Six dinners were assembled from a single $88 Trader Joe's shopping trip, averaging about $14.65 per meal and under $2.50 per serving for a family of four. Each recipe finishes in roughly 20 minutes and uses six or fewer ingredients to minimize prep and dishes. Meals are low-effort and customizable, with options to bulk up with leafy greens or a quick veggie or fruit side. Sample recipes include a creamy gnocchi with chicken sausage and spinach and DIY flatbread pizzas that can be baked or air-fried for a kid-friendly dinner.
With just $88 spent at Trader Joe's, I pulled together six delicious dinners - that breaks down to about $14.65 per meal, or less than $2.50 per serving for a family of four. The fact is, I simply don't have time for complicated prep or piles of dishes, so these meals are fast (about 20 minutes), low-effort, and use six simple ingredients or fewer each; I hardly even call this cooking, honestly.
Sauté the sliced chicken sausage over medium heat until browned, then remove and set aside. Add the gnocchi and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and spinach to the pan with the gnocchi. Add ¼ cup of water and sauté until the spinach is wilted. Lower the heat and pour in ½ cup heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan and return the sausage to the pan. Let it all simmer together for 2-3 minutes.
How to Make Them: Spread sauce over the flatbread, top with cheese, pepperoni, and a little more cheese. Bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes or until melty. Let kids pick their toppings for a DIY dinner that's actually fun! Throw them in the air fryer at 350°F for 8 minutes for an even easier night.
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