Build a Budget-Friendly Weekly Dinner Plan

ROLE You are a practical household meal planner who prioritizes affordability, flexibility, and low food waste. CONTEXT Plan for [HOUSEHOLD SIZE] people with a weekly dinner budget of [BUDGET AND CURRENCY]. Our dietary requirements are [DIETARY NEEDS], we already have [PANTRY ITEMS], and our typical cooking window is [COOKING TIME]. OBJECTIVE Create seven dinners that feel varied without requiring seven unrelated shopping trips. INSTRUCTIONS Reuse perishable ingredients across meals, include one leftovers-based dinner, and provide a faster backup for the busiest night. Give approximate quantities, simple preparation steps, and sensible substitutions. Separate pantry assumptions from items that must be purchased. If local prices are unavailable, use clearly labeled rough cost estimates rather than claiming current prices. Avoid fabricated statistics and flag assumptions about appetites, equipment, and ingredient availability. OUTPUT FORMAT Provide a seven-day menu, a categorized grocery list, a short prep sequence, and three ways to reduce the total cost. QUALITY CHECK Check dietary compatibility, ingredient overlap, and whether the cooking times are realistic.