These are my top 5 cheap & easy meals, that my picky kids actually eat. I’ll include a cost breakdown, but prices may vary depending on where you live. All of these feed 2 adults and 3 kids.
1. Cheese ravioli
25 oz bag of frozen cheese ravioli ($3.19)
1 jar of marinara sauce ($1.49)
1 box of garlic bread ($1.50)
1 bag of frozen broccoli ($1.00)
Total cost: $7.18, which is only $1.43 per serving
Cook ravioli per package instructions. While those are boiling, I heat up the marinara, toast the garlic bread, and steam the broccoli.
2. Italian marinated chicken
3 large chicken breasts ($3.99)
1 bottle Italian dressing ($1.67)
1 bag frozen green beans ($1.00)
1 box easy mac ($1.00)
Total cost: $7.66, which is $1.52 per serving
Dice chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes and add to a gallon size ziplic bag. Pour in Italian dressing and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Heat skillet over med-high and add a drizzle of your favorite cooking oil (we prefer olive oil). Drain dressing from the ziploc bag and add chicken to skillet. Cook for 15 minutes, making sure you flip/stir the chicken pieces every 5 minutes so they are cooked evenly. While chicken is cooking, prepare the mac and cheese and steam the vegetables.
3. Sloppy Joes
1 can Manwich ($1.00)
1 lb ground beef ($4.69)
1 package Burger buns ($1.49)
1 bag frozen French fries ($1.67)
1 bag frozen carrots ($1.00)
Total cost= $9.85, which is $1.97 per serving
Cook ground beef until browned, breaking beef into very small chunks. Add in Manwich and heat through. While beef is cooking, steam veggies and bake fries. Serve meat on burger buns.
4. Ham & beans
4 cans great northern beans ($4.00)
2 ham steaks, diced small (3.00)
1 box cornbread mix ($0.55) – you will need 1 egg and 1/3C milk with this muffin mix
Salad mix & dressing of choice ($2.99 + $1.67)
Total cost= $12.21, per serving: $2.44
Add beans and diced ham to large pot, cook on med-low for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bake cornbread per instructions on the box. I like to toss together a small salad for myself to go with this. The kids don’t enjoy salads, so I offer them carrots and ranch as an extra side.
5. Burgers
Package of 5 burgers ($6.99)
Burger buns ($1.49)
Large can baked beans ($2.19)
Frozen corn ($1.49)
Total cost= $12.16 Per serving = $2.43
Cook burgers until done, heat beans and corn while burgers are cooking. Optional: we like to fry up some bacon to serve on top of our burgers.
Enjoy! Feel free to share a favorite recipe in the comments!
Just Mom Stuff 