It’s no small feat trying to feed your family on a budget, especially when you still want to enjoy tasty, healthy dishes. Over the past five years, I’ve found myself preparing meals for a range of group sizes, from just my husband and me to an army of teens. But instead of the grocery bill skyrocketing, I’ve learned some really good budgeting tricks along the way to make sure our money goes as far as possible while still putting good food on the table.
Here are my top tips for getting the most bang for your buck, plus how I manage to feed four people dinner while only spending $50 on groceries in a week.
Why Cheap Meal Plans Work
Cheap meal plans are all about maximizing your resources. By planning ahead, you can:
- Reduce food waste by using ingredients efficiently.
- Avoid impulse purchases at the grocery store.
- Save time by prepping meals in advance.
- Enjoy healthier meals by cooking at home instead of relying on takeout.
The key is to focus on affordable, versatile ingredients and simple recipes that don’t require fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills.
How to Save on Weekly Groceries
- Shop your fridge, pantry, and freezer first
When creating a meal plan, many people work from what they want to eat (or what they’re used to eating) and create a weekly plan. To save money, I always work backward and see what I already have so I can use that up along with any new groceries I need to buy. Is that dairy going to expire soon? Let’s use the milk to make Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Don’t have frozen broccoli? Use whatever frozen vegetables you have. Whatever is in your pantry and freezer is money you have already spent, so don’t waste it!
- Keep versatile basics in the pantry
These are my pantry go-to’s: dried pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna, and boxed mac and cheese.
- Maximize freezer space
I keep frozen vegetables, frozen fruit, chicken stock (I make my own from leftover roast chicken and vegetable scraps so I never buy it), and ground beef in there to pull out as needed to stretch meals.
- Make a meal plan
This is so much easier in theory than in practice, but I’ve found it’s the best way to keep a budget under control. When you already know what you are going to make for dinner, you avoid last-minute takeout or, even worse, the 6 p.m. grocery store run when you are hungry and end up over shopping.
- Buy the ingredients you use the most in bulk, but ONLY if they’re non-perishable or have a long shelf life
It’s very easy to get tempted by the large portions at Costco, but if it’s a fresh or perishable food and you don’t get through it before it goes bad, or you simply get tired of eating it, then you’re wasting money. You might have been better off spending a little bit more on something that you finish.
- Repurpose your leftovers
Palate fatigue, i.e., not wanting to eat the same thing over and over, is a real thing. Instead of tossing your leftovers, make them into a different meal. For example, if you have leftover protein, like chicken or steak, use it to make a sandwich or chicken salad for lunch the next day. Leftover vegetables? Stir them into ramen or make a vegetable soup. Leftover mashed potatoes are great for twice-baked potatoes, quiche, or shepherd’s pie.
My Seven-Day Dinner Meal Plan With $50 Groceries
Planning out your meals so you use all of the ingredients, both raw and cooked, plus pantry staples and frozen goods means you can make a week’s worth of dinners for around $50 in groceries.
Note: Each meal cost listed out is approximate.
7-Day Meal Plan for $50
Here’s how I feed my family of four for a week on a tight budget. Each meal is simple, delicious, and uses affordable ingredients.
Sunday: Roast Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans
Cost: $10
- $5 for a rotisserie chicken (Costco or any grocery store).
- $3 for a bag of potatoes.
- $2 for frozen green beans.
Why I love it: This meal feels fancy but is super affordable. Plus, the leftover chicken can be used for meals later in the week.
Meal prep Tip: Save the chicken bones to make homemade stock for Friday’s soup.
Curious About It? Get the recipe here ➡️
One-Pan Wonder: Chicken with Potatoes and Green Beans
Monday: Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
Cost: $7
- Use leftover chicken from Sunday.
- $1 for pasta.
- $2 for a jar of pasta sauce.
- $2 for frozen broccoli.
- $2 for shredded cheese (optional).
Why I love it: It’s quick, cheesy, and a great way to use up leftover chicken. My kids always clean their plates with this one!
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
Tuesday: Chicken Fried Rice
Cost: $3
- Use leftover chicken and any leftover veggies.
- $2 for a bag of frozen fried rice (Trader Joe’s or similar).
- $1 for soy sauce or other seasonings.
Why I love it: Fried rice is my go-to when I’m tired and don’t feel like cooking. It’s ready in 10 minutes and tastes amazing.
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
Wednesday: Beef Chili
Cost: $7
- $5 for ground beef.
- $1 for canned beans.
- $1 for canned tomatoes.
Why I love it: Chili is hearty, filling, and perfect for a cozy night. Plus, it makes enough for leftovers!
Tip: Add spices you already have, like chili powder or cumin, to boost the flavor.
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
Thursday: Chili Dogs
Cost: $6
- Use leftover chili from Wednesday.
- $3 for hot dogs.
- $2 for hot dog buns.
- $1 for toppings like cheese or onions.
Why I love it: My family thinks chili dogs are a treat, but they’re actually a sneaky way to use up leftovers. Win-win!
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
Friday: Bacon and Potato Soup
Cost: $9
- $5 for bacon.
- $2 for potatoes (leftover from Sunday).
- $2 for chicken stock (made from Sunday’s chicken bones).
Why I love it: This soup is creamy, comforting, and feels like a hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those leftover potatoes.
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
Saturday: Homemade Mac and Cheese
Cost: $8
- $2 for pasta.
- $3 for milk and cheese.
- $3 for add-ins like canned tuna or frozen peas.
Why I love it: Mac and cheese is a classic crowd-pleaser. I like to jazz it up with tuna and peas for extra protein and veggies, but you can keep it simple too.
Need help to make? Get the recipe here ➡️
The Bottom Line
Eating well on a budget is all about planning, creativity, and using what you already have. By shopping smart, repurposing leftovers, and sticking to simple recipes, you can feed your family delicious meals without breaking the bank.
What’s your favorite budget-friendly meal? Let me know in the comments!
