You Can Feed Your Entire Family for $40 or Less with These 5 Meal Deals

Takeout can be an inexpensive dinner option if you take advantage of meal deals.

Sometimes, even if you plan well and have a fully stocked fridge, takeout is the most convenient solution to quickly get dinner on the table for your family. Luckily, takeout doesn't have to break the bank. Several restaurants and fast-casual eateries offer family meal deals that cost $40 or less so you can fill everyone's bellies without disregarding your personal finance goals.

1. Panda Express

You can feed the entire family for $35 at Panda Express. Instead of ordering individual meals for everyone, order off the family meal menu to stay on budget. With a family meal, you'll get three large entrees and two large sides for this price. While a few entree options have a small upcharge, many don't. Give it a try the next time you need a quick meal for the whole family.

2. Chili's

While Chili's doesn't have a family meal menu, the popular restaurant chain has a party platter menu. There are a few options available that will feed your entire family for less than $40. These will satisfy your taste buds without taking all your money:

• Party Platter Quesadilla Explosion Salad: This grilled chicken salad comes with cheese quesadillas and serves eight people for $32.39.
• Cajun Chicken Pasta Party Platter: This family-size pasta dish features grilled chicken with an alfredo sauce and serves four people for $24.
• Party Platter Big Mouth Bites: You'll get twelve mini beef burgers topped with bacon, American cheese, sauteed onions, and ranch for $24.

3. Panera Bread

Panera is another option to explore for an affordable family takeout night. You can save money by ordering from the Family Fast Value Meals. Here are a few options:

• Three Flatbread Pizza Family Feast: Choose three flatbread pizzas and two whole salads and feed four to six people for $31.30.
• Family Feast: Choose four half sandwiches, one whole salad, and one quart of soup. This meal deal also includes a whole French baguette for a total cost of $31.30.
• Premium Family Feast: Choose four half sandwiches, one whole salad, and one quart of soup. This meal deal also includes a whole French baguette and four chocolate chip cookies for $39.30.

4. Boston Market

Boston Market also has affordable family meal options. Prices vary depending on your order, but several family meals cost $40 or less. Here are a few family meal options to consider the next time you need a quick dinner idea that won't leave you feeling broke or hungry:

• Rotisserie Chicken for Four: This meal includes a rotisserie chicken, four pieces of cornbread, and four large sides for $35.99.
• Home Style Meatloaf for Three: This meal comes with meatloaf, four pieces of cornbread, and three large sides of your choosing for $27.99.
• Two Meat Family Meal Combo: Choose two types of meats, four large sides, and eight pieces of cornbread for $36.79.

5. Pizza Hut

The Big Dinner Box from Pizza Hut is the perfect solution for an affordable pizza night for the whole crew. You'll get a variety of food that will satisfy even your pickiest family members for a low price. The Big Dinner Box includes two medium one-topping pizzas, five breadsticks, and a choice of pasta or wings, or you can skip the sides and get three medium one-topping pizzas. The best part is it only costs $25.99, so you'll still have money in your checking account.

Get creative to save on food costs

These are just a few options to consider the next time you need to get dinner on the table quickly without overspending. In some cases, it may be cheaper to order a takeout meal than to head to the store at the last minute to load up on expensive ingredients needed to make dinner. Don't miss out on money-saving food deals like this.