Trader Joe’s is one of my all-time favorite places to shop. They seem to have every little ingredient you need for a recipe as well as some fun goodies to throw in the cart – all at VERY reasonable prices.
One of the best perks of shopping there is you can easily feed 2 people on a very low budget.
Here is a meal plan I created for me and my husband that I’ve come back to time and time again when we need to have a low spending week, it works like a charm!
All recipes are very simple and use some of the staples you probably already have in your pantry – making your budget even lower than $50!
Feel free to modify/change any of the recipes or side dishes to fit your individual taste. Enjoy!
Breakfasts:
Monday – Friday: Egg, Potato & Cheese Breakfast Burritos, Cereal, Oatmeal
Sat & Sun: Scrambled Eggs, Potatoes
Lunches:
Monday: Leftover Enchiladas
Tues: Chicken Santa Fe Salad
Wed: Bean & Cheese Burritos
Thurs: BBQ Chicken Sliders Leftovers
Fri: Bean & Cheese Burritos
Sat & Sun: Cheese Quesadillas
Dinners:
Sun – Chicken Enchiladas
Mon – Frittata w/Side Salad
Tues – Turkey Burgers & Baked Fries
Wed -BBQ Chicken Sliders & beans
Thurs – Grilled Chicken Santa Fe Salad
Fri – Chicken Sausage Pasta
Sat – Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Shopping List:
1 Pack of Chicken Breast $5
Chicken Sausage $3.99
TJ’s Turkey Burger Package (Frozen) 2.99
Enchilada Sauce 2.79
BBQ Sauce 2.49
Cilantro Dressing 3.49
Shredded Cheese – 3.99
TJ’s Marinara 1.79
Pasta – 1.00
Tortillas – 1.79
Sour Cream – 1.79
Potatoes – 2.00
1 Sweet Onion – 0.59
1 Can Corn – 0.89
2 Cans Black Beans – 1.58
Baked Beans – 0.89
Eggs – 1.99
Salad Mix – 1.99
Spinach Mix – 1.99
Hamburger Buns – 1.99
Avocados 3.49
My Tips:
Frittata Night:
First cook diced potatoes in olive oil over medium heat. When they become soft, add a bag of spinach and stir around until spinach wilts. Mix 5 eggs and 1/4 cup of milk together and pour inside hot pan. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min. or until eggs are set. Serve with a side of salad mix tossed with cilantro dressing.
*Note – frittatas are great for throwing in whatever vegetables you have sitting in your fridge! I love to put zuchinni, carrot, onions, etc.
Turkey Burger Night:
Follow directions on the package. Slice avocado to put on top, toast hamburger buns, and oven-fry the potatoes.
BBQ Chicken Sliders Night:
Slow Cook Chicken Breasts with 1/2 bottle of bbq sauce for 8 hours on low. Shred chicken breasts and let sit in juices of slow cooker for 30 min more. Serve over toasted hamburger buns with your choice of cheese, or avocado & side of baked beans.
Chicken Santa Fe Salad:
Grill/Saute Chicken Breasts. Serve with cilantro dressing over salad tossed with salad mix, avocado, black beans, shredded cheese & any other throw-ins you might have in your pantry!
Chicken Sausage Pasta:
Follow directions on package for both chicken sausage & pasta. Toss with Tj’s Marinara sauce… that’s it!
You can find the Shepherd’s Pie & Enchilada recipes right here on our Pinterest board: “Budget Recipes”
*Note: Things like sour cream, shredded cheese, and avocado can be used interchangeably in different recipes. For example, when I’m making the bean & cheese burritos for lunch I will slice some avocado and put it in there. I will put a dollop of sour cream on top of the enchiladas, etc. You get the point! 😉
Hope you enjoy this meal plan, if you have any other recipe ideas please share them below! I am always on the hunt for a good TJ’s recipe!
Erika from Faithful with Finances
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by Libby!