Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (2024)

Table of Contents
Dinner Ideas For The Family – 52+ Meals Under $5 Keep reading down below for moreeasy recipes under $5 bucks. 35+ Meals Under $5 Bucks Easy Recipe for Walking Tacos - Fresh Outta Time Grilled Cheese Rollups #recipe Baked Spaghetti {budget-friendly recipe} - Fresh Outta Time Pepperoni Pizza Rolls ~ NEW 31 Days of 31 Minute Dinners Recipes for "Rice and Beans Budget" Jasmine Rice with Zucchini, Kale, Parsley and Parmesan German Apple Pancakes Feed A Crowd For Under $5 Cheesy Burrito Casserole Pecan Streusel Stuffed Egg Nog French Toast Bake Tomato and Macaroni Soup Recipe - Inspiration Made Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Quick Breakfast Ideas That Are Actually Healthy Easy Summer Pasta Primavera #recipe Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili How To Make Sloppy Joes Sliders - Fresh Outta Time Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad {Gluten-Free, Vegan} Eggroll In A Bowl - VIDEO 5 Meals under $50: Sweet Potato Hash Meatball Sub Recipe (with a Freezer Option) Rotisserie Chicken Street Tacos - This Worthey Life - Food, Travel, Parenting, Entertainment Lifestyle Blog by Tatanisha + Derrick Worthey Horseshoe Recipe Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese Emeril Lagasse Pumpkin Lasagna Recipe & Pumpkin Custard Pie Recipe Hot Dog Casserole 5 Meals Under $5 Easy Fish Tacos Using Alaska Pollock Easy Sesame Chicken - VIDEO Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe Instant Pot Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry Quick Chicken & Rice Dinner Recipe | Campbell's Kitchen 30 Minute Chicken Lo Mein Stir Fry Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos Easy, Budget Friendly Tuna Noodle Cassarole-Under $3 Italian Zucchini Casserole: less than 60 cents per serving Homemade Cheesy Beef-a-roni with Barilla! #ShareTheTable Meals under £5 Beef Fajita Skillet Dinner Instant Pot Lasagna - Fresh Outta Time Recipe For: Slow Cooker Pasta Sauce {freezer friendly} Healthy Chicken Recipe | Loaded Rotisserie Chicken Wedge Salad Pan Seared Chicken + Garlic Cream Sauce | Fulton Street Farmer's Market Baked Spaghetti Casserole Reader Interactions Comments Leave a Reply Primary Sidebar FAQs

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By: T Worthey»Updated: » View our disclosure policy

We all love saving money on food. We’ve rounded up 35+ budget-friendly family-friendly meals under $5. Check out the variety of recipes listed below and create a dinner idea your family and budget will love!

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (1)

Dinner Ideas For The Family – 52+ Meals Under $5

I love recipes that are not only easy to make but easy on my wallet. I also enjoy recipes that are family-friendly, boy tested, and healthy for the whole family. My cheesy squash bake recipe is a popular one around here. Another one that’s super popular at our house, is the famous Hot Chicken Salad. It’s one of my friend’s recipe and it is requested in our house at least once per week. To help keep our family dinners on a budget, I only buy meat when it’s on sale. I can usually find ground beef for $1.99 per lb or less at my grocery store, as well as chicken for under $0.99 per lb. Now, keep in mind that the cost of your ingredients will vary depending on the region you live in (I live in Michigan).

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (2)

Chicken + Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner Idea

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (3)

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Street Tacos

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (4)

Cinco de Mayo Soft Breakfast Tacos

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (5)

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (6)

Fettuccine, Winter Pesto & Meatballs

Keep reading down below for moreeasy recipes under $5 bucks.

35+ Meals Under $5 Bucks

Find budget-friendly + family-friendly dinner ideas for $5 or less.

1

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (7)

Easy Recipe for Walking Tacos - Fresh Outta Time

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (8)

Grilled Cheese Rollups #recipe

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (11)

Recipes for "Rice and Beans Budget"

Photo Credit:www.5dollardinners.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (12)

Jasmine Rice with Zucchini, Kale, Parsley and Parmesan

Photo Credit:www.awortheyread.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (13)

German Apple Pancakes

Photo Credit:www.5dollardinners.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (14)

Feed A Crowd For Under $5

Photo Credit:www.astrollthrulife.net

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Cheesy Burrito Casserole

Photo Credit:www.annsentitledlife.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (16)

Pecan Streusel Stuffed Egg Nog French Toast Bake

Photo Credit:www.5dollardinners.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (17)

Tomato and Macaroni Soup Recipe - Inspiration Made Simple

Photo Credit:www.inspirationmadesimple.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (19)

Quick Breakfast Ideas That Are Actually Healthy

Photo Credit:www.womenshealthmag.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (20)

Easy Summer Pasta Primavera #recipe

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (21)

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Photo Credit:www.theseasonedmom.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (22)

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (23)

How To Make Sloppy Joes Sliders - Fresh Outta Time

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Eggroll In A Bowl - VIDEO

Photo Credit:www.mostlyhomemademom.com

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5 Meals under $50: Sweet Potato Hash

Photo Credit:www.kandktestkitchen.com

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Meatball Sub Recipe (with a Freezer Option)

Photo Credit:goodcheapeats.com

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Rotisserie Chicken Street Tacos - This Worthey Life - Food, Travel, Parenting, Entertainment Lifestyle Blog by Tatanisha + Derrick Worthey

Photo Credit:www.awortheyread.com

23

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Horseshoe Recipe

Photo Credit:www.allrecipes.com

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (30)

Photo Credit:www.awortheyread.com

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Chicken and Broccoli Shells and Cheese

Photo Credit:lovegrowswild.com

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Hot Dog Casserole

Photo Credit:www.stayathomemum.com.au

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5 Meals Under $5

Photo Credit:www.thenest.com

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Easy Fish Tacos Using Alaska Pollock

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Easy Sesame Chicken - VIDEO

Photo Credit:www.budgetbytes.com

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Instant Pot Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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30 Minute Chicken Lo Mein Stir Fry

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Chili Lime Fish Stick Tacos

Photo Credit:cupcakesandkalechips.com

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Homemade Cheesy Beef-a-roni with Barilla! #ShareTheTable

Photo Credit:www.mostlyhomemademom.com

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Meals under £5

Photo Credit:www.netmums.com

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Beef Fajita Skillet Dinner

Photo Credit:www.5dollardinners.com

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Instant Pot Lasagna - Fresh Outta Time

Photo Credit:www.freshouttatime.com

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Healthy Chicken Recipe | Loaded Rotisserie Chicken Wedge Salad

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Pan Seared Chicken + Garlic Cream Sauce | Fulton Street Farmer's Market

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Baked Spaghetti Casserole

You can find additional easy, and budget-friendly recipes below:

30 More $5 Dinners Your Family Will Love

Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (54)

Hi! I'm Tatanisha!

I love all things decor + design. I love to share party ideas, tablescape inspirations, and easy dinner ideas.Read More

Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (55)

Hello, I'm Derrick!

I believe anyone can eat and drink their way to happiness. Follow along as I prepare quick and easy meals, along with an assortment of drinks and other things that'll make you go yum in the night.Read More

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bonnie says

    There is no way the majority of these are under $5. Is this supposed to mean under $5 per serving?

    Reply

  2. suzanneholt says

    Thanks for sharing! There is a lot of variety in this list!

    Reply

  3. Laura says

    Some great ideas here! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • T Worthey says

      Thanks for stopping by Laura! Hope you found a few to try out!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (56)

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Meals Under $5 - Over 35 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas To Try! (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo Penne. ...
  • Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. ...
  • Tofu Scramble. ...
  • Egg Pizza With Scallions.
Dec 21, 2023

What can I cook for under $30? ›

30 dinners under under $30 the whole family will love
  • Pumpkin soup. ...
  • Risotto carbonara. ...
  • Tuna and caper pasta with crispy breadcrumbs. ...
  • Matt Preston's French onion soup. ...
  • Spaghetti in cherry tomato sauce. ...
  • Roasted sweet potatoes with chilli and seeds. ...
  • Quick and delicious mushroom and thyme soup. ...
  • Cauliflower soup.

What to make for dinner when you're broke? ›

So here are seven of our favorite recipes for when you're too afraid to even check your bank account.
  • Spinach & Mushroom Pasta. ...
  • Broccoli & Cauliflower Egg-Fried Quinoa. ...
  • Hassle-Free Garlic-Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Onions, Peppers & Carrots. ...
  • The Patriot: Pork Chop, Sauteed Spinach & Baked Tater.

What is the cheapest food that can feed a lot of people? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  • Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  • The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  • Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  • Sausage Casserole. ...
  • Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  • Quiche Lorraine. ...
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Apr 2, 2023

What is the cheapest meal you can live by? ›

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

What can I cook for $4? ›

Today we're sharing 10 healthy dinners from That Clean Life that cost no more than $4 per serving.
  • Slow Cooker Black Beans & Rice. ...
  • Spicy Coconut Lentil Soup. ...
  • Rice, Beef & Spinach. ...
  • Caribbean Smoked Herring. ...
  • 10 Minute Cabbage Bowl. ...
  • Lentils, Rapini & Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Scrambled Eggs with Peppers and Kale. ...
  • Chopped Salad Pitas.
Jan 31, 2021

How to live on $30 dollars a week for food? ›

Here's how I keep my grocery bill under $30 a week
  1. Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
  2. Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
  3. Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
  4. Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
Jan 13, 2017

How to cook really cheap? ›

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 can I eat if I have no money? ›

Your local food bank can help you find food today, even if you need temporary help. They partner with food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs in your local community to give away free food. Enter your zip code to find the food bank partnering with Feeding America.

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

These simple dinner ideas use only a handful of ingredients so you can still whip up a meal using whatever you have in the cupboard.
  1. 15-ingredient sausage rolls. ...
  2. 2Creamy mushroom gnocchi. ...
  3. 3Fast falafel bowl. ...
  4. 45-ingredient satay beef skewers. ...
  5. 55-ingredient meatball carbonara. ...
  6. 6Speedy wild rice and salmon salad.

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

Try making food ahead of time! Overnight oats are all the rage these days because they're a healthy, delicious, and easy go-to in the morning (having cooked overnight!). We also recommend batch cooking brown rice, quinoa, farro, and other healthy grains to have in the fridge for when the week gets busy.

How to feed 40 people cheaply? ›

Create a “Bar” and feed everyone cafeteria-style

There are lots of bar ideas out there, such as the Nacho bar, Baked potato bar, Burrito bar, Hot dog bar, Root Beer float bar, Hawaiian Haystacks bar, Sandwich bar, etc. All of these can be done on the cheap, and links to all these ideas can be found below.

What do low income people eat? ›

Lower-income households purchase more cereals, pasta, potatoes, legumes, and fatty meats. Their vegetables and fruits are often limited to iceberg lettuce, potatoes, canned corn, bananas, and frozen orange juice.

What is the cheapest meat to feed a crowd? ›

10 Budget-Friendly Cuts of Meat
  • Ground beef or ground turkey.
  • Beef brisket.
  • Pork shoulder.
  • Chuck eye steak.
  • Whole chicken.
  • Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or drumsticks.
  • Pork chops.
  • Whole turkey.

What is the cheapest way to cook a meal? ›

Use a slow cooker for some meals instead of the oven as slow cookers are more energy efficient despite being used for longer periods of time. Batch cook meals and freeze or chill the leftovers so that they can later be reheated in the microwave.

What foods stretch your budget? ›

Common bulk items include beans, lentils, rice, quinoa, oatmeal, nuts and dried fruits. Store bulk foods in airtight containers to extend shelf life.

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