30 dinners under under $30 the whole family will love (2024)

We all know eating in season saveson cash, but there are many other ways to go thrifty on dinner, without the compromise. Introducing our favourite please-everyone dinners you can turn to when the purse strings are a little tight.

Pumpkin soup

Warm up this winter with our easy, creamy pumpkin soup. When you're looking for simple and quick lunch or dinner ideas, this traditional recipe ticks all the boxes. All you need are five ingredients, and it’s ready to eat in around 30 minutes.

Risotto carbonara

If you thought cream in carbonara was controversial, just wait until you meet our cheesy carbonara risotto. If eating it is wrong, then we don't want to be right.

Cauliflower soup

Cauliflower adds texture and creaminess to hearty winter dishes, plus it’s cheap as chips and great for your health. Warm up to this beaut brassica tonight with a big bowl of our creamy cauliflower and potato soup. A family friendly way to add vegetables to weeknight dinners, and leftovers make a top workday lunch.

Spanakorizo (Greek spinach rice)

"Rice may be one of the simplest ingredients, but it can take on a host of textures and flavours, from rich and creamy to light and fresh", says Phoebe Wood.

Colin Fassnidge's ultimate carbonara

Put that bacon away – if you want to make an authentic carbonara, you need guanciale. Colin Fassnidge gets cheeky with the classic Italian pasta dish.

15-minute corn alfredo

Use up that frozen corn with this super-easy, super-fast and super-tasty corn alfredo recipe.

Cheesy kimchi corn pasta bake

This is Khanh Ong's ode to the classic Korean side. Kimchi is the magic ingredient in your fridge. Use it to make cheesy bakes like this beauty, perfect for feeding hungry hordes, add it to salads or soups, or pop it on a toastie for something super-special and delicious.

The Wood family's puttanesca

“This dish has become my pasta-loving family’s go-to for a fast weeknight meal. We make it so much, it’s become a staple!” – Phoebe Wood.

30 dinners under under $30 the whole family will love (2024)

FAQs

30 dinners under under $30 the whole family will love? ›

Affordable and nutritious meal options on a $30 budget include dishes like vegetable stir-fry with rice, bean and vegetable soup, pasta with marinara sauce and sautéed vegetables, lentil curry with rice, and homemade bean burritos.

How to live on $30 dollars a week for food? ›

Here's how I keep my grocery bill under $30 a week
  1. Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
  2. Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
  3. Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
  4. Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
Jan 13, 2017

What food can you get with $30? ›

Affordable and nutritious meal options on a $30 budget include dishes like vegetable stir-fry with rice, bean and vegetable soup, pasta with marinara sauce and sautéed vegetables, lentil curry with rice, and homemade bean burritos.

How can I feed my family on a very small budget? ›

How to feed your family for less - Experts tips for shopping and cooking on a budget
  1. Don't feel pressured to always buy fresh. ...
  2. Eat seasonally. ...
  3. Substitute pricey lettuce. ...
  4. Meal plan with the catalogue in hand. ...
  5. Top trick to find the lowest priced groceries. ...
  6. Learn how to stretch your food further. ...
  7. Shop the 'dodgy' bin.

How to feed 30 people on a budget? ›

Here are even more ideas to help you feed a crowd on a budget!
  1. Baked Potato Bar – Potatoes are cheap and filling! ...
  2. DIY Pizza Station – Have pizza crust made and ready to top and let people make their pizzas how they like! ...
  3. Breakfast Buffet – Whip up some of our amazing pancakes and have breakfast for lunch or dinner, too.

What is the cheapest food to live off of? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

Can you live off $50 a week for food? ›

Planning out your meals so you use all of the ingredients, both raw and cooked, plus pantry staples and frozen goods means you can make a week's worth of dinners for around $50 in groceries.

How to live off $20 dollars a week for food? ›

Your Shopping List
  1. 1 bag of dried beans: $1.49.
  2. 2 pounds of chicken breast: $3.76.
  3. 1 jar of peanut butter: $1.98.
  4. 1 jar of jelly: $1.79.
  5. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread: $1.63.
  6. 1 dozen eggs: $1.26.
  7. 1 container of oatmeal: $1.35.
  8. 1 bag of dried lentils: $1.39.

How to get 30% food cost? ›

Food cost percentage is calculated by taking the cost of goods sold (or COGS) and dividing that by the revenue or sales generated from that finished dish.

What is the cheapest food that can feed a lot of people? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  • Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  • Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  • The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  • Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  • Sausage Casserole. ...
  • Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  • Quiche Lorraine. ...
  • Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

What is the cheapest meal you can make? ›

68 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Black Bean Burgers. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Shells. ...
  • Zucchini Corn Quesadillas. ...
  • Super-Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salad. ...
  • Chicken and Mandarin Salad With Simple Sesame Dressing. ...
  • Garlic Butter Capellini Pomodoro With Shrimp. ...
  • Orzo With Spinach and Roasted Red Peppers.
May 3, 2024

How to feed a large family on a tight budget? ›

Here are handy tips to feed a large family cheaply:
  1. Shop SALES - stock up when prices are cheap.
  2. Buy a freezer - when meat is on sale I buy A LOT.
  3. Dried pasta, rice and dried beans are cheap.
  4. Fresh or frozen veggies are cheaper than canned.
  5. Potatoes are cheap - especially fresh ones.
Jul 9, 2020

How to feed 100 people cheaply? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

What is a good meal to serve 20 people? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What is a good meal for 12 people? ›

Easy Meat Dishes that are Great to Feed to a Crowd
  • Simple Barbecue Beef Roast.
  • Simple Overnight Saucy Crock Pot Chicken.
  • Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast.
  • Simple Oven Fried Chicken.
  • Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Legs.
  • Simple Roasted Rotiserie Chicken.
  • Simple Hawaiian Beef Roast.
  • Simple Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs.
Jul 24, 2011

What is a good amount of money to spend on food per week? ›

Feeding Yourself According To The USDA
Thrifty$241.40 – $309.90
Low-Cost$249.60 – $296.60
Moderate Cost$306.90 – $371.70
Liberal$400.80 – $451.80
Nov 27, 2023

How to live off $40 a week for food? ›

How I spend $40 per week on groceries
  1. Eat vegetarian for two meals a day. ...
  2. Breakfast: eggs are the best. ...
  3. Lunch: rotate between a few easy, cheap, and pretty healthy options. ...
  4. Dinner: cook one big meal a week with tons of leftovers. ...
  5. Snacks. ...
  6. Buy in bulk and preferably on sale. ...
  7. Try grocery delivery. ...
  8. Stuff you already know.
Feb 15, 2020

Is $1000 a month enough to live on? ›

But it is possible to live well even on a small amount of money. Surviving on $1,000 a month requires careful budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, and finding ways to save money. Cutting down on housing costs by sharing living spaces or finding affordable options is crucial.

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