Budget-Friendly Dinners: Cook a Month of Meals for Under $50

Struggling to make ends meet but still want to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals? I challenged myself to create a month’s worth of dinners using simple, budget-friendly ingredients, and I managed to do it for under $50! This meal plan focuses on easy-to-prepare recipes that don’t require fancy cooking techniques. Instead, they feature filling and nutrient-dense staples like beans, lentils, and rice, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.

Even though this plan focuses solely on dinners, my family remained satisfied throughout the entire week. We never felt like we were missing out on flavor or nutrition. This proves that budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean boring or bland!

If you’re currently stretching your last few dollars, don’t worry – I completely understand. I’ve been there too! That’s why I developed this incredibly budget-conscious meal plan (along with a detailed, step-by-step YouTube video) to demonstrate that you can indeed create delicious and nutritious meals, even when working with a tight budget.

Whether you decide to follow my weekly plan meticulously or simply pick and choose recipes that appeal to you, I sincerely hope they inspire you to embark on your own tasty and wallet-friendly culinary adventures. Keep in mind that prices can vary based on your location. However, here in Utah, I was able to purchase all the necessary groceries for around $45. Your mileage may vary, but the core concept remains the same: affordable eating is achievable!

Looking for even more ways to cut costs and save money on your grocery bills? Check out these related resources:

• Cheap Family Meals Under $10
• Dirt Cheap Easy Family Dinner Ideas
• Extreme Grocery Budget Recipes

Want to see these budget-friendly dishes come to life? Visit my YouTube channel for step-by-step video tutorials! For the video that inspired this blog post, click here: Eating Dinner For $1.60 A Day (Full Month)

Happy cooking – and thank you for your continued support!

Get to know me!

I’m Julia Pacheco, a published cookbook author and passionate food creator dedicated to crafting delicious, budget-friendly meals that bring people together. From childhood memories of learning to cook alongside my mom to navigating life with the assistance of WIC and food stamps, I deeply understand the importance of making every single meal count.

If you’re new to my page or just discovering it, let’s connect! Learn more about my personal journey and unwavering love for cooking here: Julia Pacheco 💛

Here’s What You’ll Need! Full Grocery List & Prices I Paid (Walmart, Utah)

This comprehensive grocery list is the foundation for a month of budget-friendly dinners. These prices reflect what I paid at my local Walmart in Utah. Remember that prices may fluctuate depending on your location and the current market conditions, so be sure to adjust accordingly.

• 5 lb bag russet potatoes – $2.23
• 5.6 oz bag dry Spanish-style rice sides – $1.00
• 10 oz bag frozen seasoning blend (onions) – $1.32
• 15 oz can sweet peas – $0.64
• 15 oz can corn – $0.64
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic and oil – $0.96
• 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup – $0.68
• 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes – $1.48
• 10 oz can diced tomatoes & green chilis – $0.88
• 6 oz tomato paste – $0.86
• Biscuits – $1.44
• Ramen noodles – $0.30 each
• Sausage – $2.94
• Carrots – $0.98
• Lentils – $1.92
• Rice – $0.92
• Spaghetti – $0.98
• Chicken drumsticks – $5.93
• Hot dogs – $1.18
• Frozen spinach – $1.26
• Bouillon cubes – $1.08
• Shell pasta – $0.98
• Mac & Cheese – $0.58
• Pepperoni – $2.28
• Onion – $0.67
• 2 jars pasta sauce – $1.34 each
• Mozzarella cheese – $1.97
• Tortillas – $1.98
• Garlic – $0.43
• Pinto beans – $1.00
• Jiffy corn muffin mix – $0.62
• Stir-fry Vegetables – $2.48

Remember, these prices may vary depending on your location and the time of year. It’s always a good idea to check prices at your local grocery store before you start shopping.

Keep scrolling to explore the recipes! Once you’ve identified a few that you’re eager to try, double-check the ingredient list against the master grocery list above. Then, head to the grocery store to stock up on the essentials and start planning your dinner nights. It’s that simple! I’d love to know which recipes become your family’s favorites!

Monthly Meal Plan Calendar – How I Planned It All Out!!

This monthly meal plan calendar is your roadmap to a month of stress-free, budget-friendly dinners. Planning ahead is the key to staying on track and avoiding impulse purchases at the grocery store. This calendar gives you a visual representation of how I structured my meals, but feel free to adapt it to suit your own preferences and dietary needs.

16 Emergency Extreme Grocery Budget Meal Plan Recipes:

1. Seasoned Chicken Rice Casserole

A comforting and flavorful casserole that’s both filling and affordable.

Get the full recipe here!

2. Tortilla Pizzas

A quick and easy alternative to traditional pizza, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

• Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup pasta sauce
  • 4 medium flour tortillas
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 (or less) package pepperonis
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spray with oil.
  3. Place tortillas on the pan, spread with sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Ramen Stir-fry

A surprisingly delicious and customizable stir-fry using inexpensive ramen noodles.

Get the full recipe here! Note: I made this exact recipe but used 10 oz of vegetables instead of the full 20 oz bag listed.

4. Pizza Pasta

All the flavors of pizza in a comforting pasta dish.

• Ingredients
  • 1/2 lb shell pasta
  • 1/2 bag pepperonis (cut into smaller pieces)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 18 oz pasta sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions.
  2. Strain the pasta; stir in minced garlic.
  3. Stir in pepperonis, salt, pepper, and pasta sauce. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the cheese and heat until melted.

5. Corn Dog Muffins

A fun and kid-friendly twist on classic corn dogs.

• Ingredients
  • 12 oz package hot dogs, cut into smaller pieces
  • 8.5 oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix
  • 1/3 cup water (or milk)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
• Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. In a bowl, mix Jiffy, water (or milk), and egg.
  3. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick spray.
  4. Divide the corn muffin batter into the muffin cups. (Makes about 12)
  5. Place hot dog pieces into each cup.
  6. Sprinkle with paprika.
  7. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden.

6. Rice and Bean Skillet

A simple and satisfying skillet dish packed with protein and fiber.

• Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 1/3 cup water
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes & green chilies
  • 1 cup cooked pinto beans
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Dash cumin
• Instructions
  1. In a large pan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
  2. Once hot, stir in onion and garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes.
  3. Stir in water, rice, bouillon cube, diced tomatoes & green chilies, beans, and all seasonings.
  4. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If rice needs more liquid, add 1/4 cup water at a time.

7. Chicken Vegetable Dish

A healthy and flavorful dish featuring chicken and a medley of vegetables.

Get the full recipe here! Note: I modified this recipe by using 3 chicken drumsticks, only 1 carrot, and a little less spinach.

8. Spanish Rice Soup

A hearty and comforting soup with a vibrant Spanish flavor.

Get the full recipe here! Note: I modified this recipe by using only 1/2 of the corn and substituting cooked pinto beans for black beans.

9. Veggie Pot Pie

A comforting and flavorful pot pie filled with a medley of vegetables.

• Ingredients
  • 3 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 1/2 can corn, drained
  • 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 can peas, drained
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 10 oz can refrigerated biscuits
• Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Boil potatoes and carrots for about 8 minutes to soften, then strain.
  3. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, corn, soup, peas, onion, garlic, and seasonings.
  4. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  5. Spread the mixture in the dish.
  6. Cut biscuits into smaller pieces and place them on top.
  7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

10. Lentil Potato Soup

A hearty and nutritious soup packed with lentils, potatoes, and vegetables.

• Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 oz frozen onion seasoning blend
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 3 oz tomato paste
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 cup dry lentils
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 5 cups water
  • 3 russet potatoes, cubed
  • 1/2 cup frozen spinach
• Instructions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil.
  2. Stir in frozen onion blend and cook 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic for a few seconds.
  4. Add carrot and cook 3 more minutes.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and seasonings.
  6. Add lentils, bouillon cube, broth, water, potatoes, and spinach. Stir well.
  7. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until lentils are tender.

11. Spaghetti

A classic and universally loved pasta dish.

• Ingredients
  • 3/4 lb spaghetti
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 oz pasta sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
  2. Strain the spaghetti and return it to the pot.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, spaghetti sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Let simmer on low for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

12. Spaghetti Bean Soup

A hearty and flavorful soup featuring spaghetti and beans.

• Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 9 cups water
  • 2 bouillon cubes
  • 28 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup frozen spinach
  • 6 oz spaghetti (broken into smaller pieces)
• Instructions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil.
  2. Stir in onion and cook for about 7 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook briefly.
  4. Stir in water, bouillon cubes, diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, spinach, and broken spaghetti.
  5. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until spaghetti is tender, stirring occasionally.

13. Sausage Vegetable Stir-fry

A quick and easy stir-fry featuring sausage and a variety of vegetables.

• Ingredients
  • 1/2 lb ground sausage
  • 2 peeled and diced russet potatoes
  • 10 oz stir-fry vegetables
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp Creole seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Dash pepper
• Instructions
  1. In a large pan over medium heat, add sausage, potatoes, vegetables, onion, bouillon cube, and water.
  2. Break up the sausage and let everything cook together for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.

14. Sausage Mac & Cheese

A comforting and flavorful mac and cheese with the addition of sausage.

• Ingredients
  • 7.25 oz box macaroni and cheese
  • 1/2 lb ground sausage
  • 14 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil
• Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add macaroni and cook according to package instructions.
  2. Strain the macaroni and set it aside.
  3. In the same pot, add sausage and cook thoroughly, breaking it up.
  4. Remove any excess grease.
  5. Stir in the cooked macaroni, the cheese packet from the box, and the diced tomatoes.
  6. Simmer together for about 8 minutes.

15. Lentil Casserole

A hearty and nutritious casserole featuring lentils, beans, and potatoes.

• Ingredients
  • 1/4 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked lentils
  • 1 cup pinto beans
  • 4 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 5 cups water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup frozen spinach
• Instructions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add onion, carrot, salt, pepper, and oil.
  2. Cook for about 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in lentils, beans, potatoes, rice, bouillon cube, water, garlic, and spinach.
  4. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until the lentils and rice are tender.

16. Chicken Pinto Bean Burritos

A flavorful and satisfying burrito filled with chicken, pinto beans, and potatoes.

• Ingredients
  • 2 chicken legs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 4 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup uncooked lentils
  • 2 cups pinto beans (cooked or canned, drained)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 6 flour tortillas (for the burritos)
• Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add chicken legs, 1 tsp salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
  2. Boil for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken to a bowl and shred.
  3. Keep the broth in the same pot.
  4. Add lentils and diced potatoes to the boiling broth. Simmer 18–20 minutes or until tender.
  5. Strain the potatoes and lentils.
  6. Return potatoes and lentils to the pot. Stir in pinto beans, shredded chicken, minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, chili powder, and oregano.
  7. Cook together for about 5 minutes.
  8. Fill tortillas with the mixture. If you have extra filling, use it for burrito bowls.

Can I double the recipes?

Absolutely! If you’re feeding a larger family or want leftovers for quick lunches, doubling the recipes is a fantastic idea. Just remember to store any leftovers in airtight containers to maintain their freshness. These 16 recipes yield approximately 112 servings. By doubling them, you’ll have a whopping 224 meals for around $90! Considering that you can barely buy a single fast-food meal for a family of six with that amount, this approach provides a month’s worth of healthy and homemade dinners.

Can I choose a different protein?

Of course! Feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground beef for the ground chicken or sausage in these recipes. While the change might slightly impact the overall cost, the recipes will generally work well with these substitutions. Adjust seasonings as needed to complement the chosen protein.

After browsing these recipes, be sure to try them out and save this post for future reference. It doesn’t get much easier than having everything laid out for you right here! These simple and budget-friendly recipes are perfect for those times when you’re trying to stay on track with your budget but still want to enjoy tasty and healthy dinners. If you give them a try, please let me know in the comments which ones your family enjoyed the most. Your feedback helps me create even more recipes that cater to your needs.

My hope is that this comprehensive guide empowers you to stretch your grocery budget and still savor delicious, homemade meals throughout the entire month. Please let me know if you try any of these recipes, and feel free to share any tips or tweaks you discover along the way!

Watch the video today’s blog post was built around!!

My Cookbook

Related YouTube Videos From My Channel – Budget-Friendly ones of course!

• 45 Meals for $20
• Dirt Cheap EASY Healthy Family Dinners
• $5 Dinners
• Eating for $1 a Day (Full Week)