Ultimate $50 Grocery Haul for Two: Meal Plan & Recipes

Let’s be honest: walking into a grocery store these days can feel like preparing for battle. With inflation impacting aisle after aisle, the idea of feeding two people for a whole week on just a $50 bill sounds almost mythical.

But I’m here to tell you—and show you—that it is entirely possible.

Drawing on over 15 years of experience in the food world, I’ve treated this week’s shopping trip like a strategic mission. This isn't just a list of cheap ramen noodles; we are talking about hearty, nutritious meals like One-Pot Spinach & Artichoke Chicken and Sticky Tofu Bowls.

This article is written "vlog style." Imagine we are walking through the aisles of Trader Joe's, Target, and Costco together. I’m going to show you exactly what to buy, show you the receipts, and break down how to turn those raw ingredients into 20 servings of food for the week.

Let’s get into the haul.

The Strategy: How to Make a $50 Grocery Budget Work for Two

Before we grab a cart, you need to understand the rules of engagement. To make a $50 grocery budget work for seven days (approx. $3.50 per meal for two people), you can't just shop at one store, and you have to lean on your "sunk costs" (your pantry).

Here is the game plan we used for this haul:

1. Shop Strategically: We hit Trader Joe's for produce and frozen items, Target for pantry cans, and Costco for the "anchor" proteins.
2. The "Bulk" Amortization: We factor in bulk buys. For example, a 5-pound bag of shredded cheese from Costco costs $15.99. You won't eat 5 pounds in a week. We calculate the cost for this week's usage at approximately $4, assuming you freeze the rest for the coming month.
3. Meatless Moments: We are incorporating high-protein plant-based meals like Three Bean Vegan Chili to stretch the budget without sacrificing fullness.

The Receipt: Breaking Down the Haul Under a $50 Limit

Here is exactly what we put in the cart to stay under the $50 limit. Notice how specific price points at places like Trader Joe's and Target save the day compared to premium grocers.

The Proteins & Dairy

• Rotisserie Chicken (Costco): $4.99 (The MVP of budget hauls).
• Ground Beef (Trader Joe’s): $4.99 (1 lb).
• Bacon (Trader Joe's): $6.49 (For flavor depth in multiple dishes).
• Gallon of Milk (Hannaford/Local): $2.59.
• Shredded Cheese (Costco Portion): $4.00 (Allocated from the $15.99 bulk bag).
• Tofu (Target/TJ's): $1.79.

The Produce (Fresh & Frozen)

• Potatoes (Trader Joe’s): $3.99 for a 3-pound bag.
• Frozen Green Beans (Trader Joe’s): $1.99 for 1.5 pounds.
• Vegetable Fried Rice (Trader Joe's - Frozen): $2.99.
• Bag of Spinach: $1.99.
• Bell Peppers (3-pack): $3.49.

The Pantry Staples (Target/Discount Grocer)

• Canned Beans (Kidney/Black/Pinto): $2.55 (3 cans at ~$0.85 each).
• Canned Tomatoes: $0.99.
• Tomato Sauce: $0.99.
• Pasta: $1.49.

Total Approximate Spend: $49.33

(Note: Prices fluctuate by region, but sticking to store brands at Target and Trader Joe's keeps you in this margin.)

The Meal Plan: 7 Days, 20+ Servings on a Budget

Now that the groceries are unpacked, how do we turn this pile of food into dinner for two every night? We aren't cooking seven separate complicated meals. We are "cooking once, eating twice" and repurposing ingredients.

Here is your menu:

1. The "Welcome Home" Roast Dinner

• Menu: Costco Rotisserie Chicken (legs/wings), Roasted Potatoes, and Green Beans.
• Why it works: The $5 roast chicken is cheaper than buying a raw bird and cooking it yourself. Paired with the $3.99 potatoes and $1.99 frozen green beans, this is a comfort meal for under $3 per person.

2. One-Pot Spinach & Artichoke Chicken and Rice

• Menu: Shredded Rotisserie Chicken breast (leftover), Spinach, Creamy Rice (using milk + cheese).
• Why it works: You are using the white meat from the Costco chicken. By making it "one-pot," you save on cleanup. The Costco cheese makes this incredibly rich without needing expensive heavy cream.

3. Three Bean Vegan Chili

• Menu: Canned beans ($0.85/can), Tomato Sauce ($0.99), Canned Tomatoes ($0.99), spices from pantry.
• Why it works: This makes a massive amount of food. You will likely get 4-6 servings out of this, providing lunch leftovers for the next two days. It’s hearty, high-fiber, and incredibly cheap.

4. Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers

• Menu: Ground Beef ($4.99), Bell Peppers, Rice (pantry), topped with Cheese.
• Why it works: We use the peppers as the vessel. The ground beef is stretched by mixing it with rice, ensuring you have meat left over for another night.

5. Creamy Green Veggie Pasta with Bacon

• Menu: Pasta, Frozen Green Beans, Spinach, Bacon ($6.49), Milk/Cheese sauce.
• Why it works: Bacon is the splurge item here, but you don't need much to flavor the whole dish. The "cream" sauce is a simple roux made with the milk and bulk cheese.

6. Sticky Tofu Bowls with Roasted Veggies

• Menu: Tofu ($1.79), Roasted Potatoes (leftover from bag), Spinach.
• Why it works: Tofu is a sponge for flavor. Using pantry staples like soy sauce and cornstarch, you can crisp this up to taste like takeout.

7. The "Cheat Code" Dinner

• Menu: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice + Leftover Ground Beef.
• Why it works: Sometimes you are too tired to cook. The $2.99 Frozen Fried Rice from Trader Joe's is a lifesaver. By tossing in the remaining ground beef from the stuffed peppers, you boost the protein for a $3 approximate cost for the whole dinner.

Deep Dive: Execution & Recipes for Your Budget Haul

You have the plan; now here is how you execute it like a pro.

Managing the Pantry

To make this work, you need to rely on what I call the "Flavor Arsenal." I assume you already have oil, salt, pepper, and basic spices (garlic powder, chili powder) in your cupboard. If you don't, dollar stores are great places to pick these up cheaply.

The Recipes

The Three Bean Chili is the workhorse of this week.

• Method: Sauté half an onion (if you have one) or garlic powder. Dump in your $0.99 tomatoes, $0.99 sauce, and rinsed beans ($0.85 each). Simmer for 30 minutes.
• Tip: If you saved the carcass of the Costco chicken, boil it with water to make a free bone broth to use as the liquid base for this chili!

The Ground Beef Strategy

You bought 1lb of beef for $4.99. Do not brown it all at once.

1. Use 0.6 lbs for the Stuffed Peppers.
2. Save 0.4 lbs to fry up crispy and toss into the Vegetable Fried Rice on night 7.

Repurposing Leftovers

Never throw away food.

• Leftover Chili: Put it over a baked potato (you bought a 3lb bag!).
• Leftover Spinach: Wilt it into your morning eggs or the pasta sauce.
• Leftover Bacon Grease: Save it! Use it to roast the potatoes instead of olive oil for immense flavor.

The Bottom Line on Grocery Budgets

Staying under $50 for two people requires a shift in mindset. You have to be willing to cook (mostly) from scratch and visit multiple stores to get the specific deals—like the $2.59 milk at Hannaford versus the pricier options elsewhere.

However, as we’ve proven with this haul, you aren't eating "poorly." You are eating Roast Chicken, Stuffed Peppers, and creamy pastas.

By focusing on high-impact ingredients like the Costco Rotisserie Chicken and versatile vegetables like potatoes and frozen green beans, you can fight back against rising food costs while keeping your plates full.

Want more budget breakdowns? I share weekly receipts and recipes on my newsletter and Instagram—check the bio for links!

Frequently Asked Questions