Join us for the $75 Weekly Menu Plan for Week 16, where we continue the journey of creating delicious, budget-friendly meals that the whole family will enjoy. This week, we’ve added two mouth-watering recipes—General Tso Chicken and Juicy Meatloaf—bringing a burst of flavor to your menu while sticking to the $75 budget.
We’ve also freshened up the breakfast options with seasonal fruits like strawberries and grapes, and introduced versatile new snack ideas to keep things exciting throughout the week. Each meal is designed to be easy to prepare, balanced, and perfect for feeding your family without breaking the bank.
Let’s dive into Week 16’s $75 meal plan, full of nutritious, flavorful, and wallet-friendly options!
$75 Weekly Menu Plan Week 16: (April 15, 2024 – April 21, 2024)
Weekly Grocery List (Walmart Prices)
Proteins:
- Ground Beef (1.5 lbs) – $6.00
- Chicken Thighs (2 lbs) – $5.94
- Eggs (1 dozen) – $2.24
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (8 oz) – $2.00
- Bacon (12 oz) – $4.98
Dairy:
- Milk (1 gallon) – $3.00
- Greek Yogurt (32 oz) – $3.00
- Butter (1 lb) – $2.98
Produce:
- Grapes (2 lbs) – $4.00
- Strawberries (1 lb) – $3.00
- Romaine Lettuce (1 head) – $1.68
- Bell Peppers (3 count) – $3.28
- Zucchini (3 count) – $2.52
- Potatoes (5 lbs) – $3.00
- Onions (3 count) – $2.34
- Garlic (1 bulb) – $0.50
- Broccoli (1 head) – $1.69
- Carrots (2 lbs) – $1.96
- Green Onions (1 bunch) – $0.98
Pantry:
- Jasmine Rice (2 lbs) – $2.00
- Panko Bread Crumbs – $2.00
- Canned Diced Tomatoes (two 15 oz cans) – $1.44
- Soy Sauce (from pantry)
- Ketchup (for meatloaf) – $1.50
- Hoisin Sauce (for General Tso Chicken) – $2.50
- Cornstarch (for General Tso Chicken) – $1.00
- Tortillas (10 count) – $2.00
- Olive Oil (16 oz) – $3.48
Snacks/Extras:
- Granola Bars (12 count) – $2.88
- Crackers (10 oz) – $2.88
- Tortilla Chips (12 oz) – $2.48
Total Estimated Cost: $79.25
$75 Weekly Menu Plan Week 16: (April 15, 2024 – April 21, 2024)
Monday, April 15:
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with strawberries and honey 🍓🍯
- Lunch: Chicken and veggie wraps with lettuce, bell peppers, and shredded cheese 🌯
- Dinner: General Tso Chicken with jasmine rice and steamed broccoli 🍗🥦
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs ($5.94)
- 1 cup jasmine rice (from 2 lbs) ($0.50)
- 1 head broccoli, chopped ($1.69)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (from pantry)
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce ($0.50, from 10 oz bottle)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch ($0.10, from 1 lb)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (from pantry)
Instructions:
- Full General Tso Chicken Recipe Here
Tuesday, April 16:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with toast 🍳🍞
- Lunch: Leftover General Tso Chicken wraps with romaine lettuce 🌯
- Dinner: Juicy Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans 🍖🥔
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef ($6.00)
- 1 egg (from 1 dozen) ($0.19)
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs ($0.50, from 16 oz)
- 1/4 cup ketchup ($0.25)
- 4 medium potatoes (from 5 lbs) ($1.00)
- 1 tbsp butter (from 1 lb) ($0.18)
Instructions:
- Full Juicy Meatloaf Recipe Here
Wednesday, April 17:
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with granola and grapes 🍇
- Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches with fresh tomato slices 🍅
- Dinner: Sweet & Sour Meatballwith jasmine rice and zucchini 🍲
Recipe:
- 1/2 lb ground beef (from 1.5 lbs) ($2.00)
- 1 zucchini, sliced (from 3 count) ($0.84)
- 1 cup jasmine rice (from 2 lbs) ($0.50)
- 1 clove garlic (from 1 bulb) ($0.13)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (from pantry)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Sweet & Sour Meatball Stir fry Recipe, adding quartered zucchini pieces and onion, if available.
- Serve over jasmine rice.
Thursday, April 18:
- Breakfast: Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes 🥞
- Lunch: Leftover meatloaf sandwiches with lettuce and tomatoes 🥪
- Dinner: Cheesy beef quesadillas with shredded cheese and bell peppers 🧀🌯
Recipe:
- 1/2 lb ground beef (from 1.5 lbs) ($2.00)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (from 8 oz) ($1.00)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (from 3 count) ($1.09)
- 4 tortillas (from 10 count) ($1.00)
Instructions:
- Cook the ground beef and set aside.
- In a skillet, layer the tortillas with cooked beef, shredded cheddar, and sliced bell peppers.
- Cook until the tortillas are crispy and golden. Serve hot with salsa or sour cream.
Friday, April 19:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with sautéed spinach and toast 🍳
- Lunch: Leftover beef quesadillas 🌯
- Dinner: Bacon and cheddar stuffed baked potatoes with green onions 🥔🧀
Recipe:
- 4 medium potatoes (from 5 lbs) ($1.00)
- 4 slices bacon, crumbled (from 12 oz) ($1.66)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (from 8 oz) ($1.00)
- 2 green onions, chopped (from bunch) ($0.20)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes until tender.
- Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the centers. Mix with crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, and green onions.
- Return the mixture to the potato skins and bake for 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Saturday, April 20:
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with strawberries and granola 🍓
- Lunch: Tuna salad sandwiches with crackers 🥪
- Dinner: Chicken and veggie stir-fry with jasmine rice 🍲
Recipe:
- Leftover chicken (from earlier)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (from 3 count) ($1.09)
- 1 zucchini, sliced (from 3 count) ($0.84)
- 1 cup jasmine rice (from 2 lbs) ($0.50)
Instructions:
- Cook jasmine rice according to package instructions.
- In a skillet, stir-fry the leftover chicken with sliced bell peppers and zucchini.
- Serve over jasmine rice for a quick and filling dinner.
Sunday, April 21:
- Breakfast: Homemade Biscuits with strawberries and honey 🥞🍓
- Lunch: Leftover chicken stir-fry wraps with romaine lettuce 🌯
- Dinner: Vegetarian chili with black beans, diced tomatoes, and bell peppers 🌶️
Recipe:
- 1 can black beans, drained (15 oz) ($0.72)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz) ($0.72)
- 1 bell pepper, diced (from earlier) ($1.09)
- 1 onion, diced (from 3 count) ($0.78)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (from 1 bulb) ($0.13)
- 1 cup vegetable broth (from pantry or chicken broth if available) ($0.61)
- Chili seasoning (from pantry)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté garlic, onion, and diced bell pepper until softened.
- Add black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir in chili seasoning.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes until flavors are combined. Serve with tortilla chips or bread.
Snack Ideas for Week 16:
- Strawberries and grapes with honey: Fresh and sweet.
- Pretzels with peanut butter: Savory and satisfying.
- Roasted Curry chickpeas: A crunchy snack alternative.
- Copycat Nature Valley Granola Bars
- Cucumber slices with hummus: Light and healthy.
Tips for Week 16:
- Maximize leftovers: Use leftover chicken and stir-fries to create wraps, salads, or quick lunches throughout the week.
- Plan ahead: Prepare extra jasmine rice or chili for easy reheating later in the week.
- Switch up snack options: Try new combinations like roasted chickpeas or cucumber slices with hummus for a fresh change.
- Keep your budget in check: Stick to sale items for fruits and vegetables, like grapes and strawberries this week, to help stretch your grocery budget further.
This Week 16 meal plan includes exciting and flavorful recipes like General Tso Chicken and Juicy Meatloaf. With fresh breakfast options, new snack ideas, and versatile meal choices, your family can enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals all week long.
If you’re having a difficult time figuring out how to meal plan in your area, comment below with your City/Town, State and Zip code along with three stores near you that you like to shop at and we’ll try to put together a menu plan for you to get you started!
Tried this week’s menu? Mention @Budget101com or tag #Budget101