7-Day Budget-Friendly Meal Plan for Families

Hello, friends!

I’m a firm believer in keeping dinner simple, delicious, and budget-friendly. This week’s meal plan is all about simple, nourishing meals made from pantry staples and fresh ingredients, perfect for feeding your family without stretching your budget.

Whether you're gathering around the table for a weeknight dinner or sharing food at a church picnic, this plan is filled with comfort, practicality, and of course, joy! 

Sunday – Shakshuka with Eggs & Garlic Bread

A cozy, one-skillet dish that’s rich in flavor and budget-friendly. The eggs cook right in the spiced tomato sauce, then add crusty garlic bread to scoop it all up. 

When we grew tomatoes a few years ago, we had Shakshuka weekly. We haven’t gotten our garden up and running yet for this year, so we’re going with store-bought tomatoes, and a few other simple ingredients to bring this meal together. 

Ingredients Needed:

• 3 to 4 large tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1 bell pepper, diced (optional!)

• ½ an onion, diced

• 2 tablespoons jalapenos, diced (optional!)

• 2–3 cloves garlic (~1 tablespoon), minced

• Dashes of salt, pepper, cumin, & paprika
  4 to 6 eggs

• Fresh parsley (optional)

• Garlic bread (store-bought or homemade)

I needed tomatoes and jalapenos from the store - everything else I had on hand after shopping my pantry & freezer! 

Monday – Grilled Chicken, Rice & Roasted Broccoli

Simple, clean, and meal-prep friendly. Marinate the chicken ahead of time, and dinner comes together in no time! 

I chose this recipe to use up a chicken-flavored rice packet I found in my pantry that is going to go bad soon. We’re aiming for no pantry waste, so it’s getting used up! Aldi has great, cheap options for chicken breasts and green beans are in season, so this meal will come together perfectly. 

Ingredients:

• 2 or 3 chicken breasts or thighs

• Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs (for marinade - or use whatever marinade you prefer!)

• 1 cup rice or 1 pre-seasoned rice packet

• 1lb. of fresh green beans

• Salt, pepper, olive oil

Like I mentioned above, I had the rice packet on hand, so I needed chicken and green beans from the store. I’ll use pantry staples for the marinade and season the green beans with salt and lemon pepper - yum! 

Tuesday – Cornbread Cowboy Casserole

This one-pot wonder is hearty, filling, and uses low-cost ingredients. It’s also great for leftovers!

This is a new recipe for me, also born of a desire to use up some tater tots in my freezer and some Jiffy cornbread mix in my pantry. I’ll be making a variation of this recipe I found on Pinterest. 

Ingredients:

• 1lb. ground beef

• 1 can of corn (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn)

• 1 can of beans (dealer’s choice, we’re using pinto!)

• 2 cups of frozen tater tots (or 1 to 2 potatoes, diced)

• 1/2 onion, chopped

• 1 cup of salsa

• Salt, pepper, chili powder

• 1 cup of shredded cheese

• Jiffy cornbread mix for topping

Wednesday – Picnic at Church

We’re keeping it extra easy and attending our church’s Wednesday night picnic dinner. If you’d like to have your own mid-week picnic for dinner, here are some ideas for a quick spread that’s budget-friendly and shareable.

Suggested Ingredients:

• Sandwich fixings (bread, deli meat, cheese, lettuce)

• Pasta salad (pasta, Italian dressing, veggies)

• Apple slices or grapes

• Homemade cookies or brownies

• Lemonade or water bottles

Thursday – Salmon Patties, Cheddar Bay Biscuits & Roasted Veggies

Pantry staples meet comfort food - plus, you can use canned salmon to keep it economical.

I’ve had Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix in my pantry for months and it’s high time to actually make some! I also still have some mixed veggies in my freezer, so I just needed canned salmon, lemons, and some cheddar cheese to bring this meal together. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cans salmon

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons of mayo (optional)

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 onion, finely chopped

• Salt, pepper, lemon juice

• Box of Cheddar Bay biscuit mix (or make from scratch)

• 1 cup of cheddar cheese (for biscuits)

• Assorted veggies (carrots, zucchini, onions) for roasting

Friday – Marry Me Chicken Pasta & Focaccia

Rich and creamy pasta that feels fancy without the price tag, and homemade focaccia is such an easy side dish (though, store-bought is great too!). We’re having a Game Night on Friday night, and a double batch of “Marry Me” Chicken Pasta is a great way to feed a crowd. We asked our friends to bring a side or a drink to share, so we’ll have plenty of food. The ingredients listed below are for a single batch of pasta. 

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 chicken breasts

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan

• Garlic, sun-dried tomatoes (optional but tasty!)

• 8 oz pasta

• Focaccia or any crusty bread

Saturday – Dinner Out: Family Celebration!

We’re celebrating a college graduation in our family, so we’ll be eating with our in-laws on Saturday evening. Make this one your own! Use what you have and gather your people. Maybe give yourself a challenge to create a meal based on what you have in your pantry or freezer right now. Here are a few flexible ideas:

Suggested Meal Options:

• Baked ziti

• Sheet pan nachos

• Roast chicken with mashed potatoes

• DIY pizza night

Some Pantry Tips:

• Use frozen veggies to stretch the budget

• Repurpose leftovers from earlier in the week

• Have a game night or get together! Invite others to bring a dish and make it a potluck!

There’s what we’re eating this week - what’s on your family’s dinner menu this week? I love sharing our meals, and hearing what others are cooking up in their homes, too! There are so many great options out there for filling, nutritious, and budget friendly meals. I hope I’ve inspired you to shop your pantry and freezer first, get creative with what you have, and stay within budget for the rest. 

Cheers to a great week of meals!