I’ve shared our grocery budget before, complete with receipts (literally), to show how much prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

People sometimes ask me, “Natalie, how do you do it?”

Well, we don’t eat organic and our grocery bill really isn’t that low. According to my google search the average grocery bill for a family of six can range from $1,136-$1604 depending on the age of the children and the chosen food plan. We spend $1,300 a month, but in all fairness there are two adults, two growing teenage boys, an athletic girl, and one kid that has a wild card appetite. I feel like I’m up against that creepy “Little Shop of Horrors” plant that growls- “FEED ME”. 

So no, we’re not surviving on rice and beans alone. But we have found a few go-to meals that are cheap, easy, and don’t require a culinary degree. Here are some of our favorites!

Ramen Noodles

It doesn’t get any cheaper than Ramen noodles. It was invented to be affordable and convenient during a food shortage in post world war 2 Japan. At 30 cents a bag even after inflation it’s stayed true to its origins. We like protein though, so I fry up some precooked chicken (here’s where Costco $5 chickens come in handy) and some chopped veggies like carrots, bell pepper, and green onion.

Then I add a fried (or hard boiled) egg on top. I know it may not be popular in all homes, but my kids love having an egg on their Ramen!

 

 

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

I used to buy only one of these tenderloin to feed the whole family for under $10. Now we need to cook two at a time, but it’s really easy and still one of the cheaper meat options. Follow the directions on the packaging (I usually buy mine from Aldi) and add colorful chopped veggies to the pan to bake all at once.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Um, duh. One of the easiest most classic meals of all time and it’s cheap. I get my spaghetti and sauce from Aldi and the cheapest meatballs I have found are at Costco. No recipe here, just follow the package instructions.

Frito Pie

Don’t judge me but on a busy night my family will scarf down some Frito pie before running off to sports or youth group. All it takes is simply heating up a can of chili. I buy it with meat and beans from Aldi. Then add it on top of Fritos. I buy the generic at Aldi. Then top with shredded cheddar. I’ve found the cheapest price on shredded cheese at Costco.

Burgers

Another classic. I just buy the cheapest patties I can find. Sometimes I upgrade to grass fed organic ground beef from Aldi if there’s room in the budget that month, but sometimes that’s not doable and that’s okay! My method when J doesn’t have the grill going is I line my baking sheet with foil and broil the burgers.

 

Sausage Skillet

I get these sausages at Aldi and just add chopped onions and peppers to a bed of rice. I know processed meat is not that healthy. It is cheap though and we don’t eat it all the time.

 

Chicken pot pie

I have raved about this double recipe of chicken pot pie before. Even my kids have made my Messy Mom recipe so you know it’s EASY.

Sheet pan chicken and veggies 

I almost didn’t add this to the list because you have to marinate it, so that’s a little bit of an extra step that can sometimes be a deal breaker for moms. It’s still a simple recipe though I promise. And dark meat is cheaper than white so it’s pretty cost effective. Sesame oil is delicious, but pricey. You can easily substitute for another oil though.

Quesadillas

You guys, this is my speciality. We eat it several times a month. I hope to have a tutorial video soon. Until then, here are some directions. Sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 chopped bell peppers with a table spoon of garlic and a half cup of your favorite salsa. Once soften add 4 cups of chopped cooked chicken. Then use a stick of butter to cover a separate hot pan. Add a tortilla to the pan and dump a bunch of shredded cheese over the whole thing. Once the cheese starts melting add scatter your sautéed ingredients to one side of the tortilla. Once the cheese has melted fold the tortilla in half. After about 30 seconds flip it and cut into triangles. The key to this being super tasty is to be GENEROUS with your butter.

Ham or turkey melts

It’s just sandwiches, but similar to the tortillas you want to slather that stick of butter melting it all over the pan and then add your bread. Now add deli meat and a slice of cheese. Next top with the other buttered bread. Once the cheese has melted flip it. Serve your melts with a side of chips and veggies. Teach your kids to make it with supervision and this suddenly becomes a really conevient meal when you didn’t really plan anything.

Green bean casserole 

I have made this a million times and it’s a family fave. Here is a link to the recipe- lowcarbyum.com/low-carb-chicken-green-bean-casserole-recipe  The only modification is I use one package of cream cheese instead of two and I sprinkle bacon on top if I have some precooked. *I almost always have a bunch of bacon that I cook all at once in the oven for easy breakfasts throughout the week.

 

In Kindergarten the students made “guess who” papers for the parents who came to parent teacher conference. It was fun to see if you could spot your child. Favorite food “Green ben cassrl” was kind of a dead giveaway.

Chicken strips on a salad

Chicken strips are cheap and easy, thrown on a salad they are like a fancy restaurant meal.

 

Honestly what our go-to meals are have evolved over the years and will continue to. Sometimes we are on a healthy streak with home grown vegetables and zucchini noodles. Sometimes we try elaborate recipes. Other times it’s corn dogs or frozen pizza. Last night we had straight up beans and weenies.

I do hope these simple “recipes” help or inspire. I’m always looking for more if anyone wants to share their own!