5 $15 Family Dinners (from Target!)

Let's pretend it hasn't been almost 3 years since the last update, okay? Okay.

This week I'm momming on a budget! I've got 5 meals that each cost under $15 and can serve my big family! I've even got ideas for the other 2 nights.

Weekly Menu

Egg Roll in a Bowl

https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/egg-roll-in-a-bowl/

Notes: I use 2 lbs of ground turkey, I use a generous squeeze of the ginger that comes in a tube, a whole onion, omit the sesame oil (due to allergy), 2 packages coleslaw mix, omit the sambal oelek (everything else the same as recipe). When cooking, I don't remove the turkey.. I just throw the rest of the ingredients in with it. I cook it all in a huge wok. I serve this meal over white rice (2 cups jasmine rice cooked in rice cooker with a splash of olive oil and salt).

Sloppy Joe's with Chips

https://www.culinaryhill.com/the-best-sloppy-joes/

I love finding ways to stretch 1 lb of meat and this is a good one! I don't make them too heaping. I serve with a simple side of chips (and if we have romaine, I'll add a salad too).

Pasta with broccoli in garlic & oil, bread and salad

Cook pasta al dente in heavily salted water. Save some of the pasta water when finished.

In a large saute pan, heat about 1/2-3/4 cup of olive oil and a few cloves of whole, peeled garlic. Once golden, remove garlic. Add broccoli florets and saute until the broccoli turns bright green and starts to soften. Season with salt and pepper and add in a ton of chopped garlic. Once fragrant, its done. Mix with your cooked, drained pasta and add some pasta water to loosen. Top with lots of parm & red pepper flakes (if desired).

I'm serving this with some bread and butter and a quick salad mix (choice of dressing).

BBQ chicken drumsticks with skillet cornbread and buttered corn

For the drumsticks, I season the drumsticks with salt, pepper and chili powder. Roast these in the oven at 450 for about 45 minutes, then brush with BBQ sauce and roast 5 more minutes.

I'm using 2 packages of the Jiffy cornbread mix ($.65 each!) I'm going to heat my cast iron skillet in the oven as it preheats for the chicken, then add 1 tbsp butter and add in the prepared mix (made according to package directions). I'll pop this in the oven according to package directions.

A recipe for buttered corn? YES. I use this recipe:https://www.knowyourproduce.com/buttered-corn/ and it's absolutely delicious and an awesome way to use frozen corn (so

budget-friendly).

Swedish meatballs over egg noodles

https://www.aspicyperspective.com/best-easy-swedish-meatballs-crockpot-instant-pot/

I've never made this one before but I'm excited to try it! I'm going to serve over buttered egg noodles. This time I'm making 2 packages because my kids absolutely love them!

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Those are our 5 $15 meals!

For the other 2 nights -

1 night of Costco pizza ($9.99!) with salad (chopped romaine hearts from earlier this week). This is another great and cheap idea (total kid-pleaser).

The last night I'm now calling THIS WEEK'S GREATEST HITS.

In other words, I'm going to set out a buffet of any and all leftovers from the week (you can freeze them in small portions too). My kids LOVE this night. There are no rules - if they choose only rice and pizza, I'm cool with it! If we have any leftover lettuce, I'll throw a salad on the island too as an extra choice.