6 Weeknight Meals on a Budget ($60 at Walmart) Week#72
This time of year, life always seems to get a little extra busy and some days we’re just plain “out of spoons.” That’s why it helps to have a plan in place with quick, easy, and budget-friendly dinners.
While there’s nothing wrong with pulling a Plan B meal out of the freezer, it’s also important to have simple options you can throw together without much effort.
This week’s meal plan came in at just $53.65 (assuming you already have your favorite cooking oil and seasonings on hand), and all six dinners are designed to be filling, low-cost, and easy on your time. Prices were checked at the Super Walmart in Fishkill, NY.
Meals for the Week
Grocery Shopping List
If you want to see the full shopping list on Walmart in your area, all you have to do is click my Walmart Grocery list and change the zip code to your area. *This is an affiliate link, and I do make a small commission on any purchases, but at no additional cost to you!*
**** Please note, that every once in a while, an item that I pick turns out to be regional. This means that it may be a much higher price in some areas. Always double check the list and if you see an item that is much higher than normal, just adjust as needed.
Meal Prep Options
If you want to save some extra time this week, here is a list of things you can make or do ahead of time, in order to need less time to cook!
Easy Weeknight Meals
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls & Broccoli
A simple weeknight meal where juicy chicken breasts get air-fried with a sweet teriyaki glaze and served with rice and broccoli. Swap in frozen stir-fry veggies or use instant rice if you need to save even more time.
BLT Wraps with Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and tomato wrapped in tortillas make a light but filling dinner, paired with a refreshing cucumber tomato salad. Swap in spinach for lettuce or use ranch dressing instead of mayo for a flavor twist.
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta & Green Beans
These buttery chicken bites come together quickly in one skillet and get tossed with pasta and green beans for a complete meal. Try swapping the green beans for broccoli or the pasta for egg noodles depending on what you have.
Ground Turkey Quesadillas with Yellow Rice & Roasted Zucchini
Seasoned ground turkey and cheese melt perfectly inside tortillas, served with homemade yellow rice and roasted zucchini on the side. You can swap in chicken, beans, or even leftover veggies if you already have them at home.
Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie over Mashed Potatoes
Comfort food without the oven! Creamy chicken with mixed veggies is served over fluffy mashed potatoes. This works really well over pasta or rice, so if you are not feeling mashed potatoes, that is totally okay.
One-Pot Sausage & Pepper Pasta
Italian sausage, peppers, and onions cook right alongside the pasta for a hearty one-pot meal that saves time and dishes. If peppers are pricey, swap in zucchini or spinach, or use any pasta shape you have on hand.
Low-Cost Fruit Options to Add:
I am a huge fan of adding fruit to dinners. This small, yummy part helps kids know they will love at least something on their plate.
So, whenever I have a little wiggle room in my budget, I try to pick up 2-3 fruits to add to meals. Here are some good options that you can grab this week! (Try mixing fresh fruit and canned fruit together for some added variety)
It’s also been shown that most Americans don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables, so add some to your dinner! (Remember you don’t need a ton of fruit either, just a 1/4 to 1/2 a cup can help fill you up at mealtime.)
*Walmart is not always the cheapest when it comes to fresh fruits. Lots of local stores run better sales and have fruit as loss leaders, so check your local stores for some better deals if needed!*
Free Printable PDF MEAL PLAN
This prints on standard paper sized 8.5 x 11 inches.
What about next week?
We put out a new meal plan every week! We have 3 ways to be notified of new menus:
*Join our Low Dough Facebook Page where we post new menus every Saturday and new meal ideas every Wednesday!
*Sign up for the weekly email newsletter. We send it out on Fridays, so you actually get early menu access!
Join our Facebook Group- Meal Planning for All (you can ask questions and get help planning your own menus)
Until next week, I hope you have a fabulous week!
