Dinnertime can be chaotic: kids are underfoot, the dog is barking and you need something on the table that’s healthy yet low effort because you’re pressed for time. Luckily, you can make five nights worth of dinners using just one bag of groceries—yes, really!
With a little strategic planning, you can make these dinners with ease, cutting down on food waste, costs and the mental energy of shopping for various meals that appeal to the whole family. Each of these dinner recipes calls for no more than five ingredients, not including basics like oil, salt and pepper. The grocery bill works out to be about $93—or an average of $18 for each four-serving dinner. (Note: prices may vary depending on your location.) That’s less than half the price of four value meals from McDonalds—and better for you too.
Grocery List
- 2 (15-oz.) cans no-salt-added chickpeas
- 1 (8.8-oz.) package precooked microwaveable brown rice
- 1 large lemon
- 3 (10-oz.) containers grape tomatoes
- 1 medium red onion
- 2 large avocados
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 head garlic
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 medium green bell peppers
- 1 (24-oz.) bag baby potatoes
- 1 (10-oz.) bag spinach
- 1 bunch thyme
- 2 (12-oz.) packages green beans
- 4 (4-oz.) chicken cutlets
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 (5-oz.) salmon fillets, skin on
- 4 (5-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Check Your Pantry
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Balsamic vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Honey
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Avocado & Chickpea Salad
Avocado & Chickpea Salad and ingredients.
Photographer: Jake Sternquist; Food Stylist: Sammy Mila; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Chickpeas + avocado + lemon juice + grape tomatoes + red onion
This salad is a quick and easy meal option, perfect for busy Monday nights. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber from chickpeas and healthy fats from avocado, this salad is on the table in just 20 minutes. This dish includes a simple dressing made from lemon juice and olive oil that ties everything together, enhancing the flavors while keeping the dish light and fresh.
Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
Photographer: Jake Sternquist; Food Stylist: Sammy Mila; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Ground beef + sweet potatoes + red onion + garlic + green bell peppers
Who doesn’t love a hearty, one-pan meal that delivers on both flavor and convenience? This skillet dinner is the dish to make when you want something satisfying. The combination of savory ground beef and tender sweet potatoes creates the perfect balance of flavors in every bite. Not only do they add natural sweetness, but sweet potatoes are also packed with fiber, vitamin A and potassium, making this dish as nourishing as it is delicious. Leftovers keep for up to 4 days. Top them with an egg for breakfast or use as a taco filling.
Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Zucchini
Photographer: Jake Sternquist; Food Stylist: Sammy Mila; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Chicken cutlets + zucchini + grape tomatoes + balsamic vinegar + garlic powder
Sheet-pan meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and this Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Zucchini is no exception. With just a single pan, you can easily create a flavorful, well-balanced meal. Bonus: You’ll have minimal cleanup! As the ingredients roast together, the tomatoes burst and mix with the balsamic marinade, creating a naturally sweet and savory sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables.
Honey Salmon with Potatoes & Spinach
Photographer: Jake Sternquist; Food Stylist: Sammy Mila; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Salmon + potatoes + spinach + honey + garlic
This simple, yet elegant, dish perfectly combines sweet and savory flavors, making it a go-to meal for both weeknights and special occasions. The baby potatoes are roasted until golden brown, while the salmon fillets are seared to create a crispy skin. Wilted spinach rounds out the meal, adding a pop of color and nutrients including iron, folate and antioxidants. The result is a complete meal that everyone will love.
Garlic-Thyme Chicken with Green Beans & Rice
Photographer: Jake Sternquist; Food Stylist: Sammy Mila; Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Chicken thighs + green beans + brown rice + thyme + garlic
Rounding out this week’s dinner plan is this comforting chicken dinner. Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs are seasoned with fragrant thyme, salt and pepper for a dish that’s packed with flavor. Green beans add freshness and a nice crisp-tender bite to the dish while the brown rice provides a hearty base and a satisfying source of fiber. If you have leftover cooked brown rice on hand or prefer white rice, you can use that instead. Either way, you’ll have an effortless, filling dinner.
