Traveling with a family can be expensive, especially when it comes to dining out. Eating at a restaurant for every meal can add up quickly. Cooking meals in your vacation rental is a great way to save money and ensure everyone is eating well. Even if you cut your restaurant visits by half you will save a nice chunk of money you can allocate for other things on your vacation.
We’ve focused on lunches and dinners here because those can be the most costly out of the 3 meals a day. Here are some budget-friendly, simple lunches and dinners you can prepare for a family of four, complete with a handy shopping list.
Lunch Ideas
Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps
Ingredients:
- 4 whole wheat tortillas
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Spread Caesar dressing on each tortilla.
Add sliced chicken, chopped lettuce, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Roll up the tortillas and cut in half.
Veggie Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- 8 whole wheat tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
Sauté bell pepper and onion in olive oil until soft.
Place a tortilla in a hot pan, sprinkle with cheese, add veggies, and top with another tortilla.
Cook until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
Cut into wedges and serve.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup Italian dressing
Instructions:
Cook pasta according to package instructions and let cool.
Mix pasta with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
Toss with Italian dressing and refrigerate until serving.
Dinner Ideas
Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large zucchini, sliced
- 1 large red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange chicken and veggies on a sheet pan.
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.
Beef and Bean Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 taco shells
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
Brown the ground beef in a pan and drain excess fat.
Add taco seasoning and black beans to the beef, cooking until heated through.
Serve in taco shells with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. spaghetti
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 lb. ground turkey or beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
Sauté onion and garlic in a pan, then add ground turkey or beef and cook until browned.
Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve sauce over spaghetti, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Shopping List
Pantry Items:
- Whole wheat tortillas
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Taco seasoning
- Marinara sauce
- Spaghetti
- Italian dressing
Dairy:
- Caesar dressing
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Meat:
- Chicken breasts
- Ground beef
- Ground turkey (optional for spaghetti)
Fresh Produce:
- Romaine lettuce
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Red onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Black olives
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
Canned Goods:
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
With these simple and budget-friendly lunch and dinner ideas, you can easily feed your family while enjoying your vacation. Preparing meals in your rental not only saves
money but also allows for healthier, more satisfying meals.
When staying at the Hideaway Tiny Cabin in Curtis, Michigan you can rest assured the cabin is equipped with all of the cooking items you need to prepare these meals and more! There’s also a gas grill for when you want to have a cookout. Eating well, staying within your budget and keeping your meal options simple is the kind of vacation we strive to offer you.
Book your stay with us today.
Do you have a go to recipe for when you’re at a vacation rental? Please share it with us in the comments below.
Enjoy your time together and happy cooking!