Need cheap dinner ideas so i can go to disney again!

[kelconic]

Ok, so we took our first trip to WDW the first week of december and I'm in love! I need to save $75 per week to pay for another trip next december. My plan is to cut that from my usual $200ish grocery bill. I buy pretty much the basics, no drinks other than milk and orange juice, mostly whole foods, very little "snacks". So, my main spending is for dinners. My husband and son are picky, which makes it difficult. They don't like anything that involves the word "casserole" lol. They do like Italian type dishes though. My girls and I like just about anything. What are some of your favorite go-to meals that are cheap, healthy, and not casseroles?!

 

[SamSam]

Ok, so we took our first trip to WDW the first week of december and I'm in love! I need to save $75 per week to pay for another trip next december. My plan is to cut that from my usual $200ish grocery bill. I buy pretty much the basics, no drinks other than milk and orange juice, mostly whole foods, very little "snacks". So, my main spending is for dinners. My husband and son are picky, which makes it difficult. They don't like anything that involves the word "casserole" lol. They do like Italian type dishes though. My girls and I like just about anything. What are some of your favorite go-to meals that are cheap, healthy, and not casseroles?!

First one that comes to mind is an easy, hamburgar-pasta dish. You can spice it up or down to fit your tastes.
1950s Easy Supper

1 pound ground beef
3 cups dry noodles ( I use whole wheat rotini)
3 cups tomato juice (I use Spicy Vegetable Juice)
2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
2 tsps. Celery salt
1 tsp. dried basil
1 clove garlic
1 onion chopped
1 jalapeno ( chopped fine) - optional
1 can corn (if desired)

1. In Dutch Oven or Pot (6-8 qt) Brown ground beef, add onion,jalapeno & garlic, cook till tender.
2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.
For our own personal taste (dh and i) I add one can of Ro Tel (we love spice).

I'll post some others in a couple of days. We've had a rough week and will be gone again for a day or two.
I love your thread because most of us can cut back in some area to make 'our dreams come true'.

 

[mumto2]

I try to go meatless at least once a week, typically with a pasta dish. It is healthy, kinder to the environment and generally less expensive.

Homemade pizza night is a big hit, too. I make wholewheat dough from scratch (much better and much cheaper) and let each person create their own with homemade sauce, cheese and various toppings.

Breakfast for supper, combined with family game night is a great way to reconnect after a hectic week.

I try to make a lot of the baked goods we use in bulk and freeze them.

 

[kelconic]

First one that comes to mind is an easy, hamburgar-pasta dish. You can spice it up or down to fit your tastes.
1950s Easy Supper

1 pound ground beef
3 cups dry noodles ( I use whole wheat rotini)
3 cups tomato juice (I use Spicy Vegetable Juice)
2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
2 tsps. Celery salt
1 tsp. dried basil
1 clove garlic
1 onion chopped
1 jalapeno ( chopped fine) - optional
1 can corn (if desired)

1. In Dutch Oven or Pot (6-8 qt) Brown ground beef, add onion,jalapeno & garlic, cook till tender.
2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.
For our own personal taste (dh and i) I add one can of Ro Tel (we love spice).

I'll post some others in a couple of days. We've had a rough week and will be gone again for a day or two.
I love your thread because most of us can cut back in some area to make 'our dreams come true'.

I will try this! Thanks
And yes, I fully believe in the "cutting back" method. I work one day a week as an RN and although I love my job I love being home more

 

[sweetdana]

Ok, so we took our first trip to WDW the first week of december and I'm in love! I need to save $75 per week to pay for another trip next december. My plan is to cut that from my usual $200ish grocery bill. I buy pretty much the basics, no drinks other than milk and orange juice, mostly whole foods, very little "snacks". So, my main spending is for dinners. My husband and son are picky, which makes it difficult. They don't like anything that involves the word "casserole" lol. They do like Italian type dishes though. My girls and I like just about anything. What are some of your favorite go-to meals that are cheap, healthy, and not casseroles?!

We make soup 1-2 times a week. Any/everything from vegetable, Minestrone, chic noodle, tortilla, pizza soup. Dinners run about 8-12$ for 4, and this is usually adding in a grilled cheese for the kids.
Buying cheap frozen pizzas (the 1$ or 1.25 ones) and a bag of cheese for top is another one dinner is under 7 For 4
Making something for double use can sometimes get you a bulk deal. Like buying a bigger bag if chicken and using for 3 meals. But a piece if chicken, with a canned vegi side and a potato runs about 8$ for 4.

We don't buy juice, we do occasional juice. A bag of oranges is like 3$ and would make 3 times that and still have a fe for lunches.

Not dinners but cuts we made.
Also all lunches are brought to school, (you may be ahead here already, but this is an easy win as my dd lunch is 3.50). She loves the liptons noodle soup in bulk, with a fruit (apple, apple sauce, banana) and a vegi (carrots, green pepper, cucumber) and the occasional cookie / goldfish or the occasional juice box it runs me about 1.50.

Working mom here as well, I get up early enough to make my and dh lunch... Or he buys it he won't make his own.

We only eat out if it is through spies in disguise or a gift card.
I have recently sold my 1st eBay item and have a # more to sell to add a few $ in.

Cancel cable it seemed like it would be harder, but it was easy and no regrets.
Cut home phone and use ooma instead. I think I pay 8$ a month for taxes n emergency, Aldo vm, caller Id ect.

I keep mickeys in my bathroom that assist n remind me why I have to cut other things.

 

[Marionnette]

Ok, so we took our first trip to WDW the first week of december and I'm in love! I need to save $75 per week to pay for another trip next december. My plan is to cut that from my usual $200ish grocery bill. I buy pretty much the basics, no drinks other than milk and orange juice, mostly whole foods, very little "snacks". So, my main spending is for dinners. My husband and son are picky, which makes it difficult. They don't like anything that involves the word "casserole" lol. They do like Italian type dishes though. My girls and I like just about anything. What are some of your favorite go-to meals that are cheap, healthy, and not casseroles?!

Reducing your grocery budget by more than 35% is way too ambitious. Your family is not going to be happy and it won't last for a year. Picky eaters aren't going to adapt to diet changes well. I think that it makes more sense to find a variety of areas to cut back in a way that totals $75/week.

• Try reducing your energy costs by a few dollars each month. Lower the heat in winter, raise the temperature on the air conditioner in the summer.
• If you pay to take your garbage to the dump, then start an aggressive recycling and composting program.
• If you eat out often, try cutting it down by one or two fewer meals.
• Negotiate with your cable company to reduce the bill. If they won't budge, then eliminate a few premium channels.
• Look at your insurance costs and have an independent agent work up an estimate for comparable coverage for lower costs.

You can also look for ways to raise your income to make up the rest. Part-time jobs, work-from-home, selling on ebay, garage sales, etc. They can all add up.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to cut back the food budget, too. Couponing, stockpiling sale items and expanding your repertoire of successful recipes can all help to bring down your costs without sacrificing quality. But I think that trying to reduce the grocery bill so drastically on picky people is not destined to be successful.

As to recipes, I have a lot of inexpensive and healthy recipes - especially Italian foods. But if your family is picky, it would be helpful to know what they will and will not eat. I have an awesome recipe for Tuscan bean soup, but if they don't like beans or kale, they won't like that recipe. There's a great Disney recipe for marinated tofu and power pilaf but again, it won't matter if your family doesn't like tofu or quinoa.

 

[hsmamato2]

agree with a pp.... changing drastically the food if you're fam is 'picky' could backfire..... go slowly,and try to create foods in your 'new' budget that they like....for one thing, you stated 'no casseroles'...then you said a pp's casserole sounded pretty good... just remember, it's all in the name and presentation soups are great, pasta dishes, meatless a couple of times a week, the 'dreaded casseroles' are wonderful, you just have to find the type they like....(I never call them that,I usually make up a name lol)
Meatloaf is a good way to stretch a dollar and a meal...large bags potatoes,carrots,etc, fruit and veggies that are on sale at at the store...then go to allrecipes and look for things to create....(I understand about the Dh's lunch,mine is the same way,if I don't make it,he buys) I think you can cut 75.00 OP, I don't know how many people you're feeding though. Even an inexpensive (excellent) rice and beans meal (puerto rican mama recipe) is SO easy,SO cheap,and SO good....
also, I don't know your shopping habits, but different stores= different prices...so shop around for what you need,make a list,and stick to it!

 

[dismom115]

One of our family's favorite quick, cheap Italian dinners is baked ravioli. Use frozen meat or cheese ravioli, layer in baking dish with spaghetti sauce, top with mozzarella cheese and bake. I pick up the pasta when on sale. Serve with a salad or green beans.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree that there are also other places to cut from besides groceries and the suggestions above are great. I do think that 200.00 a week is pretty generous for what appears to be 4 people so I do think that could be cut down a lot without too much pain. Look at your shopping rather than the meals you choose. Plan the meals you normally fix around what is on sale that week. For example Chicken is on sale, use two of your chicken dishes rather than a red meat one. Also look at your budget a little bit wider. If you load up on a great sale of hamburger this week, you might spend a bit more than budget, but next week you may save double that not having to buy meat. Look into Sams or Cosco. They have chicken breast for 1.98/lb most times at my store and that is half what we pay at a local grocery store. Buy bulk and freeze. Stretch your meat by adding more veggies and good grains. Rice and pasta are your friends. Consider Aldi if you have one for stables. Im not a huge fan but the milk, butter, eggs etc are just fine and much cheaper. Try off brands, some we like, some we don't but it's worth a shot. We "light" coupon but be careful not to buy something you would not buy anyway.
Other food hints: Do breakfast for dinner once a week. French toast or pancakes are cheap and easy.
Bake from scratch muffins, cookies etc. yummy and cheaper.
Brown bag lunch for everyone!
Keep at least a few prepared meals in the freezer either home-made or bought.....saves eating out on the crazy unplanned emergany day!
If you have to eat out, take out is much cheaper...avoid tips and drinks and easier to split meals. Look for coupons for local restaurants.

Cut back or out things like paper towels, clorex wipes, swifter pads and use the reusable counter parts that are much cheaper!

REALLY watch the energy use. We cut about 300.00 off this year by lowering heat and raising air. This year our focus is unplugging anything not in use.

Consider co-sign, or used items. I am very picky about what I will buy but am pretty good at it. My best buy this year was a new, tags still on,
nike jacket bought on 1/2 price day at Salvation Army for wait for it......4.00. Saw the coat at the Nike outlet for 75.00!!!!

Don't buy adult gifts this year. Mom and Dad agree not to exchange Birthday, Valentines etc. Celebrate with a modest dinner out if you want.

Shop ahead- Right now Target has a ton of stocking stuffer toys (non holiday themed) that will fill those Easter basket just fine.

Don't "obligate" buy. Say no to the 20.00 pack of fundraiser cookie dough the neighbor kid is selling, buy the smallest pack of expensive school pictures or be really tough and say no and go to picture innovations and get tons, better pictures for 1/2 the price of a few bad pictures.

Shop now for Birthday party gifts for your kids friends. Tons of toys, games, bath sets etc for 1/2-75% off are to be found everywhere. Start a gift closet and let the kids shop there!

Hang a picture of Mickey on the Refrigerator to remind everyone that changes are going to be sooooooo worth it!!!

 

[worm761]

I don't know where you live so I don't know what your grocery stores are like. But that is a big budget to me. My grocery budget this coming year is $125 per week and covers all household expenses (paper goods, personal care, medications (not prescription), and dog food).

I have a few suggestions. First, Pinterest. I know..it is the greatest time suck of all time. BUT they have wonderful ideas there that can help with your picky eaters. Here is my frugal board: http://www.pinterest.com/disneybug/frugal-meals/ While I won't use all of the ideas there are some very good ones.

Second, lists. I love Google Drive for this. I keep a running list of all meals that everyone in the family likes and about how much it costs. I also just started a price book so I will always know when something isn't really a good deal.

Then, I shop from the ads.

As for the picky eaters, I totally understand. DS is on the autism spectrum and I have managed to expand what he eats to almost a hundred different meals. Most have similar flavor profiles. Like spaghetti and Italian shred. Or tacos and enchiladas or burrito skillet.
Cooking from scratch is important when trying to save money too.
I have found that it is cheaper to make meat the secondary item instead of the star. Like stir frys. Or burrito bowls.

Also, look in odd places for food. I noticed that Walgreens has some wicked good sales on food. This week milk is on sale for $2.99 a gallon. The grocery stores run from $3.58 to $4.25. So I am buying milk at Walgreens this week. They have canned salmon on sale too. Thinking of salmon patties one night for my DH and father and grilled chicken for the rest of us.
My local butcher has better quality meat at the same price or less than the national grocery chains.

 

[wiigirl]

I try to go meatless at least once a week, typically with a pasta dish. It is healthy, kinder to the environment and generally less expensive.

Homemade pizza night is a big hit, too. I make wholewheat dough from scratch (much better and much cheaper) and let each person create their own with homemade sauce, cheese and various toppings.

Breakfast for supper, combined with family game night is a great way to reconnect after a hectic week.

I try to make a lot of the baked goods we use in bulk and freeze them.

x2 for homemade pizza night.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't know about healthy, but my cheapest meal is Ramen noodles (drained) mixed with browned hamburger and cooked peas. Kids love it.

 

[worm761]

Kebabs are fun and relatively cheap. Chunks of meat skewered with veggies and grilled. Can be done open faced on a Foreman if it is too cold out. I live in Florida so we grill year round.

Buy large pieces of meat and repurpose them. Make a ham on Sunday for dinner. Then you have ham and cheese omelettes, ham and cheesey potatoes or broccoli. If you guys like beans/peas use the bone and some leftover ham for pea soup or bean soup. Pair with a salad or a nice crusty homemade bread.
Turkey is not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I average a turkey dinner about every 2 months. There is a ton of stuff you can do. A scaled back turkey dinner (just a few sides and not complicated ones). Leftover turkey in pot pie, quesadillas, wraps, soups/stews, ravioli, turkey tettrazini.
Make roast and use the leftovers for either stew or a roast hash (serve with eggs?).

I know this is a casserole but it is very good and I don't like my food mixed. http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/365225830/loaded-potato-and-chicken-casserole/ You can adjust the heat down.
http://www.jocooks.com/main-courses/poultry-main-courses/bbq-chicken-and-mango-quesadillas/
Stromboli is another way to make pizza not seem so boring week after week. Here is one that sounds interesting: http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/caramelized-onion-bbq-chicken-strombolis/
http://www.thekitchn.com/dinner-recipe-french-onion-chi-144744 this is really good. You can leave off the Gruyere (I forget it every time!). Serve with a crusty French bread and a salad.

Do your kids pack lunches to school? If not, that would be a big money saver right there. When we go out and about I pack lunches to take with us so we are not tempted to stop for fast food if we get hungry. I make my own lunchables sort of like bento boxes only without all the fancying up. I did buy a Mickey head bento cutter because DD will only eat cheese in the form of Mickey's head (bad habit!). Now I can cut her Mickey cheese for her. Pair that with some crackers, ham, and grapes and we are good to go!

 

[MAJPLO]

When I make chicken (boneless skinless breasts from Costco) I cut them in half. Kind of like you would do to butterfly them but I cut them all the way through. I take the tenders off and my kids eat those. I use the second half of each breast either for a future dinner like stir fry, soup, to top salads, or just cook it all and have leftovers.

 

[TCB in FLA]

I agree that $75 is a bit much to chomp out of your weekly grocery budget -- at least in the long term.

You could try some of the coupon sites to make the most out of your budget. I like thegrocerygame.com if they have your local grocery (site does have a fee but they usually have a free trial period), although I know there are others. The main concept is to use coupons when items are on sale.

We save money by having both my DH and DSs take their lunches to school (DH is a teacher). Although the grocery bill is slightly higher, the savings (both money-wise and health-wise) are worth it. We also don't eat out much -- or at least fast-food eating. Why should I pay $7 for a sandwich, chips and drink when I can make it myself for $2?

We also buy gift cards for our local grocery store through DS11s travel soccer organization -- 5% of what we buy them for goes into his yearly fees. I haven't changed my shopping habits (other than having to buy the cards in advance) but have saved about $200. It all adds up.

 

[disykat]

My meat and potato lovers enjoy chicken drumsticks. I can usually find them on sale for $.99 a pound. I do them "oven fried" or on the grill and serve them with mashed or roasted potatoes with veggies or salad.

They also enjoy soup IF I serve homemade biscuits or cornbread with it.

 

[kristinradico]

My go to cheap dinner is Breakfast for dinner. Omletes and Bacon/Sausage or Pancakes and Bacon/Sausage.

 

[disykat]

We also do breakfast for dinner. My family likes egg mcmuffins, which you can do very inexpensively with leftover ham, english muffins from the day old bread outlet, etc. I just serve it with fruit.

If I've stopped by the bread outlet, I also plan a meal of grilled cheese sandwiches served with salad and maybe some cheap canned soup.

I also freeze bread to be used for french toast, cheese toast as a side, buns for oven baked "tuna burgers"etc.

I don't think of bread as particularly expensive, but notice a difference if I buy it cheaply. I try to stop whenever I'm in the area of the outlet - once or twice a month.

 

[mrzrich]

Wouldn't picking up an extra shift or 2 a month earn you more than $300 a month?

 

[QVCshopper]

Is your budget $200/week for food for a family of four? That seems really high to me, and I think you can cut back really easily. I have a family of five and seldom spend more than $100/week. Sometimes I'll do a big order one week with a lot of meat and then the next week get by with $35-40. Like people say, go with a meatless night like breakfast for dinner. Eat cheaper lunches and breakfasts.

For me, two things work for dinners. 1) I buy the about to expire meat. It saves me tons. I shop at Wegmans, and they often reduce their really nicely prepared meat. I then take all of the reduced meat packages to the fruit scales and buy the heaviest ones. Why spend the same $5 for .85-lb when I can get 1.06-lb? I walk the rest back to the meat department in a matter of minutes.

2) I buy the big bulk chicken breasts and ground beef packages. It's so much cheaper to buy the bulk ones and then separate at home and freeze.

And only buy what you need. Good luck! I think you can shave a lot off of your grocery bill.