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Feeding a family of six doesn’t have to break the bank—or your sanity. This week’s affordable dinner menu is filled with easy, comforting meals that cost around $90 total, including two simple desserts! Every meal is packed with flavor, kid-approved, and made with affordable Aldi finds.
I love planning dinners ahead so I’m not stuck at 5 p.m. wondering what to cook. If you’re a busy mom like me, this breakdown will save you time, energy, and mental space all week long. And hey, if you have extra time this week (right!), you can always give my Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe a try!
🍝 Night 1: One-Pan Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread & Side Salad
This meal is cozy, hearty, and comes together fast with a single baking dish.
Ingredients:
- Reggano Ziti or Penne Pasta – ~$1.25
- Priano Marinara Sauce – ~$1.85
- Happy Farms Ricotta – ~$2.25
- Happy Farms Mozzarella – ~$2.45
- Ground Beef (1 lb) – ~$3.79
- L’Oven Fresh Garlic Texas Toast – ~$2.29
- Little Salad Bar Garden Salad – ~$2.49
- Tuscan Garden Italian Dressing – ~$1.79
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Boil pasta until just al dente and drain.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef and drain the fat.
- In a large baking dish, mix pasta, marinara, ricotta, and beef.
- Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
- Toast garlic bread and toss salad with dressing.
Subtotal: ~$18.10
👉 Affiliate Tip: A good-quality ceramic baking dish is my go-to for one-pan pasta nights. I love this one on Amazon. It goes from oven to table beautifully and it cleans up like a dream.
🌮 Night 2: Ground Turkey Tacos with Spanish Rice & Corn
Listen, I am a Mexican woman and I know tacos, REAL ONES, but I do not have the time every week to make Carne Asada Tacos or Al Pastor Tacos. This recipe is simple and easy to make and (more importantly) my kids eat them, but whenever you are in the mood for REAL tacos, click the links above and follow those recipes!
Ingredients:
- Kirkwood Ground Turkey – ~$3.29
- Casa Mamita Taco Shells – ~$1.39
- Casa Mamita Taco Seasoning – ~$0.45
- Shredded Lettuce – ~$1.99
- Roma Tomatoes – ~$1.49
- Happy Farms Shredded Cheddar – ~$2.49
- Pueblo Lindo Spanish Rice – ~$1.19
- Canned Corn (2 cans) – ~$1.18
Instructions:
- Brown ground turkey in a pan, then stir in taco seasoning + water. Simmer 5–10 min.
- Heat taco shells in the oven for a few minutes until crisp.
- Dice tomatoes, prep toppings.
- Prepare rice according to package instructions.
- Heat corn in a saucepan or microwave.
- Set everything out taco-bar style and let the kids build their own!
Subtotal: ~$13.47
🍗 Night 3: BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans
A comfort classic! Drumsticks are an affordable cut that always hits the spot.
Ingredients:
- Kirkwood Chicken Drumsticks (~3 lbs) – ~$5.49
- Burman’s BBQ Sauce – ~$1.29
- Red Potatoes (3 lb bag) – ~$2.99
- Frozen Green Beans – ~$1.19
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss potatoes (cut into chunks) with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet.
- Place drumsticks on a second sheet, brush with BBQ sauce.
- Roast both trays for 35–40 minutes, flipping drumsticks halfway through.
- Microwave or steam green beans just before serving.
Subtotal: ~$10.96
🥘 Night 4: Cheesy Beef & Broccoli Rice Skillet
This skillet meal is cozy, cheesy, and sneaks in a veggie.
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef (1 lb) – ~$3.79
- Steamable Frozen Broccoli – ~$1.19
- Rice (2 lb bag) – ~$1.69
- Happy Farms Shredded Cheddar – ~$2.49
- Friendly Farms Milk – ~$1.69
Instructions:
- Cook 1½ cups of rice according to package.
- While rice cooks, brown ground beef in a skillet.
- Steam broccoli in the microwave.
- Once beef is cooked, stir in broccoli, rice, a splash of milk, and cheese.
- Cook on low until cheese is melted and it’s all mixed together.
Subtotal: ~$10.85
🍕 Night 5: Aldi Pizza Night with Baby Carrots & Hummus
The Classic “Pizza Night” falls on Fridays this summer. Some Fridays, we even buy the raw pizza dough from Aldi and we each make our own pizza. Each dough makes two personal-sized pizzas (for my family’s stomach). But when we are in a hurry (always) this is an easy and budget-friendly dinner we all enjoy.
Ingredients:
- Mama Cozzi’s Take & Bake Pizza – ~$5.49
- Baby Carrots – ~$1.19
- Park Street Deli Hummus – ~$1.95
Instructions:
- Bake pizza according to package instructions.
- Serve with carrots + hummus for a no-stress veggie side.
Subtotal: ~$8.63
🍰 Desserts
🍫 Dessert 1: No-Bake Chocolate Cereal Clusters
Ingredients:
- Baker’s Corner Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – ~$1.99
- Millville Crispy Rice Cereal – ~$1.79
- Butter – ~$3.99
Instructions:
- Melt chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp butter in the microwave or on the stove.
- Stir in cereal until coated.
- Scoop into clusters on a lined tray.
- Chill in the fridge until firm.
Subtotal: ~$7.77
🍓 Dessert 2: Berry Shortcake Cups
Ingredients:
- Bake House Creations Biscuits – ~$1.65
- Fresh Strawberries or Blueberries – ~$2.49
- Friendly Farms Whipped Topping – ~$2.09
Instructions:
- Bake biscuits as directed.
- While baking, slice berries and toss with a little sugar (optional).
- Once cooled, split biscuits, layer with berries and whipped topping.
Subtotal: ~$6.23
✅ Estimated Grand Total: ~$95.01
💬 I’d love to hear from you!
If you try any of these meals, let me know how they turn out—especially if your kids have a favorite! I shop at Aldi because it helps me keep our grocery budget in check, but I know not everyone has one nearby. I’d love to hear which stores help you save money and if you’re able to find similar ingredients where you live.
And yes, I’m fully aware that I live in a lower-cost-of-living state, so your prices might look different. Still, I hope this plan gives you a helpful starting point to feed your family affordably and stress-free—because meal planning shouldn’t feel overwhelming.
