Feeding a family on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing nutrition or flavor. Dollar Tree’s selection of canned goods, grains and international foods offers incredible value when you know how to combine them into complete meals.
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These nine dinner ideas prove you can feed your entire family for under $10 using smart combinations of Dollar Tree staples and basic pantry ingredients you likely already have at home.
Hearty Three-Bean Chili Over Rice
What you’ll need:
- Goya black beans ($1.25)
- Brown’s Best pinto beans ($1.25)
- Brown’s Best light red kidney beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest tomato sauce ($1.25)
- Omega long-grain white rice ($1.25)
Total cost: $6.25.
Combine all beans (cook the dried ones first) with tomato sauce in a large pot. Season with chili powder, cumin and onion powder. Simmer for 30 minutes. This protein-rich meal serves four giant portions and tastes even better the next day!
Pro tip: Make a double batch and freeze half for an even easier future meal.
Check Out: 7 Canned Foods Frugal People Always Put in Their Grocery Cart
Mediterranean Lentil Soup
What you’ll need:
- Brown’s Best dried lentils ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest diced potatoes ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest sliced carrots ($1.25)
- Campbell’s condensed tomato soup ($1.25)
Total cost: $5.00.
Simmer lentils with diced vegetables and diluted tomato soup for a filling soup that serves four with leftovers. Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder for Mediterranean flavors. Lentils provide excellent plant protein and fiber.
Nutrition bonus: Lentils are loaded with folate, iron and potassium, making this a powerhouse meal for growing families.
Vegetable Pasta Primavera
What you’ll need:
- Columbia penne pasta ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest cut green beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest sliced carrots ($1.25)
- Hunt’s garlic and herb pasta sauce ($1.25)
Total cost: $5.00.
Cook pasta according to directions. Steam the vegetables and toss with cooked pasta and sauce. This colorful meal provides vegetables and complex carbs, and it serves four with extras for lunch.
Family hack: Let kids help wash and prepare vegetables to get them more interested in eating their veggies.
Chicken and Rice Family Skillet
What you’ll need:
- Crider deluxe canned white chicken in water ($1.25)
- Knorr chicken-flavored rice sides ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest cut green beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest sliced carrots ($1.25)
- Campbell’s chicken with rice condensed soup ($1.25)
- Omega long-grain white rice ($1.25)
Total cost: $7.50.
Prepare rice sides and regular rice together for extra volume. Add canned chicken, vegetables and diluted condensed soup. It’s a complete meal — and a delicious one!
Prep tip: This cooks quickly from the pantry ingredients, making it perfect for nights when you forget to plan dinner.
Asian-Style Vegetable Rice Bowl
What you’ll need:
- Omega long-grain white jasmine rice ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest cut green beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest sliced carrots ($1.25)
- Eat Regal ready-to-eat brown rice with quinoa ($1.25)
Total cost: $5.00.
Steam vegetables and serve over a mixture of both rices. Season with soy sauce (also $1.25 at Dollar Tree, if you need it) and other sauces and spices. The quinoa adds extra protein while the vegetables provide essential nutrients.
Time saver: The ready-to-eat rice pouch heats in just 90 seconds, making this perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Creamy Potato and Corn Chowder
What you’ll need:
- Campbell’s Kitchen Classics loaded potato soup ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest whole kernel corn ($1.25)
- Spring Farm evaporated milk ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest diced potatoes ($1.25)
- Campbell’s condensed chicken noodle soup ($1.25)
Total cost: $6.25.
Combine potato soup with corn and extra diced potatoes. Thin with evaporated milk and chicken broth from the condensed soup. This creamy, filling meal serves four with seconds.
Budget tip: Use the remaining chicken noodle soup for lunch the next day with some crackers.
Mexican-Style Bean and Rice Skillet
What you’ll need:
- Omega long-grain white rice ($1.25)
- La Sierra premium refried beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest whole kernel corn ($1.25)
- Goya black beans ($1.25)
- Del Barrio corn tortillas ($1.25)
Total cost: $6.25.
Cook rice and mix with both types of beans and corn in a large skillet. Warm tortillas and serve alongside for a complete meal. Add hot sauce and lime juice if available for an extra delicious kick.
Portion strategy: This makes enough for two family meals when you stretch it with the tortillas and add a simple salad.
Italian Pasta e Fagioli
What you’ll need:
- Columbia elbow macaroni ($1.25)
- Goya chick peas ($1.25)
- Campbell’s condensed tomato soup ($1.25)
- Brown’s Best great northern beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest tomato sauce ($1.25)
Total cost: $6.25.
Cook pasta separately. Combine beans, tomato soup, tomato sauce and cooked pasta. Season with Italian herbs from your spice rack. This hearty soup-stew hybrid feeds four generously.
Healthy choice: Adding lots of beans to this dish provides excellent plant-based protein and fiber for the whole family.
Spanish Rice and Beans Fiesta
What you’ll need:
- Knorr Fiesta Sides Spanish rice ($1.25)
- Goya black beans ($1.25)
- Del Monte harvest whole kernel corn ($1.25)
- La Sierra premium refried beans ($1.25)
Total cost: $5.00.
Prepare the Spanish rice as directed. Heat black beans and corn together. Serve over rice with a dollop of refried beans. This filling meal provides complete proteins and tasty Mexican flavors.
Serving suggestion: Warm some Del Barrio corn tortillas ($1.25) to make this a $6.25 meal with even more authentic appeal.
Editor’s note: Pricing is accurate as of Sept. 23, 2025. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Dollar Tree Dinners That Will Feed Your Entire Family for Under $10
