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The Complete Grocery List: What I Bought for $19.84

Here’s the list of items purchased to create this delicious and affordable meal plan. All items were purchased at a local Walmart to ensure accessibility for most families.

• Chicken drumsticks: $5.46
• Pasta sauce: $1.58
• Pasta: $0.98
• Diced tomatoes: $0.96
• Pinto beans: $1.00
• Rice: $0.88
• Lentils: $1.78
• Frozen mixed vegetables: $0.98
• Onion: $0.39
• Cabbage: $0.86
• Carrots: $0.97
• Garlic: $0.64
• Tortillas: $1.98
• Jalapeños: $0.38

Total spent: $19.84

Pantry Staples Used

To keep this meal plan within the $20 budget, a few common pantry staples were utilized:

• A small amount of cooking oil
• Salt and pepper
• Basic spices (oregano, paprika, Italian seasoning, chili powder)

All other ingredients listed above were purchased for $19.84 at Walmart.

Approximate Cost Per Recipe

Here’s a breakdown of the approximate cost per meal, based on the total $19.84 spent on groceries. These figures are estimates based on the amount of each ingredient used in each recipe.

• One Pot Chicken and Rice: about $3.50
• Lentil Cabbage Stir Fry: about $1.80
• Instant Pot Pinto Beans (full batch): about $1.60
• Pasta With Beans: about $2.10
• Chicken Lentil Burritos: about $3.40
• Vegetable Rice Soup: about $2.00
• Chicken Drumsticks With Bright Veggie Pasta: about $3.20
• Everything Leftover Burritos or Stew: about $1.80

Average cost per meal: around $2.40 for a full family serving.

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1. One Pot Chicken and Rice

This is a comforting and satisfying one-pot chicken dinner made with rice, vegetables, and simple pantry spices. It’s an easy and affordable meal that feeds four for just a few dollars.

Ingredients

• 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp oil
• 4 chicken drumsticks
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add oil.
2. Add onion and cook for 4 minutes.
3. Add drumsticks and sear on all sides.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in rice and frozen mixed vegetables.
6. Add water, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper.
7. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.

2. Lentil Cabbage Stir Fry

A simple and nutritious skillet meal made with cabbage, lentils, and carrots. It’s quick to prepare and makes great leftovers.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 carrot, sliced
• Small amount of onion
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup lentils
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat a pot or large skillet and add oil.
2. Cook carrots and onion for 5 minutes.
3. Add cabbage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add lentils, water, and soy sauce if using.
5. Simmer for 30 minutes, until lentils are tender.

3. Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Cooking dry beans is an economical way to extend your grocery budget. You’ll be using these beans in several meals throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pinto beans
• 7 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Rinse beans and add to the Instant Pot with all other ingredients.
2. Cook on the Bean or Chili setting.
3. Let the pressure release naturally for 30 minutes.
4. Remove bay leaves.
5. Use immediately or store for later.

4. Pasta With Beans

A comforting bowl of pasta with beans for added protein. You’ll use only half of the cooked pasta to stretch it across multiple meals.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shell pasta (use half after cooking)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a pan, sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add pasta sauce, beans, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add half of the cooked pasta and stir.

5. Chicken Lentil Burritos

Chicken drumsticks, lentils, beans, and tortillas combine to create a filling and protein-packed meal.

Ingredients

• Small amount of onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 tsp taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• Tortillas

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot.
2. Cook onion and jalapeño for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add drumsticks and brown.
5. Add lentils, water, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, oregano, and beans.
6. Simmer for 45 minutes.
7. Shred chicken, return to pot, fill tortillas, and fold.
8. Crisp in a skillet for added texture.

6. Vegetable Rice Soup

A warm and vegetable-rich soup that makes a large pot for minimal cost.

Ingredients

• 3 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 green cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup pinto beans
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 clove garlic
• 8 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup brown rice

Instructions

1. Add carrots, cabbage, beans, mixed vegetables, garlic, and water to a large pot.
2. Stir in seasonings and rice.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes, until vegetables and rice are tender.

7. Chicken Drumsticks With Bright Veggie Pasta

Sheet pan chicken paired with simple veggie pasta made from leftover ingredients.

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 4 chicken drumsticks
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika
• Onion powder

Pasta:

• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining frozen mixed vegetables
• Garlic
• 16 oz diced tomatoes
• Remaining cooked pasta
• Salt and pepper
• Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and season.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a pan.
5. Add mixed vegetables and garlic.
6. Add diced tomatoes and seasonings.
7. Stir in cooked pasta and toss to coat.

8. Everything Leftover Burritos or Stew

The final meal utilizes any remaining ingredients to create a hearty pot of stew or a flavorful burrito filling.

Ingredients

• Remaining onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• Just over 1 cup brown rice
• Remaining lentils
• 1 tbsp oil
• Remaining pinto beans
• 9 cups water
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• Onion powder to taste
• Paprika to taste
• Tortillas (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot.
2. Cook onion, jalapeño, and carrots until softened.
3. Add rice, lentils, and beans.
4. Add water and seasonings.
5. Simmer for 1 hour, until everything is tender.
6. Serve as a stew or wrap in tortillas.

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