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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!

Blackberry Dump Cake with Cream Cheese

Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

VIDEO: Things I Never Buy & What I Use Instead

summer pasta salad recipes

11 Simple Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Blueberry Lemon Baked Oatmeal

Best Ever Marinade for Grilled Chicken and Pork Chops

Apricot Dump Cake

Freezer Friendly Hungarian Goulash

Freezer Friendly Hungarian-ish Goulash

Graduation Party Idea for University of Alabama

Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

Freezer Friendly Ham & Cheese Hashbrown Bake

Freezer Friendly Ham & Cheese Hashbrown Bake

VIDEO: Learn to Cook on a Budget Series

Budget Friendly Recipes for Your Meal Plan

Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

Freezer Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde

Freezer Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde

summer pasta salad recipes

11 Simple Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

Antipasto Pasta Salad

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

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...]

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

April 25, 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...]

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...]

Stack the Savings on Your Holiday Baking + Mini Pumpkin Pies with Gingerbread “Dust”

November 1, 2024 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

STACK THE SAVINGS at Dollar General: Save big on holiday baking ingredients and supplies when you shop the amazing bundles + combine them with the $5 off $25 coupon on Saturdays!  As you start to sketch out your holiday baking plan, I want you to add Dollar General to your list of stores to check for great prices on holiday ingredients. One of my go-to places for … [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...]

Blackberry Dump Cake with Cream Cheese

May 20, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Easy 3-Ingredient Blackberry Dump Cake Recipe That's Bursting with Flavor This blackberry dump cake is the ultimate no-fuss dessert that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Made with cans of blackberry pie filling and whipped cream cheese plus boxed cake mix and butter, it bakes into a golden, bubbly treat that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a … [Read more...]

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

May 20, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe – Sweet, Tangy & Smoky in Minutes Skip the store-bought bottles and make your own bold, flavorful BBQ sauce at home with this simple recipe. Made with pantry staples like tomato sauce and paste, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices, this sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky. Ideal for grilling, dipping, or … [Read more...]

Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

May 20, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Best Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe – Simple, Authentic & Full of Flavor This homemade marinara sauce is rich, robust, and made with just a few classic ingredients for an authentic Italian taste. Simmered with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, it’s the perfect base for pasta, pizza, or dipping. Whether you're cooking a quick weeknight dinner or prepping for a … [Read more...]

Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe

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

Authentic Homemade Salsa Verde Recipe – Fresh, Zesty, and Easy to Make This homemade salsa verde recipe delivers bold, vibrant flavor with just a handful of simple, FRESH ingredients. Made with tomatillos, jalapeños, garlic, and cilantro, it’s the perfect dip, taco topper, or enchilada sauce. Whether you're entertaining guests or spicing up weeknight meals, this zesty … [Read more...]

VIDEO: Things I Never Buy & What I Use Instead

May 15, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

4 Everyday Items I Stopped Buying to Save Money (And What I Use Instead) Cutting back on everyday expenses doesn't mean sacrificing convenience or flavor—it just takes a few smart swaps. I've stopped buying paper towels, seasoning packets, pre-cut fruits, and tomato-based sauces because they’re simply too expensive for what they offer. Instead, I've found affordable, … [Read more...]

Freezer Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde

May 14, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Freezer Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde

Freezer Friendly Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde Instant Pot Chicken Chili Verde Chicken chili verde is a lovely dish that combines the heartiness of chili with the vibrant flavors of green salsa and green chilies. It is perfect for any time you are craving a bowl of comforting and flavorful chili. 4 small boneless chicken breasts1 cup hot water1 small … [Read more...]

11 Simple Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

May 13, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

summer pasta salad recipes

Take the Guesswork Out of Make the Best Summer Pasta Salad with this Formulaic Approach Summer pasta salad should be effortless, vibrant, and delicious — but picking the right ingredients can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why I'm sharing a foolproof, formulaic approach that guarantees the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors every time. Follow this … [Read more...]

Antipasto Pasta Salad

May 13, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Easy Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe – Flavor-Packed, Colorful & Perfect for Parties This antipasto pasta salad is a vibrant and hearty dish loaded with Italian flavors and textures. Featuring a medley of salami, cheese, olives, tomatoes, and pasta tossed in a zesty Italian herb dressing - it's the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish or main dish for your family to … [Read more...]

Blueberry Lemon Baked Oatmeal

May 12, 2025 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

Healthy Blueberry Lemon Baked Oatmeal Recipe – Easy, Delicious & Meal-Prep Friendly Start your morning with a burst of fresh flavor thanks to this blueberry lemon baked oatmeal recipe. Packed with wholesome oats, juicy blueberries, and zesty lemon, this easy breakfast is both nutritious and satisfying. Plus, it's easy to "boost" by adding protein powder to the … [Read more...]

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