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

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

Save on Groceries in 2025

Slow Cooker Stuffed Green Peppers

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I've done it! I've really done it! I made a meal that costs more than 5 smackers!!! I wasn't sure that was possible anymore! I saw this recipe in a Taste of Home Slow Cooker Recipe book. I just HAD to try it. I knew if I didn't get the green peppers on sale the meal would be way over. I was right! Even if they had been on sale, I think I'd still have gone over! Oh well. Can … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Cube Steak and Potatoes

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It's been a busy day around here! To set the record straight, I did not risk my life and go out for diapers at CVS and Valentine's pencils at Wags in this dreadful snow storm! I went before "it" hit. Just took me a few days to blog about it! Here's my marked down beef...And I had a coupon for it too! Coupons are ESSENTIAL to my $5 meals. Many of my meals would not be … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Mashed Red Potatoes

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A simple shredded pork with mashed potatoes and veggies meal.  Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Mashed Red Potatoes A simple shredded pork with mashed potatoes and veggies meal.  2 1/2 lb. pork shoulder roast Salt, pepper and garlic powder 6 red potatoes1/4 cup sour cream1/2 cup milk1 tsp minced garlicSalt and pepper to taste2 cups frozen veggies Place … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

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So I had a reader send in her recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings that sounds amazing, but I had to make a few modifications since we can't eat cream of soups or biscuits. I included a cost breakdown of her recipe as well below. Here is how I made my version "from scratch"... Slow Cooker Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings 1.5 lbs chicken … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew

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Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew Filling and frugal dinner recipe! 1 cup rice, uncooked1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 box chopped spinach1 zucchini, diced1/2 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic2 Tbsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) sliced Italian Loaf GF Apple Muffins Load all ingredients except the rice and bread into the slow … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Garden Fresh Chili on Red Potatoes

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A perfect hearty meal to warm my tummy, just before an hour of "begging" in our neighborhood! Yesterday I was blessed by our farmer's market! Today is busy, perfect for another crockpot creation! This afternoon I will be at my son's fall party at the preschool. And tonight is "Beggar's Night"...apparently the PC term for Trick or Treating! Not sure why it's called beggar's … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Apple Soup

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First, head on over to see what GFCF mom has to say about processed foods vs. homemade foods! This especially applies to young children, but we can ALL benefit from a whole and raw food diet. That is my goal: to serve delicious and wholesome meals for under $5! Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Apple Soup 2 lbs sweet potatoes ($1.58)1 stalk celery ($.10)1/2 … [Read more...]