Due to supply chain disruptions, new tariffs, and the ongoing consequences of the avian influenza outbreak, grocery prices have skyrocketed.
And a recent analysis from the Yale Budget Lab estimates that overall food prices will continue to rise by 2.6% over the next three years.
Needless to say, picking out affordable food items has become a daunting task, especially for families shopping on a tighter budget.
Fortunately, Rebecca Chobat — a home chef who runs the TikTok account @dollartreedinners — has a wealth of recipes and cooking tips for households trying to get the most bang for their buck during tough times.
“My mission is to make home-cooked meals feel accessible, realistic, and empowering…especially for those working with tight budgets or limited resources,” Chobat wrote in the intro of her latest recipe guide.
“I create meal plans that prioritize affordability, without sacrificing comfort, creativity, or dignity.”
In Chobat’s latest series, she stretched $20 into “four full family dinners.”
Staying under budget at $19.75, Chobat picked up:
- 2 lbs of all-purpose flour
- 2 packages of Mexican-style rice
- 1 bag of refried beans
- 1 package of four cheese instant mashed potatoes
- 1 bag of frozen steak-cut french fries
- 1 package of smoked sausage
- 1 can of green beans
- 1 box of spaghetti
- 1 can of garlic & herb pasta sauce
- 1 jar of parmesan cheese seasoning
- 1 carton of whole milk
- 2 boxes of Hungry Jack cheeseburger mac
- 1 can of chili
- 1 can of diced tomatoes and green chiles
In a four-part series, Chobat whipped those ingredients up into four dinners: one pot chili mac, pan-fried bean and rice chimichangas, spaghetti in a creamy rosatella sauce, and a skillet meal of sautéed smoked sausages, pierogies, and green beans.
In addition to walking her viewers through the recipes in her TikTok videos, Chobat also created written cooking instructions on her Facebook account and via printable PDFs.
After trying Chobat’s meals for themselves, people were quick to write in and express their gratitude.
“My husband got unexpectedly laid off last week, and you have no idea how much your videos are a blessing to my family right now,” one viewer wrote.
“There’s not enough kind words to say about you and your content,” one follower said. “You really are the best.”
“She’s giving Mister Rogers vibes!” another person commented.
Chobat’s TikTok account, which stretches back to 2022, is packed with hundreds of affordable recipes — many of which tie into Dollar Tree or other affordable grocery store chains.
Throughout her videos, Chobat continues to challenge herself again and again by making $20 Christmas dinners, recreating restaurant-style recipes on a budget, and stretching $100 of groceries into 30 days of meals.
“Whether it’s a low grocery budget series or a pantry-based dinner series, I focus on intentional planning, smart ingredient use, and approaching cooking methods that anyone can follow,” Chobat wrote in her recipe guide.
“My goal isn’t just to feed people, but to show that good food is possible, no matter where you shop or how much you have to spend.”
Header image via Rebecca Chobat / TikTok
