Here is one of those easy dinner recipes from the $5 dinner meals. My kids love pasta and my kids love chicken, so what better than a Quick Chicken Recipe with pasta for dinner.
This one is a favorite in our house and it only takes about 15 minutes, making this easy dinner recipes for tonight a breeze.
Oh ya, use the leftovers for a make ahead lunch freezer meal later in the week, it beats a trip to McDonald’s and cost so much less.
Easy Dinner Recipes- Chicken Pasta
Easy Dinner Recipes
1 package fettuccine noodles ( $0.60 at wal-mart)
1 jar Alfredo sauce ($1.50)
1 lb chicken cooked and cut up ($2.00)
1 can of green beans ($0.50)
Cook the noodles as directed on package, Cook the chicken then dice up into small pieces. Drain the noodles, put back in the pan and mix the Alfredo sauce in. Add you favorite seasoning ( I like garlic) . Dish up, add cooked chicken to the top and then sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese. Serve with green beans and presto dinner is done. Feeds 4-5.
TIP: Double the batch for a perfect budget freezer meals recipe next week!
Looking for something different? Try this: Easy Dinner Recipes With Ground Beef
I tried this one last night and my kids loved it. Hope to see more $5 dinner ideas soon. Thanks for the site it is very helpful.
Hi Amie thanks for the comments. I have many more $5 menu ideas up my sleeve so keep checking back! If you have any I would love to hear yours!
I dont know where people are shopping these days because where i live a can of green beans is 2.00!! 1lb of chicken is almost 5!!! in order for us to have a 5 dollar meal we would have to live off of macaroni and cheese everyday. I really wish i could find a site that would take in consideration that not everyone grocery prices are that cheap!
AmandaF – HOLY COW!! I would die if a can of green beans cost $2.00. I assume that most sites, like mine can only base prices off of what their local grocery store sells items for, there really wouldn’t be a way to figure out the prices in other areas. I would recommend a google blog search for $5 dinner menu’s custom to your area. Let me know if you need help, I do follow many good low budget food blogs from all over the country, let’s see if we can find you a more accurate resource!!
E-mail if you would like some help: machelle@cheapfamilymeals.info
Amanda, I am just wondering where you live? The best place to shop for me to get the prices simular to what is posted here is Walmart. I can’t always do the meals for under $5, but I can come close by checking the ads and buying bigger quantities so when I break them down and they can make 2 or 3 meals it is cost effective. Another way to try to get cheaper meals for me is to clip coupons,and I am bad about it so I go online and print them off. Hope this helps a little as I love this site and it does help me alot!!!!
Amie, those are great tips. You are right most of prices prices reflect items on sale, purchased in larger quantity for more meals or the Wal-Mart brand. The purpose of cheap family meals is to provide a guideline or starting point. Each families needs will be different. The goal here is to see that you can make changes with your grocery shopping and still create delicious and inexpensive meals
Althought, there is nothing better than saving money. I still think that a healthy home cook is worth every penny when it is enjoyed with your family.
I have to agree…a home cooked meal for the family is a great way to bond and save money! Thanks for stopping by!!
Your price on a can of beans is quite low compared to the prices in the grocery stores here in Maine. They are 65 cents per can. I have to budget for higher prices than what you have in your recipes.
Hello,
I just wanted to add that I like this blog and will continue to use it, but to also add that if you like foodnetwork, there is a show called 10.00 dinners! I am a foodnetwork junkie! It is awesome, and she really breaks down everything, I am teacher and I know that every penny counts when budgeting for great meals. I enjoy reading what you all have to share I look foward to reading more. Thanks!
My cheapest go to meal, is fast and filling. At Walmart purchase 2 packs of Knorr Chicken flavored rice and sauce or Chicken flavored noodles and sauce, both taste good It used to be made by Lipton but now it is Knorr. These are about 1.00 each, somrtimes on sale for 88 cents.Then get a can of the swanson chicken. It cost about 2.50. Fix the rice or noodles, shred the canned chicken, add to the rice or noodles, add some pepper if you like. If I have lettuce and salad dressing we may have a salad with it, or peas, green beans. Sometimes the boys just want this with some bread
Sautee up 1 carrot, 1 celery, 1 onion with salt and pepper. Then add 2 quarts of chicken stock. I like to add a sprig of thyme and a bay leaf but most stock already has this in it. Let this simmer for about 10 minutes. Then bring it to a boil. Add about 1 handful of egg noodles and cooked chicken. I generally use leftover roasted or bake up a breast. Taste for seasoning. I generally use a little more salt and pepper at this point.
Many thanks for this info I has been hunting all Yahoo in order to locate it!