This week’s weekly meal plan recommendations are here, and we’ve found some easy meals to get you through the rest of the week with recipes that won’t bust your budget. Because summer activities can get expensive.
So grab a pen, make your shopping list, and stock up on ingredients before the weekend’s over to make your weeknights that much easier.
And if it’s even easier for you to do all that planning from your inbox, be sure to sign up for our weekly meal plan emails. You’ll love them, promise.
At top: Rice and Bean Burritos at Food by Jonister; Baked Spaghetti at Recipe Tin Eats
Related: 6 tips to help cut your food budget way back
If you’re tempted to order takeout, try this recipe for Easy Orange Chicken at Pip & Ebby instead. I love recipes like this because just 1-2 chicken breasts can feed the whole family when they’re cut up, and the other ingredients are things you probably already have in your pantry anyway. It’s quick, easy, and won’t break the bank. Plus, the kids love it!
For Taco Tuesday this week, try these Rice and Bean Burritos at Food by Jonister. Skipping the beef and just using rice and beans will save you some money, and I doubt anyone will really notice. Of course, you can add or subtract any of the other toppings according to your taste or budget. But if you’re like me, you probably already have some grated cheese, salsa, and guac in the fridge anyway.
I love that this recipe for Cilantro Lime Chicken at Immaculate Bites feels like a nice meal, but it’s sneaky cheap thanks to using chicken thighs instead of breasts. If you don’t have all the spices on hand, go old-school and ask a neighbor to borrow a teaspoon of what you need. If it turns out you really like this recipe, then buy the whole jar of spice at the grocery next time. You know you’ll use it.
Related: 13 creative hot dog topping ideas. No offense, mustard!
What could be more budget- and kid-friendly than hot dogs for dinner? And during the summer, they’ll make us parents just as happy as the kids. We love this recipe for Chicago Style Hot Dogs at Carolyn’s Cooking if you want to dress them up more than just ketchup and mustard.
If you need a make-ahead recipe this week that won’t break the bank, try this Baked Spaghetti at Recipe Tin Eats. Her sauce recipe looks delicious, but you could save a few pennies by buying whatever jarred sauce is on sale at the supermarket. And you can save a bit more by using less beef or skipping it altogether.
If you keep a baking pantry stocked, then you’ll have everything you need on hand to make these Birthday Cake Sugar Cookies at Just Add Sprinkles. Since my teenage daughter loves to bake, this will be a fun, cheap activity for her on a hot afternoon — and yummy dessert for us after dinner. (Or, maybe before. No judgement here.)
