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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

Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef and Onion Pasta

April 20, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 13 Comments

Remember the Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Balsamic Onions?!? Well, you should just bookmark it now and make it next time you have a beef roast on hand. Or better yet, toss it with some pasta and might I say you won't regret it! I used up a BOGO beef roast from the freezer, a yellow onion and some $.50/box pasta. Along with half of a $1 green pepper and a $.99 Romaine … [Read more...]

Grilled Chicken Spinach Pesto Pasta

April 13, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 18 Comments

I've been waiting. And waiting. And waiting...to try this pasta! A l-o-n-g time ago, I made some Spinach Pesto from the garden. And it's been patiently waiting in the freezer for me. To eat it! *I wish I had not waited until now!* The reason I've been waiting...I didn't think the boys would go for "green pasta" for dinner. They like green foods. Broccoli, peas, green … [Read more...]

Spinach Spaghetti

April 2, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 10 Comments

Sneaky chef concept here. In a not-so-sneaky way! This has become my "go to meal" lately...for those days when a curve ball gets thrown at me...and my brain can't seem to form a coherent thought...much less a plan for dinner. This meal is a one pot meal. Starch, protein, veggies. All in one pot. Easy to make, easy to clean up. Even if it's not so sneaky. It's … [Read more...]

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chicken and Pasta

February 17, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 15 Comments

Over the Christmas holidays, we visited the Second Street Market here in Dayton. I saw these little gems in a bin...and they were calling my name. I like brussel sprouts. I've liked them all my life. But I've never cooked with them. I'd only eaten them from a bag out of the freezer. Cooked, of course. But never had I made them from "fresh" sprouts. Since I wasn't … [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...]

Spicy Pasta Puttanesque

November 30, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 6 Comments

Spicy Pasta Puttanesque Level up your next pasta night with this spicy puttanesca sauce! 1 Tbsp olive oil2 tsp minced garlic28 oz. can diced tomato1/2 tsp dried basil1/2 tsp dried oregano1/2 tsp crushed red pepper1/2 tsp onion powderSalt and pepper (to taste)1 cup green or kalamata olives3 Tbsp capers (drained and rinsed)1/4 cup dry white wine12 oz. box small … [Read more...]

Pasta with White Beans and Broccoli

November 11, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

A big thanks to Justine for sharing this recipe with me! I tossed in some diced ham I had in the freezer. Easy. Quick. Delicious! And by quick. I mean less than 15 minutes quick!  Just get the pasta boiling and work on the rest while the pasta is cooking. 15 minutes.  That's it!!!! This would be fantastic with leftover holiday ham! If you're … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

November 10, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 22 Comments

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Simple, delicious chicken parmesan - made in the slow cooker! 1 Tbsp olive oil1 1 egg (beaten )3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup bread crumbs1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp Italian seasoningDash of salt and pepper1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese26 oz. can marinara sauce12 oz. spaghetti noodles 1 box frozen … [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...]

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...]

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