40 Meals for $25: Budget Friendly Meal Plan

Grocery prices are soaring and it’s more important than ever to save every penny. That’s why I’ve created this budget friendly menu using just $25 in groceries. It includes 2 breakfast ideas and 5 dinner ideas, for a total of about 40 servings.

I highly recommend looking for the least expensive grocery store near you, like Walmart or Aldi. I currently shop at Aldi, as it’s the cheapest option near me, but be sure to compare prices before shopping by using the stores’ app and searching for the products you need.

If you’re looking for a tool to help keep you on track with your meal plan and budget, check out this meal planner I created. I personally use this one to keep track of my food inventory, create meal plans and grocery lists, and write recipe notes: Meal Planner on Amazon

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 dozen Eggs
• 1 lb Lentils
• 1 can diced tomatoes w/ basil
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can black beans
• 1 lb sausage
• 1 can Chicken
• Half gallon milk 
• 1 lb Pasta
• 8 oz Fresh Spinach
• 1 Onion
• 1 package (10 ct) tortillas
• 1 package frozen veggies
• 5lbs Potatoes
• 1 box Macaroni and Cheese

Feel free to make substitutions with things that you prefer to eat. For instance, if you don’t like black beans, you can substitute any beans you like. You can also substitute the canned chicken for canned tuna. If you don’t eat meat, you can omit the meat and make the dishes vegetarian. 

For step-by-step instructions, checkout my YouTube video for this meal plan:

Here are the recipes: 

Sausage and Potato Breakfast Casserole

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 10 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 lbs Russet Potatoes about 3, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 lb Sausage
• 1/4 Onion diced
• 6 Eggs
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot, add the diced potatoes and cover with cold water and add salt. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes. Darin and set aside.
• In a large pan, brown the sausage, breaking up as you go. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add onions and continue to cook until the sausage is cooked through and the onions are soft and translucent. Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked potatoes. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the sausage and potatoes.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve as is or wrapped in tortillas.

Keyword breakfast

Egg and Spinach Scramble

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  

• Butter or Oil
• 6 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 Onion diced
• 3 oz about 2 large handfuls Fresh Spinach

Instructions

 

• In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Set aside.
• In a large non-stick pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add spinach and sauté until just wilted, about 1 minute. Don’t overcook.
• Add egg mixture and cook, using a spatula to push and turn the eggs as they cook. Once eggs are cooked through, serve as is or with hot sauce or red chili flakes.
• Optional serving method: wrap in flour tortillas and serve as a burrito!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1/4 Onion diced
• 2 Tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Poultry Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Thyme
• 2.5 cups Water
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 1.5 lb Potatoes cubed (about 2-3 potatoes)
• 1/2 can Chicken
• 1/2 bag Frozen Veggies

Instructions

 

• In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and poultry seasoning.
• Stir in flour until combined. Slowly add water and milk, about a half cup at a time, and whisk until combined.
• Add potatoes and chicken and stir. Bring to a boil and allow to cook for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
• Stir in frozen veggies, bring to a bowl, reduce heat and continue cooking for 5 minutes or until veggies are heated through. Serve and enjoy!

Italian Lentil Soup

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup onion diced
• 1 cup Frozen Veggie Mix
• 1 1/4 cups lentils
• 1 lb Potatoes peeled and diced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 14.5-ounce can Diced Tomatoes
• 6-7 cups water
• 1 cup Fresh Spinach about 1 handful

Instructions

 

• In a large pot, heat oil on medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
• Add frozen veggies and lentils and cook for 1 minute. Add potatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, diced tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are cooked through and potatoes are tender.
• Stir in the spinach, season to taste, and serve!

Sausage and Penne

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Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 lb Sausage
• 2 Tbsp Oil optional
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 lb Penne or any pasta
• 1 cup Fresh Spinach about 1 handful

Instructions

 

• In a large sauté pan, brown sausage in oil. Season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• In a separate pot, cook pasta as directed on the packaging. Strain and set aside.
• Once sausage is cooked through, add pasta to the pan and stir.
• Add spinach and cook, stirring frequently for about 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
• Serve and enjoy!

Keyword Dinner Recipe

Lentil and Black Bean Soup

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 6 Servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 Tbsp oil
• 1/4 cup Onion diced
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 cup green lentils rinsed and picked through
• 1 15-ounce can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 4 cups Water

Instructions

 

• In a large pot, heat oil on medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
• Add cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, black beans,  tomato sauce,  lentils, and water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Chicken Mac and Cheese (4 Servings)

Ingredients 

• 1 box Macaroni and Cheese
• 2-3 Tbsp Milk
• 2 Tbsp Butter (optional)
• 6oz Canned Chicken

Instructions 

1. In a medium pot, cook macarons and cheese as directed on the package. Stir in milk, cheese powder, and butter (if desired).
2. Add chicken and stir. Cook on low heat until chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post is the opinion of the author. Always speak to your doctor before beginning any exercise plan or changes to your lifestyle. The information provided in this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal, or other professional advice. Read and/or use any of the information from this post at your own risk. Some or all of the links displayed on this site may be affiliate links.