Using Latin ingredients as the base or even just as a flavoring for your meals, can help you get affordable dinners on the table without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
More from MamásLatinas: 40 Natural snacks for your kids that are all Latin-inspired
Certain staples in Latin American cuisine like rice, beans and tortillas have remained a part of traditional diets for a reason–they have a lot of staying power and nutritional value, are cheap and can handle the addition of bold flavors.
Here are 40 recipes for cheap dinners inspired by cuisine from all around the world, that all use staple Latin ingredients.
Rice: This bacon fried rice has lots of flavor.
This bacon fried rice is the perfect fusion of Latin and Asian cuisines, and is loaded with lots of veggies.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.
Rice: These chicken thighs and cilantro-lime rice are a one-pan dinner.
Rice and black beans seasoned with cilantro and lime cook together with affordable chicken thighs for a wholesome one-pan dinner.
Get the full recipe from Julia's Album.
Rice: This rice and sausage is another one-pot winner.
One-pot sausage and rice calls for just a few basic ingredients and is full of healthy veggies and yummy flavors.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.
Rice: This chipotle rice is creamy and delicious.
This chipotle rice features Mexican crema which gives it a great texture and that stick-to-your-ribs feeling.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.
Rice: Rice and garbanzo beans make this Indian curry healthy and affordable.
Indian and Latin cuisines share a lot of common ingredients like the rice, beans, cilantro and cumin that are used in this curry.
Get the full recipe from Chef de Home.
Rice: Throw this chicken, rice and veggie dish in the oven for a cheap, easy meal.
This rice dish takes less than an hour from start to finish and is mostly hands-off. Rice is the base, so it's definitely affordable.
Get the full recipe from Valentina's Corner.
Rice: Pineapple fried rice tastes incredible.
This pineapple fried rice is a healthier, more affordable version of your favorite takeout dish.
Get the full recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.
Rice: This sausage and peppers rice skillet is so easy to make.
Try this sausage and peppers rice skillet for a simple, cheap and super-flavorful supper.
Get the full recipe from Life Made Simple.
Rice: Puerto Rican chicken and rice is an affordable classic.
Puerto Rican-style arroz con pollo always seems special because it just tastes that good, but it's actually really easy and affordable.
Get the full recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
Tortillas: Avocado, black bean and veggie quesadillas are so healthy.
When avocados are in season they're pretty affordable since they stretch far once you mash them. They make these quesadillas super-healthy and tasty too.
Get the full recipe from Gimme Delicious.
Tortillas: This Mexican pizza is nice and light.
Top a tortilla with smashed beans and loads of veggies and you've got yourself a quick, healthy and cheap pizza for dinner.
Get the full recipe from Snixy Kitchen.
Tortillas: Cheeseburger quesadillas couldn't be easier.
Cheesburger quesadillas are super-cheap and incredibly easy to throw together, and they feature flavors everyone loves.
Get the full recipe from 4 Sons 'r' Us.
Tortillas: Nixing the meat makes these tostadas extra affordable.
These healthy and affordable black bean tostadas are topped with lots of delicious veggies, corn and beans.
Get the full recipe from Melane Makes.
Tortillas: Try breakfast for dinner with these huevos rancheros.
Everyone knows breakfast for dinner is a cheap option. These salsa verde huevos rancheros are cheap, delicious and easy to make.
Get the full recipe from Food Recipe Search.
Tortillas: This green chile tortilla pie is so simple and flavorful.
This green chile tortilla pie is basically a frittata with a tortilla base. It's full of cheese and delicious chiles, which makes for a tasty and affordable dinner.
Get the full recipe from Taste and Tell.
Beans: This spicy chicken and black bean dish is a wholesome option.
Chicken thighs, black beans and sweet potatoes are stewed together with spices in the slow cooker for a nutritious and cheap dinner.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.
Beans: These veggie burgers are made with black beans.
Black bean burgers are so tasty even little kids love them. Since there's no meat, they are cost-effective too.
Get the full recipe from Grab a Plate.
Beans: Ham and bean soup is an American staple.
Make this ham and white bean soup in the crockpot for a hearty and super duper cheap dinner.
Get the full recipe from 4 Sons 'r' Us.
Beans: Pupusas are a protein-packed meal.
Refried beans and cheese are stuffed in a delicate corn masa to make these filling and delicious pupusas. They are a complete meal in one little package.
Get the full recipe from Sustaining the Powers.
Beans: Kale, white bean and chicken soup is cheap and nutritious.
Adding kale and white beans to chicken soup makes it healthier and heartier without increasing the cost.
Get the full recipe from Averie Cooks.
Beans: Bean and bacon soup requires fewer than 10 ingredients.
You probably already have everything you need to throw together this delicious bacon and bean soup.
Get the full recipe from Taste and Tell.
Beans: This lentil and bean chili will fill you up.
These lentil and three bean chili is vegetarian, but it will fill you up so well you won't even be able to tell.
Get the full recipe at Contentedness Cooking.
Beans: This white bean chicken chili is full of healthy ingredients.
Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive. This white bean chicken chili is full of nutrients, but won't break the bank.
Get the full recipe from Jessica Gavin.
Plantains: Plantain crust pizza is an affordable and unique dinner.
Who knew you could turn plantains into pizza crust? Because this unique pizza skips meat, it's affordable, tasty and healthy.
Get the full recipe from Healthy Nibbles & Bits.
Plantains: Pastelon is yummy and affordable.
Pastelon or plantain lasagna is flavorful, affordable and relatively easy to prepare. This version uses just a little bit of meat and adds beans, which makes it even less expensive.
Get the full recipe from African Bites.
Plantains: Top these plantain and bacon fritters with an egg.
These plantain and bacon fritters are paleo diet friendly and when you top them with an egg and some aguacate, you've got a perfect breakfast for dinner.
Get the full recipe from Paleo Running Momma.
Plantains: Simple West African dish combines beans and plantains.
One-pot beans and plantains are a typical West African street food. It's cheap, filling and full of flavor.
Get the full recipe from Recipes from a Pantry.
Plantains: Plantains add a new flavor and texture to chili.
Plantains add some bulk and sweet flavor to this affordable, meatless black bean chili.
Get the full recipe from Connoisseurus Veg.
Plantains: Fried plantains tops off these wholesome burrito bowls.
These vegan Brazilian burrito bowls feature the traditional rice and beans, but then they are topped with a garlic-cilantro slaw and crispy fried plantains for a cheap and nutritious meal.
Get the full recipe from Pinch of Yum.
Plantains: Stuffed plantains are quick and easy.
Stuffed plantains are made with just a few basic ingredients like ground beef, garlic and cheese. They are affordable and super quick to prepare.
Get the full recipe from African Bites.
Corn: Corn is a key ingredient in this Tex-Mex pasta salad.
Pasta salad is usually a side, but the additions of corn and beans add plenty of protein and nutrients to turn this Tex Mex pasta salad into a main course.
Get the full recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron.
Corn: This elote soup looks amazing.
During summer corn season this Mexican street corn soup would be incredibly cheap to prepare. It's packed with flavor from lime, cheese, garlic and sour cream.
Get the full recipe from Striped Spatula.
Corn: This enchilda-flavored orzo cooks up in the slow cooker.
This creamy slow cooker enchilada orzo is full of corn, beans, cheese and spices, making it a filling and affordable dinner you can have any night of the week.
Get the full recipe from Damn Delicious.
Herbs & Spices: Fettuccine with cilantro pesto is a nice twist on a classic.
Traditional Italian fettuccine with pesto is given a Latin twist with the addition of a tomatillo and cilantro pesto, for a cheap and flavorful dinner.
Get the full recipe from MamásLatinas.
Herbs & Spices: Homemade roast chicken is jazzed up with cilantro and lime.
A whole roasted chicken always makes for an affordable and versatile dinner. Jazz yours up with cilantro and lime.
Get the full recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen.
Herbs & Spices: This Peruvian chicken soup is full of cilantro flavor.
This Peruvian chicken soup features a cilantro-forward broth, a healthy serving of veggies and some extra protein from quinoa.
Get the full recipe from Super Golden Bakes.
Herbs & Spices: Cumin makes this vegetarian quinoa dish shine.
A whopping four teaspoons of cumin flavor this vegetable stew, which is served over quinoa for added protein without the cost of meat.
Get the full recipe from Fat Free Vegan.
Herbs & Spices: This Moroccan carrot and red lentil soup is affordable and filling.
Carrot soup isn't usually filling enough to be a meal, but this cumin-spiced version features lentils which make it much more satiating.
Get the full recipe from A Cedar Spoon.
Herbs & Spices: These spicy cumin chicken thigh are great with green veggies.
Chicken thighs are one of the most affordable cuts of meat available. Drenching them in strong spices like cumin and chili makes them taste amazing, especially served with a side of green veggies.
Get the full recipe from Red House Spice.
Herbs & Spices: This healthy cauliflower soup has great flavor from spices like cumin.
Cauliflower is made big and bold in this affordable soup recipe, which combines it with earthy spices including cumin, sumac, garlic and turmeric.
Get the full recipe from A Mediterranean Dish.
