13 Family-Friendly Meals Under $15

Feeding a family of four on a budget can be challenging, but with a little bit of planning, it's more than possible to whip up something delicious, nutritious and most importantly, affordable. On this page, we’ll help you cut back on your grocery bill with tips on how to save money in the kitchen, plus thirteen cheap family meals under $15 that everyone in the house will love.

Ways to Save Money on Groceries

When it comes to saving money on groceries, even small changes can make a big impact. Before placing your next grocery order, try adopting some of these costconscious kitchen tips:

• Meal Plan: Create a simple weekly menu for the week based off of what’s on sale. Remember to check your fridge and pantry before putting together your grocery list.
• Meal Prep: A little preparation can go a long way! Preplanning and cooking easy, cheap meals at the beginning of the week can help reduce food waste, optimize ingredient usage and prevent unnecessary takeout expenses later in the week.
• Switch to Dried Beans: They might take a little more prep, but dried beans tend to be less expensive than their canned counterparts, and you can season them however you please! To save time, cook them in large batches and store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
• Make the Most of What You Have: Get the most from your groceries by finding uses for items that you would otherwise toss. Try using vegetable scraps, chicken bones or meat trimmings to make homemade veggie scrap stock, turning stale bread into croutons or using overripe fruits to make smoothies, jams or baked goods.
• Keep Food Fresher Longer: By implementing proper food storage practices, you can save money by minimizing waste and extending the shelf life of your groceries. Learn the benefits of fresh, frozen, or canned veggies and take care to extend food life so you always have fresh greens on-hand.
• Grow Your Own Food: You don’t have to have a green thumb to turn certain common food scraps into thriving, edible plants. Try regrowing scallions, lettuce and celery by placing the white, rooted ends into a jar filled with water, or for a more long-term solution, consider a DIY Herb Garden.

Cheap Meals to Make at Home for Under $15

These thirteen recipes offer a diverse range of flavors, ingredients and cooking styles, all while keeping things affordable. Here, we’ve hand-selected fun, cheap meals to make at home that will feed a family of four for less than $15 total. While we strive to keep our prices low, prices and availability of products are subject to change based on location and season. Recipe prices do not include at-home essentials such as butter, olive oil, salt and pepper. These easy, cheap meals under $15 will change based on seasons, prices and trends, so check back often to explore new finds all year long!

Continue Your Journey

Continue saving on your grocery bill with 13 Family-Friendly Meals Under $20, explore more weekly meal planning solutions or head to The Fresh Lane for tasty trends, fresh ideas and expert tips. Visit our Budget-Friendly page for more budget tips and recipe ideas.