Feeding a large family can feel like a full-time job! Sticking to budget can make it even more difficult. As a mom of 8, I know how quickly grocery bills can add up and how challenging it can be to find meals that are both filling and affordable. It is possible to feed your family without breaking the bank and today I’m going to share some of our cheap large family dinners on a budget.
1. Baked Spaghetti
On the night we have leftover spaghetti, I like to remake them into this delicious comfort food. Baked spaghetti gives new life to leftover spaghetti and your family won’t even know how much you saved making this meal.
2. Cheeseburger Cabbage Pocket Rolls
This meal is probably the most requested in my house. My husband and I both grew up eating a variation of this dish. These cheeseburger rolls are super simple to make. They are completely from scratch which means no prepackaged junk. Cooking from scratch not only helps make a healthier meal for your famiky but saves you so much money. You can skip the cheese if you are on a really tight budget.
3. Cheeseburger Soup
Soup is such a cheap meal option. You can make it stretch by adding more water if you have unexpected guests. My husband and I have been following a mostly carnivore diet for the last year. Before carnivore, cheeseburger soup was one of our family favorites. So, when we started following the carnivore diet, I knew I needed to find a way to make carnivore cheeseburger soup. This recipe is the carnivore version, but it is very versatile. You can add chopped potatoes and carrots for a veggie addition if you like them. My kids enjoy the potatoes but not the carrots.
4. Ham, Egg and Cheese Cups
Who says eggs are only for breakfast? Eggs are packed full of healthy fats and high in protein. They make a perfect meal any time of day and these ham, egg and cheese cups are a fast, easy meal to throw together on a busy night. Because eggs are super cheap, they are the perfect for large family dinners on a budget.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Feeding a Crowd
- Cook from scratch whenever possible. Prepackaged foods might be convenient, but they are expensive and not very good for you. Cooking from scratch allows you to control what ingredients go into your food and is much cheaper.
- Plan your meals around sales. Schedule your grocery shopping day after you’ve had a chance to scan the sales ads. You can plan your meals around the sales to save some money.
- Double or triple your recipes. I used to do this all the time. I would make a double batch of something for lunch and then we would eat the same thing for dinner. If you don’t like to eat the same meal 2 times a day, you can enjoy one batch for a meal and then freeze the second one for later.
- Get creative with leftovers. Leftovers can be repurposed into so many different meals. This is what I did to get the baked spaghetti linked above. Being creative with your leftovers keeps from wasting food which will help you save money.
Feeding a large family doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or flavor. With a little planning and creativity you can make a fantastic large family dinner on a low budget.
If you are looking for some simple breakfast ideas, check out these 7 egg recipes that are easy to make and easy on the budget!
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