Hello there! If you’re a parent of a big family, you’re probably aware of the challenges that come with preparing meals for everyone on a tight budget. It can be a daunting task to create meals that are tasty, affordable, and healthy for everyone in your home. But fret not, this blog post will be your ultimate guide to help you save money on groceries while still maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some frugal meal planning tips and easy recipe ideas that you can try out.

Meal Planning 101 📅

Meal planning is one of the most crucial parts of saving money on food. Make a weekly meal plan using what you have and what’s on sale. Plan for leftovers as they can save you time and money. A good idea is to pick a theme for each night of the week, for example, Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday. By doing so, it’s easier to come up with meal ideas, and you can avoid getting takeout on days when meal planning feels overwhelming.

A planner and a pen on a wooden table

Shop Smart 🛒

Create a shopping list and stick to it. Before going to the grocery store, check your pantry and fridge, so you don’t end up buying items you don’t need. Furthermore, purchasing food items in bulk can be a great way to save money. When buying fresh produce, opt for fruits and veggies that are in season, as they’re typically less expensive than buying out-of-season produce.

A person holding a basket of fresh produce

Try Meatless Meals 🥦🥕

Meat is often one of the most expensive ingredients in a meal. Therefore, reducing your family’s meat consumption can save you a lot of money. You can incorporate meatless meals into your meal plan by using proteins such as lentils, chickpeas, or tofu. Creating vegan or vegetarian meals can also be healthier options for your family. Check out Pinterest for meatless meal ideas.

A plate of vegan food surrounded by vegetables

Embrace Casseroles 🍲👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Casseroles can be a lifesaver when feeding a large family, and they’re an excellent way to use up leftovers. You can adjust any casserole recipe to fit your family’s tastes and dietary needs. Just mix a bunch of ingredients together, pop it in the oven, and voila! You’ve got a meal that can feed everyone in your family for a few days.

A rectangular casserole dish filled with lasagna

Save with Soups and Stews 🍲🥄

Soups and stews are an excellent way to use up leftover meats and vegetables. You can make a big pot that can last multiple meals. Furthermore, soups can be a healthy and inexpensive meal that can be easy to make. You can experiment with different soup bases such as chicken, beef, or vegetable broth, and add beans, lentils or potatoes to make it filling.

A pot of chicken soup on top of a stove

Cook from Scratch 🍳🧑‍🍳

Cooking from scratch is always a good idea when trying to save money. Not only is it cheaper, but it also ensures your meals are healthier than using pre-prepared items. Purchase ingredients and make things like bread, pizza, and pasta sauces yourself. Cooking from scratch is a simple way to control the ingredients used to create delicious meals.

A person pouring flour into a mixing bowl

That’s it! We hope these frugal meal planning tips have been helpful to you! Feeding a large family on a budget can be challenging, but it is possible. Just remember to meal plan, shop smart, and embrace frugal meal ideas. By doing so, you can create healthy, delicious and affordable meals for everyone. Happy cooking! 🍽️👩‍🍳

A group of happy people eating a meal together