Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (2024)

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You don’t have to shell out loads of money to put food in a family of bellies! This roundup is full of delicious dishes that will help you feed the family for under $5. You’ll love these easy and affordable meals!

No need to break the bank just to make a delicious and filling dinner for your loved ones. Try these easy and inexpensive meals that are great for the home chef on a budget!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (1)

Why You’ll Love these $5 Meals

It can be hard to find reliable recipes that are good quality and inexpensive. These easy and cheap recipes are the perfect way to beef up your recipe book with dishes that you can pull out whenever you need something simple but delicious that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Read on to find lots of different recipes so you can feed the family for under $5!

Feed the Family for Under $5

Pepper and Peanut Butter Chicken

Looking for a fast but delicious dinner? You can change up this Instant Pot Pepper and Peanut Butter Chicken depending on whether you like it mild or whether you enjoy some extra spice!

This healthy meal with lots of vegetables is the perfect choice for a busy weeknight when you’ve got plenty else to do! And it serves 6 so it’s great for a large family.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (2)

Beef Tomato Soup with Pasta

ThisBeef Tomato Soupwith pasta is the perfect comfort food on a cold day.Make it in your Instant Pot for a fast and easy dinner!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (3)

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

This hearty and creamy soup has all the classic flavors of chicken pot pie, but it stretches so much further to feed even the hungriest family!

Great for the colder months and so easy to customize to your preferences.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (4)

Pesto Pasta Bake

Pesto is a great way to add some variety to a classic cheap pasta dinner.

This creamy pasta bake is loaded with cheese and can be made all in one pan for easy prep and cleanup!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (5)

Mushroom and Leek Pie

Loaded with leeks and mushrooms, this economical pie is a great vegetarian option that everybody will love.

An ideal winter comfort food and perfect to bring along to potlucks or dinner parties.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (6)

Pasta Al Forno

This pasta dish bakes things to perfection for a great way to get dinner on the table without spending a fortune!

A classic combination of rigatoni, tomato sauce, and cheese, this meal is great for something fast and reliable that even the pickiest eaters will love.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (7)

Swiss Chicken

Chicken gets all dressed up Swiss style for a delicious dinner that everyone will love, despite the low cost to prep!

All you need are three main ingredients and a baking pan to put together this flavorful and crowd-pleasing chicken dinner.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (8)

Red Lentil Egg Bake

Red lentils are always a great way to fill up the family, and the addition of eggs gives the dish a great source of flavor and protein!

Easy to cook and with no soaking required, this meal is full of nutrients!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (9)

Air Fryer Biscuit Pizzas

Grab a can of biscuits and make a favorite dinner in the air fryer with these easy pizzas!

Use all of your favorite pizza toppings to make these adorable and handheld personal pizzas.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (10)

Cheesy Broccoli Chickpea Rice

Rice is always nice on the grocery budget and this meal is loaded with chicken, cheese and broccoli to make it a winner winner of a chicken dinner!

This vegetarian dish works as a delicious main dish or even a hearty side for a Sunday dinner or holiday meal.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (11)

One Pot American Goulash

Goulash is comfort food anytime you serve it. This recipe is cheap to make, so it is comfortable food for the grocery budget too.

Best of all, it can all be prepared in one pot for easy cooking and cleanup!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (12)

Hot Ham and Cheese Rolls

These ham and cheese roll ups are so tasty and simple. These would be great with a side of corn or a salad!

Make them in your air fryer for a quick dinner or even a substantial lunch.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (13)

Broccoli Mac and Cheese Soup

Mac and cheese flavor with a hearty serving of veggies? That sounds great!

A simple soup that’s loaded with pasta shells, broccoli and a dash of cream for a thick and comforting meal that you’ll make again and again!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (14)

Instant Pot Beans and Rice

Beans and rice have been pantry staples for as long as anyone can recall. This recipe brings them together for a hearty and filling meal that stretches the food budget a little further.

The whole family will love this one!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (15)

Navy Bean Soup

Navy bean soup is perfect for dinner any night of the week! It’s so easy to prepare this soup in your Instant Pot.

Add a side of cornbread for a classic comfort food option that hits the spot!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (16)

Honey Garlic Tofu

Tofu makes for a great dinner option that is meatless and healthy. Pair it with a homemade hot honey garlic sauce for a flavorful and addictive dish.

This recipe is just so good!

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (17)

Vegan Chickpea Tacos

Chickpeas are the perfect filler for a budget friendly and super delicious taco!

These vegan tacos can be made easily with pantry staples you likely have around your kitchen already.

Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (18)

Cheap Recipes for Family Dinner

Make your menu plan today and feed the family for under $5


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Feed the Family for Under $5 - 15 Delicious Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How much to feed a family of 5? ›

Creating a budget can help keep costs in check. On average, a family of five spends anywhere from $922 to $1,488 a month on groceries, according to USDA monthly food plans.

What can I make with very little food? ›

Never fear, you can still whip up something delicious using just a few ingredients.
  • 14-ingredient raspberry hazelnut brownies. ...
  • 2Three-ingredient pancakes with yoghurt and berries. ...
  • 32-ingredient banana soft serve. ...
  • 4Chicken-noodle frittata. ...
  • 55-ingredient lemon cheesecake poke cake. ...
  • 6Three-ingredient crème brûlée flowers.

How do you make good food on a budget? ›

10 tips to get you started on meal planning on a budget:
  1. Make a menu. ...
  2. Plan your meals around foods that are on sale. ...
  3. Plan some plant-based meals every week. ...
  4. Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer. ...
  5. Enjoy grains more often. ...
  6. Avoid recipes that need a special ingredient. ...
  7. Look for seasonal recipes.
Feb 22, 2023

What cheap food makes you full? ›

Filling Fruits

Bananas, apples, oranges, and kiwi are not only cheap but filling. Bananas and apples we recommend adding a heavy dollop of your favorite nut butter or peanut butter for an even more filling treat or snack.

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

Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!

How can I feed my family on a very small budget? ›

An easy way to make meals more affordable is to rely on legumes and grains over meat, says Katrina. “We've love meat-free Monday in our house and some of our favourites are Quinoa and Zucchini Fritters, Ricotta Gnocchi with Eggplant Sauce and bowl of Roast Vegetables.

What is a good monthly food budget? ›

The amount you should spend on food depends on your income, budget, and personal circ*mstances. A general guideline is to allocate 10-15% of your income for food expenses. Consider factors such as dining out, groceries, and meal prepping when determining your food budget.

What is a realistic grocery budget for a family of 4? ›

This includes purchasing items from your local grocery store or supermarket. On average, a family of four can expect to spend anywhere between $500 to $1,000 per month on groceries, depending on factors such as dietary choices, quality of ingredients, and location.

What food is small but filling? ›

  • Oats. Oats can be an excellent addition to your daily diet. ...
  • Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great source of protein that can be incorporated into a nutritious diet. ...
  • Soup. Though soup is often dismissed as little more than a light and simple side dish, it can be very satisfying. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Fish.

What can I cook with barely any 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 is the best food to eat on a budget? ›

12 healthy and affordable foods for your grocery list
  • Brown rice.
  • Cans or packets of chicken or tuna.
  • Dried beans and lentils.
  • Eggs.
  • Frozen chicken breasts.
  • Frozen or canned fruit (in its own juice or light syrup).
  • Frozen vegetables.
  • Low-fat dairy like cottage cheese.
Oct 13, 2022

How do you cook on a low budget? ›

Batch cook budget-friendly recipes

If you can, cook in bulk – it's one of the simplest and most efficient ways to save money in the kitchen. Whether you're cooking for one person or the whole family, preparing and freezing multiple meals in advance will help you cut down on food waste and save time in the long run.

How to feed 100 people cheaply? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

How to feed a family of 4 for $5? ›

Feed the Family for Under $5
  1. Chicken Pot Pie Soup. ...
  2. Pesto Pasta Bake. ...
  3. Mushroom and Leek Pie. ...
  4. Pasta Al Forno. ...
  5. Swiss Chicken. ...
  6. Red Lentil Egg Bake. ...
  7. Air Fryer Biscuit Pizzas. ...
  8. Cheesy Broccoli Chickpea Rice.

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