Budget-Friendly Meal Plan: Delicious Dinners for Under $20 a Week

Sticking to a tight budget doesn’t mean sacrificing delicious and satisfying meals. This article shows you how to cook dinner for your family for under $20 a week. This comprehensive meal plan utilizes simple, affordable ingredients readily available at most local supermarkets. The total cost for all ingredients came to just under $20. These eight easy-to-prepare meals are designed to stretch your grocery budget while keeping everyone feeling full, warm, and comforted.

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Check out this resource for easy Thanksgiving recipes on a budget.

This $20 Budget Meal Plan for four utilizes simple and affordable groceries to create eight delicious and filling meals. These recipes rely on staples like beans, lentils, rice, pasta, common vegetables, and inexpensive chicken drumsticks, making it an ideal low-cost meal plan for families on a budget. It’s also great for meal prepping or simply stocking your pantry with essential ingredients. Each recipe is carefully designed to maximize the use of ingredients while ensuring every dish is hearty, comforting, and bursting with flavor. With careful planning and resourceful cooking, you can create a variety of satisfying meals without breaking the bank.

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1. One Pot Chicken and Rice

A comforting and filling one-pot chicken dinner made with rice, vegetables, and simple pantry spices. This recipe easily feeds a family of four for just a few dollars, making it a perfect choice for budget-conscious meal planning. The combination of chicken, rice, and vegetables creates a balanced and satisfying meal that is both easy to prepare and delicious to eat.

Ingredients

• 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• 4 chicken drumsticks
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add oil.
2. Add chopped onion and cook for 4 minutes, until softened.
3. Add chicken drumsticks and sear on all sides for a golden-brown color.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
5. Stir in brown rice and frozen mixed vegetables.
6. Add water, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper.
7. Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.

Looking for more side dish ideas? Try this Creamy Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes recipe.

2. Lentil Cabbage Stir Fry

This simple skillet meal features cabbage, lentils, and carrots for a nutritious and flavorful dish. It comes together quickly and is excellent as leftovers, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. The combination of textures and flavors, combined with the affordability of the ingredients, makes this stir-fry a budget-friendly and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• Small amount of onion, diced
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup lentils
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat a pot or large skillet and add oil.
2. Add sliced carrots and diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
3. Add chopped cabbage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly wilted.
4. Add lentils, water, and soy sauce (if using).
5. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and have absorbed the liquid.

3. Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Cooking dry beans is one of the most effective ways to stretch your grocery budget. These pinto beans will be used in several meals throughout the week, adding protein and fiber to your diet while keeping costs low. Using an Instant Pot makes the process quick and easy, allowing you to prepare a large batch of beans in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pinto beans, dry
• 7 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 bay leaves (optional, for added flavor)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Rinse the pinto beans thoroughly and add them to the Instant Pot.
2. Add all other ingredients, including water, salt, bay leaves (if using), pepper, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and chili powder.
3. Cook on the Bean or Chili setting.
4. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 30 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
5. Remove bay leaves.
6. Use immediately or store for later use.

Discover more Thanksgiving recipes, including sides, desserts, and main dishes: Thanksgiving 🍂

4. Pasta With Beans

A comforting bowl of pasta mixed with beans provides an extra boost of protein and fiber. To maximize the use of ingredients, only half of the cooked pasta is used in this recipe, allowing you to stretch it across multiple meals. This dish combines simple ingredients with flavorful seasonings to create a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shell pasta (use half after cooking)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a pan, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Add pasta sauce, cooked pinto beans, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Add half of the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.

5. Chicken Lentil Burritos

Chicken drumsticks, lentils, beans, and tortillas combine to create a filling and protein-packed meal that’s perfect for a satisfying dinner. These burritos are a great way to use up leftover ingredients while creating a flavorful and budget-friendly meal. The combination of textures and flavors will appeal to the whole family.

Ingredients

• Small amount of onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 tsp taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• Tortillas

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot.
2. Cook diced onion and jalapeño (if using) for 5 minutes, until softened.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Add chicken drumsticks and brown on all sides.
5. Add lentils, water, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, oregano, and cooked pinto beans.
6. Simmer for 45 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
7. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
8. Fill tortillas with the chicken and lentil mixture and fold into burritos.
9. Crisp the burritos in a skillet for added texture.

Check out these semi-viral Lentil Burritos for more burrito inspiration.

6. Vegetable Rice Soup

A warm and comforting vegetable-packed soup that makes a big pot for very little cost. This soup is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and create a hearty and nutritious meal. The combination of flavors and textures, along with the low cost of the ingredients, makes this soup a perfect choice for budget-conscious families.

Ingredients

• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup brown rice

Instructions

1. Add sliced carrots, chopped cabbage, cooked pinto beans, frozen mixed vegetables, minced garlic, and water to a large pot.
2. Stir in oregano, salt, pepper, and brown rice.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables and rice are tender.

Explore these slow cooker soups perfect for fall and winter!

7. Chicken Drumsticks With Bright Veggie Pasta

Sheet pan chicken with simple veggie pasta, made from leftover ingredients, offers a convenient and flavorful meal. Roasting the chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan makes for easy cleanup, while the veggie pasta utilizes leftover ingredients to create a balanced and satisfying dish. This recipe is a great way to minimize food waste while enjoying a delicious and affordable meal.

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 4 chicken drumsticks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika
• Onion powder

Pasta:

• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining frozen mixed vegetables
• Garlic, minced
• 16 oz diced tomatoes
• Remaining cooked pasta
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
4. While the chicken is baking, heat oil in a pan.
5. Add remaining frozen mixed vegetables and minced garlic.
6. Add diced tomatoes and seasonings.
7. Stir in remaining cooked pasta and toss to coat.
8. Serve the baked chicken drumsticks with the bright veggie pasta.

8. Everything Leftover Burritos or Stew

The final meal utilizes all remaining ingredients to create a big pot of hearty stew or a flavorful burrito filling. This recipe is a great way to minimize food waste and create a satisfying and budget-friendly meal. Whether you choose to serve it as a stew or wrapped in tortillas, this leftover creation is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

• Remaining onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
• 3 carrots, sliced
• Just over 1 cup brown rice, cooked
• Remaining lentils, cooked
• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining pinto beans, cooked
• 9 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• Onion powder to taste
• Paprika to taste
• Tortillas (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot.
2. Cook diced onion, jalapeño (if using), and sliced carrots until softened.
3. Add cooked rice, cooked lentils, and cooked beans.
4. Add water and seasonings.
5. Simmer for 1 hour, or until everything is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. Serve as a stew or wrap in tortillas.