$5 Dinners | Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals

Budget Recipes, Meal Plans, Freezer Meals and Cooking Tutorials for the Busy Home Chef

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Spaghetti

by 8 Comments

A kid favorite! I was recently asked how the boys were liking all these fun and different meals! They do a good job I'd say! My little guy will eat just about anything. Although you wouldn't know it because he's a skinny little guy (inherited his daddy's metabolism!). My big guy is a little more finicky, but he'll try most things. So I thought I'd go back to one of their … [Read more...]

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

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Stouffer's has nothing on this yummy homemade favorite! Homemade Macaroni and Cheese A scrumptious homemade mac and cheese! 16 oz. elbow pasta3 Tbsp butter 3 Tbsp flour 1 1/2 cups milk 2 cups shredded cheddar cheeseSalt and pepper, to tastefresh veggies (side dish) Cook pasta as directed on package instructions.To make sauce, melt butter in saucepan. … [Read more...]

Roasted Bell Pepper Rotini

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I've been holding onto summer. It has been warm and still very much feels like summer! Until today! The high is only 68. Fall is upon us! I've just got to make one last pasta salad! Roasted Bell Pepper Rotini Fresh and flavorful! 8 oz Rotini 2 Chicken breasts 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese1 green pepper, roasted (3 tbsp 3 T EVOO/2 T vinegar, Italian spices … [Read more...]

Creamy Tortellini

by 14 Comments

This meal is inspired by my favorite "American" restaurant in the Dominican Republic. Whenever we were stretched and feeling culture shock at its worst, we'd go to eat at the "Pasta House". This was my favorite dish and here is the $5 version! Creamy Tortellini A favorite of mine! 1 Package Tortellini White Sauce (Butter, Flour, Milk)1 cup peas5 slices … [Read more...]

Garden Fresh Pasta Dinner

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  Garden Fresh Pasta Dinner Pasta plus veggies from the garden - simplest dinner ever! 12 oz. box bowtie pasta 3 tomatoes from the garden (diced)3 basil leaves (chopped)4 Tbsp olive oil2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese2-3 tsp minced garlic1 zucchini (sliced)2 Tbsp butter (melted) Marinate diced tomatoes and basil in EVOO and garlic. Add a splash … [Read more...]

Spaghetti

by 5 Comments

Little guys LOVE spaghetti! Always a kid favorite...pssssghetti! So I had a cucumber that I needed to use up, as we will be out of town for the holiday weekend! Since I don't prefer cucumbers by themselves, I threw on some sour cream "sauce" to make it a bit tastier. I also love to soak them in balsamic vinegar! Normally we eat broccoli or green beans with our … [Read more...]