Between homeschooling, my children’s extra-curricular activities, and my fitness classes, our week is hectic. Over the past year, I have come to rely on some great pantry meals which I rotate regularly through our weekly menu.
If you didn’t already know this, I love meal planning. In fact, I have a homemade dry erase menu board in the kitchen so the hubby and kids know what’s on our menu at all times.
During the week, I try to keep the meals simple and quick to prepare. Plus, since we’re a one-income family, I make sure to plan dinners that are cost effective.
Today I want to share my 5 dinners, which take 5 ingredients or less, all for under $5 per meal! Each of these recipes serve a four person family. To increase the nutritional value of the dinner, simply add a simple salad to each meal!
Don't miss these 5 dinner recipes, made with 5 ingredients or less, for under $5 each! #mealplan Click To Tweet
SALMON RICE
Ingredients
1 can sockeye salmon
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 cups cooked rice
salt and pepper
Directions
While rice is cooking, mash salmon in a medium sized bowl.
Add mayonnaise to salmon.
Season salmon mixture with salt, pepper, and/or other seasonings (optional).
Once rice is cooked, combine the rice with salmon mixture.
Serve with soy sauce and top with chopped green onion or cucumber (optional).
ROTI
Ingredients
1 large can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 TBSP brown sugar (or more if you wish)
1/2 TBSP curry powder (or more if you wish)
Tortilla shells
Directions
Place chickpeas into a skillet and cover with water.
Mix in minced garlic, brown sugar, and curry powder.
Cook until chickpeas are tender.
Serve in large tortillas.
VEGETARIAN CHILI
Ingredients
2 cans of mixed beans
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 can of mushrooms, drained and rinsed
2 cloves of minced garlic
chili powder (to taste)
Directions
Mix everything into a large pot.
Simmer until beans are tender.
CAPELLINI FAVOLOSI
Ingredients
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 of a bulb of garlic (minced) I usually use 3/4… but we LOVE garlic
190 g of angel hair pasta
1/3 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Parmesan cheese
Directions
Prepare angel hair pasta as directed on the box.
Warm the olive oil over medium heat.
Saute the minced garlic until softened (don’t wait for it to turn brown or it will overcook).
Pour garlic/oil mixture over strained pasta.
Mix well.
Add chopped parsley. Mix.
Scoop onto plates and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over top.
TUNA WRAPS
Ingredients
2 cans tuna, drained
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 to 1 cucumber, diced
salt and pepper
tortillas
Directions
Mix tuna, mayonnaise, cucumber, salt and pepper into a large bowl.
Spoon into the middle of a tortilla.
Roll tortilla and serve.
Get your free grocery list
I’ve included a free downloadable grocery list for these 5 recipes. All you have to do is click the download button below.
Check out this handy grocery list to make 5 dinners for $5 or less (each)! Download your grocery list today!
I invite you to share in the comments, do you have any quick, inexpensive meals which use less than 5 ingredients? Then share this article with any friends who might need some new meal ideas!
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This is great and seriously this week alone I have too much going on and wasn’t sure what I would be making for dinner in between activities, but you just gave me a few great suggestions here and can’t thank you enough!! Hope you are also having a great week so far, too xoxo :)
Well, you’re in luck I guess because these recipes are so simple – making any of them is a breeze!
Ooh, a tuna wrap! So easy and I’ve never had one.
The salmon rice would be my first choice. And oh how I love easy vegetarian chili!
Tuna wraps are actually my hubby’s brainwave – so easy and so good. Plus it’s flexible – you can throw any random veggie in them and they taste great!
I love our salmon rice recipe – the kiddos go crazy over it too.
I love all of these recipes Jennifer and truthfully I have never made any of them.
They look easy and delicious and something that both the adults and kids in our family would like.
Wow, thank you! Pinned and shared!
I’m so delighted these were a “fresh take” for you. The pasta recipe was one passed down to me verbally from an old boss (I published it a few years on my blog). The salmon rice one was a tasty accident over a decade ago (we eat it almost once a week). The roti was passed down from my parents. The tuna wraps are my hubby’s delicious concoction, and the vegetarian chili is, well, everyone has a chili recipe they’ve thrown together! lol
Thanks for pinning and sharing! Muchly appreciated – I hope you enjoy these quick, inexpensive, and savory meals!
Most of our meals are less than 5 ingredients. We don’t have time to get fancy every evening. I should try the salmon rice. Super easy. And we do chicken roll ups. Yummy!
The salmon rice is SOOOO good and my kids love it!
Chicken roll ups sound yummy – I may have to try that out soon.
That capellini looks delicious. We love fresh garlic at my house. Pinned. 5 ingredients or less are my kind of meals :). I’m really trying to cook more. We eat out way too much. Thanks, Jennifer!
Yes, eating out can be a huge strain on the budget. These meals are so quick to whip up and are so affordable. I like to have a rotation of meals like this because it keeps our grocery budget down. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Candace!
I’m on vacation and doing my blog reading today and I have to say that I love this! I don’t meal plan and just wing it but sometimes there are times when I need something more and this list would be great, especially for the times when I don’t have a lot of time on my hands.
It’s so helpful to have a list of quick and simple go-to meals. Most of these can be whipped up with common items found in your pantry too!
Oooh, Jennifer, I love this idea. I’m going to have to try some of these recipes for myself. Top on my list is the roti. We do roti differently in the Caribbean and I’d love to give yours a try. Sounds yummy!
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Marva! The roti is a recipe that my parents used to make when I was a little girl – it’s kind of sweet so my kids love it – I would be curious to know what’s in your roti.
Thank you Jennifer always on the hunt for easy and non-expensive meals to make. I always seem to get into a meal planning rut. Pinned this one to my Recipes board.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Bonnie. I’m also always on the look out for quick, easy, and inexpensive meals to make. I hope you enjoy these dishes. Thanks for pinning!
These are awesome simple recipes. I could even make some of them vegan but substituting the mayo for EVOO (or even better oat/nut milk and cashews.) Happy Monday.
Oh you could definitely make vegan versions of these Caryn! I love simple, quick recipes! They save me on my busy weeks!
ALL of these recipes look and sound delicious. I love the fact that every ingredient listed can be found in my cabinets right now! On top of that, none of the recipes are unhealthy! I’m definitely pinning this. This is the best of all worlds: yummy, convenient, and cheap! Woot woot! #shinebloghop
Yay! I’m delighted you’re excited about these recipes! They are menu staples around here and all of them are DELICIOUS!
Thanks for pinning Katie! I appreciate it!