50 Easy Family Meals to Make Under $5 (2024)

Here at Stay At Home Mum, we try to be frugal as much as we can.

Now, when we’re being thrifty, we don’t mean cooking up unsavoury meals. We mean cooking delicious, healthy and satisfying foods at a lower cost.

Just because you’re trying to save on cash does not mean you have to sacrifice taste and quality!

50 Easy Family Meals to Make Under $5 (1)

We absolutelyguarantee that these recipes are healthy, delicious and perfect for when you’re trying to save money! Most of these recipes are also quick to make (30 minutes, more or less!) which makes it all the more perfect for families.

1. Salmon Patties

Salmon patties are really easy to make and are a fast meal for a busy night. You can just use pink salmon (no point in buying red salmon which is just expensive) – and mix with mashed potato and herbs to form patties.

Grab the recipe here

2. Tuna Mornay

Remember eating Tuna Mornay as a kid? It was certainly on high rotation at my house. The great thing about Tuna Mornay is that it can be bulked up with pasta or rice, although traditionally it is served with spaghetti noodles!

Grab the recipe here

3. Faster Pasta

This meal, which I call ‘Faster Pasta’ is not only fast (you can make it in under 12 minutes) but is also incredibly frugal. I can feed this tomy family of four for only a few dollars!

Grab the recipe here

4. Frugal Sausage Casserole

Frugal Sausage Casserole is an easy “all in” recipe that provides a wonderful and complete dinner for the entire family! I love to use the honey flavoured sausages in cooking, they just give a wonderful almost caramelised flavour, but beef or Pork sausage is just fine if you want to cut costs.

Grab the recipe here

5. Vegetarian Lentil Meatloaf

Vegetarian Lentil Meatloaf makes a great beef substitute for the vegetarian! Fibre and protein-rich, low in fat super easy and really yummy!

Grab the recipe here

6. Baconini Slice

Sometimes, it can be quite hard to get the kids to eat vegetables such as zucchini, which is why this recipe for zucchini slice is fabulous!

7. Impossible Pie

This recipe is super easy to follow, and you’ll love how great the pie tastes!

8. Slowcooker Coconut Curry Sausages

We have Slowcooker Coconut Curry with Pork Sausages at least weekly in the colder weather. It is so delicious and hearty and frugal!

9. Mince Wellington

Mince Wellington is a great inexpensive dish that the kids will adore!

10. Vegetable and Ham Noodle Cups

Vegetable and Ham Noodle Cups area fantastic way to get the kids to eat their vegetables. Everyone loves noodles and this makes easy to eat-on-the-run snacks or add a salad and you have a meal.

11. Tomato and Sausage Risotto

This dish is soooo easy to make, super frugal and it’s suitable to freeze, too!Great for any time of year, but works a treat in thecolder months.

12. Hot Dog Casserole

It’s BBQ season, so when you have leftover BBQ sausages this will get the kids excited and you as it done and in the oven in minutes!

13. Cream of Pumpkin Soup

There’s nothing like a hearty Cream of Pumpkin Soup to warm you up on a cold night! I love it with crusty hot bread! It makes for a great meal in itself and it freezes really well!

14. Bacon and Potato Soup

Aside from having two of our favourite things (bacon and potatoes!), bacon and potato soup freezes really well.

15. Sour Cream Quiche

This recipe for Sour Cream Quiche only contains three base ingredients! I love it with broccoli, too and it makes for a wonderful vegetarian dish.

16. Broccoli and Garlic Quesadillas

We always try to eat healthy every day and really “” it is a struggle! So we try to come up with healthy AND delicious ways to enjoy our meals. This recipe for Broccoli and Garlic Quesadillas is one of our faves!

17. Chicken and Apple Croquettes

Chicken and Apple Croquettes are a great recipefor the kids to make and eat especially over the school holidays! Unlike store-bought sausages that are too salty and too fatty, this recipe is not only delicious but also full of nourishing ingredients like chicken, apple, and cheese!

18. Schmancy Macaroni Cheese

Macaroni Cheese can be a bit boring but rest assured this one is schmancy, super delish & easy to whip up in no time!

19. Gourmet Pizza

This Gourmet pizza doughrecipe is really easy to make at home and you can freeze it uncooked so that you always have it on hand!

20. Cabbage Pancakes

Cabbage Pancakes are so tasty the kids won’t even know that they are good for them. Everyone wins!

21. Spring Onion Pancakes

Spring Onion Pancakes arereallysimple to make. It’s perfect for yummy snacks and dinner on hump days! This oneisalso ideal for those who are watching their sugar intake.

22. Homemade Sausage Rolls

Homemade Sausage Rolls are perfect for so many occasions! From picnics to beach days and birthday parties. Truly”¦maybe we should say they are perfect for ALL occasions!

23. Tuna Melts

Tuna Meltsare a cheap and easy meal to make for when money is tight! You’ll love eating it with soups, during lunch or dinner!

24. Chicken Noodle Omelette

If you want to mix up your breakfast options every once in a while, this Chicken NoodleOmelettemakes a great change to your traditional morning omelette.

25. Creamed Corn and Ham Toasted Wraps

Keep the kids happy by filling their lunch boxes with these tasty and simple creamed corn and ham toasted wraps.

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Frugal Recipes List