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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

    Join Erin's 5-Ingredient Challenge in 2023

    Homemade Sloppy Joe Mix

    September 9, 2019 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 24 Comments

    You likely have the ingredients needed to make this homemade sloppy joe mix and sauce in your fridge and pantry!  We make A LOT of sloppy joe type meals around our house and over time, I've developed this delicious homemade mix of spices to use to make my own homemade sloppy joe sauce.  It's a mix of common pantry spices, that get stirred in with ground beef, … [Read more...]

    Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

    February 15, 2016 by Jenn K 13 Comments

    Homemade cream of mushroom soup or sauce is bazillion times better than the canned version. Because they taste better...fresher...and because you know exactly the ingredients that were added to the sauce. You can pronounce them all. And then there's the you can season it as you like. Give it some garlic flare. Or a punch of onion flavor. I began making homemade 'cream of … [Read more...]

    Italian Salad with Homemade Balsamic Dressing

    February 11, 2015 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 8 Comments

    I love me some balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It's a RARE occasion that I don't order it with a salad when out for dinner. And I LOVE to make it at home for my lunch salads. {More on my recent 'saladforlunch-atarian' confession.} I think balsamic vinaigrette 'goes' on just about any salad, but it's especially delicious on this Italian inspired salad. Toss this gluten free … [Read more...]

    Cast Iron Chicken Enchiladas & How to Make Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

    February 3, 2014 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 7 Comments

    This recipe is featured in the 21 Freezer Cooking Recipes from Costco Meal Plan #5. "Mom, that says my name." "You're right buddy...that does say "T" for Tyler!!!" My sweet 4 year old was outside with me, 'helping' me take the photos of these enchiladas. He took one look inside the pan and got so excited and declared that he can't wait to eat these. (Or the dairy … [Read more...]

    Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

    October 17, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 24 Comments

    As promised, my homemade pumpkin pie spice mix recipe. You'll notice that it's very similar to the apple pie spice...just adds ginger and a bit more cinnamon. And just like I said the other day, "why buy a jar of spice that you only need 1-2 teaspoons of when you can mix up your own with what you've got already?!" Over time, you accumulate all the spices you need to … [Read more...]

    Homemade Jerk Seasoning and Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

    October 14, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 1 Comment

      Afternoon my friend! If you want some extra "jerk" to your seasoning, just add a little more red pepper. I try to keep things on the mild end because of the little ones in the house. Hope you enjoy it! Over the past few years, I've taken a number of steps toward healthier eating on a budget. In addition to making my own salad dressings, I've also … [Read more...]

    Homemade Apple Pie Spice

    October 10, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 5 Comments

      As we head into pie season, you might take a peek in your spice rack and see if you have the spices needed to make homemade apple pie spice recipe. (Here's my homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe!) There is no need to spend $5-$6 on a apple pie spice jar from the spice aisle, when you already have the ingredients you need to mix up your own. And you can mix up … [Read more...]

    Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

    April 14, 2011 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 203 Comments

    Whisk up these homemade spice blends to save money, starting with this easy Homemade Ranch Dressing mix recipe! I love, love, love my homemade taco seasoning mix. It's convenient, cheap and oh-so-tasty. And I'm mixing up a new homemade seasoning mix today...this time for ranch dressing! This past weekend I planted some lettuce and other cold weather veggies.  I … [Read more...]

    Homemade Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

    March 5, 2010 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 19 Comments

    I was inspired. You see. I like salad. I like lettuce. But straight iceberg lettuce is tough to swallow. It's just so bland. But it's cheap. And a great base for salads. What if I topped it with some STRONG homemade garlic ranch dressing. Like this... A match made in heaven. Be warned: You will suffer from "garlic breath" after eating this. But the fullness of … [Read more...]

    Homemade Pesto from the Garden

    July 6, 2009 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom 12 Comments

    Learn how to make Homemade Pesto from the garden with this simple recipe! Because I didn't use it right away, I froze it in 2 portions...one I plan to use for a chicken pesto recipe, and the other with pasta! Homemade Pesto from the Garden How to make Homemade Pesto from the garden! 1/3 cup pine nuts2 tsp mint leaves2 Tbsp basil leaves2 Tbsp spinach … [Read more...]

    I’m Erin Chase…

    Also known as the
    $5 Dinner Mom.

    I have a little problem. I cannot make a meal that costs more than $5.
    It’s a fun challenge,
    and my pocketbook
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    Want to join me?

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