Cheap & Easy Fall Meals for $35 a Week

Introduction

When the air gets crisp and the days grow shorter, comforting, budget-friendly fall meals become the heart of the season. This week’s meal plan delivers a full week of hearty, satisfying dinners—all for only $35. With simple prep and big flavors, this menu is perfect for anyone who wants to eat well without breaking the bank.

Why Plan Cheap & Easy Fall Meals?

Fall meal planning means cozy flavors, less stress, and substantial savings. These recipes take advantage of seasonal ingredients like squash, potatoes, and beans to create filling dishes without expensive specialty items. Best of all, prepping a week in advance keeps grocery shopping streamlined and your wallet happy—no surprise takeout or food waste.

Smart Staple Choices for Fall Cooking

Building fall dinners around affordable pantry staples—think canned tomatoes, root vegetables, rice, pasta, and beans—lets you serve hearty meals that taste like comfort food, not compromise. Flavor boosters like onions, garlic, and fall spices bring each meal to life while keeping costs low.

Fall Meal Plan: 7 Dinner Ideas for Under $35

Here’s a sample week of budget-friendly fall dinners, each designed for simplicity, minimal prep, and plenty of seasonal flavor. Quantities serve 3–4, making this plan ideal for couples or small families.

• Monday: One-Pot Cheesy Pumpkin Pasta
• Tuesday: Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili (with cornbread mix)
• Wednesday: Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables
• Thursday: Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Soup
• Friday: Cheesy Broccoli & Rice Casserole
• Saturday: Baked Potato Bar (toppings: beans, broccoli, cheese)
• Sunday: Easy Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice

Essential Ingredient List

• 1 lb dried pasta
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 4 sweet potatoes
• 2 cans black beans
• 1 box cornbread mix
• 6 chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 4 medium potatoes (for roasting & baked potato bar)
• 1 bag carrots
• 1 bag onions
• 1 bunch broccoli
• 1 cup dried lentils
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups rice
• A few basic seasonings: garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this meal plan to automatically generate a sorted shopping list and adjust serving sizes for your household with just a click.

Basic Preparation Instructions

1. Mondays: Cook pasta, stir in pumpkin puree, reserved pasta water, cheese, and spices for a creamy weeknight meal.
2. Tuesdays: Sauté onions, sweet potatoes, and spices, then add beans and tomatoes; simmer and serve with cornbread.
3. Wednesdays: Toss chicken, potatoes, carrots, and onions with oil and roast together on a baking sheet.
4. Thursdays: Simmer lentils, carrots, onions, and tomatoes for a protein-packed soup.
5. Fridays: Mix steamed rice with broccoli and cheese; bake for a golden-topped casserole.
6. Saturdays: Bake potatoes, then lay out toppings for a choose-your-own dinner spread.
7. Sundays: Sauté remaining veggies, toss with cooked rice, and season for a quick stir-fry.

Weekly Meal Planning

This budget-focused plan makes it easy to cook homey, affordable dinners all week long. Save and schedule these meals to plan the right nights for cooking, manage grocery shopping, and adjust for preferences or leftovers.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidated ingredient lists to cut grocery costs
• Flexible portion settings to fit your household size
• Zero ingredient waste—everything used across multiple dinners
• No last-minute takeout needed; your week is ready!

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes to see exact ingredient totals for all meals—save money by buying just what you need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: Average 10–15 minutes per meal
Cook Time: Average 25–35 minutes per meal
Total Time: Less than 1 hour per meal (hands-on time often less than 20 minutes)

Recap: Cheap & Easy Fall Meals for $35 a Week

Planning your week with simple, cozy recipes keeps dinner delicious, manageable, and low-budget—even as the weather cools down. Lean on pantry staples, seasonal produce, and smart meal planning tools to serve up a whole week of fall favorites for under $35.