Recipe Inspiration for Meal Planning on a Budget

At least once a week, in every mom group I am in, someone posts “I am so sick of my regular menu, spam me with your most budget friendly dinner meals”

Most of the time, the request is also asking for “healthy” and budget friendly - a tall order!

I have learned that the cheap and healthy combo can be difficult and it can be even more difficult because everyone’s definition of healthy is different.

So, what I have done here is round up my favourite blogs for budget friendly meals.

Then, I make the appropriate swaps for my family's definition of healthy.

Or, sometimes, I just eat that chicken parm as is and enjoy every single bite! It’s your family, your meal plan, your choice… here is just some budget friendly foodspiration for you!

5 Dollar Dinners

Erin Chase is a dinner budget boss! She posts  FREE recipes that feed her entire family for under $5, she has a $5 monthly meal plan subscription where she does planning for you, and she even has an option for freezer cooking meal plans (called MyFreezeeasy). She is the budget cooking boss – no doubt!

Erin gets bonus points with me because she has fully jumped on the Instant Pot train too!

Budget Bytes

Beth’s goal is to share mostly nutritious food on a small budget, while inspiring people how to cook and reduce their dependence on prepared food (her words, not mine!)… but that is a philosophy I am 100% on board with!

I am a big fan of her “Quick” menu… hello Southwest Beef and Cabbage Stirfry and Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet!

Frugal Foodie Mama

Frugal and a Foodie?!!? Carrie is another food blogger I can get on board with! Inexpensive meals do not need to be boring, and you can still have a great culinary experience on a budget! Carrie develops her own budget friendly versions of many “typical” dishes.

You can find me lost in the depths in her entree menu and drooling over the Italian Style Buddha Bowl, and the Chipotle Jack Foil Packet Chicken Tacos during the camping season!

Eating on a Dime

Carrie is on a mission to help you feed your family for less…. And what has me on her site, is her Freezer Cooking section. These are recipes that are tried and true freezer friendly, and we all know I love to fill me freezer with dinners, lunches, and snacks!

My favourite part of this blog is the "How to Save Money" section where Carrie gives tips on how to save money in your kitchen - often talking about the value of freezer cooking!

Feeding your family on a budget doesn't have to be overwhelming or the same ol same ol. Bookmark these sites and let these budget bosses inspire you to cook some new, soon-to-be family favourites, without blowing the bank! 

Interested in how I stretch a dollar in the kitchen? Check out my posts:

• How I Turn $75 of Bulk Meat into 10 Instant Pot Dinners, 
•  How I Organize My Freezer to Reduce Waste and Save Money!
• 3 Ways to Meal Prep Yourself Rich!