Feed your family on a budget this summer with this $50 meal plan! Today I’m sharing 5 easy, family-friendly dinner recipes plus my complete grocery list.
Summer is here and I’m ready for all the easy summer meals! Today I’m sharing an easy summer meal plan that’s family friendly and gentle on the food budget. These quick dinner ideas are made with simple ingredients and are sure to be hits with the whole family!
Of course, you can make these recipes at any time of the year, but I think they’re especially perfect for hot summer nights when no one wants to spend much time in the kitchen.
This budget-friendly summer meal plan includes five dinners: a fun pasta dish, two meals for the grill, a yummy dinner salad, and tacos (because of course!)
Prefer video? See my entire $50 grocery haul and all five recipes here.
5 Summer Meals on a $50 Budget
1. Pizza Pasta Salad
This easy recipe is a summer favorite in our house. It’s a cold pasta salad filled with pepperoni, mozzarella chunks, and grape tomatoes. Toss everything with olive oil, parmesan cheese, Italian dressing, and garlic salt. It’s also the perfect way to use fresh vegetables (add any favorites that you have on hand) and a great option for a fast, easy weeknight meal.
2. Grilled Pork Chops + grilled potatoes and salad
Grilling is a great way to get dinner on the table with less time and fewer dishes. Just marinate some pork chops, throw them on the grill, and add diced potatoes wrapped in foil. Serve with a simple salad (romaine and fresh tomatoes) for a meal the whole family will love.
3. Shredded Pork Tacos + chips and guacamole
The last thing I want to do on a hot day is heat up the kitchen. That’s why I love slow cooker shredded pork tacos. They’re packed with flavor and super versatile—you can even use the meat in freezer meals for later.
Serve with onion, cilantro, avocado, salsa or your favorite toppings (and don’t forget the chips and guac!) This is one of my favorite cheap summer meals that serves a crowd!
4. Grilled Chicken + corn on the cob and homemade fries
Chicken breasts are such a summer staple. I love to marinate them with some red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, chili powder, and a few other spices before grilling. If you don’t have a grill this recipe for stovetop chicken breasts is fantastic too!
Add corn on the cob and homemade fries (I make mine in the air fryer) and you’ve got an easy dinner that feels special and is way tastier than fast food.
5. Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken + French bread
A summer salad is always a good idea and this one’s so easy you don’t need a recipe. Simply grab some romaine lettuce and chopped grilled chicken (leftover from the previous meal), then add your favorite toppings: black beans, shredded cheese, corn, avocado, tomatoes, onion, and crushed tortilla chips. A little lemon juice and olive oil or your favorite salad dressing on top finishes it off. Serve with French bread for a filling, balanced dinner.
$50 Budget Grocery List
Meat:
- Chicken breasts – $9.35
- Pork loin – $9.22 (You’ll cut pork chops from this large pork loin and then use the remaining pork for the pulled pork recipe. (See my meal plan video for how I divide it.)
- Pepperoni – $2.28
Dairy:
- Mozzarella cheese block (8 oz) – $1.97
- Shredded cheese (8 oz) – $1.97
Produce:
- Corn on the cob (6 ears) – $1.98
- Lime – $0.25
- White onion – $1.36
- Avocados (4) – $2.80
- Garlic – $0.50
- Jalapeños – $0.28
- Roma tomatoes (6) – $1.50
- Grape tomatoes – $2.23
- Romaine lettuce hearts – $3.42
- Potatoes (5 lbs) – $3.44
Frozen:
- Frozen corn – $0.98
Dry Goods:
- French bread – $1.00
- Corn tortillas – $2.28
- Can of black beans – $0.86
- Rotini pasta – $0.98
- Tortilla chips – $1.50
Total: $50.15
If you’re looking to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying summer, this easy summer meal plan is a perfect way to keep things simple. With delicious meals made from real food and seasonal produce, you’ll stay on track with your food budget without sacrificing flavor or variety.
What are your favorite cheap summer meals? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for new recipes to try!
