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love making simple and frugal meals. Food can be a great place to save money, or it can be a big budget buster.

There are tons of recipes that cost $5 or less – for a small family! One of my favorite cookbooks is The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook. There are so many wonderful recipes in this cookbook – all under $5!

I’ve compiled my favorites here!

17 Favorite $5 Dinners

If you don’t have The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook yet, you can grab it on Amazon here. I love how the author, Erin Chase, includes a few chapters on meal planning, strategic grocery shopping, and strategic couponing.

This book is packed with 200 recipes for quick and delicious meals that are budget friendly!

Since these aren’t my recipes, I can’t give the recipes here. But, I wanted to let you know my favorites, so you can grab your own cookbook and start making these recipes right away!

Homemade Pizza Sauce

We love making individual flatbread pizzas, and this homemade pizza sauce is perfect for those! I usually forget to buy pizza sauce, so this is a great, super easy recipe to have on hand. And it’s only $0.84 for two cups of pizza sauce!

Related: Individual Flatbread Pizzas

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are one of my newest favorite meals! I enjoy making simple chicken fajita freezer meals, but this recipe is a little different. This recipe even includes homemade guacamole for under $4.80 for the whole meal!

Chicken Marinara over Angel Hair

We love pasta meals and they are super frugal, too! This recipe is super easy and filling!

Honey-Lime Chicken

Chicken and potatoes is always a yummy meal! I have made a similar Italian chicken freezer meal, but this recipe is slightly different and super yummy!

Grilled Margarita Chicken

This is a great simple summer meal. And super frugal too, at less than $5 for the whole family!

Related: 11 Easy Summer Party Desserts

Mexican Chicken Skillet

I love Mexican food, and this recipe is so satisfying and filling! Take any leftovers for lunch the next day!

Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks

This is a super easy recipe with few ingredients, but a delicious flavor! Serve with fresh garden veggies!

Related: $40 Weekly Meal Plan for 2

Provolone Wrapped Chicken

Chicken and cheese is a wonderful combination. You’ll love this simple and frugal meal.

Related: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake

Beef Tacos

Tacos are always a winner! For a fun dinner night, set up a taco bar and let everyone make their own tacos!

Grilled Pork Chops

A super simple marinade is perfect for making great pork chops. This is a great recipe to have on hand when pork chops go on sale!

Pork Roast with Mashed Red Potatoes

This is a super filling meal. I love that it takes just a few ingredients, and you’ve got a delicious homemade meal!

Hearty Beef Stew

Beef stew is a wonderful crock pot meal. I love adding beef stew ingredients to my crock pot in the morning, and letting it cook all day.

Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls

You can find dinner rolls pretty cheap, but homemade rolls are so so good! And it gives you the perfect opportunity to use your bread machine!

Honey Wheat Rolls

Easy and super frugal rolls – you can make lunch a little more special with these!

Related: The $30 Weekly Meal Plan

Italian Breadsticks

We love to have breadsticks with pasta meals like spaghetti and alfredo. Your house will smell amazing and these might go super quick!

Related: Theme Nights Meal Planning

French Bread

Another perfect frugal side for pasta meals, and really any dinner!

Salsa Fresca (Fresh Salsa)

We eat tortilla chips and salsa for a snack all the time! This is a super easy recipe, and if you have a garden you might be able to make this recipe for free!

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or be in the kitchen all night to provide a great dinner for your family. So many meals can be made for $5 or less.

Check out The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook here.