Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, and Cooking Lessons - $5 Dinners (2024)

What’s Trending on Instagram

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

Are you following me over on Instagram? I have a fun community over there where I share a lot of Reels demonstrating cooking hacks and cooking tips. Which insta are you following? I thought it would be fun to share what photos, reels, and videos are trending on our Instagram profiles once a month! These are your current favorites. Are you following all of our accounts? … [Read more...]

Erin’s “What I Like Right Now” List

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Things I'm Crushing On (And Using All the Time) This MonthHoliday 2023 FAVES … [Read more...]

VIRAL: Beef Ravioli Bake

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

I think Ravioli Bakes might be my new favorite dinner. I don't know why...they just seem so easy. Well, they are easy. The ravioli doesn't take any pre-cooking. You just add it into the dish, pour the sauce (in this case a beefy-spaghetti sauce) over the top, then pile on as much cheese as your waistline can handle. ;) Then, bake. And you end up with this. Now, there … [Read more...]

CHALLENGE: 5-Ingredient Freezer Meal Plan

by Lauren Drawdy Leave a Comment

How to prepare SIX meals in LESS THAN 30 MINUTES with this 5-Ingredient Meal Plan! I don't know about you, but it makes my heart happy when a recipe only needs a handful of ingredients. And when they are "normal" ingredients, too! You know what I'm talking about. Ingredients you often have in your kitchen, and are commonly found at a typical grocery store. So I made a … [Read more...]

Guacamole with Street Corn

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

If I started keeping track, I imagine I eat an avocado or guacamole at least 5 times a week. Sometimes I get guacamole at my fave tex-mex restaurant, sometimes I make my own, sometimes I get it on top of a Chipotle salad, sometimes I just scoop it right out of the skin with a little lemon juice and salt. I'm always looking to mix things up and keep the guacamole "fresh" and … [Read more...]

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Holiday To-Do List Already Starting to Stress You Out?!What if you could prep SIX 5-Ingredient freezer meals in 30 minutes...before the holiday chaos begins?!?I'm Erin Chase and I'm here to show you how... Join me the week of NOVEMBER 1stfor a few days oftips and tricks that will help you breeze through this meal prep!Each day throughout the Deck … [Read more...]

Erin’s Recipes from Big Bad Budget Battle

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Get the Recipes Erin Cooked on Food Network's Big Bad Budget Battle WELCOME to my Big Bad Budget Battle Besties! I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait to connect with you and further help you on your journey to spending less money on groceries and cooking well on a budget. I am beyond tickled by the concept of the show, the opportunity to compete on the show, and … [Read more...]

RE-DESIGNED for YOU: The “20 Meals for $150” Plans

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Save TIME, MONEY, and MORE with these amazing 20 Meals for $150 Plans! ELATED. ECSTATIC. STOKED. That describes how I'm feeling this week, as I re-share this amazing grocery saving and sanity saving resource with you! Many moons ago, I decided to make some updates to the "20 meals for $150" plans. I started creating them in 2013, and it was just time for a … [Read more...]

The Best Ever Make-Ahead Freezer Meals Cookbooks!

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

If you love getting ahead with dinner prep, and you love cookbooks, these Make-Ahead Freezer Meal Cookbooks are the books for YOU! The Freezer Meal StereotypeOften times when people think of freezer meals, they think of mushy casseroles. Or slow-cooker-only recipes. Or bland, tasteless, freezer burned meals. It is also the assumption that these bland, mushy … [Read more...]

Best Grocery Savings Mobile Apps

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 3 Comments

Check out the Best Grocery Savings Mobile Apps! These are also Erin's favorites. (She might be a bit biased about the first one!)MyFreezEasyWith MyFreezEasy, it really is as easy as 1-2-3. Get organized, choose your recipes, use the shopping list provided, and then follow the instructions to get your make ahead freezer meals into your freezer! You'll save on groceries … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Pie French Toast

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 84 Comments

Oh my heavens - divine, divine, divine. This Pumpkin Pie French Toast recipe is a MUST TRY in the fall and winter months! I so wish I'd doubled this recipe for Pumpkin Pie French Toast while I was first making it. Tripled, or quadrupled even! These are so scrumptious...perfect for the fall season. It's really simple...you just add some pumpkin puree and spices to … [Read more...]

Mocha Brownies

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 5 Comments

Before you say it, yes...brownies were dessert of the month in April...just a few short weeks ago. But Caramel Cashew Brownies and these Mocha Brownies are different. Very, very different. I know. I know. This is really an indication that I have a brownie problem. Please. Send help. Brownies anonymous, anyone?! So I served these to a group of ladies last week...and … [Read more...]

Amazon Big Spring Sale 2024

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Get the best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on kitchen, home and more! … [Read more...]

Melty Mashup Recipes

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Must-Try Melty Mashup Recipes for the Ultimate Food Experience!Melty Mashups allow you to indulge in the mouthwatering delight of combining two beloved treats into one irresistible fusion. From "burger quesadillas" to "pizza pot pies," this trend ensures a double dose of ooey-gooey goodness that simply melts in your mouth. It's like extreme comfort food! … [Read more...]

ROUNDUP: Dump and Bake Recipes

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

You will love the ease and convenience of these "Dump and Bake" recipes for scrumptious and hearty casseroles! … [Read more...]

NEW COOKBOOK: Learn to Cook on a Budget

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Learning to Cook is Easier than You Think! Your Wallet and Bank Account Will Thank You! Over the years, I've spoken with many people who get frustrated by their overspending on groceries because they don't know how to cook. So they overbuy, or sometimes underbuy, or they resort to dining out and dinner delivery 4-5 times a week. If you are tired of the dining … [Read more...]

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole will soon be in your regular dinner rotation because it's so easy to prep to bake, and so scrumptious!I've got another "dump and bake recipe" for you! This Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole is a perfect hearty dish for a cozy family dinner on a super busy weeknight. This no-fuss recipe requires minimal preparation, making it an … [Read more...]

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

When Chicken and Rice Night collides with TACO TUESDAY you get to enjoy this scrumptious Dump & Bake Taco Chicken!Love the easy and convenience of dump and bake chicken and rice casserole. This variation calls for a can of cream of poblano soup, and if you can't find that at your store, you can swap it for cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup … [Read more...]

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

You Will Love this Cheesy Delight: The Ultimate Dump-and-Bake Macaroni and Cheese!It's the ultimate comfort AND EFFICIENT food! This Dump & Bake Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a cheesy masterpiece that's as easy to make as it is delicious. This no-boil, no-fuss recipe requires you to simply bake uncooked macaroni with a milk mixture. Once the pasta has cookd, … [Read more...]

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

The Most Effortless Weeknight Dinner: The Dump & Bake Chicken and Rice CasseroleThis Dump & Bake Chicken and Rice dish is the no-fuss, delicious meal that's perfect for your busy weeknights. All you have to is combine uncooked rice, chicken stock, chicken breasts/tenderloins, and your favorite seasonings in a casserole dish, then bake to fluffy perfection. It's … [Read more...]

Marry Me Ravioli

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Say 'I Do' to Flavor: This Marry Me Ravioli That Will Do the Proposal Part For You!With this scrumptious recipe, I've taken the traditional "marry me" sauce with sun dried tomatoes, cream and Parmesan...and cooked ravioli in it. The result: a truly magical meal. Inspired by that once in a lifetime, magical moment. This Marry Me Ravioli is the ideal cozy … [Read more...]

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Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, and Cooking Lessons - $5 Dinners (2024)

FAQs

How can I make meals cheaper? ›

31 Insanely Smart Ways To Save Money When You Cook
  1. Respect the whole roasted chicken. ...
  2. Cook less meat, in general. ...
  3. Cook dried beans instead of buying canned. ...
  4. Learn to love eggs. ...
  5. Use your slow cooker. ...
  6. Buy big cuts or packages of meat and stretch it out over multiple meals.
Apr 5, 2015

How do I make a budget friendly meal plan? ›

10 tips to get you started on meal planning on a budget:
  1. Make a menu. ...
  2. Plan your meals around foods that are on sale. ...
  3. Plan some plant-based meals every week. ...
  4. Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. ...
  5. Enjoy grains more often. ...
  6. Avoid recipes that need a special ingredient. ...
  7. Look for seasonal recipes.
Feb 22, 2023

How much money do you save meal planning? ›

They say planning each meal in advance can save a hundred dollars or more on groceries each month. The founder of CouponMom.com, Stephanie Nelson, agrees, saying "when people look at their total spending, all of their spending, the category that always surprises them is grocery spending."

What is the cheapest food to live on? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

How to feed 100 people cheap? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

What are the three P's for eating on a budget? ›

Page 1
  • PLAN. ✓ Plan meals and snacks for the week according to an established budget. ✓ Find quick and easy recipes online. ...
  • PURCHASE. ✓ Buy groceries when you are not hungry and when you are not too rushed. ...
  • PREPARE. ✓ Some meal items can be prepared in advance; pre-cook on days when you have.

How do you meal prep for a week on a budget? ›

Tips For Meal Prepping On A Budget

Not only is in-season produce extra fresh and tasty, but it's usually cheaper and on sale! Hint – you'll usually find these items in abundance at the front of the produce section. Don't be afraid to buy organic items. Organic items tend to be a smidge pricier than non-organic items.

What are the 5 rules in planning meals? ›

They are:
  • Adequacy.
  • Balance.
  • Variety.
  • Moderation.
  • Nourishment.
Jan 28, 2020

What are the 5 basic steps of meal planning? ›

  • M E A L P L A N N I N G. Organize your meal plan and shopping list in a way that inspires you to stick with it. ...
  • WRITE I T DOWN. CHECK YOUR CALENDAR. ...
  • START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. Check your pantry, refrigerator,and freezer. ...
  • SHOP O N SALE. ...
  • COOK ONCE , EAT TWICE ( O R MORE ! ) ...
  • KEEP I T BALANCED .

What are the 4 steps in the meal plan? ›

Meal Planning in 4 Easy Steps
  1. Pick Your Strategy. ...
  2. Make a Detailed Shopping List. ...
  3. Make Time to Cook. ...
  4. Invest in Some Glass.
May 7, 2018

What should monthly food budget be? ›

According to the USDA guidelines, you might spend $979 a month on a thrifty plan, $1,028 on a low-cost plan, $1,252 on a moderate-cost plan and $1,604 on a liberal plan. The USDA guidelines can provide a starting point for a food budget, but they don't consider all the variables that can affect cost.

Are meal plans a good idea? ›

SAVE MONEY

Everyone can agree that saving money is something we all try to do, and meal planning is a great way to help. While you skip out on spending money at restaurants, meal planning also involves buying items in bulk, which can be a huge money saver.

Why is meal plan so expensive? ›

Restaurant goers and student diners alike might expect to pay the same prices, but food inflation and higher costs of labor dictate subsequently higher operating costs for food establishments — campus dining halls included. Labor shortages aren't the only reason, either.

How much is a family of 4 weekly grocery budget? ›

In 2019, it was found that a family of four wastes around $1500 worth of groceries every year. As per the USDA, a family of 4 can spend around $195.30 to $246.10 per week based on a moderate-cost plan.

How much should I spend on food a month as a single person? ›

On average, groceries cost between $290 and $548 per month for one person. However, expenses can vary depending on location, dietary choices and personal spending habits. If you don't budget for groceries and instead just buy what you need — and want — at intervals throughout the month, you could be overspending.

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