Welcome, Budget Bite Brigaders, to another culinary adventure that promises to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters! Say goodbye to mealtime monotony and hello to a week packed with delicious dinners that are both budget-friendly and family-approved. This is the 9th weekly dinner plan BBB has posted without repeating a single recipe, giving you lots of options for delicious family dinners on a budget! Let's dive right in and explore the mouthwatering lineup of meals awaiting you!

The Meal Plan

Day 1: BBQ Beef Cups - Kick Off with a Flavor Explosion!

On the menu for Day 1, we're kicking things off with a crowd-pleaser: BBQ Beef Cups. Picture this: savory ground beef mixed with tangy BBQ sauce, nestled in a warm biscuit cup. It's comfort food at its finest, and the perfect way to start your week on a delicious note. Plus, it's budget-friendly and easy to make, making it a win-win for busy families!

For an extra touch of flavor, we sprinkle some shredded cheese on top before popping them in the oven. The result? Melty, cheesy goodness that takes these BBQ Beef Cups to the next level. Made with kid-friendly ingredients, this meal is super simple and comes together quickly for an amazing affordable weeknight dinner.

Day 2: Cheesy Chicken Corn Crunch

Day 2 brings us Cheesy Chicken Corn Crunch, a dish that's as fun to say as it is to eat! Imagine tender chicken mixed with sweet corn, all wrapped up in a blanket of gooey cheese and crunchy French fried onions, all in an amazing delicious casserole! It's a flavor explosion that's sure to please even the littlest of palates. And the best part? It's quick, easy, and budget-friendly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

To prep ahead for this meal, I usually cook a batch of chicken breast in the slow cooker over the weekend and shred it in advance. But to make it even more budget friendly, you could use leftover chicken, or even canned chicken! This casserole only has to bake for 30 minutes since the chicken is already cooked!

Day 3: French Dip Biscuits

Get ready to elevate your dinner game on Day 3 with French Dip Biscuits. This twist on a classic sandwich features tender roast beef and melted cheese sandwiched between fluffy biscuits, with a flavorful butter topping. It's comfort food taken to new heights, and sure to be a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's easy on the wallet, making it a win-win for busy parents.

For an extra special touch, you can add a sprinkle of garlic powder and dried herbs to the butter mixture before baking. It'll give them an extra burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory roast beef and melted cheese. Another option is to make some au jus for dipping! These come together so quickly - less than 30 minutes - making them the perfect weeknight meal for busy families.

Day 4: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Day 4 brings us Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, a creamy and indulgent pasta dish that's perfect for cozy nights in with the family. Picture tender chicken and vibrant broccoli coated in a rich and creamy Alfredo sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It's a dish that's sure to warm your heart and fill your belly, without breaking the bank.

To make this dish even more budget-friendly, you can use frozen broccoli instead of fresh. Not only is it more affordable, but it's also convenient since you can keep it in your freezer until you're ready to use it. Plus, it's just as nutritious as fresh broccoli, so you won't be sacrificing any health benefits!

Not in the mood for pasta tonight? That’s ok! This Chicken Broccoli Alfredo sauce recipe also works great as a pizza topping, just add a pizza crust and some shredded mozzarella cheese! It also works well as a topping for baked potatoes. This recipe is as versatile as it is delicious!

Day 5: Lasagna Cupcakes

On Day 5, we're shaking things up with Lasagna Cupcakes, a fun and family-friendly twist on a classic Italian dish. Picture layers of crunchy wonton, savory meat, and gooey cheese baked to perfection in individual-sized portions. It's a fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.

To make these Lasagna Cupcakes even more budget-friendly, you can use ground turkey instead of ground beef. Not only is it leaner and healthier, but it's also more affordable, making it a win-win for your wallet and your waistline! As an added bonus, being a handheld food is sure to make the kids happy, too!

Day 6: Sheet Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken

Day 6 brings us Sheet Pan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken, a flavorful and fuss-free dinner that's perfect for busy families. Imagine tender chicken breasts smothered in sun-dried tomato pesto, roasted alongside colorful veggies for a meal that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Plus, it's easy to customize with your family's favorite veggies, making it a win-win for everyone at the table. I’m using the California style vegetable blend, but you can swap that to a different one to change it up!

To make this dish even more budget-friendly, you can use frozen veggies instead of fresh. Not only are they more affordable, but they're also just as nutritious since they're flash-frozen at peak freshness. Plus, they're convenient since you can keep them in your freezer until you're ready to use them!

This meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making this budget-friendly family dinner a weeknight winner! This flavorful dish is sure to become a part of your regular dinner rotation.

Day 7: Toasted Cheese Ravioli

We're rounding out the week with a dinner that's sure to please kids and adults alike: Toasted Cheese Ravioli.
This recipe features tender cheese-filled ravioli, crisped to perfection in a delectable blend of butter and olive oil. With each bite, you'll experience a symphony of flavors, from the rich, savory notes of garlic to the creamy goodness of Parmesan cheese. Plus, it's quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.

The ravioli is prepared stovetop in a skillet with aromatic garlic, and distinctive parmesan cheese. Although not mentioned in the recipe, we suggest serving it with some marinara sauce for dipping for even more fun. This recipe is sure to be a hit with the kids with the simple, yet delicious flavors.

Shopping List

Now that you have some recipes for the week, let’s talk about the most essential part of this budget shopping adventure: the shopping list. Your local store may carry everything you need to whip up these delicious dishes. My store has these items with a total cost of $110.66. plus tax However, here's a pro tip: take a peek in your pantry and fridge before hitting the aisles. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that you already have some of the ingredients on hand, helping you shave off a few bucks from your total. In fact, when I checked my own kitchen cabinets, I managed to bring my total down to $92.54 by utilizing what I already had. So, before you head out, do a quick inventory to save some dough and make the most of what you've got!

But Wait- There’s more!

Here are some budget friendly sides we recommend to go with the 7 dinners we have outlined for you. The sides for this week would cost $26.71 plus tax at my local store if you need everything. Sides are a great way of stretching meals even further and adding nutritional value to some of the meals. Enjoy!