Have you ever stood in front of your fridge, trying to figure out what to make your family for dinner for the week? I’ve been in that position. Standing with the fridge door wide open, mentally adding up the bill for takeout and delivery but also knowing that there is an easier solution. This is where a $50 weekly dinner plan comes handy.
With a simple shopping list, some advance preparation and careful cooking, you can feed your family nourishing, filling dinner meals for seven days of the week without any fuss.
And the best part? You can save yourself time, money, and brainpower while making delicious meals that appease everyone at the table. Let’s break it down.
🛒 Fifty Dollar Minimalist Grocery List
If you want this plan to work, keep your shopping list small and purposeful. You can get everything at an economical price. They are widely available and versatile.
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
Opt for store-brands or generic products instead of name brands. They often taste the same and cost significantly less.
📅 Dinner Plan Breakdown
Day 1 – One-Pot Chicken & Rice
Great chicken thighs cooked with onion, garlic, carrot, and brown rice. This dinner is cozy and filling, with plenty of leftover for lunch the next day.
Approx. Cost: $6.50 for 4 servings.
Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $6.50
Ingredients
- 3 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Use 3 cups of broth or water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until both sides become gold brown (approximately 4–5 minutes in each). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic together in oil until fragrant.
- Add rice and stir for 1–2 minutes to coat with oil.
- Pour in the broth and add the chicken back to the pot, cover and lower heat to simmer. Cook for 35–40 minutes until rice tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Save money by using leftover chicken bones for broth to use in a future meal.
Day 2 – Spaghetti with Tomato & Spinach
This is a classic and easy-to-make pasta dish which uses canned tomatoes, garlic, and spinach, plus a little cheddar for sweetness.
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
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Heat olive oil and garlic in a large skillet or fried pan.
- Add diced tomatoes, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce and cheese (optional).
- Make double the quantity of your sauce and freeze half for a quick dinner in the future.
Day 3 – Veggie & Bean Chili
Chili seasonings give black beans, diced tomatoes, onion, carrots, and frozen mixed veggies their kick. Serve with bread for dipping.
Approx. Cost: $5.50 for 4 servings
Servings: 4
Approx. Cost: $5.50
Ingredients
- Two cans of black beans, rinsed and drained scholarly attributes
- A can of kidney beans must be rinsed and drained before using
- 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
- Heat olive oil in a large pot.
- Add onion, carrots, and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Mix in chili powder and cumin for a minute to bring out flavor.
- Add beans, tomatoes, mixed vegetables, and 1 cup water.
- Simmer for 20–25 minutes until flavors meld.
- Serve with day-old bread – a fat and filling dish for the season.
Day 4 – Potato & Spinach Frittata
Eggs blended with sautéed potatoes, spinach, and 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
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- To make sure everything is cooked properly, heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet. Afterwards, take diced potatoes and onion and cook till tender.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, salt, and pepper; pour over veggies.
- Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake for 12–15 minutes until set.
- Leftovers are great for lunch or breakfast. Read on to know some more tips.
Day 5 – Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry.
Pan-fried chicken with onions, carrots and frozen veggies 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
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken after seasoning it with salt and pepper.
- Put the onion, garlic, and vegetables and sauté for 5 – 6 minutes.
- Stir in soy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve over rice.
- Make Your Food Taste Better Adding A Little Vinegar Or Lime.
Day 6 – Cheesy Vegetable Soup
A creamy broth with potatoes, carrots, onions, frozen vegetables, and cheddar cheese. 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
- Put the pot on a stove and heat olive oil in it. The onion, carrot and potato should be added. Stir fry the vegetables until a bit softer.
- Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat down after freezing the vegetables and let it sit.
- Stir in milk and cheese until melted.
- Never use broccoli stems and leftovers as they are also nutritious.
Day 7 – Peanut Butter & Banana Toast with Oatmeal.
Sometimes the simplest dinner is the best. It is cozy, full, and costs only a few cents.
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
- Toast bread and spread with peanut butter. Top with banana slices.
- In a pot, combine oats with water or milk, and cook until thick.
- Serve the toast with a bowl of oatmeal drizzled with honey.
- Use this quick breakfast-for-dinner tip when you need zero cleanup at night.
🍳 Cooking Once, Eating Twice
One of my favorite minimalist tricks is batch cooking. If you’ll be cooking rice for your chicken dish on Monday, double the other rice for Thursday’s stir fry. If you are cutting onions, cut a few more for the chili tomorrow. This saves both time and cleanup.
Think Local: If you live near a farmers market, look for deals at the end of the day! Vendors usually reduce prices to clear out stock. When it comes to fresh vegetables.
Get the Best Value for Your Money
- Double up on recipes and freeze portions for busy nights.
- During expensive periods, it is better to buy frozen vegetables as they have a similar nutritional value.
- To cut costs even more, replace chicken with lentils or beans in recipes.
- Save veggie scraps for making homemade broth.
Extra Budget Hacks & Tips Section
Stretch Your Ingredients further
If you want to save money on food, we recommend buying economical yet versatile staples. These include rice, beans, eggs, and frozen veggies. All of these can be turned into different meals with just a little seasoning and sauce.
Cook Once, Eat Twice
When making soups, stews and pasta, double the recipe and freeze half for another night. This saves both time and money.
Seasonal Produce Advantage
Plan meals around what’s in season. For instance, you get root veggies in winter at low prices and they store longer too. Summer zucchinis and tomatoes, also, can roll in abundance and go cheap.
Diy Spice Mixes
Make Your Own Mixes Instead of Translation Packets Expensive Seasoning. Making your own easy chili powder blend or even Italian seasoning can be much cheaper than buying the premade options.
Why This Plan is Excellent for Minimalist Families
- Recipes that need fewer ingredients are less wasteful and easier to shop for.
- Many recipes have similar base ingredient, making it faster to prep and cook.
- They can be made in less than 30 minutes which is a time-saver for parents.
- Use proper planning and keep your weekly family dinner expenditures to less than $50; full of flavour and nutrition.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to keep meals under $50 per week?
Can I swap ingredients in the recipes?
How can I make these meals kid-friendly?
Do these recipes work for meal prep?
Are these meals healthy?
💬 Final Thoughts
Creating a One-Week Minimalist Dinner Plan for Under $50 is about saving more than just money. It’s about living a simpler life with less waste! You can feed your family well without spending a fortune by using versatile ingredients, budget hacks and meal prep strategies.
The best part? When the time comes where you have mastered this week, you can repeat this week or switch in fresh seasonal favourites. That means less time worrying about “What’s for dinner?and more time to enjoy with family and friends. ❤️.
