EPIC $5 Dinners | Fast and EASY Meals | 6 Family Dinners for $30

These five dollar dinners are absolutely delicious and are some of the easiest dinners I’ve made. I highly recommend shopping at your least expensive grocery store for this and be sure to look for items that are on sale and make substitutions anywhere you can with the cheapest items available to you.

For the entire shopping trip and step-by-step instructions for these recipes, watch my video on YouTube here:

Here’s the Shopping List:

• 1 lb Pasta (like Penne)
• 2 (7oz) Bags Macaroni Noodles
• 24 oz Cottage Cheese
• Pasta Sauce
• Grated Parmesan 
• 8oz Mozzarella 
• 1 lb Cheddar Cheese 
• 8oz Cheddar Cheese
• 1 lb Ground Turkey 
• 1 can Chili Beans 
• 1 lb Black Beans
• 2 Greek Yogurt (individual size)
• 1 Lime
• 10 oz Grape Tomatoes (or any tomatoes)
• Cream Cheese
• Russet Potatoes (5lbs or get 4 each)
• 2 cans (10 oz) Enchilada Sauce
• 3 lbs Sweet Potatoes (or 8 each)
• 1 bunch Green Onions
• 1 lb Chicken Breasts or Thighs
• 1 pack Corn Tortillas
• 1 Avocado, optional

Here are the Recipes:

Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas

Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas

This easy, delicious, and filling meal is the perfect comfort dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: dinner

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• ½ lb Ground Turkey
• 2-3 cups Black Beans cooked (or 1 can Black Beans)
• 1 tsp Taco Seasoning
• 1 10 oz can Enchilada Sauce
• 10 Corn Tortillas
• 4 oz Cheddar shredded
• 4 oz Mozzarella shredded
• 4 Tbsp Greek Yogurt
• Green Onions sliced

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large pan, cook ground turkey over medium heat. Season with taco seasoning and continue to saute until fully cooked through. Add black beans and stir. Cook until heated through. Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Place tortillas on a microwave safe plate and cover with a towel or paper towel. Warm in the microwave for 1 minute or until heated. Set aside.
4. In an 8×11 casserole dish, pour ½ cup of enchilada sauce and spread evenly. This helps avoid sticking later.
5. Add ¼ cup of the black bean and turkey mixture to each tortilla, roll, and place in the casserole dish with the seam side down. Continue doing this until all tortillas are used.
6. Pour the remaining black bean mixture over the rolled enchiladas and top with remaining enchilada sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over the top.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is golden and filling is bubbly. Serve with optional toppings and enjoy!

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Loaded Baked Potatoes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: dinner

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 4 Russet Potatoes
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt or table salt
• ½ lb Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey cooked
• 1 can Chili Beans or 2 cups Cooked Chili Beans
• 4 oz Cheddar shredded

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, if desired for easy cleanup.
2. Place potatoes on baking sheet, pierce each potato a few times with a fork, and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle each potato with kosher salt and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium pot, heat chili beans and cooked ground turkey until heated through.
4. Slice potatoes open and top with turkey and bean mixture. Top with cheese and any other toppings you love. Enjoy!

Lazy Lasagna Casserole

Lazy Lasagna Casserole

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Penne Pasta or any pasta
• 4 oz Cream Cheese softened
• 16 oz Cottage Cheese
• 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper
• 24 oz Pasta Sauce 1 Jar
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
• ¼ cup Parmesan grated

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
2. In a medium pot, boil water and cook pasta according to the package.
3. In a large bowl, place softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, parsley, and Italian seasoning and mix until just combined.
4. Once pasta is cooked, strain and pour hot pasta into the bowl with the cheese mixture. Stir until pasta is completely coated and everything is evenly combined.
5. Add about ¼ cup of pasta sauce to a 9×13 casserole dish and spread to cover the bottom. Add half of the pasta mixture. Top evenly with ½ of the remaining pasta sauce. Sprinkle with half the Parmesan and ⅓ of the mozzarella.
6. Add the rest of the pasta mixture, making sure to spread evenly. Top with remaining pasta sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
7. Cover with foil, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese, and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and then bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until cheese is browned and melty and the pasta is bubbly. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If freezing for later, follow instructions to step 6, making sure pasta is cooked al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time on the package), then cover with wax paper and foil. Freeze up to 3 months. When ready to cook, remove wax, cover with foil, making sure the foil doesn’t touch the cheese, bake from frozen for 60-75 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Serve and enjoy!

Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

The BEST Loaded Sweet Potato Fries Ever!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: dinner

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• Fries:
• 4 Medium Sweet Potatoes
• 1 Tbsp Oil
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cups Cooked Black Beans
• 1 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese or cheddar
• Toppings:
• 2 Green Onions or Scallions sliced
• 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes quartered
• 2 Avocados diced or smashed
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro chopped
• Lime Yogurt Sauce:
• ½ cup plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 Garlic Clove minced
• 1 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice or ½ lime, juiced
• Salt to taste

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 425° F
2. Peel the sweet potatoes, slice them into fries (slice them to the thickness you prefer), and place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Coat the fries with oil and then season with salt, pepper, and chili powder, tossing in between seasonings.
4. Place in the oven at 425° F and bake for about 30-45 minutes, tossing halfway through (baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fries). Once golden brown and crispy, sprinkle cheese on top and cook for an additional one minute or until cheese is melty. Remove from oven and set aside.
5. In the meantime, heat the black beans on the stove in a pot or in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl.
6. In a small mixing bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, lime, and salt, stir until combined and set aside.
7. Place the fries on a plate and top with beans, yogurt sauce, and any additional toppings desired. Enjoy!

Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Enchilada Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Slow Cooker Recipe)

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: dinner

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Chicken Breasts
• 4 Sweet Potatoes
• 1 10oz can Enchilada Sauce
• 4 Tbsp Greek Yogurt
• 4 oz Cheddar shredded
• 2 Green Onions sliced (optional)
• 1 Tbsp Cilantro chopped (optional)
• Hot Sauce optional

Method

 

1. In a slow cooker, spoon ¼ of the enchilada sauce on the bottom and spread evenly.
2. Place chicken breasts in bottom of slow cooker on one side. Pour enchilada sauce over the chicken, leaving about ¼ of the can for later.
3. Place sweet potatoes on the other end of the slow cooker. If there’s not enough space, sweet potatoes can be placed on top of chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through to 165° and the sweet potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
5. Remove sweet potatoes carefully and set aside. Shred the chicken and return to the slow cooker. Pour remaining enchilada sauce on the chicken and stir. Cover until ready to serve.
6. Slice sweet potatoes and top with shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, and any optional toppings. Enjoy!

Crazy Easy Macaroni and Cheese

Crazy Easy Macaroni and Cheese

Perfect side dish or dinner recipe for all occasions

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 Servings

Course: dinner, Side Dish

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Milk
• 1 cup Cottage Cheese
• 8 oz Cheddar shredded
• 1 tsp Ground Mustard
• ½ tsp Garlic Powder
• ¼ tsp Pepper
• 1 lb Macaroni Noodles
• 1 cup Pasta Water reserved from cooking pasta

Method

 

1. In a medium pot, boil water and cook noodles as directed on the packaging. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water for later.
2. In a blender, add milk, cottage cheese, half the cheddar cheese, ground mustard, garlic powder, and pepper, and blend until smooth.
3. In a large pot, add cheese mixture and heat on medium until hot but not boiling, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the rest of the cheddar cheese until melted.
4. Stir in pasta and add ½ cup pasta water. Let mixture set for 5 minutes before serving. If desired, add any additional pasta water until sauce reaches desired consistency. Serve and enjoy!

I hope you love the recipes! If you try any of the recipes, I would love to know down below in the comments! Thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful day!

Disclaimer: This post is the opinion of the author. Always speak to your doctor before beginning any exercise plan or changes to your lifestyle or diet. 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.