Looking for cheap family dinners on a budget? With grocery prices rising, it feels like feeding my family without overspending is downright impossible at times. But honestly, it’s totally doable with smart meal planning and slowly building up your stockpiles of bulk items. (Grab this Sam’s Club Card at a CRAZY discount!)
This budget-friendly meal plan shows you how to make seven nights of family dinners for just $50 using affordable, filling ingredients like rice, beans, pasta and seasonal veggies. These meals are SUPER easy, delicious and likewise kid-approved, proving you don’t need to sacrifice flavor or nutrition to stick to a tight budget!! Keep reading for a $50 meal plan, grocery list, and money-saving tips to help you stretch every dollar.
This seven-day meal plan includes hearty, nutritious dinners that maximize flavor while minimizing costs.
Monday: Hearty Vegetable & Rice Stir-Fry
A filling, nutritious stir-fry with mixed vegetables, scrambled eggs and soy sauce over rice. This meal is customizable; you could add any veggies you have on hand!
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Mixed frozen or fresh vegetables
- Eggs
- Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
Budget Tip: Rice is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples. Buying a 5-pound bag will last for multiple meals.
Tuesday: Spaghetti with Garlic Bread
Classic spaghetti night! Who doesn’t love that? Use ground beef or stretch it further by mixing it with lentils.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti pasta
- Canned tomato sauce
- Ground beef (or substitute with lentils)
- Garlic
- Bread (to toast with butter and garlic)
Budget Tip: Skip pre-made garlic bread- making your own by buttering and seasoning slices of sandwich bread saves money.
Wednesday: Chicken and Vegetable Casserole
A simple one-pan meal with baked chicken, potatoes and vegetables in a light seasoning blend.
Ingredients:
- Bone-in or whole chicken (cheaper than boneless)
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Onion
- Butter or oil
- Seasonings
Budget Tip: Buying a whole chicken and cutting it up yourself is far more cost-effective than buying pre-cut pieces.
Thursday: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas with Salsa
A quick, protein-packed meal using refried or black beans, cheese, and tortillas.
Ingredients:
- Flour tortillas
- Canned refried beans (or cook your own from dried beans)
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa (homemade or store-bought)
Budget Tip: Making refried beans from dried beans instead of canned can save 50% or more on costs.
Friday: Beef & Vegetable Stew
A slow-cooked, hearty stew using ground beef (or stew meat), potatoes, and carrots.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef or stew meat
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Onion
- Broth or bouillon cubes
Budget Tip: Stretch the meat by adding extra vegetables or using half meat and half beans.
Saturday: Homemade Pizza Night
A fun, affordable meal where everyone can customize their toppings!
Ingredients:
- Flour (for homemade dough)
- Yeast
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
- Optional toppings: onion, peppers, leftover chicken, etc.
Budget Tip: Making your own pizza crust is cheaper and healthier than buying pre-made dough or frozen pizzas.
Sunday: Lentil Soup with Bread Rolls
A cozy, protein-rich soup made with lentils, vegetables, and broth.
Ingredients:
- Dried lentils
- Onion
- Carrots
- Broth or bouillon cubes
- Bread rolls (or homemade biscuits)
Budget Tip: Lentils are one of the cheapest protein sources and don’t require soaking like beans.
$50 Grocery List for a Week of Family Dinners
To keep this meal plan under $50, here’s a budget-friendly grocery list with estimated costs. Keep in mind, these are based on the amount needed for these meals when buying in bulk! That is the BEST way I have found to plan cheap family dinners on a budget!
Pantry Staples:
- Rice (5 lbs) – $3.00
- Spaghetti pasta (2 lbs) – $2.00
- Flour (5 lbs) – $2.80
- Dry lentils (2 lbs) – $2.00
- Beans (dried or canned) – $2.00
- Yeast packets – $1.50
- Tomato sauce (4 cans) – $4.00
- Bouillon cubes or broth – $2.00
- Soy sauce – $1.50
- Cooking oil – $2.50
- Seasonings (garlic powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning) – $2.00
Protein & Dairy:
- Whole chicken (5 lbs) – $10.30
- Ground beef (2 lbs) – $11.10
- Eggs (dozen) – $4.95
- Cheese (1 lb) – $5.70
- Butter – $2.50
Fresh Produce:
- Potatoes (5 lbs) – $4.00
- Carrots (2 lbs) – $2.50
- Onions (3 lbs) – $2.50
- Bell peppers (2) – $2.00
- Bread rolls – $2.00
Total: ≈ $50.00
Money-Saving Tips for Cheap Family Dinners
To make the most of your grocery budget, follow these cost-cutting strategies:
1. Buy in Bulk
Purchasing larger bags of rice, beans, and flour significantly lowers the cost per serving.
2. Use Meat Sparingly
Instead of making meat the centerpiece, use it as an accent by mixing it with beans, lentils, or grains.
3. Plan Around Staples
Building meals around rice, pasta, potatoes, and beans ensures every dish is filling without being expensive.
4. Cook from Scratch
Pre-packaged foods and takeout cost more. Making bread, sauces, and soups at home saves money.
5. Shop Sales & Store Brands
Generic brands often taste the same but cost significantly less than name brands.
6. Use Every Ingredient Efficiently
If you roast a whole chicken, use leftovers for multiple meals and boil the bones for broth.
7. Stretch Leftovers
Turn last night’s chicken into quesadillas or use extra spaghetti sauce as pizza topping.
Cheap Family Dinners on a Budget: You Can Make 7 Family Dinners for $50
By strategically planning meals, buying in bulk, and cooking from scratch, you can prepare a week’s worth of dinners for a family of four on a $50 budget. These meals are nutritious, filling and budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
More Cheap Meal Ideas You’ll Love!
- 10 Cheap and Filling Meal Ideas for Teens
- 5 Budget Friendly Vegetarian Dinners for a Family of 4
- Easy and Affordable Dinners for Under $20
