Real dinners for real budgets. Every meal here uses four ingredients or fewer, feeds a family of four to five, and costs under $20 at Pensacola grocery prices.
Peel, cube, and boil the sweet potatoes until soft, then mash thoroughly with butter and a pinch of salt. Pan-sear the ham steaks in a skillet over medium-high heat, brushing both sides generously with cane syrup during the last two minutes until sticky and caramelized. Plate the sweet potato mash alongside the warm, glazed ham steaks.
Combine instant rice, thawed broccoli florets, condensed cheddar soup, and one cup of warm water in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Fold in the thawed raw shrimp, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the rice mixture. Bake covered at 375°F for 20 minutes until bubbling and the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Brown the ground beef in a deep skillet and drain any excess grease. Stir in the macaroni, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, and two cups of water, then cover and simmer until the pasta is tender. Remove from heat, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, and serve immediately.
Roll seasoned ground turkey into meatballs, brown them in a skillet, and pour over the marinara sauce to simmer covered for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the cornmeal into boiling water until thick, finishing with shredded Monterey Jack cheese for a rich polenta base. Spoon the warm meatballs and sauce over generous helpings of cheesy polenta.
Marinate chicken thighs in Mojo marinade for 15 minutes, then bake at 400°F for 25 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred. Cook the white rice and warm the seasoned black beans in a small saucepan. Serve the citrus-glazed chicken thighs atop a hearty bed of black beans and rice.
Whisk honey and Dijon mustard together, coat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly, and arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes, sprinkle with chopped pecans, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until glazed and cooked through. Rest five minutes before serving to the family.
Cook the white rice according to package directions. In a heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for two minutes, and sear the catfish fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until flaky. Serve the catfish over fluffy rice and spoon the warm pecan butter over the top.
Crisp the diced bacon in a large pot, then remove half for garnish and cook diced potatoes in the remaining bacon drippings. Pour in the clams with their juice and the cream-style corn, simmering for 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Season to taste and ladle into warm bowls topped with the reserved crispy bacon.
Arrange halved baby red potatoes and sliced yellow onions in the bottom of a roasting pan, then place the chicken leg quarters on top. Pour the canned stewed tomatoes and their juices evenly over the vegetables and chicken. Roast at 375°F for 45 minutes until the chicken skin is golden brown and the potatoes are fork-tender.
Sear the pork tenderloin in a hot skillet, then brush with a simmered glaze of fresh Satsuma juice and soy sauce. Toss green beans around the pork in a baking dish and roast at 400°F for 20 minutes until tender. Slice the pork and spoon the pan juices over the meat and beans before serving.
Prepare and bake the cornbread mix according to package instructions. While it bakes, slice and brown the smoked sausage in a skillet, then stir in the drained white beans and chicken broth to simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hearty scoops of the savory sausage and beans alongside warm slices of fresh cornbread.
Brown the sliced andouille sausage in a Dutch oven until rendered and fragrant. Add the diced sweet potatoes, chicken broth, and cream-style corn, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the broth has thickened.
The cheapest place to fill a cart depends on where you live. Here's the best value stop in each part of town.
Palafox, North Hill, East Hill edge, 32501/32502
Money saver: Buy meat at Publix on BOGO, produce at Palafox Market, staples at Dollar General.
East Hill, Cordova, Scenic Hwy, 32503/32504
Money saver: Aldi for the base cart, Winn-Dixie only for whatever's on the front-page meat ad.
Brownsville, Warrington, Myrtle Grove, Navy Blvd, 32505/32506/32507
Money saver: Split the trip: Walmart for pantry, Bailey's for produce. Ask about meat bundle packs.
Perdido Key Dr, Innerarity Point, Sorrento Rd, 32507
Money saver: Do the big stock-up off the Key; use the Perdido Publix only for top-offs.
Milton, Pace, Jay, Chumuckla
Money saver: Aldi for the staples, then a stand on the way home for vegetables.
Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Midway, Tiger Point
Money saver: Beach-side prices run high — the Gulf Breeze Walmart Neighborhood Market tops off cheaply between big Navarre runs.
Tell the CoPilot what's already in your kitchen and it will build a plan around it.
Prices are estimates and exclude pantry staples like salt, oil and spices.
