Feed Your Family With Holiday Recipes for Under $25

Holiday meals don’t require excessive spending. By leveraging budget-conscious shopping and pantry essentials, you can create memorable family recipes that won’t break the bank. Dollar Tree offers an accessible solution for those seeking to celebrate without financial stress.

Strategic Budget Planning for Holiday Gathering

Creating a full holiday table for four to six people costs roughly $20 to $25. This approach emphasizes smart ingredient selection over premium brands, allowing families to prioritize what matters most—quality time together—rather than grocery expenses.

Ham and Potato Celebration Stovetop Meal

This no-bake stovetop option feeds four people for approximately $20, perfect for families seeking simplicity without sacrificing tradition.

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Appetizer:

• Cream cheese-style spread: $1.25
• Raspberry preserves: $1.50
• Crackers: $1.25

Soften the spread, layer with preserves on top, and serve alongside crackers for an elegant opening course.

Skillet Ham and Potatoes:

• Smoked deli ham (two packages): $2.50
• Potatoes au gratin or scalloped boxed mix (two boxes): $2.50
• Margarine (two sticks): $1.00
• Whole milk: $1.25

Cube and sear the ham, then combine with water, milk, margarine, and potato mix. Simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes absorb the flavors.

Ginger Snap Trifle With Caramel Finish:

• Ginger snap cookies: $1.25
• Vanilla pudding mix (two boxes): $2.50
• Brown sugar: $1.25
• Margarine and milk (from above ingredients)

Melt margarine with brown sugar and milk to create a caramel sauce by boiling for three minutes. Prepare pudding with slightly reduced milk for thickness. Layer cookies, pudding, and caramel sauce in a serving dish, refrigerating for at least one hour.

Traditional Turkey Dinner Option

This classic meal, inspired by traditional holiday cooking, serves four to six for approximately $22 to $25. It includes turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and candied yams.

Turkey Preparation and Gravy:

• Canned white turkey in water (four to six cans): $5–$7.50
• Turkey gravy packets: $2.50
• Chicken broth (two cans): $2.50
• Olive oil: $1.25

Cook turkey in a skillet with oil and seasonings. Prepare gravy by combining broth with reserved liquid and simmering until blended.

Mashed Potatoes:

• Buttery mashed potato packets (two boxes): $3.00

Prepare following package directions using broth instead of water. Finish with oil drizzle and desired seasonings.

Stuffing Mix:

• Stuffing mix boxes (two): $2.50

Prepare with broth and oil, then bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.

Green Bean Casserole:

• Canned green beans (two cans): $2.50
• Cream of mushroom soup (one can): $1.25

Combine soup, broth, and seasonings with beans. Top with stuffing mixture, drizzle with oil, and bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Candied Yams:

• Yams in syrup (two cans): $2.50
• Chunk pineapple (one can): $1.25
• Brown sugar: $1.25

Toss yams with brown sugar, pineapple juice, and oil. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes until syrup thickens and tops turn golden.

Sausage Dinner With Dessert Components

This cozy dinner-and-dessert spread costs approximately $19 to $20, combining savory hand pies with sweet finishing touches.

Sausage Hand Pies:

• Frozen ground sausage: $1.25
• Frozen seasoning blend: $1.25
• Mixed vegetables (one can): $1.25
• Brown gravy mix packets (two): $2.50
• All-purpose flour: $1.25
• Margarine (two sticks): $1.00

Cook sausage with seasoning blend. Add vegetables and prepared gravy. Create dough from flour, margarine, and water. Fill, fold, and bake until golden.

Corn Muffins With Cheese:

• Corn muffin mix: $0.75
• Cream-style corn: $1.25
• Cheddar cheese block: $1.25

Mix ingredients and bake according to package directions for a cheesy complement to the main course.

Broccoli and Risotto Sides:

• Frozen broccoli cuts: $1.25
• Risotto rice with cheese mix: $1.25

Roast broccoli with oil until tender. Prepare risotto according to package instructions for a sophisticated grain element.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy:

• Four-cheese mashed potatoes: $1.50

Cook potatoes, whisk gravy, and heat until ready to serve.

Hazelnut or Jam Dessert:

• Hazelnut cocoa spread: $1.25
• Strawberry-vanilla jam: $1.25
• Leftover dough from hand pies

Spread dough with hazelnut or jam, roll or sandwich together, then bake for a sweet treat that uses ingredients already on hand.

Final Thoughts

Creating memorable holiday family recipes doesn’t demand premium spending. These three complete meal options demonstrate that thoughtful planning and strategic shopping at discount retailers like Dollar Tree make festive dining accessible for every household. Whether you choose the traditional turkey approach, the straightforward ham preparation, or the sausage celebration, each option prioritizes family gathering over excessive expense.

Note: Pricing and availability may vary by location.