The Best $5 Dinners for Extreme Budgets

Dinner doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive to be delicious. Below are the Best Extreme Budget Meals to make when you want a filling and delicious dinner recipe without breaking the bank.

With each recipe, I will give you a list and the amount I paid for these budget-friendly meals so you can have an idea of how much they might cost you. Just know that the prices may vary based on where you live.

We live in Utah, so the price of ingredients may be different depending on where you live. But if you shop at Walmart or Aldi, these easy dinner recipes will give you a great start to making scrumptious dinners for the whole family.

What is included with the price of each meal?

Each of these extreme budget meals will include the price of all the major ingredients. The only things you may need to account for are the seasonings or oil added to the entrée.

With making these recipes as healthy as possible on a budget, most of the dinner recipes come out to be around $5 per meal for the family, depending on the size of your family.

How many do these recipes serve?

With normal-sized portions, these recipes can serve a family of 4-5 for $5 for the entire dinner recipe.

The Best $5 Extreme Budget Recipes:

Watch the full step-by-step video below, and keep scrolling for the written recipes.

Taco Potato Skillet

Shopping list:

• 1 lb Ground turkey – $1.98
• 1/2 bag (14 oz) frozen potatoes – $1.71
• 10 oz can hot diced tomatoes and green chilis – $0.88
• 1 oz packet taco seasoning – $0.47

Total $5.04

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 14 oz frozen Potatoes O’Brien (with onions and peppers)
• 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
• 1 oz packet taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Cook the Ground Turkey:
   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked through.
2. Add the Potatoes and Seasoning:
   Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the frozen Potatoes O’Brien, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and water. Mix well to combine.
3. Simmer:
   Cover the skillet and let the mixture cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Finish Cooking:
   After 15 minutes, uncover the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender.
5. Serve:
   Top with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, cheese, salsa, or avocado, and enjoy your easy, flavorful taco skillet!

Tip:
For extra crunch, try adding a sprinkle of crushed tortilla chips on top before serving!

Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Gravy

Shopping List:

• 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks – $2.96
• 1 brown gravy packet – $.48
• 1 packet onion soup mix $.49
• 14 oz can green beans $.76
• 1 cup white rice (1/2 lb – $.46

Total $5.17

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 1 packet brown gravy mix
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp brown sugar

To Serve:

• 14 oz can green beans, heated
• 1 lb white rice, cooked

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Make the Gravy Mixture:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, water, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and brown sugar until well combined.
3. Prepare the Chicken:
   Arrange the chicken drumsticks in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
4. Add the Gravy:
   Pour the seasoned gravy mixture evenly over the drumsticks, making sure they’re well coated.
5. Bake:
   Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 70 minutes, or until the chicken is fall-apart tender and cooked through.
6. Serve:
   Serve the savory drumsticks with hot steamed white rice drizzle the sauce from the baking dish over the rice and serve with a side of green beans for a complete, comforting meal.

Ground Turkey Ramen Stir Fry

Shopping List:

• 1 lb ground turkey – $1.98
• Teriyaki marinade sauce – $1.98
• 2 packets ramen – $.60
• 15 oz canned mixed vegetables – $.96
• Garlic – $.20

Total $5.72

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey (or your choice of ground meat)
• 1/2 cup teriyaki marinade sauce
• 2 packets ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packets)
• 15 oz canned mixed vegetables, drained
• 1 tbsp minced garlic

Instructions:

1. Cook the Ground Turkey:
   In a large skillet, add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
2. Prepare the Ramen:
   While the turkey is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain the noodles and set them aside. Discard the seasoning packets that come with the ramen.
3. Combine the Ingredients:
   Once the turkey is cooked through, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then, add the drained mixed vegetables, cooked ramen, and teriyaki marinade sauce. Stir everything together to evenly coat the noodles and vegetables in the sauce.
4. Simmer and Stir:
   Let the mixture cook for another 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Serve:
   Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy your flavorful and quick ground turkey ramen stir fry!

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can add some chili flakes or a dash of sesame oil.
• Feel free to swap the canned mixed vegetables for fresh or frozen vegetables of your choice.

One-Pan Sausage, Broccoli & Rice

Shopping List:

• Smoked sausage – $2.97
• Seasoned cheddar broccoli great value rice similar to the knorr brand – $1.00
• 12 oz Frozen broccoli $1.16

Total $5.13

Ingredients:

• 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced
• 5.7 oz seasoned cheddar broccoli rice (like Great Value or Knorr brand)
• 12 oz frozen broccoli florets
• 1¾ cups water

Instructions:

1. Sear the Sausage:
   Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until nicely browned. This adds flavor and a crispy edge to the sausage.
2. Add Remaining Ingredients:
   Stir in the broccoli, cheddar broccoli rice packet, and water. Mix well.
3. Simmer:
   Cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer until the rice and broccoli are tender. If the rice isn’t fully cooked and the liquid has evaporated, add ¼ cup of water at a time until it’s done.
4. Serve:
   Fluff the rice, give it a final stir, and serve warm.

One-Pot Mexican Chicken & Rice

Shopping List:

• 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks – $2.96
• 1 cup white rice (1/2 lb – $.46
• 1 lime – $.25
• 1 yellow onion, diced – $0.65
• 3 oz tomato paste – $.43
• Broth cubes – $1.08

Total: $5.83

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 1 cup white rice
• 2½ cups water
• 2 bouillon cubes
• 1 lime

Instructions:

1. Season the Chicken:
   In a small bowl, mix together cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken drumsticks.
2. Brown the Chicken:
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for about 3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté:
   In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook in the leftover chicken drippings for 3–4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the tomato paste and garlic, then add the rice. Mix everything well to coat.
4. Add Liquid:
   Pour in the water and crumble in the bouillon cubes. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
5. Simmer:
   Return the chicken to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
6. Finish & Serve:
   Squeeze the juice of half a lime over the chicken and rice just before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra lime wedges if desired.

Side dish recipes to serve with these extreme budget recipes:

• Easy One Hour Dinner Rolls
• Garlic Pull Apart Rolls – Roll Dough Recipe
• Avocado Corn Salad
• Caprese Salad

Quick links for making dinner easy:

• Family meal plans
• Tools for the kitchen and more
• The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
• FREE budget meal plan
• Cooking videos to watch

If you give these recipes a try, make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipes!