Thirty dollars for a meal may seem a lot, but when you have eight mouths to feed, this figure suddenly seems quite small. But, as a frugal person, you need to find a way to feed 8 people with 30 dollars without cutting corners when it comes to nutrition and diet. These are some of the best suggestions on how to utilize 30 dollars to capacity to feed your whole household.
Spaghetti
You cannot go wrong with spaghetti. That is why it is a popular choice for dinners for organizations with lots of people to feed. In churches, for instance, you can serve 300 plates of spaghetti for less than $500!
When you do value additions (such as meatballs), you can still have a great meal without going beyond your $30 cap. Do not forget to add some spices if your family loves them.
Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is another decent but affordable meal you can consider when feeding 8 people on a 30-dollar budget. This could easily stretch to accommodate about 20 people comfortably.
Gnocchi
Gnocchi is a great go-to meal when feeding many people on a budget. With 30 dollars to spend, buy two jars of spaghetti sauce, 10 lbs of potatoes, 2 eggs, and flour. You could also decide to buy the meal cooked at the dollar store, where $1.25 gets you a pretty good gnocchi and you will have some change to spare.
Egg Fried Rice
I’m sure most of us have tried this meal at some point in our lives. It is an easy, affordable, and stress-free meal to prepare. You can easily feed an army with a decent budget if you cook egg-fried rice. The meal works best with refrigerated rice rather than freshly cooked rice.
Stew
You can cook stew in a million different formulations. With 30 dollars to spend, buy 10lbs of taters ($3), 3lbs of carrots ($3), onion ($4), and celery ($2). Use the remaining $18 for meat or whatever else to toss in. Eat this meal with bread or whatever accompaniment you fancy.
Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Peas
If your family loves chicken, a $30 budget can still make a decent dinner for 8. Buy 2 x Roasted chicken ($16), 5 lbs Mashed potatoes and gravy ($6), 2 bags of Peas and carrots ($2), Romaine salad ($4), and $2 leftover for the cost of other ingredients you use up like butter, milk, etc.
Rice, Broccoli, and Fresh Chicken
Here’s another recipe involving rice and chicken for the same budget. The trick is to make the meal as healthy and well-balanced as possible. Buy Whole chicken ($8), Rice ($2.50), and Broccoli ($4.50). The meal can be varied by using different vegetables. For instance, Brussels sprouts for $4.50, Asparagus ($10), Coleslaw ($2.50 for a bag), plus maybe $1.50 in mayo and vinegar, or Fresh spinach sautéed with garlic ($6.50).
Pulled Pork Dinner
Pork lovers can also enjoy a decent meal for less than $30. Borrow a smoker if needed. Buy 5lbs pulled pork ($11.25), two packages of Cole slaw mix ($5), Burger buns ($1.50), three packages of jiffy corn muffin mix ($2), BBQ sauce ($3), and Brownie mix for dessert ($2.50).
Shepherd’s Pie
Since potatoes are cheap, you can mix them with ground meat and cheese to make great shepherd’s pie enough for a family of 8.
Buy potatoes, a package of ground meat, some gravy, and a little cheese. You may put some carrots or peas inside, and the meal will still cost under $30. Add seasoning to taste – sage, thyme, rosemary, salt/pepper, and a bit of chili powder in the gravy. Work with what you have. Add salt, pepper, and some kind of herb, and you will be good to go.
Lentil Curry and Flatbread
Lentils are very nutritious and can make a great meal on an affordable budget. Buy as many lentils as you need (they go for about $2 a bag), spices, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and your favorite herbs. This meal cooks fast and easy and can go well with either flatbread or rice. If you have money left in your budget after purchasing these ingredients, you can buy chicken. Add whatever vegetable you want as an accompaniment.
Go Back to Basics
Sometimes, less is more. Instead of going for processed foods, try going back to the basics to challenge yourself to deliver food to 8 people on a $30 budget. Avoid any ready-made foods (such as pizzas).
Focus on foods like pasta, vegetables, packs of meat, lentils, rice, canned beans, or homemade bread. If well cooked, these foods can offer you a lot of nutrition at a great discount.
Picadillo/Mexican Goulash
Picadillo is one of the common Mexican delicacies, and it is easy to cook.
Buy 4 lbs of ground beef, 8 diced potatoes, and vermicelli noodles. Brown and drain the ground beef, then add the potatoes, vermicelli, and seasonings ( salt pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin). Add a can or two of tomato sauce and just enough water to cover it. Once it starts boiling, turn it down to a simmer, then add the noodles. Let it simmer until the potatoes and vermicelli are done. You could also throw in a can or two of corn if you want.
Rotisserie Chicken and Mushroom Soup
When in a hurry, hit up your favorite fast-food joint and buy rotisserie chicken at $9. Go to the mall and buy 2 cans of creamed mushroom soup at $4, and a bag of rice at $6.
Separate the chicken from the bones and throw it into a large casserole dish. Mix everything – the chicken, the two cans of soup, two cans of water, and two cups of rice. Stir the soup up into the rice, making sure that no chicken surfaces. Bake the casserole dish at 375 for 40 minutes. You will still have some change left on your budget.
Haluski
Haluski is a Pennsylvania delicacy that can be enjoyed by anyone, wherever you are. Buy a head of cabbage, a bag of egg noodles, an onion or two, some garlic, and butter. These ingredients will cost you roughly $6, and you can make a great meal to feed 8 people. Throw in bacon for about $4 or $5, and you will still have a lot of money left on your budget.
Italian Dinner
You do not need to splurge too much to cook a great Italian dinner for 8 people. The ingredients include baby Spinach and Spring Greens-11 oz ($5.99), Wishbone Italian Dressing ($1.69), two boxes Ronzoni Medium Shells (2@ $1.25) with “doctored” spaghetti sauce -Bertolli Marinara ($2.99), Tuttorosso crushed tomatoes with basil ($1.99), one can Cento tomato paste ($0.99), ground beef, 80/20, ($5.89/ 1 lb package), small loaf store baked French bread ($1.99), Plugra butter (2 sticks, $3.39), and 2 bottles store brand soda ($1.00/bottle).
