12 Meals for Just $10 | Dollar Tree Emergency Grocery Budget Meal Prep
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Published 2023-09-22
The shopping list:
Penne pasta $1.25
Pasta sauce $1.25
Hashbrowns (or steak cut french fries) $1.25
Smoked sausage $1.25
Pepper Stir fry $1.25
Chili $1.25
Italian Meatballs $1.25
Velveeta Cheese sauce $1.25
Total cost $10
Meal Prep Step by Step Guide:
Boil entire box of penne pasta, drain, and toss pasta in some oil to prevent sticking. Split pasta evenly between 9 containers and set aside.
Rehydrate hashbrowns in hot water per box instructions, then add 1/4 cup of oil to a large skillet on medium high heat. Drain hashbrowns and fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Divide hashbrowns between 3 containers and set aside.
Thaw pepper stir fry, chop and drain. Chop smoked sausage into rounds. Fry peppers and sausage together until brown. Add 1/2 a cup of the sausage and pepper mixture to two of the hashbrown containers and two of the pasta containers.
Thaw meatballs and mince into small pieces for a meat sauce. Sautee over medium heat until browned, stir in pasta sauce and allow to heat through. Add 1/2 a cup of the meat sauce to 5 of the pasta containers.
Open chili and stir. Add 1/2 a cup of chili to each of two of the pasta containers and the final hashbrown container.
Mix velveeta cheese sauce with 1/4 cup of warm water, add a small amount to each of the containers with chili and split the majority of the sauce over the two pasta containers that have smoked sausage and peppers.
Allow to cool completely, and chill in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze.
Reheating: Microwave for 90 seconds if refrigerated. If frozen, defrost first then microwave until heated through. Shake to disperse all ingredients and enjoy!
All Comments (21)
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This is amazing. I am disabled, freshly divorced and I have my youngest daughter. I had a surgery that came with extra cost. We have one week to go before I get my SSD check. I have around 20 dollars and had no idea how I was going to feed us until now. Thank you so much. You are doing God's work and will be blessed.
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Saw this on FB and thought it would interest you. So, I spoke to people getting food at a food bank and here are some things I learned from those in need: 1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks. 2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of. 3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. 4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops. 5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. 6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. 7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 8. Sugar and flour are treats. 9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some. 11. They rarely get fresh meat. 12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 16. Eggs are a real commodity. 17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. 18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. 20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did. If you are helping a Family this Christmas, maybe this can help you tailor it more. It does for me!
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I love that you don't call these "challenges." I see so many YouTubers call these sorts of things "challenges" and for a lot of people it's not a challenge. It's a necessity. It's the way a lot of people have to live and I hate when it's glamorized.
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You saved my life when I had to move out into my own apartment and suddenly became unemployed during COVID - thank you for continuing this series, it is so important <3
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It’s uncanny how naturally talented she is at talking to camera She’s more relatable than anyone on tv
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I used 2 boxes of the hash browns, a can of nacho cheese, a can of cream of chicken (all from dollar tree) and a pound of bulk sausage tonight and made nacho hash brown casserole. It made a 13x8 pan and fed 5 with leftovers.
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I feel like these cooking tips are the kind that no one ever tells you, but are the keys to making good everyday meals.
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Rest assured, we definitely can see how much thought and effort you put into your content, always!
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I just found this channel through IG. And as a single mom who has recently came into extremely hard times, I am learning so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for normalizing eating on basically zero budget and having so many ideas. Thank you for being realistic and for making me feel like that I can do this.
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This is literally feeding me until payday. thank you.
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Growing up poor, thank you for helping people like my mom who struggled to feed us. I was an adult before I realized that Hamburger Helper was supposed to have a full pound of hamburger. She added macaroni and 1/2 lb.
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into my notebook for dollar tree meals and I thank you as a 76year old widower.
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#dollartree why are you not sponsoring her yet?? ❤ The shopping, planning, cooking, editing and helping so many folks stretch their $ and stay fed is much appreciated. This is the most down to earth, easy to follow, low cost real life channel on YT. 😊
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Our town is pretty much a food desert. The only places to get groceries within walking distance is a Dollar Tree and a Walgreens. I love sharing your videos with our local soup kitchen guests! You a truly providing a valuable service! Thank you!
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I like all your videos but this is one that I will actually copy. It’s a perfect way to do lunches for the week instead of spending $60 eating out etc. I need like 3-4 of these meal plans to rotate through, lol
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This has got to be the best budget meal planning video I've seen. It has it all; flavorful ingredients without having to add "pantry staples" or spices, products that are easily available or interchangeable (if the exact item isn't available), reasonable portions, and everything you need to make them is in the $10 budget. Not only can you tell how much thought you put into the videos, you can tell how you want to show us we can accomplish what you show us in your videos. And I really appreciate that. So thank you 😊
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This is the best budget meal prep I've ever seen! I'm a single senior with limited income. Creative and tasty plans like this make it fun to get by so cheaply. 😀
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Those five plain Jane meat sauce pasta dishes are perfect opportunities to use up leftovers and bring variety that way, whether you freeze them or not. Got half a serving of broccoli left? A chicken finger and a half? Those unwanted Parmesan and red pepper packets from a pizza delivery? In my kitchen I aim for variety and efficiency, and your channel aiming for those plus inclusivity really hits my happy spot, thank you. PS as an observer, those seasoned frozen meatballs seem a serious upgrade from the 2pk burger patties that had to be rinsed which featured so often in the past
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If you have a senior or someone who can't get out or who is sick etc., doing this for them would be great (of course watching sodium content for those with special diets) but this is great. thanks !
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I think these meals sound great. If you can accumulate a few seasonings, you can get all of them to a ten quite easily. I keep bouillon powders, minced garlic, onion powder, sambal oelek, pickled peppers, different hot sauces, etc. in the house. Even leftover fast food packets of taco sauce, mustard, jelly, etc. can help so much.
