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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

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...]

Tac-aroni

October 22, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 15 Comments

I doubled this meal and then froze it in 2 parts: Few dinner portions without cheese. Another few portions with cheese. After seeing the pasta box on the counter, my oldest asked, "Are we having macaroni for dinner?" I replied, "Yeah, but this is Taco Macaroni." To which he responded, "Yum. Tac-aroni!" Clever, huh? Not sure how to pronounce this...Listen … [Read more...]

Black Eyed Pea Casserole

October 21, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 15 Comments

black eyed pea casserole

Jeannine emailed this great gluten free Black Eyed Pea Casserole recipe to me a few weeks ago and I knew we had to try it! It's not dairy free, but the cheese could certainly be omitted, or just added to individual servings! And although we are not eating entirely gluten free at the moment, I do try to keep the gluten to a minimum! It's so easy to get in a rut or feel like … [Read more...]

Bachelor Stew

October 20, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 3 Comments

Kristie sent me this super easy and "throw together" recipe for Bachelor Stew. Ingredients:  1 lb ground beef (Kroger had it for 1.97/lb where I live) 1 can of Vegetable Soup 1 can of Ranch Style Beans ($.79) 1 box of Corn Bread ($.44) Cook the meat in a large pot then drain. Dump in the soup and beans, mix together, and simmer for 30 minutes. … [Read more...]

Beef Roast with Garden Carrots

October 7, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 11 Comments

I've waited as long as I can. I just had to go and pull the carrots!!! Here's what I pulled from 3 squares in the garden.  There were some itty-bittys (that I ended up munching on), and some larger ones that I threw into the slow cooker with tonight's dinner.   Sweet, crisp and simply delicious! Tonight's dinner is a simple beef roast with … [Read more...]

Beefy Mac Soup

October 5, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 6 Comments

Starting next week, I'll start to highlight the $5 Dinners that you all have been making in your kitchens! You all have come up with some stellar meals, and I can't wait to share them!!! For now, I'll share this simple and hearty soup - made with medium shell pasta, beef, veggies!  Beefy Mac Soup A hearty, scrumptious soup! 1 lb ground … [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...]

Zesty Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Roast

September 17, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 16 Comments

This is a great sauce - I mixed it up, poured it over a beef roast, and let the slow cooker take care of the rest. Time to prep slow cooker: 2 minutes. Served with some baked sweet potatoes. Time to prep potatoes to bake: 2 minutes. And some steamed green beans from the garden (they keep coming and coming and coming...) Time to prep: 5 minutes. Seriously, a … [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...]

Beef and Zucchini Tacos

September 2, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 7 Comments

Your basic taco...with a little added green!  Simply throw in some diced zucchini with the beef and you've got Beef and Zucchini Tacos!  We had LOTS of ground beef mixture leftover, so I'll plan to use it on Friday night...I recently came across a VERY INTERESTING vegetable that I'd never heard of before.  And I can't wait to share this concoction with you on … [Read more...]

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