My goal is to provide dinner for my 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!
Like most homes in America, we’re overrun with leftovers this week. I’ve already frozen some of the ham and need to freeze enough for another meal before it goes bad in the fridge.
Macaroni and Cheese, Ham, Sweet Peas and Fruit Cocktail
1/2 box macaroni @ .50
cheese @ 1.00
butter and milk for mac @ .10
1 lb. ham @ .76
1 can sweet peas @ .45
1 can fruit cocktail @ .76
Total Cost: $3.57
Garlic Pork Chops, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn and Toast
1 lb. pork chops @ 1.47
3 potatoes @ .80
butter, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits for the potatoes @ .40
1 can green beans @ ..45
1 can corn @ .52
4 slices of bread for toast @ .16
total cost: $3.90
Chicken and Biscuit Casserole with Green Beans and Peaches
1 lb. chicken breast pulled @ 1.78
3/4 cup milk @ .10
montreal chicken seasoning
black pepper
1 can of 8 butter tasting biscuits @ 1.19
2 oz. cheddar cheese grated @ .31
minced onion
1 can cream of chicken soup @ .39
1/2 cup sour cream @ .31
1 can green beans @ .45
1 can peaches @ .76
Total Cost: $5.29
Little Caesar’s Pizza and Apple Slices (yes, I’ve been really lazy lately LOL)
1 Hot and Ready pizza @ 5.00
2 apples @ .80
Total Cost: $5.80
Average cost of the meals we’re cooking this week: $4.64.
This is part of menu plan Monday over at OrgJunkie.
Love the $5 meals!!!
I made one myself tonight.
upside down turkey potpie
1 bag steamfresh mixed veggies .99
1 can turkey gravy .25
1 can cream of chicken soup .39
2 large baking potatoes .40 (at most)
1 can grands biscuits .75
a cup or so of leftover turkey.
First wisk the soup and gravy…add 1 can hot water…heat on low.
add cooked veggies.
add potatoes (pre diced and cooked)
add turkey.. heat throughly…
serve over hot biscuits!
made apple crisp too!
peel 4-5 apples, core and slice in thin slices.
cut 1 stick of margarine into 2-3 packets of instant oatmeal breakfast packets.. (they have the oats, sugar and everything you need!).
when pieces are almost pea size…spray baking dish w/ pam. throw in apples. top with oat crumble mixture…bake on 350 for about 30-40 min.
I figure this dessert cost me less than $1..
Love it, thanks for sharing Erica!