Updated Basic Meal Plan

 Basic Meal Plan

Since I originally made my $200 per month meal plan 10 years ago, prices have dramatically increased, but you can still feed a family of 4 for under $350! 

The grocery list below is what we typically buy in a month, there are some items that are not used for the recipes above but would supplement your meals and snacks. The list assumes you are buying full containers even though there would be leftovers of some items to carry into the next month, so it’s possible to spend less. The prices are based on Aldi prices, but with 10-15% added to account for other grocery store prices or your cost if you choose to use grocery pick up or delivery services (additional charges may apply for delivery fee and tip.)

To save more money, you could substitute beans for some of the animal proteins or choose lower cost snacks.

Basic Meal Planning

How to spend less than $350 for your family of four for a month

By Kolbi Ward

Name of Main Dish (without sides)	Number of Meals Recipe Makes	Times to Make in the Month
Meatball subs	1	1
Lentil loaf	2	1
Spaghetti	2	1
Steak and potatoes	1	1
Chicken and dumplings	2	1
Chicken pot pie (9x13 pan)	2	2
Chili	2	1
Tomato and bean pasta	2	1
Chicken alfredo	2	1
Potato salsa chicken	1	2
Frittata	1	1
Salmon nuggets	1	1
Salmon	1	1
Fried shrimp	1	1
Vegetable bean pasta	2	1
Chicken and veg pasta	2	1
Chicken curry	2	1
White bean chicken chili	2	1
Jambalaya	2	1

Name of Snack	Homemade or storebought or Both	Number of Recipes Made or Packages Purchased
Hummus	Both	1 SB or 2 HM
Tuna Salad	HM	2
Chips – pita, tortilla	Both	3
Pretzels	SB	1
Granola	HM	3
Peanut butter	SB	1
Trail mix	HM	2
Cereal	SB	2
Bean dip	HM	2
Cookies	HM	2
Bread/biscuits	Both	3
Fruit	Fresh & dried	20?
Oatmeal Packets	HM	2
Pumpkin muffins	HM	2
Yogurt	SB	1
Frozen vegetables	SB	1
Frozen fruit	SB	1
Crackers	Both	6

2.19	flour
1.65	baking powder
0.72	baking soda
0.59	salt
0.89	yeast (3 pkg)
9.05	shortening
3.25	gal cow milk (1/2 gal soy or oat 2.25-3.00)
8.10	eggs (2 dz)
8.00	old fash oats (2)
2.09	sour cream
8.00	olive oil 3.15-8.79 for 17 oz
3.45	vegetable oil
4.19	shredded cheese 16 oz (dairy free 8.00)
1.95	bouillon cubes
3.79	yogurt 32 oz (0.75 6 oz)
1.69	brown sugar
1.65	powdered sugar
2.11	sugar
4.29	honey 12 oz
2.65	jar alfredo sauce
2.00	seasonings
11.49	steak (1.1 oz grassfed ribeye)
3.79	ground beef (1 lb)
13.45	salmon (8 filets – 2 lb)
7.00	med. shrimp (12 oz)
4.00	andouille sausage
25.00	whole chicken 2 -2.00-4.00/lb
3.58	chick thighs(6 thighs) 1.79/lb (3 per lb)
5.49	deli meat
1.89	pretzels
7.00	cashews 16 oz
2.15	peanuts 16 oz
3.59	peanut butter 40 oz
4.49	hummus
3.85	raisins
3.29	mixed dried berries
1.99	tortilla chips
2.75	pita chips
10.00	coffee
1.75	shredded wheat
1.32	peanut butter crackers
2.00	potato chips
2.19	cheerios family sz (honey nut 4.79)
3.19	rice cakes
2.45	straw preserves
7.00	crackers (5 boxes)
3.89	guac 4 pk individual

1.99	carrots (2 lb)
1.55	celery (1 lb)
2.75	onions (3 lb)
4.00	potatoes (5 lb baking 5.19/ russet 3.25)
2.95	mini bell peppers
2.39	green bell peppers (3)
3.25	red/orange/yellow peppers (3)
2.69	avocado bag
1.99	cauliflower head
2.19	tomatoes (5 on vine)
2.55	limes (1 lb)
4.29	lemons (2 lb)
2.50	grapes (1.60-2.20/lb)
8.00	apples (gala 3.85/3 lb, granny 4.29/3 lb)
4.95	pears (3 lb)
3.75	mandarin oranges (3 lb)
4.40	bananas (20)
0.85	cilantro
5.39	spring greens (16 oz or 2.75 5 oz bag)
1.49	garlic (3)
5.00	pasta (5 lb)
1.00	spaghetti (1 lb)
1.88	rice (5 cups)
1.00	lentils (1 lb)
2.99	frozen mix veg (32 oz)
5.00	frozen CA blend veg (5 pkgs)
4.00	frozen juice (2)
3.50	frozen strawberries or mixed berries
1.00	frozen corn
1.00	frozen peas
1.89	loaf bread
1.65	hoagies/rolls
1.50	sand bread
3.20	can beans (4) black .79 kidney .85
2.55	can chili beans (3)
1.45	can pumpkin
3.00	can tuna (3) .85-1.55
1.05	refried beans
1.89	baked beans 28 oz
0.75	can black olives
0.79	tomato paste
3.56	can diced tomatoes (4/14 oz)
2.90	can crushed tomatoes (2/28 oz)
1.96	tomato sauce (4 8 oz)
329.32	TOTAL