Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (2024)

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (1)

ALLRECIPES, SEO Easy Dinner Ideas 12 comments By Julia Pacheco

Grocery prices have gone up so much, and I’m finding myself spending more than I want to on my monthly grocery budget. When I’ve made my way through my monthly grocery budget, I whip out my favorite cheap family meals under $10 to get us through the month.

Eating affordably doesn’t have to be boring! These cheap family meals under $10 are extremely budget-friendly and packed with flavor. These are my top 10 favorite affordable meals to feed my family of 4. Watch me make these cheap meals on my Youtube channel!

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (2)

10 Cheap Family Meals Under $10

Spanish Rice Soup

Spanish Rice Soup

This Spanish Rice Soup is one of my most affordable recipes, costing just over three dollars. With a couple extra dollars you can grab toppings like sour cream, cheese, avocado, lime, or fresh herbs!

Ingredients and Cost

Frozen Onions and Peppers: $1.38

Black Beans: $0.78

Canned Corn: $0.50

Knorr Rice Sides Spanish Rice: $1.26

Total: $3.92

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables

Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables

We all think to grab ramen noodles when our wallets are getting thinner, but I bet you haven’t prepared them like this. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry is so flavorful and delicious and it won’t remind you of your college meals!

Ingredients and Cost

Stir-Fry Vegetables: $2.48

3 Packages Ramen Noodles: $1.08 each

Total: $3.56

Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole

Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole

This is one of my favorite budget recipes because it doesn’t taste like a cheap recipe at all. It tastes like something you’d eat at Sunday brunch!

Ingredients and Cost

Crescent Rolls: $1.98

1/2 Package Sausage: $1.38

6 Eggs: $2.44

Total: $5.80

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli

When you’re on a budget, you might be tempted to cut meat totally out of the picture, but you can totally eat meat and save money! Chicken casseroles using canned chicken are a great way to keep meals high volume but low cost.

Ingredients and Cost

Cream of Mushroom Soup: $0.68

Cream of Chicken Soup: $0.68

Canned Chicken: $1.26

Wild Rice Mix: $1.22

Frozen Broccoli: $0.98

Total: $4.82

Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta

Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta

Pasta is one of my favorite meals ever, and this Creamy Tomato Bacon pasta is so cheap but tastes like it came from a restaurant!

Ingredients and Cost

Pasta: $0.98

Diced Tomatoes: $0.88

Alfredo Sauce: $1.74

Bacon Bits: $1.70

Total: $5.30

Easy Cheese Manicotti

Easy Cheese Manicotti

You might not think of manicotti as a cheap meal, but my Easy Cheese Manicotti is one of my favorite budget-friendly meals. I keep this one vegetarian to keep costs down.

Ingredients and Cost

Manicotti Pasta: $1.68

Pasta Sauce: $1.18

Ricotta Cheese $2.48

Mozzarella Cheese: 1.00

Total: $6.34

White Bean and Spinach Soup

Eating cheaply does not have to mean eating poorly. I make sure that all of my meals are nutrient-dense, including this White Bean and Spinach Soup!

Ingredients and Cost

Onion: $0.55

Cannellini Beans: $0.78

Diced Tomatoes: $1.36

Frozen Spinach: $1.12

Total: $3.81

Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Beans are an amazing cheap protein and fiber source. They’re so affordable and so filling!

Ingredients and Cost

Pinto Beans: $0.78

Black Beans: $0.78

Canned Corn: $0.50

Enchilada Sauce $1.54

Corn Tortillas: $1.98

Total: $5.58

Lentil Spaghetti

Lentil Spaghetti

Lentils are a cheap and easy way to beef up any dish. I love throwing them in spaghetti sauce. It tastes just like normal spaghetti, only heartier. My kids love this one.

Ingredients and Cost

Lentils: $1.34

Pasta Sauce: $1.18

Spaghetti: $0.98

Frozen Zucchini and Squash: $1.92

Total: $5.42

Easy Red Beans and Rice

Easy Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a cheap and easy meal to make. I make this one with a red beans and rice mix and it ends up being so cheap and affordable.

Ingredients and Cost

Kielbasa Sausage: $3.46

Zatarain’s Red Beans and Rice Mix: $2.52

Total: $5.98

Make These Cheap Family Meals!

I hope these budget-friendly meals help you feed your family. If you’d like to watch me make these recipes, you can check out those videos here and here.

Tags

budget budget friendly budget friendly meal prep budget friendly meals budget friendly recipes cheap family meals cheap family meals under $10 cheap meal ideas cheap meals cheap recipe cheap recipes easy dinner ideas meals on a budget meals under $10 whats for dinner

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (3)

Julia Pacheco

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Sheet Pan Loaded Quesadillas

12 Comments

  1. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (6)

    Elizabeth

    August 13, 2024 at 9:38 pm ·Reply

    Her prices are correct…she shops Walmart, great value.

  2. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (7)

    Alexandra

    August 4, 2024 at 6:08 am ·Reply

    Thank you so much for taking the time to show us these recipes! Much appreciated!

  3. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (8)

    Karen co*ker

    July 15, 2024 at 7:02 pm ·Reply

    I need this!

  4. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (9)

    Bryan

    July 15, 2024 at 8:11 am ·Reply

    I guess u haven’t shop lately. Add almost $1 to everything

  5. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (10)

    Obsa

    June 28, 2024 at 10:01 pm ·Reply

    Thank you very much

  6. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (11)

    Sarah R

    May 29, 2024 at 10:03 am ·Reply

    We’re trying a few of these meals this upcoming two weeks. Love how easy and budget friendly your meal plans have been. You are a lifesaver!

  7. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (12)

    Manny

    January 30, 2024 at 12:37 am ·Reply

    I in love with this website! Your choice of meals are affordable and great. I do pray you’ll publish a book some day as this would help so many people. Especially with how expensive things are nowadays.🙏

  8. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (13)

    Laurie

    November 26, 2023 at 9:17 am ·Reply

    Just got your cookbook. I love it. All of the photos are great. I can’t wait to try all of the desserts.

  9. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (14)

    Amanda

    July 30, 2023 at 5:22 am ·Reply

    Great recipes thanks so much

  10. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (15)

    Diane M Guarnieri

    July 28, 2023 at 11:22 pm ·Reply

    I love your recipes but the prices for food you have listed are way off …like 5 – 10 years off. 68 cents for soup?????? Its over 2.00 a can now

  11. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (16)

    Camille

    May 23, 2023 at 5:53 am ·Reply

    These look delish!

  12. Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (17)

    Codi Smith

    April 5, 2023 at 8:26 am ·Reply

    I absolutely love your meals and menus! They help so much especially when I’m in a rut!

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Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (18)

Cheap Family Meals Under $10 - Julia Pacheco (2024)

FAQs

How to feed a family with $10? ›

Ten Healthy Family Meals Under $10
  1. Healthy Fried Rice.
  2. Pasta Salad.
  3. Fettuccini Alfredo… or Bowtie, or Shells, or Rotini.
  4. Rosemary White Bean Soup or Turkey White Bean Chili.
  5. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos.
  6. Black-eyed Peas and Pork…with Kale.
  7. Enchilada Casserole.
  8. Down-home Macaroni and Cheese.

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 to make? ›

72 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Bacon and Egg Toast Cups. ...
  • Chicken Noodle Soup. ...
  • 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.
5 days ago

What are the cheapest foods to feed a family? ›

Here's a shopping list of 21 healthy but relatively cheap foods that you may want to consider putting in your shopping cart.
  • Apples.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Brown rice.
  • Chicken.
  • Corn tortillas.
  • Eggs.
  • Flour.
Aug 1, 2024

How do you feed a family on a tight 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.

What is the cheapest meal you can live by? ›

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

What foods do low income families eat? ›

Lower-income households purchase more cereals, pasta, potatoes, legumes, and fatty meats. Their vegetables and fruits are often limited to iceberg lettuce, potatoes, canned corn, bananas, and frozen orange juice.

What is the cheapest meat to feed a crowd? ›

10 Budget-Friendly Cuts of Meat
  • Ribs (pork or beef)
  • Flat steak (flank, hanger or skirt)
  • Ground beef or ground turkey.
  • Beef brisket.
  • Pork shoulder.
  • Chuck eye steak.
  • Whole chicken.
  • Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or drumsticks.

What is the cheapest thing to eat right now? ›

Cheap, Healthy Foods
  • 1/14. Lentils. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • 2/14. Eggs. Serving size: 1 egg. ...
  • 3/14. Oats. Serving size: ½ cup (dry) ...
  • 4/14. Potatoes. Serving Size: 1 medium potato. ...
  • 5/14. Sweet Potatoes. Serving size: 1 medium sweet potato. ...
  • 6/14. Sardines. Serving size: About 4 ounces. ...
  • 7/14. Beans. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • 8/14. Popcorn.
Mar 21, 2024

How do you cook on a low budget? ›

8 Tips for Cooking on a Budget
  1. Make a Grocery List! ...
  2. Stick to the Grocery List. ...
  3. Keep an Eye Out for Sales. ...
  4. Set a Limit on Eating Out. ...
  5. Make a Grocery Budget. ...
  6. Be Wary of Food Subscription Boxes. ...
  7. Embrace Leftovers. ...
  8. Got a Busy Day?

How do you cook on a tight budget? ›

If you can, cook in bulk – it's one of the simplest and most efficient ways to save money in the kitchen. Whether you're cooking for one person or the whole family, preparing and freezing multiple meals in advance will help you cut down on food waste and save time in the long run.

What is a cheap way to feed 100 people? ›

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.

How much does it cost to feed a family of 4 weekly? ›

Average Costs and Variations

The average cost of food at home for a family of four, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ranges from $567 to $1,296 per month, which comes out to approximately $130 to $300 per week.

How many people can $100 feed? ›

So $100 can actually help to feed 500 hungry people, keep food waste from landfills and bring balance to social disparities.

How to feed 12 people cheaply? ›

25 Cheap Meals for Large Families
  1. 01 of 26. Hungarian Goulash. View Recipe. ...
  2. 02 of 26. Simple Chicken and Noodles. ...
  3. 03 of 26. Easy Taco Casserole. ...
  4. 04 of 26. Winter Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  5. 05 of 26. Salisbury Steak. ...
  6. 06 of 26. Crispy and Tender Baked Chicken Thighs. ...
  7. 07 of 26. Black Beans and Rice. ...
  8. 08 of 26. Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Feb 22, 2024

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