This Week's $5.00 Dinner Menu

$5.00 a meal is my goal. Sometimes I don't make it. But, I usually only go over by a dollar or two. I only calculate the costs of the main ingredients, I don't include smaller ingredients like spices. The only reason I can make any of these dinners for $5.00 or less is because I buy the ingredients when they are on sale and I use coupons. And then, I stock up. For instance: I never pay more than .80 cents for pasta. Lately it's been more like .35 cents a box after sales and coupons, and I bought 14 boxes of various types of pasta. Usually my most expensive food items are fruits and vegetables, but with the summer season upon us, I expect those prices to go down.


Monday Mac n Cheese from a box, mixed Italian veggies, garlic bread $2.00

Tuesday Teriyaki Veggies and Rice $2.50

Wednesday Paula Deen's Squash Casserole $6.50 (this recipe is higher because I'm using veggies I bought from the Farmer's Market, if I had bought these on sale a the grocery store, it probably would have come in at $5.00)

Thursday Homemade Pizza $3.00 (I will add some veggies to this recipe, and brush the crust with a little garlic butter to add some flavor)

Friday Black bean tacos $2.50

Saturday Lentils, garlic and tomatoes served in tortillas $2.25