5 Tasty Dinners for Under Five Dollars

Are you kidding? Food is crazy expensive right now. I know, because I cry at my grocery bill every week. 

But the good news is that you can still eat well without breaking the bank. Combine that with the rest of the kit, and you have an entire week’s worth of dinners for less than $5 each. 

And yes, they •re filling, nutritious and delicious. Let me show you how.

Why You Should Care About $5 Dinners

By the way, eating dinner out or having delivery is expensive. One meal for just one person can easily run you $10–$15. 

Now multiply that number by four people, and you’re in the ballpark of $40 to $60 for a single meal. Yikes. Eating at home saves money, but food isn’t all that cheap, either. 

That’s where these $5 dinners come in. All of these recipes serve four people and will get you out of the drive-thru for just $1.25 per serving. 

Fast food, in contrast, costs an average of $2 to $4 per meal. In addition, these meals are healthier and more filling than gnawing on a greasy bag of takeout.

Dinner #1: Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

What’s in It?

This dish is pure comfort food. It’s like when you mix slices of smoked sausage with creamy mac and cheese. It’s simple, hearty, and oh-so-cheesy. The star ingredients? Smoked sausage, pasta, cheese and budget-friendly.

How Much Does It Cost?

I substituted the fancy brand-name sausage with the store brand and saved $1. Total cost? Exactly $5. That’s $1.25 per serving. Not bad for what feels like an indulgent meal.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s quick. Pasta is fast to cook, and the sausage just needs a short sauté. Plus, the kids gobble it up. And if you feel like getting fancy, finish it with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs before baking, for a little added crunch.

Dinner #2: Taco Rice

What’s in It?

Taco Rice is a cross between a burrito bowl — deconstructed in the style of a poke bowl — and rice akin to rice used in sushi. You have fluffy white rice, seasoned ground meat (or beans, as a vegetarian) and a dollop of salsa on top. Simple, right? But, trust me, it’s plenty flavorful.

How Much Does It Cost?

I substituted out a store-brand Spanish rice mix for the plain rice. A few cents would be shaved off with that small switch. Total cost? $5. Again, that’s $1.25 per serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s versatile. Substitute beef with chicken, turkey or, for the lentil lovers out there, lentils. Leftover salsa from taco night. Or add a handful of frozen corn for more sweetness. Every bite is customizable.

Dinner #3: Bean and Rice Red Chili Enchiladas

What’s in It?

They are economical, and they’re a fine option for vegetarians. Canned beans, rice, tortillas and red chili sauce combine to make a warm and snuggly casserole. It is substantial enough for the largest appetites.

How Much Does It Cost?

Beans and rice: rock-bottom cheap. Combined, they are frequently priced at less than $2. Throw in some tortillas and sauce, and you’re still under $5. That’s $1.25 per serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s freezer-friendly. Double it up and stash half in the freezer for those crazy nights. And besides, the combination of beans and rice offers complete protein. Healthy and affordable? Win-win.

Dinner #4: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

What’s in It?

This casserole is pure comfort. Ingredients: Chicken drums (“drumsticks,” or legs) will be the feature of this dish, while rice, broccoli and a simple sauce all cook together and the result is a golden bubbling wonder of a meal. It’s a one-dish wonder, which makes for easy cleanup.

How Much Does It Cost?

About 22 pieces in a $5 bag of chicken drumsticks. That makes two family dinners. Combine that with a few pantry staples, like rice and some frozen broccoli, and you’re in business. Total cost? $5. Yep, $1.25 per serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s practical. Drumsticks are also less expensive than boneless chicken breasts, and they’re juicier. And frozen broccoli is perpetually in my freezer. No waste, no stress.

Dinner #5: Tomato Bacon Pasta

What’s in It?

This tagliatelle dish is proof that bacon doesn’t have to be an expensive treat. Mix pasta and canned tomatoes with a little bacon for a quick, flavourful sauce. It’s simple but oh-so-satisfying.

How Much Does It Cost?

It’s a pantry meal, the unromantic term for any meal that can be made from nothing but the ingredients in your cupboards, and most of us keep a box of pasta and a few cans of tomatoes around, all costing rarely more than $1 apiece. 

Instead of a full package of bacon, I stick with the bits or just a few strips. Total cost? $5. You guessed it—$1.25 per serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s fast. Pasta takes 10 minutes, and the sauce will come together as the water boils. It’s an ideal meal for those evenings when you’re too tired to cook but still crave something homemade.

Cost Breakdown Table

Meal Name	Main Ingredients	Total Cost	Servings	Cost per Serving
Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese	Sausage, pasta, cheese	$5	4	$1.25
Taco Rice	Rice, ground meat/beans, salsa	$5	4	$1.25
Bean & Rice Red Chili Enchiladas	Beans, rice, tortillas, sauce	$5	4	$1.25
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole	Chicken, rice, broccoli, sauce	$5	4	$1.25
Tomato Bacon Pasta	Pasta, tomatoes, bacon bits	$5	4	$1.25

Supporting Stats & Facts

Let’s talk numbers. Beans and rice: Did you know beans and rice are among the cheapest sources of protein? A bag of lentils or rice is often priced at less than $1.50 and will stretch into more than one meal. 

Meatless meals — say, cheesy bean enchiladas with salad or lentil spaghetti with a salad — are three-dollars-and-change meals that are healthy and heartier than high school cafeteria food.

And what about chicken? A $5 bag of drumsticks yields around 22 pieces. That’s two dinners for a family of four. Shrewd shopping saves a lot.

Additional Tips to Save Even More

And here’s the secret sauce to a super-low grocery bill:

• Shop Store Brands They’re nearly always cheaper than name brands.
• Load Up When You Can: Buy staples that are on sale, like rice, beans and pasta, in bulk.
• Shop in the Freezer Aisle Use Frozen Veggies: They’re a steal compared with fresh and just as healthy.
• Plan Ahead: Create a menu for the week and adhere to your shopping list at the store.

Final Thoughts

It’s not only possible to eat well on a budget, it’s delicious. These five dinners show how you can feed your family for $5 a night without sacrificing taste or nutrition. 

So get cooking, and throw on that apron. Your wallet (and your taste buds) will be all the better for it.