Quebec Family Meal Plan: Eat for $2.93/Serving This Week
Key Facts
- The most affordable meal in this week's plan is the Mini Cheeseburger Pies, costing just $2.93 per serving. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- You can prepare a healthy, vegan Bean Burrito Bowl that serves four people for a total ingredient cost of only $14.92. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef, a staple for many recipes, has a price low of $9.91 at Metro this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- By shopping strategically for this plan's five dinner recipes, your total grocery cost is approximately $199.44, providing 42 servings. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The average cost per serving across all five dinner recipes in this Quebec-focused meal plan is $4.75. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Significant savings can be found on cheese, with Marble Cheddar Cheese available for $1.79 at Metro. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- A large, versatile "Big Salad" recipe makes 12 servings and can be used for multiple meals, with ingredients totaling $78.71. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
This guide provides a complete five-day dinner meal plan designed specifically for a Quebec family, using current, real-world prices. We break down the cost per serving for each meal, provide a comprehensive shopping list with the lowest available prices, and offer a strategy for where to shop to maximize your savings. By leveraging data from eezly, Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, you can confidently plan your week's meals knowing you are getting the best possible value for your money.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Family-Friendly Meal Plan for Quebec
A successful weekly meal plan balances cost, nutrition, and convenience. This five-day dinner plan is built around affordable, crowd-pleasing recipes with overlapping ingredients to ensure you use everything you buy. The total cost for all ingredients for these five dinners is approximately $199.44, which yields a generous 42 servings, bringing the average cost to just $4.75 per plate.
For breakfasts, consider the Breakfast To Go Bars recipe, which costs $53.64 for ingredients and makes eight hearty servings ($6.71 each). These can be prepared on the weekend for a quick grab-and-go option throughout the week. For lunches, we recommend utilizing leftovers from the larger-batch recipes like the Big Salad and Cheeseburger Macaroni, which is the most cost-effective and time-saving approach.
Here is a day-by-day breakdown of your dinner plan:
Monday: Bean Burrito Bowl
Start the week with a vibrant, healthy, and incredibly affordable meal. The Bean Burrito Bowl is not only vegan and gluten-free but also comes in at just $3.73 per serving. The total ingredient cost for four servings is a mere $14.92. This recipe is quick to assemble, requiring only about 20 minutes of prep time, making it perfect for a busy Monday. It combines black beans, Mexican rice, sweet corn, avocado, and salsa for a satisfying and flavourful dish that you can easily customize with other vegetables you have on hand.Tuesday: Mini Cheeseburger Pies
This recipe is the budget champion of the week. At only $2.93 per serving, the Mini Cheeseburger Pies are a creative and kid-friendly twist on a classic. The recipe makes 12 individual pies, so a family of four will have plenty for dinner with leftovers for the next day's lunch. The total ingredient cost is $35.10. These crustless pies combine lean ground beef, cheese, and a fluffy, pancake-mix-based batter for a unique and satisfying texture. They are also gluten-free and take just 15 minutes to prepare before baking.Wednesday: The Big Salad
Mid-week is the perfect time for a nutrient-packed, versatile meal. This Big Salad recipe is designed to be a main course and yields 12 substantial servings, making it an excellent "cook once, eat twice" option. While the cost per serving is higher at $6.56, the total ingredient cost of $78.71 buys you a massive quantity of fresh vegetables and toppings that can form the base of Wednesday's dinner and be used for lunches or as side salads for the rest of the week. It features a mix of lettuces, celery, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, radishes, and is topped with cranberries and sunflower seeds for texture and flavour.Thursday: Cheeseburger Macaroni
Comfort food takes centre stage on Thursday with this one-pot Cheeseburger Macaroni. This hearty dish costs $4.49 per serving and the recipe makes 10 servings, ensuring you have enough for a large family meal or planned leftovers. The total ingredient cost is $44.94. It combines lean ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and cheese to create a savoury, satisfying meal that comes together in about 25 minutes. It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults and is perfect for a cooler summer evening.Friday: Bunless Burgers
End the week with a classic summer BBQ favourite, adapted to be a little lighter. These Bunless Burgers focus on high-quality patties and fresh toppings, served over a bed of crisp Romaine lettuce. At $6.44 per serving, this meal for four uses lean ground beef, cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, Kumato tomatoes, and dill pickles. The total ingredient cost is $25.77. It’s a simple, delicious way to kick off the weekend, delivering all the satisfaction of a burger with a healthier, low-carb profile.| Day | Dinner Recipe | Total Recipe Cost | Servings | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Bean Burrito Bowl | $14.92 | 4 | $3.73 |
| Tuesday | Mini Cheeseburger Pies | $35.10 | 12 | $2.93 |
| Wednesday | Big Salad | $78.71 | 12 | $6.56 |
| Thursday | Cheeseburger Macaroni | $44.94 | 10 | $4.49 |
| Friday | Bunless Burgers | $25.77 | 4 | $6.44 |
| Total | 5 Dinners | $199.44 | 42 | $4.75 (Avg) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Your Complete Grocery List and Price Breakdown
To execute this meal plan, you'll need a specific list of ingredients. The key to saving money is knowing the lowest price available for each item and where to find it. The following list is a compilation of all ingredients needed for the five dinner recipes, with prices sourced from eezly's database of major Quebec grocery banners like Maxi, Metro, Super C, and IGA. Note that some items, like spices or sauces, are purchased in larger quantities than needed for one week, but the cost is included here. Your actual cost for these pantry items will be spread over many weeks.
Produce
* Romaine Lettuce: $3.99 (Metro) * Kumato Tomatoes: $6.49 (Iga) * Celery: $4.99 (Metro) * Iceberg Lettuce: $2.99 (Walmart) * Shallots/Onions: $4.39 (Iga) * Green Onions (Scallions): $8.19 (Costco) * Radishes: $1.99 (Maxi) * Whole Sweet Red Peppers: $4.00 (Maxi) * Sweet Bell Pepper Yellow: $13.21 (Iga) * Radicchio Lettuce: $4.10 (Maxi) * Baby Carrots: $6.99 (Metro) * Spinach: $5.29 (Costco) * Organic Red Tomatoes: $6.59 (Iga) * Garlic: $1.99 (Metro) * Avocado: $1.44 (Maxi)Meat & Dairy
* Lean Ground Beef (approx. 2.5kg total): $10.00 (Maxi) + $11.49 (Walmart) + $11.49 (Walmart) = $32.98 * Marble Cheddar Cheese: $1.79 (Metro) * Monterey Jack Cheese: $6.79 (Maxi) * Compliments 100% Pure Liquid Egg Whites (500 g): $5.49 (Iga) * 0% Fat Free Skim Milk (1L): $2.15 (Maxi)Pantry & Packaged Goods
* Dill Pickles: $3.50 (Maxi) * Dried Cranberries: $6.50 (Maxi) * Cucumbers Green Relish: $4.49 (Walmart) * Roasted Sunflower Seeds (170 g): $2.99 (Walmart) * Seasoned Croutons: $2.00 (Maxi) * Worcestershire Sauce: $3.19 (Maxi) * Original Extra-Fluffy Pancake And Waffle Mix: $4.00 (Maxi) * Black Beans (canned): $1.50 (Maxi) * Mexican Rice (packaged): $2.49 (Metro) * Sweet Corn (canned/frozen): $5.00 (Maxi) * Medium Salsa: $4.49 (Metro) * Ground Red Cayenne Pepper: $6.00 (Maxi) * Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy Mix: $1.79 (Maxi) * Compliments Canned Stewed Tomatoes (796 ml): $2.29 (Walmart) * Tomato Ketchup: $10.50 (Maxi) * Blue Menu Whole Grain Macaroni: $2.69 (Maxi)Total Estimated Grocery Cost: $199.44 (Note: This is the sum of the `total_cost` for each recipe, which accounts for the quantity of each ingredient used, not necessarily the full package cost for pantry items).
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
Achieving the lowest possible grocery bill often requires a strategic approach rather than a single trip to one supermarket. Price variations between banners like Maxi, Super C, Metro, and IGA can be substantial for identical or similar products. Based on the ingredient data for this meal plan, a "split-shopping" strategy, where you visit two or three stores for the best deals, will yield the most significant savings.
For instance, this week's analysis shows Metro has the best price on key items like Lean Ground Beef ($9.91) and Marble Cheddar Cheese ($1.79). Meanwhile, Maxi offers the lowest prices on many pantry staples and produce like Radishes ($1.99) and Black Beans ($1.50). IGA has a competitive price on Shallots at $4.39.
To illustrate this, let's compare the prices of a few key basket items across different stores, according to eezly's real-time data.
| Ingredient | Price at Maxi | Price at Metro | Price at IGA | Best Price This Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef | $10.00 | $9.91 | $11.49 (at Walmart) | $9.91 (Metro) |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $6.79 (as Monterey Jack) | $1.79 | N/A | $1.79 (Metro) |
| Shallots / Onions | N/A | $4.99 (Red Onions) | $4.39 | $4.39 (IGA) |
| Black Beans (canned) | $1.50 | N/A | N/A | $1.50 (Maxi) |
| Romaine Lettuce | N/A | $3.99 | N/A | $3.99 (Metro) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. "N/A" indicates no price was found for a comparable item at that banner in this specific recipe data.
As the table demonstrates, no single store is the cheapest for every item. Your optimal strategy would be to create two lists: one for a discount banner like Maxi or Super C for pantry goods and general produce, and a second, smaller list for a conventional banner like Metro or IGA to capture specific weekly specials on meat and dairy. Using an app like eezly can help you build these optimized lists automatically before you even leave the house. You can explore more deals on their platform at `https://eezly.com/deals`.
Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
To make this meal plan even more manageable, a little bit of preparation at the beginning of the week can save you significant time on busy weeknights. Here are some practical tips to streamline your cooking process.
Batch Cook Your Protein
The meal plan calls for lean ground beef in three different recipes. You can save time by cooking all the ground beef you need for the Mini Cheeseburger Pies and the Cheeseburger Macaroni at once. After browning and draining it, simply divide the cooked meat into portions, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. When it's time to make those meals, your protein is already cooked, cutting down prep time significantly.Sunday Veggie Prep
Dedicate about an hour on Sunday to wash, chop, and store the vegetables for the week. The Big Salad recipe uses a large variety of produce. You can prepare the lettuce, celery, peppers, radishes, and carrots and store them in airtight containers. This not only makes assembling the salad on Wednesday a breeze but also gives you ready-to-use components for the Bunless Burgers and for packing quick, healthy lunches.Embrace "Cook Once, Eat Twice"
This meal plan is intentionally designed with large-batch recipes. The Mini Cheeseburger Pies, Big Salad, and Cheeseburger Macaroni all yield more servings than a typical family of four will eat in one sitting. Do not view this as a surplus; view it as a pre-made lunch for the next day. This strategy is fundamental to saving both time and money. Packing leftovers eliminates the need to buy separate, often more expensive, lunch items and saves you from the morning scramble to prepare something.Create a "Dressing and Sauce Station"
The Big Salad will need a dressing, and other meals use sauces like salsa or ketchup. You can pre-mix your own vinaigrette for the salad and store it in a jar. Having all your condiments and sauces for the week grouped together in one area of your fridge can also streamline the final assembly of your meals. For more recipe ideas that fit this prep-ahead model, you can visit `https://eezly.com/recipes`.Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Day | Dinner Recipe | Total Recipe Cost | Servings | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Bean Burrito Bowl | $14.92 | 4 | $3.73 |
| Tuesday | Mini Cheeseburger Pies | $35.10 | 12 | $2.93 |
| Wednesday | Big Salad | $78.71 | 12 | $6.56 |
| Thursday | Cheeseburger Macaroni | $44.94 | 10 | $4.49 |
| Friday | Bunless Burgers | $25.77 | 4 | $6.44 |
| Total | 5 Dinners | $199.44 | 42 | $4.75 (Avg) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
There is no single "cheapest" grocery store for everything. According to eezly's real-time price tracking across banners like Maxi, Super C, Metro, IGA, and Walmart, the lowest prices are split. Discount banners like Maxi and Super C consistently offer the best prices for pantry staples and some produce. However, conventional stores like Metro and IGA often have aggressive weekly sales on meat, dairy, and specific produce. For example, this week Metro has the best price on Lean Ground Beef ($9.91) and Marble Cheddar Cheese ($1.79). A split-shopping strategy is the most effective way to save.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison, which would be impossible to do manually. The platform tracks over 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian stores, processing 40 million price points weekly. For you, this means you can instantly see which store has the lowest price for each item on your list. Furthermore, AI can generate optimized meal plans and grocery lists based on the absolute lowest prices available in your area, ensuring your entire basket is as cheap as possible. You can learn more about AI-powered meal planning at `https://eezly.com/meal-plans`.
Are there vegetarian options in this meal plan?
Yes. Monday's Bean Burrito Bowl is fully vegan and vegetarian. Wednesday's Big Salad is also a substantial vegetarian main course. You could adapt the other recipes by substituting the lean ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or commercial veggie ground products, though this would alter the cost profile of the meal plan.
How can I make this meal plan even cheaper?
To reduce costs further, focus on a few key strategies. First, substitute ingredients where possible; for example, use whatever vegetables are on sale this week instead of sticking strictly to the list for the Big Salad. Second, maximize the use of leftovers for lunches to avoid buying extra food. Third, consider making larger batches of the most affordable meals, like the Bean Burrito Bowl ($3.73/serving) and Mini Cheeseburger Pies ($2.93/serving), to eat more frequently through the week.
How accurate are these prices?
The prices cited in this article are based on data collected by eezly's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform as of July 2026. Prices are gathered from publicly available sources at major Quebec grocery banners including IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, and Walmart. While flyer prices and in-store specials can change, this data represents a real-time snapshot of the market, providing a highly accurate guide for your shopping trip.
Does this meal plan account for dietary restrictions?
This meal plan includes several recipes that cater to specific dietary needs. The Bean Burrito Bowl is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. The Mini Cheeseburger Pies and Bunless Burgers are gluten-free. The Big Salad is vegetarian. However, you should always double-check ingredient labels for specific allergen information and adapt recipes as needed to suit your family's personal health requirements.
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