7 Dollar Tree Pantry Meals to Stretch Til Payday

Quick Dollar Tree pantry meals! These cheap dollar store dinners are easy meals under 5 dollars, all made from pantry staples – budget grocery list included!

If you’ve ever walked out of the grocery store wondering how a couple bags can cost that much, consider making some dollar store recipes!

Dollar Tree Meals are perfect because:

The prices are predictable (so you can easily add up your total while you shop)
They have a wider selection than you’d think
It’s quick to run in and grab what you need

If you’re trying to feed your family (or just yourself) but still keep your grocery budget under control, you’re in the right place!

I put together this 7-Day Dollar Store Pantry Meal Plan packed with simple, affordable meals made from ingredients you can find at stores like Dollar Tree.

These dollar tree dinner ideas are quick easy meals for busy (or lazy) nights, and use cheap pantry ingredients.

I’ve also included plenty of optional upgrades and swaps if you want to make them a little heartier.

Whether you’re just trying to stretch your paycheck, stock up your pantry, or simply spend less on groceries this month …

… these budget-friendly dinners show that inexpensive meals can still be comforting, filling, and picky eater approved.

Let’s check out the recipes and grocery list!

Note: Feel free to swap out packets of chicken for the cans, or even pick up a rotisserie chicken at your grocery store and shred it.

Day 1: Southwest Chicken Soup

This cozy, flavorful soup is packed with chicken, corn, and tomatoes. It’s perfect for chilly nights or lunch meal prep for the week

Ingredients:

1 can chicken, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes (with juices)
2 cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1 packet taco seasoning

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a large pot.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Tip: To make this extra filling or stretch farther, you could add drained black beans or cooked rice, and top with shredded cheese or crushed tortilla chips. (Not included in the grocery list.)

Day 2: Chicken Noodle Casserole

This Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is classic comfort food made with noodles, chicken, and vegetables in a creamy sauce.

Ingredients:

8 oz egg noodles
1 can chicken, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (or 1 can, drained)

Directions:

Cook noodles according to package directions.
Mix noodles with chicken, soup, and vegetables.
Place in a baking dish.
Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.

Tip: Top the casserole with shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers before baking for extra flavor.

Day 3: Three-Ingredient Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick and inexpensive dinner that’s perfect for busy nights. They’re also totally customizable for your favorite flavors. (Pizza-dillas are fun too!)

Ingredients:

Flour tortillas
Refried beans
Shredded cheese
Optional: sour cream or salsa

Directions:

Spread beans on half of each tortilla.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Fold and cook in a skillet until golden.
Serve with sour cream or salsa if you have it

Day 4: Ranch Chicken Rice Casserole

This creamy, kid-friendly casserole has good savory ranch flavor so the picky eaters might not notice the vegetables (as much).

Prep ahead tip: Cook the rice for both rice dishes at the same time, and store for later. For 4 cups cooked, use about 1.5 cups of dry rice (if you can’t find the instant kind).

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice
1 can chicken, drained
1 packet ranch seasoning
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (or 1 can, drained)
½ cup water

Directions:

Cook rice according to package directions
Mix ingredients in a casserole dish.
Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.

Tip: Top the casserole with chopped bacon, shredded cheese, breadcrumbs, or crushed crackers before baking for extra flavor. Or stir in a can of corn of some sweetness.

Day 5: Pan-Fried Gnocchi

Gnocchi is a simple meal that feels special while staying budget-friendly. If you’re never tried gnocchi you’re in for a treat!

Ingredients:

1 package shelf-stable gnocchi
Oil (and drizzle)
Salt and pepper
Optional: Jar of pasta sauce

Directions:

Heat drizzle of oil in a skillet.
Add gnocchi.
Cook until golden and crispy on all sides.
Season with salt and pepper, or toss with pasta sauce until warmed through.

Tip: If you have butter, garlic powder, and any type of bread or buns, you can easily make cheap garlic bread to serve alongside. (I just toast it in the toaster oven for 5ish minutes.)

Day 6: Chili Mac

Chili Mac is a hearty one-pot dinner that’s the perfect example of a pantry meal. As I noted below, you can change up the recipe using some easy swaps.

Ingredients:

1 lb elbow macaroni
2 cans chili beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 packet chili seasoning

Directions:

Cook macaroni.
Stir in beans, tomatoes, and seasoning.
Simmer for 10 minutes.

Tip: Use 2 cans of chili instead of the beans, or a box of macaroni and cheese instead of regular noodles, or stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and/or a can of corn to stretch the meal. It tastes great served with cornbread too.

Day 7: Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

This casserole is creamy, cheesy, and filling with only a handful of ingredients. The leftovers taste great too, if you don’t eat it all.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice
1 can chicken, drained
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

Cook rice according to package directions
Mix rice, chicken, soup, and half the cheese.
Place in a baking dish.
Top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.

Tip: Stir in some veggies before baking, or top with crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or french fried onions for the last 5 minutes of baking.

Dollar Tree Pantry Shopping List

Here’s the exact grocery list you can use to make these meals.

Canned Goods

4 cans chicken
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans chili beans
1 can refried beans
2 cans chicken stock
Optional: 1 can or jar of pasta sauce for gnocchi
Optional: 1 jar of salsa for quesadillas

Pasta & Grains

1 package egg noodles (12 oz)
1 lb elbow macaroni
1 package shelf-stable gnocchi
2 boxes instant rice (or 1 bag of non-instant)

Dairy

2 bags shredded cheddar cheese (8 oz each)
Optional: sour cream for quesadillas

Frozen

1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (or 2 cans)

Bread & Tortillas

1 package flour tortillas

Seasonings

1 packet ranch seasoning
1 packet chili seasoning
1 packet taco seasoning

Pantry Staples

Cooking oil

Dollar Tree Menu Ideas

With grocery prices climbing, it really helps to have an affordable meal plans on hand.

The best part about these Dollar Store dinner recipes is that they have very few ingredients, require almost no prep work, and can easily be customized with whatever you already have at home.

I hope this meal plan helps take some of the stress out of meal planning and saves you money along the way.

I’d love it if you’d pin this post for later, share it with a friend who loves a good budget-friendly meal, or check out my other easy meal plans below.

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