ thick.
   Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil (if not non-stick).
   Cook each piece for about 45 seconds per side, until lightly browned.
   Set aside.
3. Make the Chili:
   In a pot, combine Ranchero Chili Beans and diced tomatoes.
   Heat over medium heat until warmed through.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve:
   Serve the hot chili alongside the garlic fry bread.

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Optional Variations

• Top with your favorite chili fixings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, etc.
• Add in some ground beef or cooked TVP for an extra protein boost!
• Want to get even more veggies in your diet? Try adding a can of corn for a pop of color and extra nutrients.

Cost Breakdown

During the Field Day on sale through December 2, 2025, this dish is less than $6 (less than $2 per serving)!

Enjoy these easy recipes and explore how you can make them your own! Field Day offers high-quality organic and natural foods at an affordable price that your family will love.