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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

New on $5 Dinners – Recipes, Meal Plans, Frugal Hacks and More!

Best Prime Day Deals in 2025

Erin Chase & Co: Prime Week Savings & Shop App Steals

freezer friendly creamy chicken nachos

Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Nachos

What We Ate This Week – Budget Dinner Ideas for Your Meal Plan

Round-Up: July 4th Recipes

Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

ROUNDUP: Best Budget Quick Bread Recipes

$1 Loaf Bread: Chicken Melts

$1 Loaf Bread Recipe: Tuna Melts

Sweet n Sour Meatballs

How to Make Homemade Croutons

Freezer Friendly Blackened Salmon Sandwich

Freezer Friendly Blackened Salmon Sandwich

VIDEO: Learn to Cook on a Budget Series

Budget Friendly Recipes for Your Meal Plan

freezer friendly creamy chicken nachos

Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Nachos

What We Ate This Week – Budget Dinner Ideas for Your Meal Plan

Round-Up: July 4th Recipes

$1 Loaf Bread: Chicken Melts

Most Popular & Trending Recipes

Halloween Finger Foods

Instant Pot One-Pot Spaghetti with Sauce

Slow Cooker Hashbrown Beef Bake

Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Recipe

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Berry Yogurt Bark from 5DollarDinners.com

Berry Yogurt Bark

Weeknight Spinach Lasagna Skillet

Burrito Cups

Freezer Meal Plans, Weekly Meal Plans & Free Printable PDFs

Freezer Cooking Simplified: MyFreezeasy $5 Meal Plan Freebie Central

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Latest Blog Posts

Best Prime Day Deals in 2025

July 9, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Get the BEST PRIME DAY DEALS AND SAVINGS HERE! Get ready to click, save, and smile—Amazon Prime Day is back from July 8–11 with epic deals you won’t want to miss! Whether you're stocking up, splurging, or snagging early holiday gifts, these prices are as hot as summer. So grab your virtual cart, find new favorite below, and let the bargain hunting begin! We have … [Read more...]

What We Ate This Week – Budget Dinner Ideas for Your Meal Plan

July 7, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

INTRODUCING - What We Ate This Week!!! Use this List of Ultra Budget Recipes that Our Family Enjoyed Last Week for Your Meal Plan Inspiration In 2025, I want to share with you more of what happens in the Chase family kitchen, and how I think about food, feeding my boys healthy dinners that don't break the bank...day in and day out. (Yes, it gets old sometimes...even for … [Read more...]

What’s Trending on Instagram

May 19, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

Are you following me over on Instagram? I have a fun community over there where I share a lot of Reels demonstrating cooking hacks and cooking tips. Which insta are you following? I thought it would be fun to share what photos, reels, and videos are trending on our Instagram profiles once a month! These are your current favorites.  Are you following all of our accounts? … [Read more...]

Non-Eggy Breakfasts, Because Holy Egg Prices!

February 19, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

A list of non-egg based breakfasts, because whoa egg prices! If you haven't heard about or noticed the recent egg price inflation, it's affecting just about every corner of the US.  Apparently we are having a supply issue because of an avian flu outbreak in the fall. Given this, we should see prices ease off as the supply rebalances. But in the meantime, I'll be making … [Read more...]

Deck the Freezer Party – Recipes & RSVP HERE!!

October 12, 2024 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Holiday To-Do List Already Starting to Stress You Out?! What if you could prep SIX 5-Ingredient freezer meals in 30 minutes...before the holiday chaos begins?!? I'm Erin Chase and I'm here to show you how...   Join me the week of NOVEMBER 1st for a few days of tips and tricks that will help you breeze through this meal prep! Each day throughout the Deck … [Read more...]

The Ultimate Back to School Recipes List

August 6, 2024 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

31 days of school lunchbox ideas

Freezer Friendly Dinners, Lunchbox Ideas, School Snacks, Make-Ahead Smoothies and On-the-Go Breakfasts! It's that time of year again. The craving for routines returns. The school supply shopping, shoe shopping and new clothes shopping takes over. You spend more money than you want to, even with braving the crowds on tax-free weekend. And you STILL HAVE TO FEED … [Read more...]

“What am I going to do with my kids all summer?!” – 10 Solutions and a Printable Summer Activities at Home List

May 25, 2024 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

summer kid activities

Are you starting to panic about summer activities at home? Worried that your kids will be staring at your face or at a screen for the next three months?   In an effort to stop the "I'm booooooooored!" grumbling before it starts, I've been researching all things summer activities and wanted to share a few options and ideas that I have on my list with you! Summer … [Read more...]

NEW COOKBOOKS: Feeding Teenage Boys on a Budget + Teen Cuisine

April 19, 2024 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

Introducing Erin Chase's latest cookbook about feeding teenagers on a budget, plus the companion mini-cookbook that will teach your teens how to cook scrumptious recipes with "Shorts" videos! The idea for this cookbook came to me about 15 years ago...in a booth at a lunch in NYC with my cookbook editor.  And the time to share it with you is now... So, yes...this is … [Read more...]

Erin’s “What I Like Right Now” List

August 1, 2023 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Things I'm Crushing On (And Using All the Time) This Month Holiday 2023 FAVES … [Read more...]

VIRAL: Beef Ravioli Bake

March 29, 2023 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

I think Ravioli Bakes might be my new favorite dinner. I don't know why...they just seem so easy. Well, they are easy. The ravioli doesn't take any pre-cooking. You just add it into the dish, pour the sauce (in this case a beefy-spaghetti sauce) over the top, then pile on as much cheese as your waistline can handle. ;) Then, bake. And you end up with this. Now, there … [Read more...]

CHALLENGE: 5-Ingredient Freezer Meal Plan

February 17, 2023 by Lauren Drawdy Leave a Comment

recipes for 5 ingredient challenge

How to prepare SIX meals in LESS THAN 30 MINUTES with this 5-Ingredient Meal Plan! I don't know about you, but it makes my heart happy when a recipe only needs a handful of ingredients. And when they are "normal" ingredients, too! You know what I'm talking about. Ingredients you often have in your kitchen, and are commonly found at a typical grocery store. So I made a … [Read more...]

Guacamole with Street Corn

February 11, 2023 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

If I started keeping track, I imagine I eat an avocado or guacamole at least 5 times a week. Sometimes I get guacamole at my fave tex-mex restaurant, sometimes I make my own, sometimes I get it on top of a Chipotle salad, sometimes I just scoop it right out of the skin with a little lemon juice and salt. I'm always looking to mix things up and keep the guacamole "fresh" and … [Read more...]

Erin’s Recipes from Big Bad Budget Battle

August 23, 2022 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Get the Recipes Erin Cooked on Food Network's Big Bad Budget Battle WELCOME to my Big Bad Budget Battle Besties! I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait to connect with you and further help you on your journey to spending less money on groceries and cooking well on a budget. I am beyond tickled by the concept of the show, the opportunity to compete on the show, and … [Read more...]

RE-DESIGNED for YOU: The “20 Meals for $150” Plans

March 29, 2022 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Save TIME, MONEY, and MORE with these amazing 20 Meals for $150 Plans!  ELATED. ECSTATIC. STOKED. That describes how I'm feeling this week, as I re-share this amazing grocery saving and sanity saving resource with you!  Many moons ago, I decided to make some updates to the "20 meals for $150" plans. I started creating them in 2013, and it was just time for a … [Read more...]

The Best Ever Make-Ahead Freezer Meals Cookbooks!

August 2, 2021 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

If you love getting ahead with dinner prep, and you love cookbooks, these Make-Ahead Freezer Meal Cookbooks are the books for YOU! The Freezer Meal Stereotype Often times when people think of freezer meals, they think of mushy casseroles. Or slow-cooker-only recipes. Or bland, tasteless, freezer burned meals.  It is also the assumption that these bland, mushy … [Read more...]

Best Grocery Savings Mobile Apps

December 27, 2018 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 3 Comments

Check out the Best Grocery Savings Mobile Apps! These are also Erin's favorites. (She might be a bit biased about the first one!) MyFreezEasy With MyFreezEasy, it really is as easy as 1-2-3. Get organized, choose your recipes, use the shopping list provided, and then follow the instructions to get your make ahead freezer meals into your freezer! You'll save on groceries … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Pie French Toast

October 17, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 84 Comments

Oh my heavens - divine, divine, divine. This Pumpkin Pie French Toast recipe is a MUST TRY in the fall and winter months! I so wish I'd doubled this recipe for Pumpkin Pie French Toast while I was first making it. Tripled, or quadrupled even! These are so scrumptious...perfect for the fall season. It's really simple...you just add some pumpkin puree and spices to … [Read more...]

Mocha Brownies

June 17, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 5 Comments

Before you say it, yes...brownies were dessert of the month in April...just a few short weeks ago. But Caramel Cashew Brownies and these Mocha Brownies are different. Very, very different. I know. I know. This is really an indication that I have a brownie problem. Please. Send help. Brownies anonymous, anyone?! So I served these to a group of ladies last week...and … [Read more...]

Erin Chase & Co: Prime Week Savings & Shop App Steals

July 9, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Small Shop, Huge Steals – It’s Our Prime-Week Party! This Prime Week, we have 2 big ways to save on all of my FAVORITES in the Erin Chase & Co. shop. Download the Shop App & Get 30% off!!!  Order Below & Get 25% off!  Prime Week Shop App Steals!  Right now, when you order through the SHOP APP (it's a separate app, you download on your … [Read more...]

Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Nachos

July 9, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

freezer friendly creamy chicken nachos

Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Nachos Get ready for the ultimate comfort food: Creamy Chicken Nachos made in the Slow Cooker! Tender shredded chicken simmers in a rich, cheesy sauce with just the right kick of spice, all thanks to your trusty slow cooker. Just set it, forget it, and get ready to dive into a plate of melty, creamy goodness. Freezer … [Read more...]

Round-Up: July 4th Recipes

June 28, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

We've got all kinds of fun and frugal ideas for July 4th Recipes to serve at your BBQ, party, picnic, or backyard bash!   Here's a list of some of our favorites from the archives... Beverages Breakfasts Side Dishes To Grill Desserts We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating our country and its independence this week! … [Read more...]

Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

June 25, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya Freezer Friendly Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya Chicken, sausage, and shrimp...oh my! Your family is sure to love this fabulous jambalaya! Ingredients for Single Meal1 Tbsp canola oil1 lb andouille sausage2 small boneless chicken breasts1 lb cooked shrimp without tails1 small white onion2 celery stalks1 red … [Read more...]

ROUNDUP: Best Budget Quick Bread Recipes

June 23, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Sweet & Savory Bakes: Budget-Friendly Quick Breads That Everyone Will Love! Quick breads are a frugal baker's best friend - no yeast, no rising time, and no expensive ingredients. Just simple pantry staples and a few minutes of prep to create sweet or savory loaves that feel anything but cheap. Whether you're whipping up banana bread for breakfast or a cheesy … [Read more...]

$1 Loaf Bread: Chicken Melts

June 23, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Cheap & Cheesy: Chicken Melts on $1 French Loaf Bread These Chicken Salad Melts are a deliciously affordable twist on a classic, served on a crispy $1 French loaf. Creamy chicken salad is topped with melty cheese and toasted to perfection for a warm, satisfying bite. It’s the perfect quick meal that feels fancy without breaking your budget! $1 Loaf Bread: … [Read more...]

$1 Loaf Bread Recipe: Tuna Melts

June 21, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Budget-Friendly Tuna Melts Made with $1 Loaf Bread Tuna melts are the ultimate budget-friendly comfort food, and they’re even better when made with a $1 loaf of sandwich bread. This simple, satisfying meal comes together quickly with pantry staples and delivers melty, cheesy goodness in every bite. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a last-minute meal, these tuna melts prove … [Read more...]

Sweet n Sour Meatballs

June 21, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs: A Crowd-Pleasing Weeknight Dinner These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are the perfect blend of tangy and savory with just the right touch of sweetness. Made with 4 simple ingredients, they come together quickly for a weeknight dinner or easy appetizer. Serve them over rice or with toothpicks for a dish the whole family will love! Sweet … [Read more...]

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Favorite Meal Planning & Cooking Resources

Whis-Kid Cooking Lessons Grocery Budget Makeover My Freezeasy Erin Chase Store 5DD Freebie Library 20 Meals for $150 Plans

  • ROUNDUP: Best Budget Quick Bread Recipes
  • $1 Loaf Bread: Chicken Melts
  • $1 Loaf Bread Recipe: Tuna Melts
  • Sweet n Sour Meatballs
  • How to Make Homemade Croutons

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