One area of our budget that I have always struggled with has been groceries. I’m really likely to overspend in this category if I’m not careful. Meal planning has been a really useful tool in addition to following some of these steps for grocery shopping on a budget.
When times have been tight, I have had to be really thoughtful about the foods I buy and the meals we prepare.
I’ve also found that during these lean times it’s super easy to get caught in a rut. I go for what I know is cheap and easy and we eat the same things week in and out.
Honestly, there is only so much spaghetti a person can eat.
If you’re like me and are looking for some new cheap family friendly recipes to spice up your meals than this list of budget meals is for you!
A Few Things Before I Get Started
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I mentioned meal planning above, but if you skimmed right over that part I just want to stress again what an important tool meal planning has been in helping us reduce our grocery bill. You can download my meal planning guide here. This guide will give you a weekly meal plan printable, master list of meals, grocery list template and more!
Now that that’s out of the way here are the recipes.
All of these recipes can be made for under $10 and are all family friendly meals! I’ve tried to include recipes that only include pantry staples. No crazy ingredients that you’ll try once and never use again.
Dinner Recipes
Easy Chicken Divan – More the Marier (pictured above)
Crunchwrap Supreme – Delish
Orange Glazed Chicken – Southern Living
Stewed Pork and Squash – My Recipes
Chicken Paprikash – Martha Stewart
Baked Ranch Chicken Tenders and Veggies – Damn Delicious
Poor Man’s Stew – The Magical Slow Cooker
Meatball Subs – Good Cheap Eats
Pizza Cupcakes – Bigger Bolder Baking
Chili Pasta Skillet – I Wash You Dry
One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice – The Girl Who Ate Everything
Soups:
These hearty soups are delicious and filling. You can serve them alone or with bread, fruit or a side salad.
Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup – Families with Grace (pictured above)
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup – Budget Bytes
Cheesy Ham Corn Chowder – Taste of Home
Winter Vegetable Minestrone Soup – Peas and Crayons
Easy Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup – Thrifty Frugal Mom
Sides
A good inexpensive side can transform a meal immediately.
Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese – Journey to SAHM (pictured above)
Parmesan Garlic Roasted Green Beans – Savor and Savvy
The Easiest Homemade Steak Fries – Faith Filled Food For Moms
Restaurant Style Fried Rice – All Recipes
5 Minute Parmesan Ranch Broccoli – Yellow Bliss Road
Baked Sweet Potato Chips – Minimalist Baker
Snacks and Treats
3 Ingredient Healthy Oatmeal Banana Cookies – Tons of Goodness (pictured above)
Choco Banana Bars – Little House Living
Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies – Fabulessly Frugal
Homemade Strawberry Muffins – The Hillbilly Housewife
Gluten Free Meal Ideas
Simple Mediterranean Tomato Dish – Sage and Citrus (pictured above)
No Fuss Gluten Free Meatloaf – The Spruce Eats
Steak Fajitas – Paleo Newbie
Mustard Glazed Salmon Steaks – Woman’s Day
Crispy Gluten Free Chicken Strips – The Movement Menu
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Thank you!
I’m really excited to try all of these!