Cheap & Easy Fall Meals for $35 a Week

Introduction

Embrace the flavors of autumn without breaking the bank. This collection of Cheap & Easy Fall Meals for $35 a Week brings you hearty, delicious dinners that keep your family satisfied all season long. With comforting favorites like roasted root vegetables, one-pot stews, and cozy casseroles, you’ll make the most of fall’s best ingredients—and your grocery budget.

Why These Fall Meals are a Must-Try

Simple, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor, these meals are perfect for busy weeknights and meal planning. Each recipe maximizes affordable pantry staples and seasonal produce, delivering warmth and nutrition by the bowlful. Plus, everything comes together quickly, making it easy to stick to your meal plan and budget.

Smart Shopping for Budget Fall Meals

When planning for a week’s worth of meals on $35, sticking to versatile ingredients is key. Root vegetables, beans, grains, and affordable cuts of chicken or beef form the foundation for comforting dishes that feel far fancier than their cost. Shop with a plan, prep ingredients in advance, and make the most of leftovers.

Sample $35 Fall Meal Plan Menu

Here’s a sample lineup to take you through five delicious dinners, with leftovers for lunches or hearty snacks:

• Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes & Apples
• Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Stew
• One-Pot Chicken & Rice with Butternut Squash
• Cheesy Bean & Corn Quesadillas
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Ingredient List for the Week

• 1 lb smoked sausage or chicken sausage
• 2-3 medium potatoes
• 2 apples
• 1 onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 lb carrots
• 1, 15-oz can lentils (or dry lentils)
• 1, 15-oz can tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 lb butternut squash
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 1, 15-oz can black beans
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1, 15-oz can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup milk
• Pantry: olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs (optional: chili powder, paprika, cinnamon)

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this meal plan in CookifyAI to instantly generate an organized shopping list by store section—making efficient meal planning and affordable grocery trips a breeze.

Instructions

1. Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes & Apples: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss chopped sausage, potatoes, apples, onion, and bell pepper with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cinnamon. Spread on a baking sheet. Roast 25–30 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden.
2. Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Stew: In a pot, sauté diced carrots and half the onion in a little oil. Add canned lentils (or cooked dry lentils), tomatoes, and broth. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Simmer 20 minutes. Serve with crusty bread if you have it.
3. One-Pot Chicken & Rice with Butternut Squash: In a large skillet, brown chicken pieces in a bit of oil. Remove. Sauté cubed butternut squash and the rest of the onion. Stir in rice and 2 cups broth, return chicken, cover, and cook 25 minutes until rice is tender.
4. Cheesy Bean & Corn Quesadillas: Mash drained black beans with garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. Spread on tortillas, top with corn and cheese, fold, and pan-fry until golden and melty.
5. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake: Boil pasta. In a pot, heat pumpkin puree with milk, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir in cheese and drained pasta. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until bubbly.

Weekly Meal Planning

Want to make the most of your ingredients and avoid food waste? Schedule these recipes in CookifyAI to streamline your weekly meal prep. With just a few clicks, you can:

• Generate a consolidated shopping list—no duplicate ingredients or forgotten items
• Group groceries by store section for speedier trips
• Ensure all your bases are covered for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks too
• See at a glance which meals use the same staples, minimizing waste and maximizing savings

Pro tip: Plan your entire week to unlock CookifyAI’s smart recommendations and spot ingredient overlaps—saving you money and meal prep time.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15–20 minutes per meal
Cook Time: 25–40 minutes each
Total Time: Approximately 3 hours for five dinners

Budget Fall Meal Plan Recap

Eating well this fall doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or your budget. With these Cheap & Easy Fall Meals for $35 a Week, you’ll enjoy comforting favorites, creative meal planning, and stress-free shopping thanks to smart tools like CookifyAI. Cozy up to affordable, homemade comfort food all season long!