Weekly Family Menu on a Budget

Feeding a family doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. This weekly menu keeps meals simple, budget-friendly, and most importantly, appealing to kids. All the recipes use easy-to-find ingredients and come together quickly on busy weeknights.

Weekly Menu

Monday – Cheesy Spaghetti Night

Classic spaghetti with a creamy tomato sauce and ground beef. Serve with garlic toast made from sandwich bread.

Tuesday – Chicken and Potato Bake

Oven-baked chicken tenders, potato wedges, and baby carrots. Everything cooks on one sheet pan for less mess.

Wednesday – Cheesy Quesadillas and Rice

Flour tortillas filled with beans, cheese, and mild salsa. Add buttered corn or rice on the side.

Thursday – Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

Sweet and tangy ground beef on hamburger buns. Pair with baked fries or apple slices.

Friday – DIY Pizza Night

Use mini tortillas or English muffins for personal pizzas. Kids can add their own toppings.

Saturday – Vegetable Soup and Grilled Cheese

A warm soup with mixed vegetables and noodles or rice. Grilled cheese sandwiches on the side for dipping.

Sunday – Chili with Cornbread Muffins

Mild chili with beans, ground beef, and tomato sauce. Serve with cornbread muffins for a cozy Sunday dinner.

Kid-Friendly Recipes

Cheesy Spaghetti

1. Brown 1 lb ground beef, then drain.

2. Stir in 1 jar spaghetti sauce and ½ cup shredded cheese.

3. Toss with cooked spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with more cheese.

Chicken and Potato Bake

1. Place chicken tenders, potato wedges, and baby carrots on a baking sheet.

2. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and salt.

3. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.

Sloppy Joes

1. Cook 1 lb ground beef, then drain.

2. Add ½ cup ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard, and 1 tbsp brown sugar.

3. Simmer 5 minutes, then serve on hamburger buns.

DIY Mini Pizzas

1. Spread pizza sauce on tortillas or English muffins.

2. Top with cheese and toppings of choice.

3. Bake at 375°F until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Grocery List

Proteins

• 2 lbs ground beef

• 1 bag chicken tenders (frozen or fresh)

• Shredded cheese (about 4 cups total)

Grains & Bread

• Spaghetti noodles (1 lb)

• 2 loaves sandwich bread

• 1 pack flour tortillas (10-count)

• 1 pack hamburger buns

• 1 pack English muffins (or extra tortillas for pizza night)

• 1 bag rice

• 1 box cornbread muffin mix

Canned & Pantry

• 1 jar spaghetti sauce

• 1 can tomato sauce

• 3 cans diced tomatoes

• 2 cans beans (pinto, black, or kidney)

• 1 can corn (or frozen corn)

• Salsa (mild)

• Ketchup, mustard, brown sugar

Produce

• 5 lbs potatoes

• 1 bag baby carrots

• 2 onions

• Garlic (or garlic powder)

Extras

• Butter or margarine

• Milk

• Crackers (for chili or soup night)

Tips to Make It Work

• Let kids help build meals like quesadillas and pizzas. They’ll be more excited to eat what they make.

• Keep flavors mild for picky eaters, but put hot sauce or spices on the table for adults.

• Use fruit sides like apple slices, grapes, or bananas to round out meals.

• Double up on soups and chili to freeze extra portions for another week.