33 $5 Dinners That’ll Stretch Your Grocery Budget
When money’s tight, you still gotta eat decent food that fills you up. These 33 meals prove you don’t need to spend a lot to eat well – most cost under $5 to feed a family and use basic ingredients you can find anywhere.
They’re simple enough to make on busy weeknights and filling enough that nobody goes to bed hungry. Some of these might surprise you with how good they taste for so cheap.
Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil
This Italian classic uses just pasta, garlic, olive oil, and maybe some red pepper flakes. It sounds too simple to be good but it’s actually amazing when done right. The key is getting the garlic golden but not burnt. Add pasta water to make it creamy. This feeds a family for about $2 and tastes like restaurant food. Perfect when your pantry is almost empty.
Get the recipe here.
Bean and Rice Bowl
Rice and beans together make a complete protein so you don’t need meat. Season with whatever spices you got – cumin, paprika, garlic powder. Top with cheese if you have it, or hot sauce, or just salt and pepper. This is filling, healthy, and costs maybe $1.50 per serving. You can make a big batch and eat leftovers all week.
Get the recipe here.
Egg Fried Rice
Use day-old rice if you got it, or fresh rice works too. Scramble some eggs, add the rice, throw in any vegetables you have lying around. Soy sauce makes it taste authentic but salt and pepper work fine too. This is a great way to use up leftover rice and random vegetables. Feeds 4 people for under $4 total.
Get the recipe here.
Lentil Soup
Lentils are cheap, filling, and cook fast compared to other dried beans. Just simmer with onions, carrots, celery if you got them. Add whatever herbs and spices you have. This makes a huge pot that’ll feed you for days. The soup actually tastes better the next day when the flavors have time to mix together. Serve with bread or crackers.
Get the recipe here.
Baked Potato with Cheese
A big potato costs like 50 cents and is surprisingly filling. Top with whatever you got – cheese, butter, sour cream, even just salt. Bake in the oven or microwave if you’re in a hurry. Add some frozen broccoli or leftover chili to make it more substantial. This is comfort food that doesn’t break the bank.
Get the recipe here.
Quesadillas with Beans
Flour tortillas with cheese and canned beans make a filling dinner. The beans add protein and fiber so you stay full longer. Cook in a pan until crispy outside and melty inside. Serve with salsa or hot sauce. These cost about $1 each to make and kids love them. Way cheaper than going to Taco Bell.
Get the recipe here.
Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry
Don’t use the flavor packet – just cook the noodles and stir-fry with whatever vegetables you have. Add some soy sauce, garlic, maybe an egg. This transforms cheap ramen into actual food. You can add frozen vegetables which are cheap and don’t go bad. Feeds 2 people for under $2 total.
Get the recipe here.
Pancakes for Dinner
Pancakes aren’t just for breakfast! The basic mix is flour, eggs, milk, and a little sugar. Top with butter and syrup, or peanut butter, or fruit if you have it. This is filling comfort food that costs almost nothing. Kids think it’s the best thing ever when you have pancakes for dinner.
Get the recipe here.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Canned tuna mixed with pasta and mayo makes a filling meal. Add whatever vegetables you got – frozen peas, diced celery, carrots. This is good hot or cold and keeps well in the fridge. One can of tuna mixed with pasta can feed 3-4 people for under $4. Perfect for busy nights when you don’t want to cook much.
Get the recipe here.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
This classic combo is cheap and satisfying. Use whatever bread and cheese you have on hand. Canned tomato soup costs like $1 and the sandwiches are maybe $2 for 4 people. It’s nostalgic comfort food that never gets old. Perfect for cold nights when you want something warm and familiar.
Get the recipe here.
Chickpea Curry
Canned chickpeas simmered with onions and curry powder make a tasty, filling meal. Serve over rice to make it go further. If you don’t have curry powder, just use whatever spices you got. This is healthy, cheap, and has protein to keep you full. One can of chickpeas and rice feeds 4 people for about $3.
Get the recipe here.
Mac and Cheese with Hot Dogs
Box mac and cheese with sliced hot dogs turns a side dish into a real meal. The protein from the hot dogs makes it more filling. Kids love this combination and it costs under $3 to feed a family. Not the healthiest meal but sometimes you need something quick and cheap that everyone will eat.
Get the recipe here.
Black Bean Tacos
Canned black beans seasoned with cumin and garlic make great taco filling. Use corn tortillas which are usually cheaper than flour ones. Top with whatever you got – cheese, lettuce, hot sauce. These are filling, tasty, and each taco costs maybe 50 cents to make. Way better than fast food tacos.
Get the recipe here.
Instant Mashed Potato Bowl
Instant mashed potatoes get a bad rap but they’re not terrible if you add butter and milk. Top with cheese, frozen vegetables, or leftover meat if you have it. This is pure comfort food that fills you up for cheap. Add some gravy if you’re feeling fancy. Costs about $2 to feed 4 people.
Get the recipe here.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Dinner
Sometimes you just gotta embrace simple food. PB&J sandwiches have protein and are surprisingly filling. Serve with milk and maybe some fruit if you got it. This reminds you that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be satisfying. Plus it costs like $1 per person and takes 2 minutes to make.
Get the recipe here.
Cabbage Roll Casserole
All the flavors of stuffed cabbage but way easier to make. Just layer chopped cabbage, ground meat if you have it, rice, and tomato sauce in a casserole dish. Bake until tender. This makes a huge pan that feeds you for days. Cabbage is super cheap and filling, especially in winter.
Get the recipe here.
Split Pea Soup
Dried split peas cook up into thick, hearty soup. Add a ham bone if you got one, or just use salt for flavor. This makes a huge pot for under $3 and is incredibly filling. The soup gets thicker as it sits which makes leftovers even better. Perfect for cold weather when you want something that sticks to your ribs.
Get the recipe here.
Rice and Bean Burrito
Cook rice and beans, wrap in a flour tortilla with whatever else you have. These freeze well so you can make a bunch when you have time. Each burrito costs maybe $1 to make and is way more filling than you’d expect. Add salsa or cheese if you got it but they’re good plain too.
Get the recipe here.
Egg Scramble with Toast
Eggs are one of the cheapest proteins around. Scramble with whatever vegetables you have, serve with toast. This works for any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The protein keeps you full and the combination tastes good. Feeds 4 people for under $3 including the bread.
Get the recipe here.
Pasta e Fagioli
This Italian soup is basically pasta and beans in broth. Use whatever pasta shape you got and canned beans. Add some onion and garlic if you have them. This is hearty, cheap, and stretches ingredients really well. One pot feeds a family for days and costs maybe $4 total to make.
Get the recipe here.
Potato Pancakes
Grate potatoes, mix with an egg and a little flour, fry in a pan. These are crispy outside and soft inside. Serve with sour cream or applesauce if you got it, or just eat them plain. This uses ingredients you probably already have and is way more filling than regular pancakes. Great way to use up potatoes that are getting soft.
Get the recipe here.
Lentil Dal with Rice
Dal is just Indian-spiced lentils but it sounds fancier than lentil soup. Red lentils cook super fast and get creamy. Season with curry powder or whatever spices you have. Serve over rice for a complete meal. This is healthy, cheap, and filling. One cup of lentils feeds 4 people over rice.
Get the recipe here.
Baked Beans with Cornbread
Canned baked beans heated up with some cornbread mix makes a filling meal. The cornbread can be from a box which is cheap and easy. This is classic comfort food that costs under $3 for a family. Add some hot dogs to the beans if you want more protein. Perfect for cold nights.
Get the recipe here.
Vegetable Fried Rice
Use whatever vegetables you got in the fridge that need to be used up. Day-old rice works best but fresh is fine too. This is a great way to clean out your vegetable drawer and make a filling meal. Add an egg for protein. The whole dish costs maybe $2 and feeds 4 people.
Get the recipe here.
Sloppy Joes
Ground meat is expensive but you can stretch it by adding lots of sauce and serving on hamburger buns. Use canned tomato sauce with some brown sugar and vinegar. If meat’s too expensive, use lentils instead – they work surprisingly well. This is messy fun food that kids love and costs about $5 to feed a family.
Get the recipe here.
Minestrone Soup
This Italian soup uses whatever vegetables you have plus some pasta or rice. Canned tomatoes make the base and you add whatever else is in your pantry. It’s different every time you make it which keeps it interesting. One pot feeds you for days and uses up random ingredients. My favorite way to clean out the fridge.
Get the recipe here.
Bean and Cheese Quesadilla
Even simpler than the bean quesadillas earlier – just beans and cheese in a tortilla. The beans add protein and fiber so it’s actually filling. Cook until crispy and serve with salsa or hot sauce. These cost about 75 cents each to make and are ready in 5 minutes. Perfect for busy nights.
Get the recipe here.
Pasta with Butter and Parmesan
Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Just pasta tossed with butter and grated parmesan cheese. Add some black pepper if you got it. This tastes way better than it sounds and costs almost nothing. The key is using pasta water to make it creamy. Comfort food at its finest.
Get the recipe here.
Rice Pilaf with Vegetables
Cook rice with some broth instead of water for extra flavor. Add whatever frozen or fresh vegetables you have. This is more interesting than plain rice and just as cheap. One cup of rice with vegetables feeds 4 people as a main dish. Add nuts or dried fruit if you’re feeling fancy.
Get the recipe here.
Egg Drop Soup
Beat eggs and drizzle into hot broth while stirring to make egg ribbons. Serve with toast or crackers on the side. This is warm, comforting, and costs almost nothing to make. The eggs add protein and the toast makes it filling enough for dinner. Perfect when you’re feeling sick or just want something simple.
Get the recipe here.
Bean Chili
Canned beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning make a hearty meal. You don’t need meat – the beans have plenty of protein. This makes a huge pot that you can eat for days or freeze for later. Top with cheese, sour cream, or crackers if you got them. Costs about $4 to make a pot that feeds 6-8 people.
Get the recipe here.
Loaded Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are cheap and more nutritious than regular potatoes. Top with black beans, cheese, or whatever you have. They’re naturally sweet so kids usually like them. One big sweet potato is surprisingly filling for dinner. The orange color makes your plate look more interesting too, which matters when you’re eating cheap food every night.
Get the recipe here.
