budget dinner for family
The plan, the grocery list and the estimated total, so you know what the week costs before you leave the house.budget dinner for family
You set the amount. The week has to fit inside it. Here is one way $80 covers five dinners for two adults and two kids, with nothing to work out at 6pm.budget dinner for family
The week at a glancebudget dinner for family
Twenty plates across five nights, Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are yours.
| Night | Dinner | Est. per plate |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Baked rigatoni | $4.80 |
| Mon | One-pot creamy tomato pasta | $2.85 |
| Tue | Coconut chickpea curry | $3.10 |
| Wed | Lemon herb chicken bowls | $4.60 |
| Thu | Lentil bowls | $3.20 |
| Week total, 20 plates | $74.20 |
Prices are estimates. Your receipt may differ.
That leaves $5.80 under your $80.
The grocery list
One list, everything for the week. Check your pantry first and cross off what you already have.
Produce and meat
- Yellow onions, 3 lb bag
- Baby spinach, 10 oz
- Lemons, 2
- Chicken thighs, 2 lb
- Italian sausage, 1 lb
Pantry
- Rigatoni and penne, 1 lb each
- Crushed tomatoes, two 28 oz cans
- Chickpeas, two 15 oz cans
- Coconut milk, one can
- Brown lentils, 1 lb
The plan is done on Sunday. The rest of the week, dinner is already decided.
Make it yours
Not a lentil house? Swap Thursday for something your kids eat and check the total again. The point is the same: the week fits your amount, and you know that before you shop.
