Feel-Good Fall Dinners for Less Than $60 (Week #76)
This week’s grocery haul in Dallas came to just $57.72, and I’m pretty excited about what we pulled together. The theme? Comfort food!
Think cozy soups, cheesy pasta, hearty sandwiches, and those feel-good fall flavors that just make dinner better. The challenge was big to make everything super tasty, budget-friendly, and low effort (because who has extra time right now?). But I think we nailed it… wink wink!
Comfort Foods on a Low Budget
Grocery 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.
Week of Fall Comfort Foods
Greek Chicken Bowls
Fresh and full of flavor, these bowls layer rice, chicken, cucumber, tomato, onion, feta, and a quick yogurt-lemon sauce for that classic Greek taste. Swap the rice for couscous or orzo, or use ranch dressing if you don’t have yogurt.
Crockpot Smoked Sausage & White Bean Soup
This cozy crockpot soup combines smoked sausage, beans, and veggies in a hearty broth, perfect for dipping thick slices of French bread. Swap the beans for lentils, or use kielbasa if that’s what’s on sale.
Chicken Poutine with Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Crispy homemade potato wedges topped with shredded chicken, hot gravy, and melty cheese! That is totally pure comfort food on a budget. Swap mozzarella for Colby Jack or use rotisserie chicken if you want to save time.
French Onion Pasta Bake
Caramelized onions, savory beef/pork blend, pasta, and gooey cheese come together in a warm, bubbly bake that screams comfort food. You can swap out the Mozzarella cheese for Swiss or provolone, too!
Southwest Chicken Pasta Bowl
Creamy salsa-cheese pasta forms the base, then gets topped with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and all your favorite Tex-Mex toppings. Want extra crunch? Add crushed tortilla chips!
Turkey Meatball Sandwiches with Potato Crisps
Juicy turkey meatballs simmered in marinara, piled onto toasted French bread, topped with melty mozzarella, and served with homemade potato crisps. Try ground chicken instead of turkey, or use jarred pizza sauce if that’s already in the pantry.
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!*
Printable PDF Grocery List & Recipes
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!
