3 Budget-Friendly Walmart Dinners Under $15 for Busy Weeknights
It may come as little surprise to those who keep a close eye on their grocery bills — or note how packed the store is during peak hours — but Walmart is the top grocer in America.
With more than one-fifth (21.2%) of total grocery market share based on dollar sales, and having retained its place at the top of the pile since 2019, the blue-and-yellow brand has impressed budget-minded shoppers looking for affordable food amid persistent inflation and overall economic uncertainty.
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With that said, what are some of the best dinner staples to pick up when your budget calls for $15 or less?
Here’s a tasty selection to keep you satisfied during those too-busy weeknights while also sparing your bank account.
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It’s Homemade Pizza Night! Walmart Sells the Staples for Less than $15
Who doesn’t enjoy whipping up a quick and easy pizza pie for supper? Not only is it fun and satisfying to host a DIY pizza party for your household, but it means you can have your portion entirely your way, completely to your taste.
Let’s begin with the base: Pizza Buddy pizza dough at just $1.98 for a 16-ounce bag. If you don’t want to use it all for pizza, consider calzones, garlic knots or garlic fingers as alternative options. Then, the sauce — Don Pepino’s pizza sauce 14.5-ounce can (made with “Jersey Fresh” tomatoes!) — comes in at $2.44. Finally, we need some cheese to complete basics, and an 8-ounce bag of Great Value Italian Style cheese rings up for only $1.97. That leaves you with room for two bags, if you really want to indulge.
There’s lots of room left in the budget for mushrooms, onions, pepperoni or bacon if you want to dress up your pizza a bit further. Pizza is a personal thing, after all — it’s rumored that some folks even like pineapple on there!
Ham and Roasted Potatoes: A Comfort Food Classic
It’s hard to beat the savory and salty flavor profile afforded by a nice slice of hickory smoked ham, and Smithfield has you covered with a 4.5-star reviewed product at just $5.46 a pound. Lean, high-protein, and good in the fridge for some time, this is a solid and frugal centerpiece of any meal.
Considering pairing this Smithfield ham steak with a 16-ounce bag of equally high-rated BetterGoods redskin potatoes ($3.47). Already seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper, and drizzled with olive oil, just toss the whole bag in the oven or air fryer for 12 to 15 minutes and voila! Dinner’s done.
Don’t Forget the Veggies! Fresh and Frozen Vegetables for the Frugal Grocery Shopper
Vegetables, either as a side dish or as the main attraction in a stir-fry or salad, can be tasty, despite what you might have thought at an earlier age. They’re also vital for proper nutrition, and add color to the plate.
Frozen mixed vegetables are a great and long-lasting addition to your kitchen supplies, with Walmart’s Great Value private label producing some fan favorites: The 32-ounce bag of Great Value mixed vegetables including carrots, sweet corn, green beans, and peas is priced at $2.58. Meanwhile, Great Value California style vegetable mix (that's broccoli, cauliflower and carrots) comes in at $1.16 for a 12-ounce package. Lastly, a Great Value pepper and onion mixed vegetable blend perfect for Asian-inspired dishes will set you back $2.84 for a 20-ounce bag, while a dedicated Great Value stir-fry mixture will cost just a tad less at $2.72 in the same size.
You may not make any friends with salad (at least as a main course — unless you’re an absolute salad fiend!), but it’s the absolutely ideal pairing for a high-protein or carb-heavy main course.
Walmart sells a 12.76-ounce Marketside bacon ranch chopped fresh salad kit for just $3.78, complete with green and red cabbage, lettuce, carrots, kale, green onions, Tex-Mex shredded cheese, bacon, tortilla strips and a jalapeno ranch dressing.
Healthy — at least relatively — and delicious: Who says you can’t enjoy meals at home without breaking the budget?
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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