$5 Dinner Ideas
Dinner on a budget? We've got you covered. Here are 12 tasty recipes that fit the bill.
And that bill is exactly $5 a person (or less). Saving a dime never tasted so good.
World's Easiest Falafel and Tzatziki by marisab67
Call anything "world's easiest" and we're skeptical, but marisab67 is on to something. We'd never made falafel from scratch before and were astonished at how easy -- and fun -- it could be. - Amanda and Merrill
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Sausage and Kale Dinner Tart by My Pantry Shelf
Here's how you impress dinner guests without chipping away at your bank account. With this beauty, you've got yourself a dinner party -- all that's left is a big green salad and plenty of wine. - Amanda and Merrill
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When we first tasted this soup, we were puzzled. How could a dish that calls for only seven ingredients (not counting salt and pepper), and just five simple steps, be so complex in flavor? Reeve has devised a soup that can be put together in about half an hour, yet would be a great first course for a dinner party. - Amanda and Merrill
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Mujaddara with Spiced Yogurt by Rivka
Rumor has it that Mujaddara is not only good, but good for you too (apparently, the combination of lentils, onions and yogurt wields near magical powers -- especially for women). Whatever its health properties, we love the varying textures and flavors.- Amanda and Merrill
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Bean Salad with Pancetta by amanda
This recipe is inspired by a salad at Franny's in Brooklyn. It's a new kind of bean salad -- one that's slicked with garlicky oil, kissed with vinegar, and crowned with a crisp pancetta chip. - Amanda
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Wishbone Roast Chicken with Herb Butter by monkeymom
This recipe with its unassuming 5 ingredients caught our eye for its use of simple techniques to achieve a flavorful bird with crisp skin. And did we mention that the finished bird is then served with an herb butter? Herb butter gets us every time. - Amanda and Merrill
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One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf by deensiebat
Deensiebat's pilaf breathes new life into a familiar classic. Both the quinoa and the hearty strips of lacinato kale (you can use chard or standard kale) crunch lightly between your teeth, and lemon juice and zest keep the quinoa from being bland. - Amanda and Merrill
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French "Peasant" Beets by Amy_N-B
Here, Amy_N-B has you caramelize slices of yellow and red beets and then add a mix of beet tops and Swiss chard, cooking them just enough to wilt. You'll love the dish at this point, but you'll be riveted if you serve it with oozy cheese and good country bread. - Amanda and Merrill
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Rhonda's Spaghetti with Fried Eggs and Pangritata by Rhonda35
I just love this dish -- the yolks coat the pasta and the whites provide little puffs of yumminess throughout this peppery, garlicky dish. The pangritata tops it all off by adding bits of crunch and bright bursts of lemon and rosemary. - Rhonda35
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Diana Kennedy's Carnitas from Genius Recipes
The magic of pork + water + salt -- a genius recipe from Mexican cooking expert Diana Kennedy. - Genius Recipes
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Spicy Turkey Meatloaf by apartmentcooker
I can't make this enough -- last time I had to bump it up to four pounds of meat to satisfy the crowd! I've made it with beef and chicken too, but turkey is my fave. - apartmentcooker
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Linguine with Sardines, Fennel & Tomato by lastnightsdinner
When we tasted lastnightsdinner's rich, sea-infused pasta, our first thought was: "It's amazing that you can make something that tastes this good using fish from a can!" This simple, pantry dinner packs a punch with just a few ingredients. - Amanda and Merrill
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