Easy Family Dinners for Fall: 6 Meals, One Cart, Under $60 (Week#73)
September is the perfect time to turn the oven back on, and this week’s meal plan makes the most of it! We’ve put together six cozy, family-friendly dinners that may sound fancy, but they’re really super low-effort.
At just $59.67 from the Super Walmart in Perrysburg, Ohio, these meals use simple ingredients in multiple ways to keep costs down and flavors fresh. You’ll also notice Italian seasoning making several appearances. It’s one of the best all-purpose blends to keep in your pantry. Of course, you can swap it out for other spices you love, but it’s a great base for everything from roasted chicken to baked casseroles.
Budget-Friendly Weekly Dinner Plan
Affordable Grocery List Under $60
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.
Family-Friendly Weeknight Meals
Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
This cozy sheet pan dinner feels special but couldn’t be simpler; the oven does all the work while lemon and herbs add fresh flavor. You can easily swap in sweet potatoes or green beans if that’s what you have on hand.
Pork & Cabbage Stir-Fry
Quick and flavorful, this stir-fry makes ground pork shine with just a few veggies and pantry staples. You can swap in coleslaw mix with broccoli slaw, or trade rice for noodles if that’s what your family prefers.
Slow Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
A hearty crockpot meal that stretches chicken with beans and veggies for budget-friendly comfort food. Don’t have white beans? Try navy beans, pinto beans, or even lentils instead.
Kielbasa & Broccoli Alfredo
This creamy pasta dish is a quick weeknight win, with smoky kielbasa and broccoli tossed in a rich Alfredo sauce. You can swap in spinach or peas for the broccoli, or try regular pasta if you don’t have egg noodles.
Chicken Parm Meatball Bake
Classic Italian flavors come together in this cheesy meatball bake, and the crisp celery-apple salad keeps it balanced. If you don’t have ground chicken, you can use ground turkey or ground pork as well.
Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
A true comfort classic, creamy scalloped potatoes get an upgrade with savory diced ham and a side of roasted green beans. If you’re short on time, frozen green beans work just as well, or you can swap in peas for something different.
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!
