Feed 4 for 7 days for $50 bucks!

If you have a family of 4, and only $50.00 – is it humanly possible to cook 21 meals and fill a plate 84 times? It absolutely is! The following is everything you need in order to feed a family of 4 for an entire week. The menu plan, the shopping list, and even the step by step recipes!

Of course, this menu is very confining – it doesn’t have room for second helpings, and includes no variations. This is a “worst case scenario” where you start at absolute ground zero – nothing in the kitchen to work with. You have a family of 4, and a budget of only $50.00 to feed them 3 times a day for 7 days. Anyone with anything on hand – as simple as cinnamon – can improve on these recipes. If you have milk – great – use it! But this plan was based on such a tight budget, I used a milk substitute. This plan wasn’t based on someone who uses 3 spoons of sugar in their coffee, or who uses 4 family sized tea bags to make half a gallon of iced tea. This is bare bones, using absolutely the minimum amount possible.

Because of sheer length, I’ve broken this down into 3 downloadable categories. The shopping list, the menu plan, and the recipe section. These files are all in PDF format. Simply click the links below to open the files in a separate window. To save a copy to your computer, simply click FILE > “Save A Copy”.

Shopping List PDF

Menu Plan PDF

Recipe Section PDF

 

$2.00 Apple Brown Bubbly

This is so cheap and easy to make! And the possibilities are limitless, you can use a cake mix like I did – or biscuit/crescent dough. Canned apples, fresh apples – about any fruit you want to. Add raisins, nuts – you name it! This cake can be made for less than $2.00 and serves 4.

I suggest you use a standard size single loaf bread pan, because you need something with high sides.

1 Jiffy brand yellow cake mix – About .39 cents at Dollar General
1 can apple pie filling – Store brand runs around $1.39
1 egg (or substitute 1 teaspoon mayo)
½ cup water
3 teaspoons butter (margarine is fine)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoons brown sugar

Mix the cake mix according to the box directions, ½ cup water and an egg (or mayo). Open the can of apples and pour directly into the bottom of your bread pan (no grease or flour!). Put 2 teaspoons of your butter on top of the apples, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, and a sprinkle of your cinnamon. Now pour on the cake mix. Pop into a 350 degree oven and bake for 35 minutes. In a sauce pan, heat up the remaining butter, sugar and cinnamon to make a drizzle. Take cake out, drizzle with sauce – enjoy!

 

Old Fashioned Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding was a recipe born from pure necessity, when thrifty homemakers knew the meaning of “waste not, want not”. If your kids are anything like mine, the heels of a loaf of bread is taboo, and under no circumstances will they eat a sandwich with the crust attached. There’s many things you can do with leftover bread, croutons, bread crumbs, and my favorite… Bread Pudding!

Ingredients:
2 cups milk* (read footnote)
1/4 cup butter (margarine is fine)
2/3 cup sugar (white or brown, depending on taste preference)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (artificial vanilla flavoring is fine)
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces
1/2 cup raisins, apples, walnuts, etc. (optional – be creative!)

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.
3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Add goodies of your choice (raisins, etc.). Pour batter on top of bread.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Serve warm.

Bread Pudding Icing
Ingredients:
1 cup milk*
2 Tbsp. butter (margarine is fine)
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla (artificial vanilla flavoring is fine)
1 Tbsp. flour
dash of salt

Directions:
Mix everything together and bring to a boil for 3 – 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour on warm bread pudding.

*You can substitute evaporated or dry milk, just mix according to package or can directions. Whole, 2%, or Skim is fine as well. I haven‘t tried this with Soy milk – if anyone has, please tell me if it works!