Having a special Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are recipes that will make your holiday even better and can be made with Food Bank items.
Christmastime can be a wonderful but stressful time for many families. It could be that your job gets busier during the holidays or you don’t have enough money to get your loved ones the gifts they want. Having a big Christmas dinner could also be hard. Food prices keep going up and that is why a lot of Americans turn to food banks.
For a lot of food banks, you don’t get to pick what they give you so planning a Christmas dinner with what you receive can be hard. That is why we have gathered over 10 recipes of different foods that can be made with typical items the food banks give out.
We have recipes for a classic Christmas dinner but also Italian and Mexican food! We even have an easy Chicken soup that is perfect on a winter night. And of course, we couldn’t forget about dessert!
You might have all of the ingredients for some of these recipes from the food bank items or things you already have in your home. But if you happen to need things like spices or cheese, make sure to check stores like Dollar Tree, Aldi, or Grocery Outlet. That is where we have found the cheapest items.
Looking for more Food Bank recipes? Check out our post with over 10 recipes that use Food Bank items here!
Slow Cooker Baby Carrots with Honey and Brown Sugar Recipe
This easy recipe makes a perfect side dish that you and your loved ones will enjoy. If you get full carrots from the food bank, use them instead of the baby carrots. You will need to cut them into 1/2″ thick slices.
Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
If you are unable to get a turkey for Christmas dinner, chicken breasts will be a perfect substitute. If you have a different cut of chicken, use the same ingredients and change the cooking time. We would recommend looking up cooking times for chicken.
Easy Oven-Roasted Red Skin Potatoes Recipe
This Oven Roasted Red Skin Potatoes recipe is an easy side dish that pairs well with all your favorite main dish meats. If you don’t have red skin potatoes, russet potatoes will work as well!
Easy Cheesy Rice Recipe
This four-ingredient Cheesy Rice is perfect for anyone in your family who eats differently. Rice is one of the biggest food items they give out in food banks. Cheese can be a popular item but there is a chance you won’t get cheddar like the recipe calls for. That is okay! Use what shredded cheese you can get.
Easy Roast Turkey Recipe
During the holidays, many food banks give out turkeys. If you are one of the people who gets one, this recipe is perfect for you. It is delicious and is no-fuss with minimal ingredients.
4-Ingredient Ravioli Lasagna Recipe
If you love having Italian food for Christmas dinner, this recipe is for you! A normal homemade lasagna has a lot of different recipes that can be pricey and there is a good chance you wouldn’t be able to get all of the ingredients at the food bank. That is why Ravioli Lasagna is a cheap hack. You only need 4 ingredients (Canned or Jarred Pasta Sauce, Frozen Cheese Raviolis, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese). If you are unable to get all of the items at the food bank, I have found these items at Dollar Tree.
The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Instant Mashed Potatoes are a cheap option for a side dish but if you get a bag of potatoes, this recipe is simple and all off the ingredients can be made with items that are normally at food banks (butter (or margarine), Milk, and Salt and Pepper.
3-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce Recipe
You might get canned cranberry sauce from the food bank but if you happen to get fresh cranberries, one orange, and sugar, you make this super easy recipe!
Easy Green Bean Casserole Recipe
A lot of Green Bean Casserole recipes call for fresh green beans but this one calls for canned ones. It has only 4 ingredients (Canned Green Beans, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Milk, and crispy fried onions. If you don’t have or like crispy fried onions, you can use breadcrumbs or panko!
Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
If you want to make homemade Mac and Cheese this holiday season, this is a very simple recipe with simple ingredients. If you can’t get all of the ingredients from the food bank, I have found all of these ingredients at Dollar Tree and Aldi (Aldi costs more than Dollar Tree on some of the items.)
Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
If Mexican food is what you want this Christmas, these Chicken Enchiladas recipes are for you! The best part of the recipe is that it comes with canned chicken which is a common item from the food bank!
Easy Mayonnaise Rolls Recipe
This is a 3-ingredient recipe for Dinner rolls! If you don’t get bread rolls from the food bank, this is an easy recipe that you can make. You will need self-raising flour, Whole Milk, and Mayonnaise. You can add sugar to it if you want it a little bit sweet.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
This recipe calls for canned Sweet Potatoes instead of them being fresh. It is an easy and delicious recipe!
Easy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe
This soup is for anyone who wants more of a comforting meal for the cold holiday! All of the ingredients can be found at a food bank.
No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie Recipe
This No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie has only 4 ingredients! Instant Chocolate Pudding, Milk, and a Chocolate Cookie Pie crust. If you are unable to get the pie crust, the graham cracker one will be just as good! Dollar Tree has had most of these ingredients in the past.
3-ingredient Apple Dump Cake Recipe
This easy recipe uses Apple Pie filling but if your food bank gives you apples, you can use them instead of the filling. You will need 7 to 8 medium or large apples (cut 1/4 thick), 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/3 cup of Brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of white sugar. NOTE: you can switch out the butter for margarine!
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