9 Easy Kroger Meals for Families on a Budget—Each Under $10

Feeding your family on a budget is easy with these recipes that balance low prices with big flavor.

Each of these dishes is designed to come in under a $10 budget (excluding common pantry staples like salt, spices, and butter).

1. Easy Eggplant Parmigiana

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tsp. dried basil

  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

  • 1/8 tsp. garlic salt

  • 1 cup spaghetti sauce

  • 1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • 6 slices mozzarella cheese

• Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. Stir the dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic salt into the spaghetti sauce.

  3. Layer the eggplant slices flat on the prepared baking pan. Spoon the spaghetti sauce over the top and around the eggplant.

  4. Cover the eggplant with foil and bake for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove from the oven. Uncover and lay the mozzarella slices on top.

  5. Bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.

2. Five-Ingredient Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 24 frozen meatballs

  • 3 cups frozen vegetables

  • 3/4 pound cooked spaghetti

  • 3 cups marinara sauce

  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Directions:

  1. Place the frozen meatballs in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high heat for 2 minutes, and then for 30 seconds at a time if needed until the meatballs are cooked.

  2. Place the frozen vegetables in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high heat for 3 minutes, and then for 1 minute at a time until cooked.

  3. Heat the sauce in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss the pasta with the tomato sauce. Stir in the meatballs and vegetables.

  4. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top.

3. Ramen Mac and Cheese

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 2 packages (3 oz. each) instant ramen, seasoning packets discarded

  • 3/4 cup Whole Milk

  • 1 tsp. dried mustard

  • 1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce

  • 3 oz. Yellow American Cheese, shredded or torn into pieces

  • 5 oz. Medium Cheddar Cheese, shredded

• Directions:

  1. Fill a 3-quart saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add noodles, cook for 3 minutes, then drain.

  2. In the same pan, bring milk to a simmer over medium-low heat. Whisk in mustard, hot sauce, American cheese and cheddar. Whisk until cheeses are melted.

  3. Return noodles to the pan and stir to coat with cheese sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  4. Refrigerate leftovers.

4. Mini Pizza Bagels

• Serves: 12

• Prep/Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes proofing and cooling)

• Ingredients:

  • 12 Original Yeast Dinner Roll Dough balls, thawed in the refrigerator overnight

  • 2 quarts water

  • 1 tbsp. molasses

  • 1 tsp. baking soda

  • 1 cup Pizza Snack Sauce

  • 3 cups Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese

  • 2 packages (4 oz. each) Sliced Mini Pepperoni

• Directions:

  1. Line a baking sheet with lightly oiled parchment paper.

  2. Divide dough balls in half. Form each into a thin rope and pinch ends together to create a bagel. Place on prepared pan. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30-45 minutes or until slightly puffed.

  3. Meanwhile, bring water, molasses and baking soda to a boil in a wide pan.

  4. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  5. Carefully drop bagels into boiling water. Cook for 1-2 minutes or bagels puff and outside dough looks sets, flipping halfway through. Transfer to parchment-lined pan.

  6. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.

  7. Split bagels in half and place cut-side up on parchment-lined baking sheets. Top each with about 1 teaspoon pizza sauce, 1 tablespoon cheese and 3 pepperoni slices.

  8. Bake in a 425°F oven for 15-18 minutes or until bagels are toasted and cheese is melted.

  9. Refrigerate leftovers.

5. Alfredo Turkey Meatballs Pasta Bake

• Serves: 6

• Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 1 box (12 oz.) Kroger Brand Bow Ties Pasta

  • 1 container (12 oz.) Kroger Brand Flame Broiled Turkey Frozen Meatballs

  • 1 jar Kroger Brand Traditional Alfredo Sauce

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  • 1 bag (12 oz.) Kroger Brand Frozen California Style Vegetables

  • Oregano, optional garnish

• Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and place in a 9”x13” casserole dish.

  3. Add meatballs, alfredo sauce and vegetables to the pasta. Stir until well-coated.

  4. Bake 20-25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

  5. Serve and refrigerate leftovers.

6. Sheet Pan Black Bean Quesadillas

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 8 Kroger Brand Soft Taco-size Flour Tortillas

  • 1 bag (8 oz.) Kroger Brand Shredded Mexican-style Cheese Blend, divided

  • 1 can (15.25 oz.) Kroger Brand Black Beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 can (8.5 oz.) Kroger Brand No Salt Added Whole Kernel Sweet Golden Corn, drained

  • 1 cup Kroger Brand Traditional Mild Salsa

  • 1/2 cup Kroger Brand Original Sour Cream

  • Fresh cilantro, to serve

• Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Spray a 9”x13” sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place 2 tortillas in the center so they are slightly overlapping, then place 5 overlapping tortillas around the edges.

  3. Top with about half the cheese, black beans, corn and remaining cheese. Place 2 more tortillas in the middle, folding the bottom-layer tortillas over the edges to cover the filling.

  4. Lightly spray the quesadilla with nonstick cooking spray. Cover with aluminum foil, then top with another sheet pan. Bake 15-20 minutes, then remove sheet pan and foil. Continue baking 10-15 minutes, until crispy.

  5. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Refrigerate leftovers.

7. Stir-fried Rice

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 25 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups instant microwavable white rice, uncooked

  • 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1 teriyaki stir-fry kit (9.5 oz.), seasoning/sauce package excluded

• Directions:

  1. Prepare rice according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

  2. In large skillet over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add eggs and scramble until cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

  3. In same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and stir-fry kit (minus sauce); sauté until tender, 5–7 minutes. Add sauce and rice; cook until combined, about 5 minutes. Stir in scrambled egg.

  4. Serve, refrigerating any leftovers.

8. Ground Turkey and Potato Skillet

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil

  • 1 pound Kroger® 85% Lean Fresh Ground Turkey

  • 1 tsp. salt, divided

  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1 tsp. chili powder

  • 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, divided

  • 2 russet potatoes, cut into ¼”-½” cubes

  • 1 can (8 oz.) Kroger® Tomato Sauce

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

  • 1/2 tsp. dried parsley

  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder

  • 1 bag (12 oz.) Kroger® Meal-ready Sides Broccoli & Cauliflower Frozen Vegetables, prepared

  • Fresh parsley, to serve

• Directions:

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add ground turkey and cook until browned. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Remove from pan and set aside.

  2. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add potatoes, cover, and sauté until mostly softened, about 10 minutes.

  3. Add cooked turkey, tomato sauce, water, garlic, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, dried parsley and onion powder. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes, until potatoes are soft.

  4. Serve mixture over prepared broccoli and cauliflower. Refrigerate leftovers.

9. Cheesy Fish Stick and Rice Casserole

• Serves: 4

• Prep/Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 1 bag (8.8 oz.) Kroger Brand 90-second Whole Grain Brown Rice

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 bag (12 oz.) Kroger Brand Meal-ready Sides Frozen Peas & Carrots

  • 1 bag (8 oz.) Kroger Brand Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

  • 16 Kroger Brand Crunchy Fish Sticks

• Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a 9”x9” casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. In a medium bowl, combine rice, milk, peas and carrots and about 1¾ cups cheese. Pour into prepared dish. Place fish sticks on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

  3. Bake 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and heated through.

  4. Serve and refrigerate leftovers.