Dollar Tree $15 Christmas Dinner 🎄

Hey friends! In this video I made a Christmas dinner using only ingredients (minus spices and oil) from the Dollar Tree with a budget of $15! My menu included 3 dishes for dinner and a really delicious dessert!
**The Dollar Tree is a non traditional option that a lot of people either choose to use or have to use for some or all of their grocery shopping. For many of these people the Dollar Tree may be the best option, or the only option, due to availability, distance, or affordability of better grocery options. Not everyone has the ability to access food pantries or food assistance, so please be open minded about the situations of others before criticizing those using Dollar Tree as their primary source of nutrition.
You can find me online at:
/ thatlisadawn
/ thatlisadawn
For business inquiries: [e-mail]
Say hello the old fashioned way!
That Lisa Dawn
PO BOX 99383
Raleigh, NC
27624
Some of my favorite things that you see in my kitchen.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6qt
amzn.to/3xncHcE
Aroma Rice Cooker
amzn.to/36hWOIu
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Wire Masher
amzn.to/3dUoSGb
Rainbow Regular Mouth Mason Jar Lids
amzn.to/3yvjIZ9
Rainbow Wide Mouth Mason Jar Lids
amzn.to/3hG8FWo
Heavy Duty Egg Slicer
amzn.to/3yy3HS8
Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
amzn.to/3xpJMF0
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This helps support my channel but does not increase the cost to you =)

[@midwestern925]

I've shopped Dollar Tree for years and eat like a champ with plenty of variety. Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄

[@contemplatingyourwig7591]

What are you prepping for if you don’t mind me asking ?

[@tynaedwards8452]

I really like that you used lots of veggies in your dishes. Potatoes, biscuits, and cake for dessert. No one would walk away hungry. Another great creative meal. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@sammarkey672]

That veggie, sausage & cheese "cobbler" was a great idea! So was the dessert. 😊

[@ezbh810]

What’s a great idea for the dump cake. I don’t typically make them because the butter always leaves some raw cake mix. But I will definitely try this.

[@ikeikerson7329]

Please keep doing these types of videos. You never know when someone is going to need this inspiration. Have a happy holiday.

[@countrygal3688]

I love how you make me think outside of the box in preparing food. Also, how to make a delicious meal with a few basic items.

[@darcistephenson5359]

I am fortunate enough to have received a Christmas bonus at work so I'm taking my tiny family out to a very overpriced dinner tomorrow. I know it's wasteful as heck but most days I do what you do Lisa and you have helped me save so much I feel like we deserve it. Merry Xmas girl!

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Sometimes splurging is so worth it! I hope you enjoy! 💙💙💙

[@darcistephenson5359]

@@ThatLisaDawn omg, you actually replied to my post! Thank you and I will definitely splurge. I work in the mental health field and give a ton of love to my peeps, time to do the same for me and family.

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

If anyone deserves a treat now and then, everyone deserves it. It’s not wasteful if you immerse yourself in the experience and derive maximum pleasure from this moment of luxury. If you have to live off the memory of one luxury experience for many months, savour the experience and encode those memories!

[@Alwayslovinrlg]

Enjoy your dinner!

[@kimsmith819]

I hope you had a wonderful time. We deserve it once in a while. Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@jenniferwimberly6435]

My teenaged daughter shared that a 60+ yo came to her job yesterday (a pricey fast food spot) and had to pay her $57 total using 3 different credit cards, and that she wouldn’t have more money until after the New Year. I was heartbroken- I wondered why dine out vs buy groceries. Maybe she can’t cook. Maybe she doesn’t know about food pantries. Maybe she’s not great with frugality. I just didn’t understand. I had to stop wondering and making judgmental assumptions, though, and just prayed for her. I told my daughter of your YT page, and reminded her of options when money is low. Maybe she could share with her other college friends and/or people who seem to be seeking a solution like your page. Your page, I believe, is so much more than just cooking and good deals. It really is a ministry of care, compassion, grace and empathy. Bless you. Sorry for the ridiculously long comment❤

[@ThatLisaDawn]

I love your long comment, no apologies needed! 💙💙💙

[@VL-gs2wr]

I think it was great how you morphed the canned nacho cheese into something that was more than just nacho cheese. Our Dollar Tree actually sells packets of Velveeta cheese sauce.

[@thelonelyghosts9004]

I love hanging out on your channel! Wish you uploaded more often! The vibe here is so good

[@Leguminator]

Unique foods like this that come from necessity, whether it's from available ingredients, budget etc., often become traditional family foods. My mom used to make what we called "Stuff" because it was just stuff that she had hanging around. The base was hamburger and frozen vegetables then she'd add other stuff like maybe tomatoes, potatoes, rice and sometimes cheese sauce, or brown gravy or sausage gravy or milk gravy and we'd have it over mashed potatoes or slices of white bread or rice. Whatever we had or could afford. Fast forward a few decades and I'm still making Stuff.

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your well done and helpful videos. LOVE TO YOUR CAT!! 😻😻😻

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Thank you so much! That's so generous of you. I'm always happy to see your name in my comments 💙💙💙 Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

@@ThatLisaDawn 💯❤️

[@hildahilpert5018]

Another great video.I love your cat. My cat looks just like him only a smaller version.Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to every one.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Since you had two vegetables already, I could see buying an additional sausage links and just making additional sausage and gravy without the addition of vegetables (it was a 3 pack of gravy after all) to pour over the biscuits. Or maybe buy an additional box potato to make a larger portion of the potatoes and just make more gravy without the additional sausage. So many ways to mix it up. Another great video , Lisa. Excellent.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Or maybe just a potato bake with three boxes of potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and cooked ground sausage topped with gravy (or just do two sausages and skip the gravy all together.) Skip the biscuits, Cheese and mixed veggies and buy the Cool Whip to go with the dessert. A little less variety, but virtually the same meal with more food and Cool Whip with dessert. Did I mention my Dollar Tree has Cool Whip?😅

[@brendaz9222]

Thank you Lisa, everything looks delicious! Your dinners are great for these times when food is so high priced! Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@sammarkey672]

If I went to someone's house and they served me this for dinner I would not even think it was a budget meal. It's certainly not disappointing on any level!

[@robertsherman7978]

You are a magician with these recipes you come up with! It truly restores my faith in humanity knowing there’s someone out there like you trying to help people. I’ve no doubt there are people struggling right now to put food on the table and they see your videos and have a solution. Thank you for making these and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!😀🎄🐕

[@michelleapple1214]

You are helping a lot of people, very nice of you To take the time to shop and prepare nice meals for your family. I don't have food insecurity , I just like your personality and your creative ways of cooking

[@GuardianAngelWatcher]

Necessity is the mother of invention! Great work coming up with creative and tasty dishes for cheap as you can get!

[@Kimberley_Black_White_TV]

I just had a thought for someone without oil that wanted to duplicate the other ingredients. The fat rendered from the sausage could be used for the broccoli and cauliflower dishes! It would be so yummy! xo

[@cindym7234]

Wow! Everything looks great! I never thought to add broccoli to boxed potatoes. I will be making that recipe along with the dump cake recipe next week. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Love from Texas ❤

[@gladysfenick993]

Looks like you made another satisfying meal for those that shop at dollar tree or similar places . You and your Family have a pleasant Holiday as in Merry Christmas .

[@santropixie5140]

I just tried the biscuit pie with cream cheese and a can of mushroom soup instead of nacho cheese as well as the cherry dump cake and both were a success. I will be making them again next Christmas hoping to build new traditions with my new stepfamily. Thank you Lisa! ❤

[@closer2mod]

I really enjoy how you are a realistic home cook and make the most of the ingredients without being too fussy over perfection. Everything looked great :)

[@tokyorosa]

You're awesome. Approaching the subject of food insecurity with sensitivity is important, so thank you for addressing it in each of your videos that showcase meals on a limited budget.

[@celestecolton1638]

I actually just did a dump cake for Christmas, I didn’t even know what they were either, half a bag of frozen strawberries cut up, half a bag of frozen peaches cut up and put in the bottom of a baking dish, one box of cake mix, 2 cups of sprite and then bake, after it was all done, I took a little bit of powdered sugar and water and made a glaze and then topped with a little bit of cinnamon, absolutely delicious, love your channel, I love you, you have some really great ideas for budget friendly meals, I hope you had a very merry Christmas and have a happy new year

[@Kleefinland]

So happy youre feeling better! Don't stress about content, we're patient! 🥰

[@santropixie5140]

Your videos are becoming more and more relevant as the cost of living and food soars. Keep doing what you do, providing inspo to those who might need it the most. Totally rooting for your continued success with this channel 🎉

[@craftingwithapurpose6479]

Anybody could make these dishes with your easy and clear directions. Very creative thinking. I also like your calm presentation style. Thank you for not adding in clips, yelling, trying to make jokes or all that other fluffy stuff. It is relaxing to watch your videos.

[@widowswatch6610]

The dump cake is cool..... I never knew how it was made....👍🎄

[@WildOne71]

Hey Lisa try cutting n butter to the cake mix it makes a better crumble for the dump cake

[@charismalorelye4516]

OMGAAAAA I CANT WAIT TO WATCH THIS! Lol. Had to comment and express my excitement and gratitude 🙏 before watching!!! Merry Xmas Lisa!

[@Truckngirl]

Thank you for the season's wishes, same for you and yours! This was entertaining and informative. I wish you much YT success!

[@stacyrussell460]

Love love love how you always use basic ingredients, jazz them up & make something fantastic. Your channel is amazing!!

[@monnajvlogs]

Looks yummy! Thanks for the video, Lisa and happy holidays! 😘🎄🎄

[@lb9031]

thanks, Lisa! You are so good at this😊👍

[@jenniferlisow2901]

Lisa, you truly are the GOAT when it comes to Dollar Tree & and low-budget meals. Your creativity & willingness to experiment with your meals never ceases to amaze me. I also enjoy your videos & your easygoing, friendly personality. Well done on another amazing $15 Dollar Tree Christmas meal! Dollar Tree should sponsor you! Merry Christmas to you, Andrew, your mom & everyone else. 🎄🎅

[@carinapalafox1248]

Great video as always. I just have to say that pink on your hair looks fantastic! 😍 🥰❤

[@LindaFoyle]

Many years ago, I had a roommate who had expensive taste in Clothes, he would always cook from the dollar tree to compensate his grocery bill…it worked, and I was very impressed…lol…great job ❤

[@Olive_O_Sudden]

A bit of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and nutmeg or ginger would be a nice addition to that cake mix for pairing with the apple pie filling.

[@ThatLisaDawn]

That's exactly what Andrew and I were talking about! We're thinking we'll make it when we have friends over in a few weeks 😀

[@pamwalker6284]

You really amaze me with the meals you come up with! I'm going to try making noodles, something I never would have tried without seeing one of your other posts. Thanks!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

I want to say the important part first I know many parts of both of our countries are being walloped by an awful storm. Please stay safe and stay warm. Whatever holiday you are celebrating, I wish you blessings and joy! Lisa Dawn - You never cease to amaze me with your compassion and your creativity. Watching you make roasted cauliflower out of the frozen bag was inspiring. Even for me, and I hate cauliflower to the depths of my soul LOL.

[@gregzeigler3850]

Yes, it is very cold here in Ohio atm...

[@jenniferlisow2901]

Add MI to that list. Crazy cold winds here. Thankfully, it's not snowing heavily.

[@whitneytucker1224]

You take simple ingredients/items and turn them into this AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS Meal!! This is why I love your channel!! Every time I see “Lisa Dawn” in my notifications, I get so excited! 😂❤ Merry Christmas to you and your family Lisa! 🎄🎁🎅🏻

[@Linda211]

I love these meals you put together and love the fact that you use so many vegetables which (in my opinion) really amps up the "healthiness" factor. I get so many great ideas from your videos. I was introduced to dump cakes when I lived in NY and watching you put one together brought back a flood of memories. I love that you used applesauce as a fat replacement, turning a very rich dessert into a healthier dessert option. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family! ♥

[@mariabeverly443]

@ that Lisa Dawn I just want you to know that I'm really impressed with you!! 👍🏽 Young and smart you go girl!!

[@intuitivegina]

I hope you know you are a very talented young lady. I'm almost 67 years old and I find I get great ideas from watching your videos. I am very impressed with the Simplicity and the and the ease of the recipes that you make. It's almost like making something from nothing

[@staceyqstacey2296]

Thank you for the great ideas! Everything looks delicious. Definitely need to make that cake!

[@zara6673]

That gravy looks positively decadent! I'm always so eager to see what you come up with next. Merry Christmas to you & your family. ☺

[@laurenvollmer7]

You basically made a beef pot pie, I usually use biscuits instead of pie crust for my pot pies. Looks good! Awesome video ! Clever ideas. I also tend to do the same thing - making a little turn into a lot. Merry Christmas !!

[@carolwoodward6141]

Thank you for your vids and recipes, Lisa Dawn. You have given me so much pleasure through the year. Merry Christmas.

[@karenjones1897]

really good meal on a budget without skimping. thanks for sharing. i have celiac so am always looking for recipes i can make subtle changes to and make them gluten free.

[@charitynordstrom5734]

Looks tasty. I'll definitely try the dump cake recipe

[@anitafoss2133]

Thank you so much for another great video. I really enjoy all your videos and appreciate your realistic recipes, kitchen, dishes, etc. I'm very happy to see you putting out more content because you are such a joy to watch. Wishing you, Andrew and your mom a wonderful holiday season!

[@tstewartfan626]

That cheese came from where I live in Paris Texas!

[@TBonesteak12957]

These videos help as we only can really shop at Aldi and dollar tree. These videos have really helped

[@WildOne71]

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL~~🎄🎄🎄❤️☮️❤️💖❤️☮️🎄🎄🎄

[@jray8553]

I dont comment a lot, and I just found you yesterday, but I have been watching several of your videos and just wanted to say I appreciate that you treat these videos with a different kind of respect than other content creators. As a person who, unfortunately, struggles financially... I dont know why it bothers me when these types of videos lack seasoning and things because it isn't something that the creator purchased for the sake of the video and so they make relatively bland meals because they didn't buy seasoning. To me, the assumption is that we are struggling so there is no way we have basic seasonings, oils, and other basic pantry staples. Im not saying my pantry is stocked, but I have oil and several seasonings options. It feels like salt in the wound when creators do that sort of thing. You might not be intentionally planning it that way, but it is something I really appreciate. In one other video you had, you bought chicken bouillon, which is brilliant. You can season, but didn't spend copious amounts of money for individual seasonings. I understand people probably create that way because they want to be safe and not assume people have a lot of spices, and I know there are people that dont, but as a poor person that likes to eat flavorful food, I appreciate your videos so much!

[@racheladams5299]

I like adding a can of pineapple with the cherry pie filling. Sprinkle the dry cake mix on top then pour a cup of clear soda pop over the cobbler instead of butter or mix the pop with the cake mix like you did with the applesauce. Your entire meal looks amazingly delicious.

[@poopsiekins2732]

sounds yummy!

[@robinswan5831]

That was wonderful!!! So well done

[@poopsiekins2732]

gurrrrl, you just made FOUR scrumptious LARGE HolidayWorthy fun dishes for $15.00!! so impressive!

[@hrhtreeoflife4815]

Q Merry Christmas 🎄 The wonderful ♥️ things you share are an incredible blessing from you to us all! Q ❤️

[@debramurphy4295]

Yum! Use chocolate cake and it would be my favorite cake.

[@heathereton5582]

I’m glad you’re feeling better. Love your tree. Merry Christmas!

[@yourfriendmandy5517]

I love your video, they are all full with great meal ideas which are awesome for just my hubby, and I.

[@Jean_in_Stillness]

Lisa, happy that you are feeling better in time for the holidays. Thank you for bringing the spirit of the season into our hearts (and bellies!) throughout the year. Joyful blessings to you, Andrew and your Mom 🤗

[@tarheelhurricanegirl9991]

Another great Dollar Tree dinner....

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

That all looked absolutely wonderful! I am sure I would have happily eaten all of that, even without financial issues. Thank you for the video! Have an amazing Christmas and a happy new year!

[@debbiec4224]

Wow! I loved that dessert. I also never thought to add broccoli to scalloped potatoes. What a great idea. I love your videos. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Looking forward to lots of inspiring videos!

[@jjc2323]

Amazing as usual! You are inspirational. And who knows - you may have just helped someone this holiday season with great ideas for $15. Merry Christmas.

[@barbarawalker3366]

Happy Holidays ⛄ and Merry Christmas 🎄. Glad you are feeling better 😊. Thanks for Dollar Tree meal ideas🥦🍽.

[@Narbyful]

I enjoy your videos for lots of reasons, but one of them is that we are now empty nesters and I'm readjusting to cooking/baking for just two again. As you are cooking for two, your recipes are perfect for us. I recently was introduced to that recipe for cherry dump cake, and it's dangerous! LOL The one I make has a layer of whipped cream cheese between the cherries and the cake. It's surprisingly delicious for how easy it is. I enjoyed your recipes in this video and will make them for us - thanks!

[@deannealbrecht774]

I really love that you do these videos for those who may find it necessary to find optional stores.

[@carrieanthony5883]

I literally shop at the Dollar Tree every time I get my stamps I don't go out and spend a lot of money like other people do I buy a lot of their Frozen stuff like the potato Sticks cheese sticks macaroni bites pizzas I get macaroni and cheese I'll get just about everything there I love that store

[@sammarkey672]

Dont skip the cheese raviloi if they have them at your store. They are really good!

[@carrieanthony5883]

@@sammarkey672 I've not tried that thank you very much

[@elainenicholls7648]

I wish the dollar stores in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 where as good as the stores in the states. We don't get any frozen or refrigerator products.

[@carrieanthony5883]

@@elainenicholls7648 I'm sorry girl goes trust me it is a blessing here in Memphis

[@rainandthangz]

These have become my favorite & I look forward to your videos ! I hope you and your family have a very happy holiday !!! 💯 These videos are a blessing for some , many probably! & There are so many ways to budget save and still have tons of food & that's what you got going on 🥶🌲🎄⛄🎅🤶🦌 are you doing a video of your real Christmas dinner ? I'm hoping so LOL

[@elizabethmay7262]

You are so inventive. Merry Christmas to you all. Hoping you have a wonderful time ☃️🎄🎅

[@rosemariemichel7050]

I like Dollar Tree. We only have DG, DT,Wallyworld and a very expensive local store.

[@raindriz2970]

Thank you for the video!! So glad you’re feeling better!!!! Happy Holidays! ❤❤

[@susanbryce6170]

I think you did a GREAT job on your dinner! The biscuit dish reminded me of shepard;s pie, yum. I liked that you spiffed up the scalloped potatoes with broccoli. Also, I love your improvised dump cake. I'm definitely gonna try to make all of these dishes! Thanks and Merry Christmas from Albmarle, NC!

[@tyeserios1086]

Enjoy your videos. Looking forward to 2023. Happy holidays. Stay safe.

[@sarahkrick8667]

What you're doing is so important! Merry Christmas lisa!

[@noranalu5669]

I love all the dishes, thank you so much, and easy to make.

[@sw3et24x7]

I LOVE apple dump cake! If you decide to make it maybe add some cinnamon to the cake mix? I bet that would be delicious!

[@agirlfromnewyork2074]

Every thing you made looks yummy. Thanks 🙏👍 for always sharing . I appreciate seeing your videos . Merry Christmas 🎄⛄

[@FairyRosee_]

You keep outdoing yourself! This looks sooo yummy! I haven't had cherry pie in years. I have been looking for a substitute for oil in cake mix so I'll have to try the applesauce trick!

[@osoniye4209]

That looks amazing and very creative! Merry Christmas!!

[@texasgoddess323]

I always melt the butter and pour it over the cake mix. Then I use a spatula to evenly smooth the butter over the cake mix.

[@extendedpinky]

This was amazing. Love the ideas you give with simple ingredients. That biscuit pie looked good the cake everything looked delicious

[@dianam9028]

Hello Lisa. Thank you for all of your helpful videos. Your Christmas tree is so pretty. 🎄🤗 Merry Christmas.

[@shalenawright4173]

I usually make my hubby a dump cake every other week because they are so easy and he loves all the flavors I have tried so far, but I want to try the applesauce instead of butter and see what he thinks of that, thanks for that tip! Great video and good use of ingredients to make an affordable meal!

[@clara-cookie119]

You are so creative! I enjoy your videos and I hope you have a merry Christmas.

[@opalmoon2256]

W0W!!! That cake does look good, definitely going to make it!! Thank You for sharing it...Merry Christmas 🎄

[@kaybee6050]

Well done! Merry Christmas from South Australia 🌲🌞

[@JanieO123]

🤩Merry Christmas! 🎄✨🧡🙏

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Merry Christmas! 💙💙💙

[@evaowens1400]

You are so clever in the kitchen!

[@aaronreason700]

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

[@diversekakes]

I am very impressed! Good job ❤

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Love how you make something special out of ordinary and often processed ingredients. We don’t have dollar tree here but it gives me ideas for how to think outside the “recommended serving suggestions” for tried and true items. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

[@elainenicholls7648]

Damn your good at this. As always watching from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@SandmanFightingSys]

Anyone with the right imagination can make any recipe with ingredients from the Dollar Tree. I’ve made various chowders, egg Benedict with hollandaise sauce, chicken Parmesan, you name it.

[@lynnebheislerotoole4429]

CRAVING Lisa Dawn? A Christmaa present on the way?

[@sherrywyleta3519]

Thanks for the recipes! Have yourself a merry little Christmas 🤶 🎄

[@redshed2020]

When I was pretty broke when I was younger I used to make a casserole every week that was basically green bean casserole plus whatever meat was on sale, chicken, sausage or tuna. It was cheap and filling. Instead of the french fried onions on top I would usually toast up a piece of bread and make bread crumbs on top and use onion powder to get the onion flavor in it because the onion stuff was too expensive lol.

[@sharmaineburnside9154]

Thank you and Merry Christmas Lisa, Andrew, and momma 🎄💚❤️