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Feeding seven people on a budget takes creativity, but it doesn’t have to drain your wallet. My total grocery bill for these recipes came in at just under $85 thanks to sale prices in my area, and even if prices are higher where you live, you can still keep the week’s dinners and desserts under $150. Below you’ll find five hearty meals plus two sweet finishes, clearer step-by-step instructions, and a few mom-tested Amazon finds that save time and mess.
🍗 1. Sheet-Pan Chicken & Veggie Roast (~$15.08)
What you need
- 2.5–3 lb boneless chicken thighs – $8.25
- 5 lb bag russet potatoes – $2.97
- 2 lb carrots – $1.98
- 1 lb fresh green beans – $1.88
- Olive oil + Italian seasoning – pantry
How to make it
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line an extra-large sheet pan with a silicon baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Chop veggies into bite-size pieces; toss everything with 3 Tbsp olive oil and 2 tsp Italian seasoning.
- Spread in a single layer and roast 35–40 min, stirring halfway, until potatoes are crisp and chicken reads 165°F on a quick-read digital thermometer.
🥖 2. Baked BBQ Meatball Subs (~$14.31)
What you need
- 2 lb ground beef – $6.48
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs – $1.38
- 1 egg – pantry
- ½ cup BBQ sauce – $1.44
- 12 hoagie rolls – $2.24
- 2 cups shredded cheddar – $2.77
How to make it
- Heat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper.
- Use a 1½ Tablespoon cookie scoop to form 24 meatballs; place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake 15 min until browned; toss hot meatballs in BBQ sauce.
- Split hoagie rolls open on a clean tray, nest 2 meatballs per roll, sprinkle cheese on top.
- Return to the oven 5 min (or broil 2 min) until cheese melts and the edges toast.
🌮 3. Taco Rice Bowls (~$12.16)
What you need
- 2 lb ground turkey – $5.96
- 1 packet taco seasoning – $0.92
- 2 cups dry rice – pantry
- 1 can corn – $0.64
- 1 can black beans – $0.78
- 1 cup salsa – $1.88
- ½ cup sour cream – $1.98
How to make it
- Cook rice according to package.
- Brown turkey with taco seasoning (8 min).
- Warm beans and corn in the same skillet, then serve everything buffet-style over rice with salsa and sour cream. Family builds their own bowls… zero complaints.
🥘 4. Homestyle Chicken & Biscuit Bake (~$13.18)
What you need
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken – $6.94
- 1 bag mixed frozen veggies – $0.98
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup – $2.12
- 2 cans buttermilk biscuit dough – $3.14
How to make it
- Set oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 dish.
- Stir chicken, veggies (still frozen), and soup together; spread in dish.
- Top with biscuit rounds. Bake 28–30 min until biscuits are deep golden and filling bubbles at the edges. Cover loosely with foil after 20 min if biscuits brown too fast.
🍜 5. Sausage & Veggie Stir-Fry + Noodles (~$10.28)
What you need
- 2 ropes smoked sausage – $5.48
- 1 bag frozen stir-fry veggies – $3.12
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce + 2 cloves garlic – pantry
- 12 oz egg noodles – $1.68
How to make it
- Cook noodles; drain.
- In a large nonstick wok or skillet, sauté sliced sausage for 4 minutes. Add veggies and garlic; cook 6 min.
- Toss in noodles and soy sauce, stir-fry 2 min more. Dinner done.
🍰 Two Easy Desserts
🍑 Peach Cobbler Dump Cake (~$6.08)
- 2 cans sliced peaches in juice
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 stick butter, sliced
Bake 40–45 min at 350°F until top is golden and fruit bubbles.
🍫 No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies (~$4.36)
Boil 1 ½ cups sugar, ½ cup milk, ½ cup butter, and ¼ cup cocoa for 1 min. Remove from heat; stir in ½ cup peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 3 cups quick oats. Drop onto wax paper; cool 20 min.
🎯 Total Grocery Cost: ≈ $75–$85 (still safely under $150 even with regional price bumps)
These cheap family meals under $150 keep us fed, happy, and out of the drive-thru line. Try them and let me know which one your crew loves most. Don’t forget to checkout my other Family Dinners HERE!
