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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

MyFreezEasy - Save Money, Eat Healthy with Freezer Meals

Stretching the Protein in your Dinner – Beef and Bean Tacos

March 17, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 35 Comments

This recipe is featured in our 20 Meals from Costco for $150 Meal Plan #1. Stretching those proteins!  It's KEY! Proteins can be very expensive. So stretching them can help bring down the overall cost of your meal...and ultimately your grocery bill! (If you haven't checked out my How to Spot a Great Price on Meats, now would be a great time to do that!) What I love … [Read more...]

Pepperoni Calzones

March 10, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 42 Comments

These didn't stay on our plates very long! And, they are completely freezer friendly, so be sure to make a big batch and freeze for a future meal! (Freeze after baking.) Pepperoni Calzones These are just so fun and so delicious! 1 cup water1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt1 cup whole wheat flour2 cups white flour 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp … [Read more...]

Chicken Taco Bake over Chips

January 4, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 18 Comments

While I was stocking up the freezer, I cooked a few whole chickens in the slow cooker. One of those times, I combined some of the shredded chicken with a can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, some frozen corn, black beans and ground cumin. Mix. And Freeze. Thaw. And Warm. So simple...I love it! I found some tortilla chips in the pantry. You see. My Dad … [Read more...]

Ginger Maple Pancakes

December 16, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 7 Comments

GF Pancakes | 5DollarDinners.com

I have been doing lots of experimenting with pancake batters, and these were just too good not to share :) These pancakes were D-E-L-I-S-H! And with no sugar in the batter!!! Enjoy these with some scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a meal that's surely under $5! Ginger Maple Pancakes A delicious batter, grilled to pancake perfection! 2 cups flour1 … [Read more...]

Chuckwagon Chili

December 2, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 13 Comments

chuckwagon chili

I actually made this before the baby was born. And of course, froze the extras. Because there were lots of extras. And we are eating those leftovers tonight! Chuckwagon Chili Simple and full of flavor! 1 cup dried red kidney beans 1.5 lb. ground beef 1 onion, chopped15 oz can diced tomatoes 6 oz can tomato paste1 Tbsp garlic powder3 Tbsp chili powder 2 tsp … [Read more...]

Italian Stuffed Shells

October 29, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 37 Comments

I originally intended on making these Mexican Stuffed Shells from Tricia's March Menu. Just not feeling that "unstuffed" or "Mexican" vibe this afternoon. Ended up making Italian Stuffed Shells. And a whole lotta 'em. And a dairy-free version, too. Recipe below is the doubled version. Will make at least 2 9x13 pans. And costs just over $10! Got another meal … [Read more...]

How to Cook & Freeze Dried Beans

October 27, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 74 Comments

Beans. Beans. The Magical Fruit.  Beans. Beans. They make you... Alright, Alright. I couldn't help it.  I'm surrounded by little boys who think that saying the word "toot" is the FUNNIEST thing...EVER! There really isn't anything funnier than a little boy giggling after saying "toot."  That word invokes a special giggle. And I can't help but laugh … [Read more...]

Sausage Eggwiches

October 14, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 14 Comments

Well. We've been dealing with a bit of a crisis around here. Remember my "Stock the Freezer" list? Well, I've been busy the last few weeks stocking up our fridge freezer and our deep freezer. So last night I noticed that the power light on the generic brand deep freezer (wish was just about stuffed to the gills!) was out. Uh oh. Checked all the electric, fuses, etc. … [Read more...]

A1 Beef Stew

October 1, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 21 Comments

a1 beef stew

This was the perfect meal to come home to after an afternoon adventure/walk to the park! It was just cold enough outside to be chilly, but not so cold that we didn't enjoy ourselves! Arriving home to this soup was lovely! Warmed our tummies right up! Here is the "doubled" version of the recipe! The total cost is not under $5...but since it is two meals worth...we divide … [Read more...]

Beef and Bean Chimichangas

September 10, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 28 Comments

Today is Thursday. That means I'm doubling up the dinner recipe and putting half in the freezer! I plan to do this every Thursday until baby boy #3 arrives. I chose Thursday because its my "lightest" day and I can spend some extra time in the kitchen. This recipe from Carrie at Carrie's Cooking called for a ground beef, green peppers and onions mix...so I decided that I'd … [Read more...]

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