One-Week Minimalist Dinner Plan for Under $50: Save Money, Eat Well, Live Simply

If you’ve ever stared into your fridge wondering how to feed your family for the week without blowing your budget, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—standing with the fridge door open, mentally adding up the cost of takeout while knowing there’s a better way. That’s where this minimalist $50 weekly dinner plan comes in.

With just a simple shopping list, a little prep, and some strategic cooking, you can feed your family healthy, filling dinners for an entire week—without sacrificing flavor or variety.

And the best part? You’ll save time, money, and mental energy while eating delicious meals that bring everyone to the table. Let’s break it down.

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🛒 The $50 Minimalist Grocery List

Keeping your shopping list short and intentional is the secret to making this plan work. Everything here is budget-friendly, widely available, and versatile enough to use in multiple recipes.

Item	Quantity	Approx. Price
Brown rice	2 lbs	$2.50
Dry pasta	1 lb	$1.20
Canned diced tomatoes	2 cans	$2.00
Canned beans (black or kidney)	3 cans	$3.00
Fresh carrots	2 lbs	$2.00
Onions	2 lbs	$2.00
Garlic	1 bulb	$0.50
Frozen mixed vegetables	1 lb	$1.50
Fresh spinach	1 bag	$3.00
Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)	3 lbs	$6.50
Eggs	1 dozen	$2.00
Cheddar cheese	8 oz	$2.50
Milk	1/2 gallon	$1.80
Potatoes	5 lbs	$3.50
Olive oil	small bottle	$3.50
Bread loaf	1	$1.50
Oats	1 lb	$1.50
Peanut butter	16 oz	$2.00
Seasonal fruit (apples/bananas)	3 lbs	$3.00

Total: ~$49.80

💡 Budget Hack: Buy store-brand or generic items whenever possible. They often taste the same and cost significantly less.

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📅 Dinner Plan Breakdown

Day 1 – One-Pot Chicken & Rice

Juicy chicken thighs cooked with onions, garlic, carrots, and brown rice. This is a cozy, filling dinner that makes plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.

Approx. Cost: $6.50 for 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups chicken broth or water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, paprika to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until golden brown on both sides (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté onions, carrots, and garlic until fragrant.
4. Add rice and stir for 1–2 minutes to coat with oil.
5. Pour in broth, place chicken back in the pot, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 35–40 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

💡 Budget Hack: Use leftover chicken bones to make broth for future meals.

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Day 2 – Spaghetti with Tomato & Spinach

A classic, simple pasta dish with canned tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and a sprinkle of cheddar for creaminess.

Approx. Cost: $4.00 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $4.00

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dry pasta
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bag fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (optional)
• Salt, pepper, oregano to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add diced tomatoes, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Toss pasta with sauce and sprinkle cheese on top if desired.

💡 Meal Prep Tip: Double the sauce and freeze half for a future quick dinner.

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Day 3 – Veggie & Bean Chili

Black beans, diced tomatoes, onions, carrots, and frozen mixed veggies simmered together with chili spices. Serve with bread for dipping.

Approx. Cost: $5.50 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $5.50

Ingredients:

• 2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot.
2. Add onion, carrots, and garlic; sauté until softened.
3. Stir in chili powder and cumin for 1 minute to release flavor.
4. Add beans, tomatoes, mixed vegetables, and 1 cup water.
5. Simmer for 20–25 minutes until flavors meld.

💡 Budget Hack: Serve with day-old bread for a hearty, cheap meal.

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Day 4 – Potato & Spinach Frittata

Eggs whisked with sautéed potatoes, spinach, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for breakfast-for-dinner night.

Approx. Cost: $4.50 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $4.50

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet; cook potatoes and onion until tender.
3. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
4. In a bowl, whisk eggs, salt, and pepper; pour over veggies.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 12–15 minutes until set.

💡 Quick Tip: Leftovers make a great lunch or breakfast.

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Day 5 – Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry

Pan-fried chicken with onions, carrots, and frozen veggies tossed in a simple soy-garlic sauce. Serve over rice.

Approx. Cost: $6.00 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $6.00

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken thighs, sliced
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.
3. Add onion, garlic, and vegetables; stir-fry for 5–6 minutes.
4. Stir in soy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve over rice.

💡 Local Secret: Add a splash of vinegar or lime juice for extra flavor.

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Day 6 – Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Potatoes, carrots, onions, frozen vegetables, and cheddar cheese in a creamy broth. Serve with bread.

Approx. Cost: $5.00 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $5.00

Ingredients:

• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot; sauté onions, carrots, and potatoes until slightly tender.
2. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, add frozen vegetables, and simmer until all vegetables are cooked.
4. Stir in milk and cheese until melted.

💡 Budget Hack: Use broccoli stems and leftover veggies for extra nutrition.

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Day 7 – Peanut Butter & Banana Toast with Oatmeal

Sometimes the simplest dinner is the best. This one is comforting, filling, and costs pennies per serving.

Approx. Cost: $3.50 for 4 servings

Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $3.50

Ingredients:

• 8 slices bread
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 4 cups water or milk
• Honey or cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toast bread and spread with peanut butter. Top with banana slices.
2. In a pot, cook oats with water or milk until thick and creamy.
3. Serve toast alongside oatmeal, drizzled with honey if desired.

💡 Quick Breakfast-for-Dinner Tip: This is perfect for nights when you want zero cleanup.

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🍳 Cooking Once, Eating Twice

One of my favorite minimalist tricks is batch cooking. If you’re making rice for Monday’s chicken dish, cook extra for Thursday’s stir-fry. If you’re chopping onions, chop a few more for tomorrow’s chili. This saves both time and cleanup.

💡 Local Secret: If you have a farmers market nearby, check the end-of-day deals. Vendors often reduce prices to clear stock, and you can score fresh veggies for less.

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🥗 Budget Hacks to Make $50 Stretch Even Further

• Double up on recipes and freeze portions for busy nights.
• Buy frozen vegetables instead of fresh when prices are high—they’re just as nutritious.
• Swap chicken for lentils or beans in recipes to cut costs even more.
• Save veggie scraps for making homemade broth.

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💡 Extra Budget Hacks & Tips Section

Stretch Your Ingredients Further
Buy versatile staples like rice, beans, eggs, and frozen vegetables—they can be transformed into multiple meals with different seasonings and sauces.

Cook Once, Eat Twice
Double the recipe for soups, stews, or pasta dishes and freeze half for a future dinner. This saves both time and money.

Seasonal Produce Advantage
Plan meals around what’s in season. For example, root vegetables in winter are cheaper and store longer, while summer zucchini and tomatoes can be abundant and inexpensive.

DIY Spice Mixes
Instead of buying expensive seasoning packets, make your own mixes at home. A simple chili powder blend or Italian seasoning can cost a fraction of pre-packaged options.

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🏆 Why This Plan Works for Minimalist Families

• Simple Ingredients: Fewer unique items means less waste and easier shopping.
• Versatile Recipes: Many dishes share base ingredients, making prep and cooking faster.
• Time-Saving: Most recipes can be made in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy parents.
• Budget-Friendly: With careful planning, your weekly dinner costs stay under $50 without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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💬 Final Thoughts

Planning a One-Week Minimalist Dinner Plan for Under $50 isn’t just about saving money—it’s about simplifying your life, reducing waste, and making mealtime less stressful. By choosing versatile ingredients, using budget hacks, and incorporating meal prep strategies, you can feed your family well without breaking the bank.

The best part? Once you master this week, you can repeat it or swap in seasonal favorites for variety. That means less time worrying about “What’s for dinner?” and more time enjoying it with your loved ones. ❤️