Six $7 Family Meals from Trader Joe’s (vegan & gluten free)

I don’t think YouTube really gets me, but my Google news feed really understands how to get me to watch stuff I never I thought I would. With inflation recently becoming out of control, seeing a post stating “$5 family meals” gets a click no matter what. That is how I first saw cooking YouTuber Julia Pacheco, who has an entire playlist dedicated to “Cheaper Meal Ideas.” The video, “$5 Dinners, 6 Quick and Easy Cheap Meals,” got me thinking — can’t I make this better? With ingredients like Nacho Cheese Doritos and chub ground beef, I am, as a Californian, wondering where the fresh vegetables are? Where are the real, energizing ingredients? What about those of us with specific dietary requirements? So, I took more time than I should have to come up with my answer to the Walmart-bought menu in a store that many consider to be expensive, in an area that definitely is: Southern California. Yet, somehow, I was able to pull together 6 meals that are packed with healthy vegan protein, feature fresh vegetables, and eliminate 7 of the top 9 allergens for only about $2 more per meal!

The linked video has pasta, southwest flavors, and American-style family dishes, while mine tend toward a more global palette that more reflect the diverse population of Los Angeles County, where I live. Before I get into the recipes, shopping list, and breakdowns, I want to acknowledge the privilege I demonstrate in being able to add $12 to the grocery budget. For me at this point in my life, this doesn’t feel like much of a stretch…