As a working mother, I understand the struggles of preparing wholesome, satisfying meals for an eager family, all within a limited grocery budget. Saving money often means cutting down your grocery spending, though this can be a challenging task.
How do busy families reduce grocery expenses, especially when they can barely find spare time to plan meals? Typically, it comes down to whipping up something from what’s available in the fridge or opting for quick take-outs.
The solution to trimming your grocery budget while ensuring easy, quick meals for your family is to have a collection of go-to, economical recipes. Quick, easy, and inexpensive sounds just right, doesn’t it? Here are five convenient, low-cost meals for bustling families.
SLOW-COOKED PORK SHOULDER
One 2 pound Pork Shoulder
One jar of your preferred salsa
Place pork shoulder into your slow cooker, add the salsa on top. Simmer on a low setting for 6-8 hours. Shred and serve.
As a working mom, this is one of my most loved recipes, guaranteed to impress. I usually go for a sweet-tasting salsa, like pineapple or the large jar of mango peach salsa from Costco. The pork turns out delightfully juicy and falls apart with ease. Before I leave for work in the morning, I put the pork and salsa in the slow cooker, and upon reaching home, dinner is essentially served. I often pair it with white rice from the rice cooker and the result is delectable pork bowls topped with chopped lettuce. If you have some tortillas around, replace the bowls with pork tacos and serve rice as a side. The variations are boundless! Meals like these are perfect for budget-conscious families always on-the-go.
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
One market-bought rotisserie chicken
Rotisserie chicken is often overlooked, but it’s an excellent, convenient option for busy families. Instead of heading to the fast-food joint, pick a rotisserie chicken for endless meal possibilities. Devour the chicken with a side of veggies on the first night, and utilize the leftover shredded chicken for enchiladas, mac and cheese, or chicken tacos the following day. It’s incredibly versatile!
EVERYTHING PASTA
One bag of pasta
Any available items in your fridge or pantry
This is my default lunch recipe. I cook a bag of my favorite pasta and rummage the fridge for any vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or broccoli — just about any combination that appeals. I’ll also grab some meat, typically some pre-cooked chicken sausage, or, some leftover rotisserie chicken.
As for sauce, I go with my preferred bottled pasta sauce or make do with plain olive oil. This meal is always a success as each rendition is unique, based on available ingredients.
It can indeed be testing to eat healthfully on a limited budget. But with a touch of creativity, you can prepare quick, low-priced meals for your family without straining your pocket too much!
What are your go-to meals for bustling families? Do you manage to plan meals?
