You know that commercial where they offer five pizzas for $5? Well if you’re like me five greasy pizzas is a bit much for a meal, and none to healthy to boot. The good news is you can easily feed your family for under $5 meals that border on convenience food they are so easy to prepare. I’m guessing most of these dishes would feed a family of 6 at least, as they easily feed my family of 4 with leftovers for lunch the next day. Keep in mind you will be able to get some things for less in your area while other things may cost a little bit more. These are all based off Spokane prices 
Chili & Cornbread
This is my winter comfort food. The trick to really saving money on chili is to use dried beans, not canned. I just dump them in a pot with some water the night before I plan on making the chili to soak for 24 hours, but you can also cook them in a pressure cooker and skip the soaking.
3 cups pre-soaked and cooked beans $1.59 (I use kidney beans but any hearty bean works)
2 cans tomato sauce $1.19
1 onion $.69
2 garlic gloves$.26
2 tablespoons chili powder + assorted seasoning $.30
Chop up the onion and garlic then throw everything in a pot. I usually add some more seasoning-red pepper flakes, oregano, cumin or whatever I’m in the mood for. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
I cheat on the cornbread and use Jiffy Mix corn muffins. Jiffy Mix—when you include the egg and milk—comes to $.90.
Total for meal–$4.93
Grilled Cheese and Soup
My secret here is canned soup. This and Jiffy Mix are about the only convenience foods I buy other than the occasional box of mac n’ cheese. I buy the family-size cans of tomato soup when they go on sale for $1 each, but the store-brand family-size is normally $1.49 so isn’t a budget breaker. We also use white bread for grilled cheese sandwiches, the only thing we use white bread for actually. If you prefer better bread go for it, as it still won’t come to more than $5 unless you go for an artisan loaf!
Tomato soup +half can of milk $1.65
Loaf white bread $.48
12 slices American cheese $1.25
Half stick of butter $.25
Total for meal–$3.63
Spaghetti
It doesn’t get better than this. Make a little or a lot, it’s still budget friendly and tasty. I serve spaghetti with a side of whatever vegetables we have on hand. For the sake of price comparison I’ll go with a bag of frozen green beans for $1.19
Spaghetti pasta $.99
Can spaghetti sauce $.89
¼ pound ground beef $.45
1 onion $.69
Chop the onion and brown the ground beef. Boil the noodles until done, drain, then stir in the onions, beef and sauce. Cook up the vegetables and you are ready to go. You don’t need a lot of meat in spaghetti and you can easily skip it completely. I like the flavor but think of it as a condiment to the dish.
Total for meal–$4.21
Fried Rice
This is a family favorite. You can use freshly cooked rice but one or two day old rice fries up better in my experience. Whenever I make a rice dish I cook twice as much as rice as needed and refrigerate half so we can have this dish a couple days later.
½ cup chicken $.84
4 cups cooked rice $1.60
1 cup diced veggie $1.00 (This is an estimate. Use a variety of what’s on hand such as a carrot, half an onion, some peas, corn or whatever you prefer).
3 tablespoons soy sauce $.20
2 eggs $.17
2 tablespoon oil $.11
Coat the bottom of a large frying pan with the 1T of oil. Dice up the chicken into small pieces and cook it. Remove from the pan and add the rest of the oil. Beat the eggs slightly then throw them in and scramble them in the oil. Add the vegetables, rice and chicken and mix in the soy sauce. Fry for a couple minutes, stirring the entire time. This makes a ton of food! I’ll sometimes serve it with a side salad but usually I just serve it on its own.
Total for meal–$3.93
Broccoli-cheese Baked Potatoes
Bake the potatoes in the microwave to save time and energy costs. Or, throw them in the oven with something else you are baking the day before serving this meal then just reheat before serving. I usually serve this with a side salad consisting of leaf lettuce, tomatoes and a shredded carrot which comes to $1.35.
8 potatoes $.80
2 tablespoons flour $.02
2 Tablespoons butter $.25
1 cup milk $.20
½ cup cheddar, cubed $.50
1 head cooked broccoli $1.00
Salt and pepper to taste $.02
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour until it forms a paste then slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens then stir in the cheddar, salt and pepper and broccoli. Cook until the cheese melts then top your potatoes with it.
Total for meal–$4.14
What are some of your favorite low-cost, quick meals? Let me know in the comments!
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