We Ate Dollar Tree Food For A Week! $35 For 26 Real Family Meals | What Was Good and What Was NOT!!!

Dollar Tree Dinners - What to Buy and What to Pass On!

Hey friends, join me as I take $35 and make 7 realistic family dinners (that's 26 total servings) using ALL Dollar Tree food items. I’m trying some things I’ve never even thought about buying at the Dollar Tree before and you and me are both in for some real surprises! Today’s video is also a fun collab with my friend Mandy @MandyFloresCleaning so be sure to check out her video when you’re done here, I’ve linked it below for you.
#inthekitchenwithmommamel #mommamel #mamamel #dollartreedinners

Need some more dinner inspiration, check out my BEST OF THE BEST Playlist:
My BEST OF THE BEST Most Viewed Videos Playlist:

If you’re looking for something I use, including Auntie Nono’s, the Southern Biscuit Company Formula L Biscuit Mix, my meat chopper and lots more; you’ll probably find it here:

Need some more inspiration? Check out the playlists below:
My BEST OF THE BEST Most Viewed Videos Playlist:
My Crockpot Playlist:
My One Pot/Skillet Meals Playlist:
My Appetizers and Snacks Playlist:
My Fall Food Favorites Playlist:
My Thanksgiving Favorites Playlist:
My Christmas Playlist:
My What's For Dinner Playlist:
My Grocery Haul Playlist:
My Summer & Garden Recipes Playlist:
My Sweet Tea Video:
My Breakfast Playlist:
My Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals Playlist:
My Baking & Desserts Playlist:
My Potluck Favorites Playlist:

If you don’t have a church home or are not able to attend in person services, here is a link to my church’s YouTube channel. I encourage you to watch and when the time is right, seek a home church for you and your family. I am praying for you!

Here is a link for a free Bible app. It features a devotional for each day and numerous other topical reading plans. It will even read the Bible aloud for you when your hands are busy.

If you are having trouble providing food for your family, please contact your local government, churches, and schools. Food insecurity is nothing to be embarrassed about; there are many resources available to help. Everyone deserves to be able to feed their family.

Follow me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmommamel

Music is courtesy of the YouTube Free Audio Library
Or my paid subscription to Epidemic Sound

FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored. Some links above are affiliate links. This means at no additional cost to you, as an Amazon Associate or other brand affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you so much for supporting me!

My videos are for entertainment purposes only. Any information related to food, food safety, cooking, recipes, etc. are my opinions only. Melonie Effler is not liable and/or responsible for any advice, services, or product you obtain through this video.

[janw]

Mel I love that you showed a meal your family didn’t like. That’s real life, we all make things that are not what we hoped or like. Thanks for keeping it real.

[Bondockable]

when I was broke, I shopped big lots food all the time. Pasta shells in a bag $1. Jar of Cheese sauce $1. Dinner.

[colleenpolak]

What you said at the end about food insecurity was so sincere. You are a kind person with a great platform for helping people.

[julietteoscaralphanovember]

Their biscuit mix, you can add cheddar cheese in the batter and brush with some butter, garlic powder, parsley and they taste like Red Lobster's biscuits!

[momofmomof]

" I too dabble in essential oils" LOL that was great ! 😅🥰

[andycandal]

Dollar Tree is a good food source for those on a very tight budget.

[videokittykat]

This lady needs her own TV show. I think I adore her! She is next generation Paula Deen. ❤

[yuukadoodles]

I LOVE that you showed the meal that didn't cut it. I have 3 siblings and would help my mom growing up by cooking for the family. The pizza garlic bread gave me such a huge nostalgia of my 12 yr old self trying to make food that my siblings would eat and mom enjoyed too. I think this is the most personally "homey" cooking channel I've seen so far. Excited for future content and ideas as price rises once again limit us.

[MrsAlmaTrumble]

Thank you everyone who has been praying for our grandson. He's doing better. His mom and baby sister are doing well too. Letty (our granddaughter) should be here in August unless things change. Please continue to pray for them. Thank you again. God Bless.

[lyndasteinway]

I am so impressed with how you turned these DT items into tasty meals. Maybe that explains why I never find much in the frozen section at DT! But more than that, you addressed the problem of hunger in our communities. Very good and helpful advice. You and I are lucky to have family with gardens who taught us how to gather and prepare meals from scratch. There are so many who know nothing except fast foods and microwave dinners.

[DanaLynne]

I always take these recipes and then shop at Walmart or Aldi! I understand if folks can only get to Dollar Tree, but I'm all about saving every penny I can! Thank you for the inspiration! All of these recipes look yummy!

[debbiekrieger]

Thank you for pointing out that the Dollar Store is not always the cheapest option. It is important to look at the quantity versus price. We tend to get into a rut. It’s always fun to challenge ourselves to use what we already have or to use new ingredients

[donnafilice]

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a few low cost tips in your pocket- very creative video, Mel!

[renastone]

The bacon grease in the beans put a smile on my face. My great-grandmother used to call that "hechando estrellitas" (putting in little stars). Thanks for bringing up that memory for me! ♥

[Pam]

You are so kind! I love the spirit of God that shines through you!! ❤️

[MNFARMWIFE]

This video was so great! Low cost meals are such a must in everyone’s household right now, like you said. God bless you Mel ❤

[CatsPajamas]

Dollar Tree food faves:
Jalapenos in vinegar
Canned pie filling
Almond flour
Morena zulka sugar
Block cheese
Eggs (during 2020 and part of 2021 "pandemic"[🙄] Dollar stores were the only stores in this county(3towns) that had eggs.)
Beans
Frozen veggies
Frozen fruit
Frozen fish
Sometimes brand name tortillas
Sometimes good prices on canned tomatoes/pizza sauce
Occasionally energy and coffee drinks
Canned seafood
Spices
Rice cakes
Occasionally brand name granola bars, cookies
Candy
Bread (hit or miss)
Shelf stable milk and soymilk.
Nail polish.
Glassware & mugs.

[Pamela-B]

One thing I’ve noticed with Dollar Tree pasta is that it’s thinner than some others. It tastes fine, however, watch your cook times.
Also the Hunts sauce is thin but I thicken it up with a lil bit of potato flakes. Maybe a tbls or so. Works great.

[susanhoward]

This is why i love Southern Frugal Mama's channel. We have so many struggling w food all across America 🇺🇸. Our Church the ladies just came together and helped one of our own Church families out. Glad to see another youtuber sharing meals from the DT. Some of us might can say no to the food from DT. But one day...that might be all we have. Thank you MM for sharing this video for so many that might be struggling. ❤ Congratulations on hitting a 100, 000 subscribers !! It is well deserved MM !! 🎉❤🎉❤

[NannyTam]

Really enjoyed this video. Wanted to brag a bit about Vietti foods. They make Southgate chili also found labeled Vietti chili. They are located in Nashville. My uncle worked for them for years. I am rural to Nashville.
Here’s a little tidbit about them!
Welcome to Vietti Foods where we have been making chili, stew and soup since 1898! Founded and located in Nashville, Tennessee; we remain committed to producing products that fit today's consumers needs for safe, wholesome, flavorful meals. 😊