family for an average of $5 except on special
occasions. We don’t have to eat beans and rice to
accomplish this goal! I shop the grocery sales each
week. Then I plan my menu based on the foods I have already at home (at a great price). I balance more expensive meals with less expensive ones. We typically only cook a main dish 4 or 5 times a week. Each
main dish cooked will serve 4-6, and the
leftovers will be for easy dinners on the weekend, or to freeze
for another week. This cuts down on cleaning,
cooking, and meal planning– saving us lots of time!
Chicken Enchiladas (adapted from this recipe), mango, green beans
1 lb. chicken @ 1.29
6 oz sour cream @ .45
2 TBS flour @ .02
1 cup shredded cheese @ .63
10 tortillas @ 1.30
1 can cr. chicken soup @ .25
1/2 lb. onion @ .33
minced garlic @ .06
1 mango @ .44
1 can green beans @ .25
total cost $5.02
Shrimp with alfredo sauce and pasta, steamed broccoli, peaches, leftover veggies
1 lb. shrimp @ 2.50
chicken helper box @ .67 (I’m too lazy to do alfredo sauce this week)
2 cups broccoli @ 1.28
2 peaches @ .82
leftover veggies @ free
total cost: $5.27
Grilled Chicken, pineapple, baked beans, cinnamon toast*
1 lb. chicken @ 1.29
1 can pineapple @ .93
1 can pork and beans @ .50
BBQ sauce and brown sugar @ .20
4 slices cinnamon toast @ .16
total cost: $3.08
*we actually grilled out last week on CFA’s kids night, so we’ll go CFA this week instead
Pistachio Pork Tenderloin, Green Beans, Carrots with Ranch, Buttered Toast
6 oz pistachios @ 2.25
1 24 oz tenderloin @ 4.99
1 can green beans @ .25
carrots from the garden @ free
ranch @ .05
4 slices of toast @ .16
Total Cost: $7.70
Chicken Pot Pie, apples thanks for the suggestion Rebecca!
1 lb. chicken @ 1.29
1 bag carrots and peas @ .88
1 can biscuits @ .50
1 can cream chicken soup @ .50
2 apples @.80
Total Cost:$3.97
This post is part of Meal Plan Monday over at OrgJunkie.
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Do you have a recipe anywhere for the chicken pot pie? I have never heard of using biscuits, I am intrigued!
I am also impressed that you can cook all your meals for an average of $5, I will be back for sure!
Hi GarageBandFan,
Thanks for the reminder that I need to go back in and thank her for the suggestion!
A reader suggested that I try the chicken pot pie. I’m planning to just put the biscuits on top to brown since a pot pie will all get mixed together when it’s served anyway. I’m all about easy.
The only reason I’m able to cook them for a $5 average is because I buy what’s on sale and use what I’ve got at home.
Thanks for stopping by!