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$5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals and Cooking Tutorials for the Busy Home Chef

Save on Groceries in 2025

20 Meals at Costco for $150 – Meal Plan #2 with Printables

January 13, 2014 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 32 Comments

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Have you ever wished you could make enough lunches and dinners to last for weeks, so you can just let it cook, while you enjoy time with your family each night? 

Each Meal Feeds 4 People And Costs Less Than One Family Member’s Meal Out!

20 Meals for $150 Meal Plan #2 from 5DollarDinners.com

What better way to help you survive and thrive the busyness of life than with a 20 Meals for $150 plan that is made up of all delicious dinner and lunch options! 

Half of the meals available in this plan can be added to the freezer and the remaining can be made the week that you purchase all the ingredients!

As Seen on NBC’s Today Show

Bringing $5 Dinners to the world has been so much fun and one of the highlights was being on the Today Show. The best part has been the reaction from people who have told me how much time and money I helped them save. It’s why I continue to work hard to bring you great recipes and fantastic meal plans!

today-show-erin-chase-3-600

Are you ready?  We’ve got another awesome meal plan for 20 Meals at Costco for $150!

But first…

Disclaimers

  • Yes, I realize this makes for $7.50 dinners. Meat at Costco is more expensive than sale prices at grocery stores, and many argue that the quality is better. That explains that!
  • Produce prices may vary by region. And season.
  • Meals are for a family of 4. Larger families, or families with teenagers will need to adjust quantities.
  • Meals are as kid friendly, family friendly, and allergy friendly as I could make them. Hopefully you will enjoy them!
  • Mix and Match Meals – because of the bulk purchasing, this is really a game of mixing and matching ingredients. The ingredients are very common and work in a wide variety of recipes, so feel free to use them in other recipes besides those listed below.
  • I would expect you to have some ingredients needed for the different recipes in your pantry, like spices, soy sauce, etc. In the recipe/ingredient list below, I’ve only included the ingredients from the Costco purchase list.
  • Swap Idea – save a few bucks and get a 10 lb. bag of rice and not the quinoa. I just like quinoa, and I like that it has a higher protein content than rice. Make rice with corn, black beans, etc instead of the quinoa. You could also serve the rice alongside the taco/tortilla meals too.
  • As you’ll see if you really analyze this chicken scratch, I forgot to add the peppers to the bottom portion where I priced everything out. So I added them as optional as it would push the total cost to $155 if you added them.

Recipe List in this 2nd Meal Plan in the 20 Meals for $150 series – including Freezer Meal Packs

  • Tuna Melts
  • Cheesy Tuna Pasta
  • Tuna Quesadillas
  • Spicy Tuna Melt Pie
  • Tuna Sandwiches with Hard Boiled Eggs and Carrots
  • Loaded Potato Frittata
  • Potato Saute with Baked Eggs
  • Grilled Sausages and Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Sausage with Peppers and Onions
  • Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Potatoes (freezer pack)
  • BBQ Meatballs on Potatoes (freezer friendly)
  • BBQ Meatball Sliders (freezer friendly)
  • (2) Taco Meat, serve with Tortillas and Corn (freezer pack)
  • (2) Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas (freezer pack)
  • (2) Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Stew (freezer pack)
  • (2) Corn Chicken Chili (freezer pack)

Did you know that I’ve developed a super cool software that will allow you to create your own Costco plans?!? Click below to learn more!

A note about Tuna ~ If you prefer not to use tuna, then you can purchase a 6 pk of 12.5 oz canned chicken for only $11.49 at Costco that you can substitute instead.  All tuna recipes can use canned chicken or purchase additional chicken breasts, cook them in the slow cooker so they are soft and easily shredded and use as a tuna substitute.

Meal Plan 1 Ingredients

Costco Ingredients & Price List

  • 1 – 8 pack of 15 ounce cans stewed or diced tomatoes – $5.99
  • 1 – 12 pack of 16 ounce chicken stock containers – $9.99
  • 1 – 12 can package of tuna in water – $15.99
  • 1 – 6 pack of 1 pound organic spaghetti noodles – $6.59
  • 1 large pineapple – $2.99
  • 1 bag 6 mixed peppers – $6.79
  • 1 – 15 pound bag gold potatoes – $7.49
  • 1 – 5 pound bag organic baby carrots – $5.29
  • 1 – 2 pound block mild cheddar cheese – $4.99
  • 1 – 5 pound bag Sweet Onions – $3.79
  • 1 – 5 pound bag organic frozen corn – $5.99
  • 1 – 5 pound bag organic frozen green beans – $6.79
  • 2 – 18 count eggs – $2.65 x 2
  • 1 – 40 ounce container sour cream – $3.99
  • 1 – 3 pack, 5 count Chicken and Apple Sausage – $13.99
  • 1 – 6+ pound package ground beef $20.58
  • 1 – 7+ pound package boneless, skinless chicken breast  – $21.29
  • 3 dozen dinner rolls – $4.49
  • 40 count 6” flour tortillas – $3.19
  • 2 pack sandwich loaves – $3.99

Total Cost – $159.50 plus LOTS of leftovers

(And note there are a number of organic products included too!)

Leftovers

Leftovers – you will have lots leftover including:

  • 5+ packages of pasta (about $5)
  • 1 can of tuna (about $1)
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes (about $1)
  • 6 containers chicken broth (about $5)
  • several onions ($1)
  • lots of sandwich bread ($1)
  • 2 lb. ground beef (about $6 worth!)
  • as well as smaller quantities of other ingredients

I did not reflect these leftovers in the total cost, so it would really be about $20 less than the total price!!!

Order the Printable Files Below, Then Get Started Shopping & Cooking

 costco recipes 2

While we have all the content free above to piece together from the site, we thought we’d simplify the experience for you with this one printable that includes:

  • Complete grocery shopping list for Costco AND additional ingredients you might need from the grocery store
  • Each recipe with all ingredients listed
  • Directions for each recipe
  • Freezer and slow cooker tips

So simple with everything in one place…and for only $2.49!

We did a live chat, walking through the plan, the recipes and the ingredients. I share tips and tricks for each recipe! I hope the video is helpful to you in understanding how this all works!

Before you go….

  • Check out the complete series for the original 20 Meals for $150, using ingredients from Costco. 
  • You can check out each one and order as many as you need – each one is a different set of recipes, shopping lists and instructions! 

Finally….

  • See all of the Warehouse Store Meal Plan FAQs here!
  • Here is a copy of my receipt, if you’re curious!

 

Disclaimer: I have no formal relationship with Costco and am not paid by them to share these plans. I created these plans to help myself (and you!) spend less money at Costco, while using up all the bulk ingredients without them going to waste. Hope they help your family as much as they help our family!
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Filed Under: Feature, Meal Plans Using Ingredients from Costco

Comments

  1. Robin Gibbons says

    January 13, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Looking forward to something new!

    Reply
    • Tina says

      January 13, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Yay! Me TOO! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kristy Peck says

    January 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    Thank you!! I started this with list #1 on the 6th of this month & haven’t even cooked every recipe yet!! It has REALLY helped me with my grocery budget!! I look forward to using list #2 next week!!!

    Reply
    • Dona Navarr0 says

      February 9, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      I’m doing the same thing. I have a ton left in my freezer and a lot of pantry staples left. I can already cross some things off the list that I have left over from last meal plan!

      Reply
  3. Jenny Roche says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:22 am

    Can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  4. Megan says

    January 15, 2014 at 1:09 am

    Hi Erin! i got the printable for meal plan 1 (costco) but i only got the shopping list and meal plan with ingredients not recipes? I also just saw plan 2 could you email me the printables I am missing? thanks!

    Reply
    • anne todd says

      January 15, 2014 at 3:33 pm

      can i get meal plan 1 please.

      Thank you

      Reply
  5. Tatiana says

    January 16, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Can you do a similar list for BJ’s?? That’s where I do through bulk of my shopping for my family

    Reply
  6. Christina says

    January 16, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    I wish there was a vegetarian version for Costco!

    Reply
    • Fernanda Hobs says

      January 28, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      Yes! more meat-free options would be great!

      Reply
  7. Gwyn says

    January 16, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    So hoping this one comes in a Sam’s edition too!! We just switched from Costco to Sam’s because we got a deal on membership. Would be bummed to lose these great recipe plans!

    Reply
  8. James says

    January 17, 2014 at 8:56 am

    Looks very carby…

    Reply
  9. Waingro says

    February 4, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Wow, this is so awesome. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  10. Shari - Simply Shari's Gluten Free says

    February 6, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Wow! What a wonderful, free service you provide. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Dona Navarr0 says

    February 9, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you so much for your Costco meal plans! We have slimmed our grocery budget for 2 adults and 2 hungry boys to $400 per month and these meal plans have really helped us. I already did meal plan #1 last month and am preparing my list for a Costco trip next week for meal plan #2. I still have a ton of spaghetti and corn left from last month, so I’m already saving money before I even enter the store. I’m going to substitute shredded chicken breast for the tuna. Let you know how it turns out!

    Reply
  12. Clarisse @ Make Money Your Way says

    February 13, 2014 at 8:12 am

    Thanks for these great meals! This Sunday will be my daughter’s birthday and surely I will try these meals!

    Reply
  13. Shannon@sillygeesedesigns says

    February 16, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    For those wanting vegetarian, most of the meat options could be substitute beans, or what ever you normally use in place of protein. Since I have both a Sam’s membership and a Costco membership I can tell you, most of the time Sam’s as the same stuff only cheaper. Costco has more organic, Sam’s has the same in non organic(they do have some organic at some locations) This meal plan would work for any big box with similar prices, just cross off Costco on the printable and insert or store (Sam’s, BJ’s, or whatever).

    I just noticed Erin has a Sam’s list too, it just seems like the list would be pretty interchangeable.

    I am curious and will check next time I go to Costco if non organic noodles, corn, green beans are an option and cheaper? Just thinking of easy ways to keep it simple on stop, one list but still lower price, if I take your advice on buying the canned chicken for $11.xx instead of tuna, I can use the difference to buy the big container of taco seasoning.

    Thank you for these lists! I learn something new everytime you posts one:D

    Reply
  14. elizabeth says

    April 23, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    I am attempting this meal plan for the first time but help. Can I freeze the rolls I bought? Can I freeze the chicken how about the sausage?? Thanks

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      May 22, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      Yes, I froze all of those items. I divided the rolls into large zip-top bags, with 8 rolls per bag, and froze them that way- I think one bag had 6. I put the sausage and chicken in the freezer as soon as I got home and just thawed them out as needed.

      Reply
  15. Xiomara Gard says

    May 11, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Do you have a GF meal plan for costco?

    Reply
  16. ian says

    June 8, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    It’s there a current Costco meal plan? I just stumbled upon the site and neither list seem current, is this still the current list?

    Reply
  17. jill says

    June 25, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    that is awesome!

    Reply
  18. Amber says

    September 17, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Excited about this, here’s why… I can buy a lot of these items with wic, making it even easier on my budget. Tuna, eggs, cheese, peppers, bread, pineapple, onions, plus I already have stuff in my house to make my own chicken stock.

    Reply
  19. Jessie says

    September 23, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I am loving using this plan, but where is the pineapple used?

    Reply
    • Jenn K says

      September 28, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      It’s used as a side dish.

      Reply
  20. Amy says

    November 19, 2014 at 6:49 am

    Can’t wait to try your plan out. I’m a single mom of 3 who makes too much for any government help but I don’t make enough to survive. Hoping this will be the help I’ve been looking for. Now to just get a Costco card first 🙂

    Reply
  21. Julie says

    March 30, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Do the meals from your Costco plans freeze well? I am looking to stock up freezer with meals in preparation for shoulder surgery. Need to have a few weeks worth of meals prepped.

    Reply

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