The top picture (with canned tuna) features all items from Kroger. The bottom two four-course meals (with meatballs and Italian sausage) come from Lidl. Swapping out a couple of items from Kroger, the two Lidl dinners would have been even cheaper.
- pasta
- tomato sauce
- canned tuna
- salad w/dressing
- bread
- milk
I never pay more than 50¢ for a box of pasta – even brand name pasta. I usually find jars of pasta sauce for 99¢.
Ronzoni has been running a special several times per year for 49¢ per box if you buy 6 or 10 boxes. I buy that and I’m good for the year.
I used to be able to get Ragu, Prego and Classico for 99¢ a jar several times each year, but haven’t seen that for a while, so I buy Hunt’s canned sauce or Kroger’s house brand for 99¢.
The tuna adds a lean source of protein and is much less expensive than ground beef.
10¢ – tuna (49¢ can divided by 5)
10¢ – pasta (49¢ box divided by 5)
20¢ – tomato sauce (99¢ jar divided by 5)
19¢ – 12 oz. milk ($1.99 gallon)
20¢ – salad (99¢ head of lettuce divided by 8; 99¢ bottle of dressing)
10¢ – garlic bread