$20 Walmart Meal Plan for Four (8 Easy Meals Using Just $19.84 of Ingredients)

Feeding your family on a tight budget doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. I will show you a way cook dinner for $20 a week. I built this entire meal plan using simple, affordable ingredients from my local Walmart, and the total came to just under $20. These eight easy meals stretch every ingredient as far as it can go and keep things filling, warm, and comforting.

⭐️ What’s on your thanksgiving menu? Here’s what’s on mine→ My Thanksgiving Gameplan

This $20 Walmart Meal Plan for Four uses only $19.84 worth of groceries to make eight filling, budget friendly meals. These recipes rely on simple ingredients like beans, lentils, rice, pasta, vegetables, and chicken drumsticks, making this a perfect low cost meal plan for families, tight budgets, meal prep, or stocking your pantry. Each recipe stretches ingredients as far as possible while still keeping everything hearty, cozy, and full of flavor.

Watch how far $20 actually went:

https://youtu.be/eWgCeZSlA7M

1. One Pot Chicken and Rice

This is a cozy, filling one pot chicken dinner made with rice, veggies, and simple pantry spices. It feeds four for just a few dollars.

Ingredients

• 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• 4 chicken drumsticks
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add oil.
Add onion and cook 4 minutes.
Add drumsticks and sear on all sides.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Stir in rice and frozen mixed vegetables.
Add water, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper.
Cover and simmer 45 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.

👉 Try my Creamy Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes.

2. Lentil Cabbage Stir Fry

A simple skillet meal made with cabbage, lentils, and carrots. It comes together fast and is great for leftovers.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• Small amount of onion
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup lentils
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (optional)

Instructions

Heat a pot or large skillet and add oil.
Cook carrots and onion 5 minutes.
Add cabbage and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
Add lentils, water, and soy sauce if using.
Simmer 30 minutes, until lentils are tender.

3. Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Cooking dry beans is one of the easiest ways to stretch groceries. You’ll use these beans in several meals this week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pinto beans
• 7 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

Rinse beans and add to the Instant Pot with all other ingredients.
Cook on Bean or Chili setting.
Let pressure release naturally for 30 minutes.
Remove bay leaves.
Use right away or store.

👉 For all my Thanksgiving sides, dessserts, and main dishes→ Thanksgiving 🍂

4. Pasta With Beans

A cozy bowl of pasta mixed with beans for extra protein. You only use half the cooked pasta to stretch it across meals.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shell pasta (use half after cooking)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions.
In a pan, sauté garlic 1 minute.
Add pasta sauce, beans, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Simmer 5 minutes.
Add half the cooked pasta and stir.

5. Chicken Lentil Burritos

Chicken drumsticks, lentils, beans, and tortillas come together for a filling, protein packed meal.

Ingredients

• Small amount of onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 tsp taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• Tortillas

Instructions

Heat oil in a pot.
Cook onion and jalapeño 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add drumsticks and brown.
Add lentils, water, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, oregano, and beans.
Simmer 45 minutes.
Shred chicken, return to pot, fill tortillas, and fold.
Crisp in a skillet for more texture.

👉 Try my semi viral Lentil Burritos.

6. Vegetable Rice Soup

A warm, veggie packed soup that makes a big pot for very little cost.

Ingredients

• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup pinto beans
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 clove garlic
• 8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup brown rice

Instructions

Add carrots, cabbage, beans, mixed vegetables, garlic, and water to a large pot.
Stir in seasonings and rice.
Simmer 30 minutes, until vegetables and rice are tender.

👉 Try my slow cooker soups perfect for fall and winter!

7. Chicken Drumsticks With Bright Veggie Pasta

Sheet pan chicken with simple veggie pasta made from leftover ingredients.

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 4 chicken drumsticks
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika
• Onion powder

Pasta:

• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining frozen mixed vegetables
• Garlic
• 16 oz diced tomatoes
• Remaining cooked pasta
• Salt and pepper
• Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and season.
Cover with foil and bake 50 minutes.
Heat oil in a pan.
Add mixed vegetables and garlic.
Add diced tomatoes and seasonings.
Stir in cooked pasta and toss to coat.

8. Everything Leftover Burritos or Stew

The final meal uses everything left to make a big pot of stew or a hearty burrito filling.

Ingredients

• Remaining onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• Just over 1 cup brown rice
• Remaining lentils
• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining pinto beans
• 9 cups water
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• Onion powder to taste
• Paprika to taste
• Tortillas (optional)

Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot.
Cook onion, jalapeño, and carrots until softened.
Add rice, lentils, and beans.
Add water and seasonings.
Simmer 1 hour, until everything is tender.
Serve as stew or wrap in tortillas.

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