Making Spirits and Budgets Bright with Feasts: Mains and Meats

By More Food

If you live in an area that relies heavily on discount grocery stores like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, ALDI, Lidl, or similar store, your meals might require more creativity. Great news, you can shop at a discount store and have great meals. This series will present meal favorites using products and prices from Dollar General.

Today we will focus on main dishes and entrees. Whether you are attending luncheons to dinner gatherings, try one of these recipes with items from your Dollar General. Our featured recipes are: Baked Spaghetti, Chicken Pot Pie and Glazed Ham Steaks

Note for readers: The cost-per-dish is based on shopping for the entire recipe. Before going to the store always check your pantry for items on hand to avoid overspending. Many of these ingredients can also be used in multiple recipes so think about what ingredients have versatility (spices, produce, canned goods, etc.) and if needed, swap with what you have on hand.

Shopping list prices were obtained from https://www.dollargeneral.com/. Prices and availability are subject to change depending on location.

Dollar General Corporation. Dollar General – Official Website. Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.dollargeneral.com/.

Baked Spaghetti

This recipe makes eight servings and all ingredients can be found at Dollar General for less than $20, making each serving less than $2.50. Casserole and baked dishes like this freeze well too so you can keep any leftovers once the holidays end.

 

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces spaghetti
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons dried
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese about 6oz
  • ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 32 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large pot of salted water, cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the meat, onion, garlic, seasoning and green pepper while breaking up the meat. Drain fat if needed.
  4. Stir in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning and tomatoes. Simmer uncovered for five to ten minutes or until thickened. Stir in the cooked spaghetti and parsley.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, top with cheeses and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and the cheese is browned and bubbly. Cut into squares to serve.

Notes:

If preparing ahead of time, increase the baking time.  This casserole can be covered with foil and frozen (before baking). Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, adding the cheese after 20 minutes. Leftovers can be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave until heated through.

 

Nutrition

Servings: 8

Calories: 413, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 1054mg, Potassium: 864mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 945IU, Vitamin C: 28mg, Calcium: 216mg, Iron: 4mg

Nilsson, Holly. “Baked Spaghetti.” Spend With Pennies, September 13, 2025. https://www.spendwithpennies.com/baked-spaghetti-casserole/#wprm-recipe-container-136559. Accessed November 7, 2025.

Shopping List

** Fresh produce is only available at specific Dollar General stores in North Carolina called Dollar General Market (DG Market). Check your local farmers market, or grocery store for fresh produce in this recipe if there is not a DG Market near you.

  • Clover Valley Petite Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz: $1.00
  • Prego Traditional Tomato Italian Pasta Sauce, Value Size Jar, 38 oz: $3.85
  • Jumbo Green Bell Pepper**, 1 count: $1.00
  • Clover Valley Iodized Salt, 26 oz: $0.95
  • Clover Valley Italian Seasoning, 0.75 oz: $1.00
  • Fresh from the Start Onions, 2lbs: $1. 95
  • American Foods Fresh Ground Beef 73% Lean 27% fat, 1lb: $5.50
  • Clover Valley Shredded Parmesan Cheese, 6 oz: $2.50
  • Clover Valley Fancy Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, 8 oz: $2.50
  • Clover Valley Parsley Flakes, 0.25 oz: $1.00
  • Clover Valley Spaghetti, 16 oz: $1.00

Pre-tax: $19.30 (if you are receiving SNAP this is what you would pay when using your EBT card!)

Post-tax: $19.69

Cost per serving: $2.41

Chicken Pot Pie

A warm and cozy dish that everyone can enjoy! Note that this dish calls for shredded or cooked chicken meaning if you already have leftover chicken from another meal it can be used here. Many recipes will suggest rotisserie chicken to save time which can be cost effective as well. If you are receiving SNAP benefits, you cannot purchase a hot rotisserie chicken with your EBT card. However, a cold rotisserie in the refrigerated section is a SNAP eligible food. For simplicity, this recipe uses canned chicken. Canned chicken is a convenient protein source that’s a pantry staple for many households. It’s ready-to-eat, shelf-stable, versatile and affordable.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
  • 2 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 (10 ounce) can chicken chunks, drained
  • 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup reduced-fat milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated flaky layer biscuits

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 ° F (220 °C). Butter a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, frozen mixed vegetables and chicken to a saucepan over medium heat. 
  3. Cook until vegetables are tender, five to seven minutes.
  4. Fold in condensed soup; mix well.
  5. Gradually pour in milk and mix until smooth; mixture should not be runny. Season with salt and pepper, then bring to a boil.
  6. Remove from the heat and spread mixture into the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Separate biscuits into layers and place gently on top of chicken-vegetable mixture. Drizzle remaining two tablespoons melted butter over biscuits.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts:

Servings: 8

Calories 263 Total Fat 13g Saturated Fat 5g  Cholesterol 30mg  Sodium 990mg  Total Carbohydrate 27g  Dietary Fiber 2g  Total Sugars 5g  Protein 10g  Vitamin C 4mg  Calcium 32mg  Iron 2mg  Potassium 86mg

Adapted from: Stevens-Adkins, Melanie R. “Cheater Pot Pie.” Allrecipes, updated December 3, 2024. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18370/cheater-pot-pie/. Accessed November 7, 2025.

Shopping List

  • Clover Valley Unsalted Butter 16 oz: $3.95
  • Birds Eye Steamfresh Mixed Vegetables, Frozen Vegetables, 10 oz. Bag (2): $3.00
  • Clover Valley Shredded White Chicken, 10 oz: $3.85
  • Clover Valley 2% Reduced Fat Milk, .5 gal: $3.10
  • Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle Butter Tastin’ Big Biscuits, 5 ct: $2.35
  • Clover Valley Healthy Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup, 11.5 oz (2): $2.00
  • Clover Valley Salt & Pepper, dual pack 3.43 oz: $1.00

Pre-tax: $19.25 (if you are receiving SNAP this is what you would pay when using your EBT card!)

Post-tax: $19.64

Cost per serving: $2.41

Glazed Ham Steaks

If you already have all the sides planned out and are looking for a simple protein for your plate, a ham steak can do the job for less than purchasing a whole ham. Ham steaks are typically precooked cured or smoked ham, which is a convenient way to enjoy the flavor of ham without cooking a large, whole roast.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 8oz. ham steaks
  • 1 Tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Combine the brown sugar, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and garlic powder in a small bowl.
  2. Cut the ham steaks in half to create four-ounce portions.
  3. Add the butter to a skillet and heat over medium.
  4. When the butter is melted, swirl the skillet to coat the surface.
  5. Add the ham steaks and cook for three to five minutes on each side or until browned.
  6. Spoon half of the glaze mixture over the ham steaks, flip, then add the second half of the glaze.
  7. Cook for 1-2 minutes more on each side, or until the glaze becomes thick and sticky.
  8. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Servings made: 4

Calories: 220kcal Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 22g Fat: 8g Sodium: 1525mg Fiber: 1g

Moncel, Beth. “Glazed Ham Steaks.” Budget Bytes, December 20, 2021. https://www.budgetbytes.com/glazed-ham-steaks/. Accessed November 7, 2025.

Shopping List

  • Smithfield Anytime Favorites Hickory Smoked Boneless Ham Steak, 8 oz (2): $8.50
  • Clover Valley Unsalted Butter 16 oz: $3.95
  • Clover Valley Light Brown Sugar, 2 lb $2.35
  • Clover Valley Dijon Mustard, 1 ct: $1.50
  • Clover Valley 5% Pure Apple Cider Vinegar, 32 oz: $2.65
  • Pampa Worcestershire Sauce, Original Flavor, 10 fl oz: $1.35
  • Clover Valley Garlic Powder, 3.12 oz: $1.00

Subtotal: $21.30 (if you are receiving SNAP this is what you would pay when using your EBT card!)

Post Tax: $21.43

Cost per serving: $5.32

Keep an eye out for more recipes in this series as we explore sides, soups and breakfast dishes to feed the whole family while on a budget!  

Photo Credit:

Photo by Luisa Brimble on Unsplash

Photo by Carnivore Style on Unsplash

Photo by Jessica Kantak Bailey on Unsplash

Photo by Jessie Nelson on Unsplash