6 Family Dinners Under $60 Using Simple Ingredients (Week #84)
Christmas is next week, but dinners still have to happen. Between holiday plans, kids home for winter break, and already feeling stretched thin, this is usually the week when patience and energy are both running pretty low.
So, this week’s meal plan is built for anyone who’s short on cash and patience. We leaned heavily into one-pot meals, easy dinners, and low-ingredient recipes to keep cooking simple and dishes to a minimum. The goal is less time at the sink washing dishes and more time enjoying your family during a busy holiday week.
Even better, this entire week of six dinners came in at just $47.72 at the Super Walmart in Snowflake, Arizona. And yes, that town name felt especially fitting this time of year.
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Groceries for the Week
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.
Low Effort Comfort Meals
Creamy Mushroom Chicken over Rice
Tender chicken cooks in a creamy mushroom sauce and is served over rice for an easy, cozy dinner. If needed, chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts, and the rice can be swapped for egg noodles without changing the rest of the recipe.
Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Peas
A simple turkey meatloaf pairs with creamy mashed potatoes and sweet peas for a classic comfort meal that feels especially cozy during winter break. Crushed crackers can replace breadcrumbs, and the peas can be swapped for corn or green beans without changing the cooking process.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Potatoes and Baby Carrots
Chicken breasts roast with potatoes and baby carrots on one pan for an easy, low-cleanup dinner. Sweet potatoes work just as well, and the carrots can be swapped for broccoli or Brussels sprouts, depending on what you have on hand.
One-Pot Ground Turkey Ziti with Green Beans
This stovetop ziti uses a full box of pasta cooked right in the sauce with ground turkey and melted mozzarella for a cozy, low-cleanup dinner. Penne or rotini work just as well as ziti, and green beans can be swapped for broccoli or peas if that’s what you have on hand.
One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Pasta
This stovetop Alfredo cooks pasta and chicken together in one pot for a creamy, family-friendly dinner without extra dishes. Penne, rotini, or fettuccine all work well, and broccoli or peas can be stirred in at the end if you want to add a vegetable directly to the dish.
One-Pot Ground Turkey Enchilada Rice Skillet with Corn
Ground turkey simmers with rice, enchilada sauce, and corn in one pot for an easy, filling dinner that reheats well. If needed, black beans can be stirred in to stretch the meal or top with leftover tortilla chips for an added crunch.
Free 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!
