If you’re looking for easy dinners that won’t wreck your grocery budget, this week’s meal plan is full of family favorites. We’re making seven budget-friendly dinners using simple Aldi ingredients, including two crockpot meals, Chinese takeout-inspired dishes, and comforting Italian pasta recipes.

These meals are designed to be affordable, easy to cook, and family approved. Most of them use pantry staples, and several come together in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights.

This meal plan costs about $68 total and creates over 30 servings, which keeps the cost per serving around $2–3 per meal. That’s cheaper than takeout and just as satisfying.

Whether you’re trying to save money, feed a busy family, or just need dinner inspiration, these recipes are simple, cozy, and delicious.

1. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet, savory, and incredibly easy, this crockpot chicken has that sticky takeout-style sauce everyone loves. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and serve it over rice with steamed broccoli for a dinner that tastes way more expensive than it is.

2. Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta

This creamy crockpot pasta is comfort food at its finest. The chicken slow cooks in a rich Italian-seasoned sauce before getting tossed with pasta and parmesan cheese. It’s one of those meals that feels indulgent but costs under $10 to make.

3. Orange Chicken & Rice

This homemade orange chicken is a budget-friendly takeout fake-out that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Using frozen popcorn chicken keeps it affordable and quick, while the sweet sticky sauce makes it taste like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Serve it over rice with green beans or broccoli for a full meal.

4. Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli is one of those classic takeout meals that feels like a splurge, but it’s actually very affordable to make at home using Aldi’s shaved steak.

The thin slices of beef cook quickly and soak up the savory sauce, making this dinner both fast and flavorful.

5. Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is one of the cheapest dinners you can make, and it’s perfect for using leftover rice. With chicken, eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce, this quick skillet meal comes together in about 20 minutes.

It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget while still making a filling dinner.

6. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This creamy pasta is loaded with tender chicken, garlic, parmesan, and spinach in a rich sauce that tastes like something from a restaurant.

It’s cozy, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.

7. Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is the ultimate budget-friendly comfort food. Pasta is tossed with marinara sauce and ricotta, topped with melty mozzarella, and baked until bubbly.

This dinner feeds six people for under $10 and makes great leftovers.

Full Grocery List (Everything You Need)

Meat

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 5 chicken breasts
• 1 bag frozen popcorn chicken
• 1 lb shaved beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef

Dairy

• 1 block cream cheese
• 2 cups parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 15 oz ricotta

Pantry

• 1 jar marinara
• ½ cup orange marmalade
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 packet Italian seasoning
• Soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 8 cups white rice
• chicken broth
• 1 box penne
• garlic powder
• brown sugar
• 1 box ziti or penne pasta

 

Produce

• 3 bags frozen broccoli
• 1 bag frozen mixed veggies
• ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach

Want to take it a step further?

If you want printable recipe cards, a full grocery list, and weekly dinner plans sent straight to you, that option is always available, but this space will always include free recipes too.

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— Taylor | Budget Friendly Kitchen