How to Make a Week’s Worth of Dinners for Under $25

Spoon University
Sep 27, 2015

College kids, recent grads and busy young professionals seriously don’t have the time (or the money) to splurge on expensive meals. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise and sink into a fast food or takeout rut. We’ve created a recipe series that is fast, easy, cheap and takes the guesswork out of cooking to give you a week’s worth of awesome dinners. With just $25 and a trip to Trader Joe’s, you can make these five ridiculously easy gourmet meals. The best part? You’ll use all of the ingredients in their entirety.

What you will need for a week of awesome dinners:

  • fresh mozzarella
  • canned corn
  • black beans
  • red bell pepper
  • green bell pepper
  • roma tomatoes
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 russet potato
  • tomato paste
  • 2 heads garlic
  • salad mix
  • basil
  • brown rice medley
  • 1 package chicken breasts
  • focaccia bread

… all for a total of $24.49.

Of course, there are a few ingredients we expect you to have on hand, including olive oil, salt and pepper. Check out the awesome, delicious recipes below for a week’s worth of yum.

Monday: Black Bean Burger and Oven Fries

Start the week off right. This black bean burger is crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside, and the fries are cooked in peanut oil so they taste freakin’ awesome. Feel free to kick up the spiciness of the burger by throwing in some extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper. Get the recipe here.

Tuesday: Chicken Fajita Salad

How do you make a salad taste better than grass? Top it with chicken, peppers, corn, blacks beans and more. This salad comes together with minimal effort and will leave you very full (and happy). Find the recipe here.

Wednesday: Focaccia Pizza

This is the simplest, tastiest and most attractive dinner out there – seriously, just look at that pretty, pretty pizza. And you don’t have to limit yourself to just cheese. If you have some leftover peppers or chicken, just throw ’em on there for a new version of this simple dish. Learn how here.

Thursday: Caprese Chicken

Melted mozzarella on top of juicy tomatoes, perfectly cooked chicken, a bed of salty rice and fresh greens. OMG, get in our bellies. This dish is a heartier version of a caprese salad. Learn how to make it here.

Friday: Stuffed Red Peppers

Everything is better stuffed, right? These red peppers are full of flavor and hardly take any time to bake. If you’re not a fan of red peppers, sub them out for green or yellow. Check out how to make these guyshere.

Have any other cheap dinner ideas? Let us know in the comments below!

(Photos via Megan Prendergast/Spoon University)

Jeremy Allen White Wants ‘The Bear’ Cast "To Be In Each Other's Lives Forever."

2023 proved to be one of the best years in television history, and one TV show everyone was talking about was the new season of The Bear. Not only did it provide even higher career stakes for all of our favorite chefs, but it also deepened the relationships, connections, and heart the first season gave us. And The Bear season 3 takes the drama a step further — and features an episode that somehow rivals season 2's "Fishes."

The Bear season 3 premiered in June 2024, and at the 2024 Emmys, the series won big! Here's everything you need to know about the new installment, and all their Emmy wins. Yes, chef! Check out the latest season 4 news too.

Did The Bear win any Emmys?

FX

In 2024, The Bear won 11 Emmys (breaking its own record!). Ebon Moss-Bachrach won for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Liza Colón-Zayas won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, and Jeremy Allen White won the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, so much," Jeremy said in his acceptance speech. "My heart is just beating outside of its chest...This show has changed my life. It has installed a faith that change is possible, that change is possible if you're able to reach out, you're really truly never alone. I thank this show."

"My beautiful cast, I love you forever," he continues. "I love to work with you, and I want us to be in each other’s lives forever. I love you so dearly.”

Watch The Bear Season 3 Trailer Now!

FX/Hulu

The Bear season 3 trailer gives us a peek at the brand new episodes, and unfortunately it looks like all is not well in restaurant land. As Carmy, Sydney, and the rest of the team work to solidify The Bear as a Chicago staple, tensions threaten to boil over. We get a glimpse at Carmy’s quest for a Michelin star, Fak trying to repair Claire and Carmy’s relationship, Sydney and Carmy exploring a partnership agreement, and Uncle Jimmy talking to Natalie about paying back his loan. I cannot wait for new The Bear episodes to hit Hulu this summer!

Are The Bear cast friends?

Image via Chuck Hodes/FX Networks

Yes, the cast of The Bear are all friends! In a recent profile with Vanity Fair(which dropped after THAT video of Jeremy Allen White & Ayo Edebiri at Wrigley Field went viral), Ayo Edebiri reveals that filming the pilot was almost "too enjoyable," and they weren't sure whether the show would be popular enough to continue.

“Work can be a very intimate thing and a very personal thing and a very emotional thing, and I think when you’re also in industries that are creative or creative adjacent, I think there’s something that also invokes feelings of passion,” she continues.

“We really enjoy each other in life, on camera and off camera," Jeremy Allen White says. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for her as a person, but also as an artist. And so I hope that sort of that kind of thing shines through on camera between Carm and Syd...Syd is always able to [deliver] something different to Carmy, and she’s usually right. And I guess I think Ayo is also usually right.”

“Also, boy’s got some beautiful blue eyes," Ayo says. "You know what I mean? Those are eyes you want to project onto.”

When is The Bear season 3 coming out?

Image via FX/Hulu

The Bear season 3 is coming to FX and Hulu Thursday June 27, 2024. During the 2024 SAG Awards, Matty Matheson let us know that filming for season 3 is going "really well."

"It's just heads down, full hearts," he says. "We're just back in Chicago, weather's kind of nice. Big scripts, big scenes, cameras are on and we're ready." Until we get to see The Bear season 3, feel free to rewatch seasons 1 and 2 on Hulu — I know I will!

Who's going to be in The Bear season 3 cast?

Image via FX/YouTube

You can expect all your favorite The Bear cast members to return for season 3, including Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, and Ayo Edebiri. And it's official: fan favorite guest star Will Poulter will be back for season 3 too!

Jeremy Allen White also told Deadlinethat he'd love to see another episode where “we can get as many (guest stars) to come back for one day,” just like the chaotic family Christmas episode of The Bear season 2.

Erin Jones on TikTok makes the fantastic point that bringing in another chef, possibly one from Carmy's past life, that shows interest in Sydney could help steer the romantic side of the show because it could help Carmy realize he likes her. I, for one, am totally here for Sydney x Carmy endgame, and while it's still up in the air, you simply cannot deny that Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri have incredible chemistry. (And I am still waiting on Ayo Edebiri to star in a romantic comedy!!)

Did The Bear win any SAG Awards?

Image via FX/Hulu

The Bear once again won big at the 2024 SAG Awards, winning for Comedy Series Ensemble, Male Actor in a Comedy Series, and Female Actor in a Comedy Series. During our Q+A with Inside Out 2's Ayo Edebiri, she mentioned the biggest lesson she's learned from Sydney is to embrace good lessons — not just the hard parts of life.

"You don't need to learn lessons from hard things or bad things, it's equally as important to learn them in wonderful moments, [even if] it sometimes might feel hard to," she says. Check out our interview here!

What is The Bear season 3 about?

Image via FX

In an interview with Variety, Jeremy Allen White revealed that after all of season 2 focused on Carmy and the gang opening a brand new restaurant, The Bear season 3 will feel more aligned with season 1.

"Now, in the third season, I think we’re going to go back to that functioning kitchen atmosphere that we had in the first," White said in the interview.

Now that the staff of The Bear has finished opening the restaurant, they're able to just run it!

"In January, I’m going to spend a fair amount of time getting together with some chefs," White continued. "There’ll be a menu set, I believe, that’s going to be for the restaurant in the third season. And I know that I’m going to start putting together that menu with different chefs and cooking and just trying to get prepared to do more of that stuff on camera."

Who are the Faks in The Bear?

Image via FX/Hulu

The Faks are family friends of the Berzattos. The two Faks we know best are the hilarious brothers Neil (Matty Matheson) and Theodore (Ricky Staffieri). Neil is always around to help Carmy and the gang fix something (because, naturally, something is always broken) and we hope he's around a lot more for The Bear season 3!

Did The Bear win any Emmy Awards?

Image via FX/Hulu

Yes, The Bear won a bunch of Emmys this past year, including: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Jeremy Allen White, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Ayo Edebiri.

Who plays Carmen's mom in The Bear season 2?

Image via FX/YouTube

Natalie and Carmy's mom, Donna (who you can see in the season 2 episodes "The Fishes" and "The Bear"), is played by Academy Award winner, Jamie Lee Curtis.

Why is Carmy called Bear?

Image via FX/Hulu

Carmy's last name is Berzatto, so multiple family members are called different forms of "Bear" as a family nickname or term of endearment (like "Sugar Bear" or "Mikey Bear"). Carmy is most frequently referred to as just "Bear," and decides to name his restaurant The Bear.

Let us know what you want to see in The Bear season 3 on Facebook and check out the rest of our New 2024 TV Shows.

Lead image via FX/Hulu.

This post has been updated.

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25 Tasty Caffeine-Free Starbucks Drinks That Won't Make You Feel Insanely Wired

If you're kind of over feeling tweaked from caffeine mid-morning (and ultimately crashing in the afternoon), maybe it's time to make the switch to drinking caffeine-free drinks. Whether you're aiming to drink less caffeine, no caffeine, or just aren't able to drink it, there are plenty of options out there – starting with caffeine-free Starbucksdrinks: naturally, the chain has endless order combos that don't necessarily give you that insane boost of energy.

Find your next order with these 25 caffeine-free Starbucks drinks below. In the mood for something refreshing? Check out these 13 Caffeine-Free Beverages You Can Buy Or DIY!

Caffeine-Free Cold Drinks

Starbucks

Lemonade

Starbucks' lemonade may be caffeine-free, but it still packs a punch with a zesty sip.

Blended Lemonade

You can also order the lemonade blended, which combines the drink with ice for a slushy consistency. This is one of the easiest caffeine-free Starbucks drinks to order!

Starbucks

Peach Lemonade

For something sweeter, order the Starbucks lemonade with a splash of peach juice!

Blended Peach Lemonade

You can also get the Peach Lemonade in a blended version for an icier feel. This caffeine-free Starbucks drink is perfect for summertime.

Starbucks

Strawberry Lemonade

If you aren't keen on the peachy flavor, then Starbucks also has strawberry that you can add to lemonade to keep it caffeine-free.

Blended Strawberry Lemonade

Try ordering this beverage blended for a fun twist on the classic caffeine-free Starbucks drinks!

Starbucks

Milk

This one feels like a no-brainer, but not many people know that you can order straight-up cold milk (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat) from the Starbucks register. If you're craving it on the go, you know where to find it.

Caffeine-Free Teas

Starbucks

Passion Tango Tea

The Starbucks Passion Tango Tea comes iced and brings forth flavors from apple, hibiscus, and lemongrass for a vibrant (non-caffeinated) bev! You can also order this caffeine-free Starbucks drink with a splash of lemonade for a very juicy balance.

Starbucks

Mint Majesty Tea

The herbal teas at Starbucks are free from caffeine, and our #1 fave is the Mint Majesty. It's used to make the Honey Citrus Mint Tea (AKA the Medicine Ball), providing a nice aromatic mint feel compared to other caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Starbucks

Peach Tranquility Tea

The Peach Tranquility is a bit on the sweeter side, and provides a great opportunity to warm up during the colder months.

Caffeine-Free Frappuccinos

Starbucks

Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino

Vanilla bean powder, milk, and ice are blended to create this whipped cream-topped Frapp. It's still sweet, but nixes the caffeine entirely.

Starbucks

Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino

This Frappuccino flavor is similar, except it's quite strong on the caramel, and has some interesting crunchiness to it from the little caramel bits that they shake in. Dessert-y caffeine-free Starbucks drinks FTW!

Starbucks

White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino

Additionally, you can order a crème Frappuccino with white chocolate (or more popularly, white mocha). You can also order this pick with regular mocha for a tasty caffeine-free Starbucks drink.

Starbucks

Caramel Brulée Crème Frappuccino

This Frapp is flavored with one of the best seasonal syrups, Caramel Brulée, and gets topped with whipped cream and little bruléed bits for a yummy caffeine-free Starbucks drink.

Starbucks

Peppermint White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino

Skip the caffeine rush and aim for a full-on sugar rush with this minty Frappuccino. Like the White Chocolate Crème one, you can also swap the white mocha for regular mocha.

Starbucks

Chestnut Praline Crème Frappuccino

Spiced praline crumbs adorn this frozen bev that's featured on the Starbucks winter menu.

Starbucks

Strawberry Crème Frappuccino

This fruity yet creamy Starbucks caffeine-free drink gives you a dose of strawberry puree and sweet cream.

Caffeine-Free Hot Drinks

Starbucks

Hot Chocolate

The Hot Chocolate and White Hot Chocolate are both easy and comforting caffeine-free Starbucks drinks to refer to during the winter.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

You can also order the hot chocolates with peppermint syrup for even more spirited caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Starbucks

Milk Steamers

Grab any kind of milk that Starbucks carries hot for a comforting, caffeine-free sip.

Starbucks

Vanilla Steamer

The Vanilla Steamer is just hot milk with vanilla syrup for that extra dose of flavor.

Chestnut Praline Steamer

You can get any Steamer with any sort of syrup, but the Chestnut Praline is a fan-fave when it comes to caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Sugar Cookie Steamer

The Sugar Cookie Steamer with almond milk is an elite Starbucks caffeine-free drink.

Starbucks

Steamed Apple Juice

Alternatively, order steamed apple juice for a less dense hot drink.

Starbucks

Caramel Apple Spice

This underdog drink is apple juice enhanced with cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle.

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Images via Starbucks.

This post has been updated.

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Yerin Ha Loves Being A Part Of 'Bridgerton' Cast "Family"

I L-O-V-E season 3 of Bridgertonin all its friends-to-lovers, springtime, romantic glory, and I'm already thinking about Bridgerton season 4. I'm a sucker for any storyline about siblings, and the Bridgertons are some of my favorites. We've been speculating that season 4 of Bridgerton would follow Benedict and his love interest Sophie, or Eloise's love story, and on July 23, Netflix finally confirmed which sibling the series would cover next. Here's everything you need to know about season 4 of the hit TV show. And check out everything you need to know aboutThe Bridgerton Season 3 Ending!

Your First Look At 'Bridgerton' Stars Yerin Ha & Luke Thompson

Gavin Bond/Netflix

Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson are already getting to know each other ahead of Bridgerton season 4 filming. And Yerin is loving every minute. "I don’t think there are enough words in the dictionary to describe what it’s like joining the family, but I’m just very, very grateful, and everyone’s been so welcoming with open arms," Yerin Ha tells Shondaland. "It’s been a lovely experience so far."

"And it’s yours now too," Luke adds before Yerin says, "Ours. It’s our family." I'm crying!

And after teasing the next installment will be the perfect mix of reality and fairytale, Yerin describes Sophie's journey like a prism. "Like when the light comes in, and then it goes into a rainbow," she says. "I’m using that as a metaphor for the character of Sophie for before she meets Benedict and after."

Will there be season 4 of Bridgerton?

Netflix

Yes, we're getting a Bridgerton season 4! The senior season of the Shondaland show will follow An Offer from a Gentleman, which revolves around second-eldest son Benedict (played by Luke Thompson). While Anthony and Colin are now happily married, Benedict isn't sure he wants to settle down — until his mother's masquerade ball introduces him to a Lady in Silver he can't stop thinking about.

In an interview with the LA Times, showrunner Jess Brownell revealed one major change. "We always live in this perpetual spring in Bridgerton, but we’re playing around with the idea of fall...for the first time," she says. "Some of that is about story and some of it is, honestly, just for practical reasons because we’re shooting in the fall. It’s still going to be just as lush and colorful, but just more in those warm fall colors instead of the pastels. There will still be some pastels, so it won’t look like a totally different show. I’ll give you that." It's giving Gilmore Girls and I'm more than happy with that!

Season 4 is already in rehearsals, which includes dance lessons for Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson! “I’ve only stepped on Yerin’s toes once, which is good,” Luke says in an interview with Tudum.

The dance lessons have been “really special and very vulnerable,” according to Yerin. “The dancing is like an extension of their emotions, and a way for them to connect."

Who's in the Bridgerton season 4 cast?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Variety confirmed on August 16 that Yerin Ha (Halo) will star in Bridgerton season 4 as Sophie Baek! Bridgerton season 4 will also star Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, as well as Luke Newton, Nicola Coughlan, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Claudia Jessie, Hannah Dodd, Will Tilston, and Florence Hunt as the rest of the Bridgertons + their spouses. Plus, Harriet Cains, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Madsen, and Bessie Carter!

Michaela is played by Masali Baduza, who fans had originally thought was playing Sophie. You might recognize the actress from movies like The Woman King and Slumber Party Massacre. "They never disappoint, casting geniuses," one Reddit user says.

When is Bridgerton season 4 coming out?

Image via Liam Daniel/Netflix

Considering part one of Bridgerton season 3 is hitting Netflix May 16, 2024, we definitely won't see season 4 of Bridgerton for awhile. So far, there have been two years in between each season, so I'm expecting season 4 to start streaming in 2026. And showrunner Jess Bronwell agrees.

"We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited, and then they have to be dubbed into every language,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “And the writing takes a very long time as well, so we’re kind of on a two-year pace, we’re trying to speed up but somewhere in that range.”

How many episodes will season 4 of Bridgerton have?

Image via Liam Daniel/Netflix

Considering all three seasons of Bridgerton so far have eight episodes each, we can expect Netflix to keep up that pattern. Having the same number of episodes each season means the pace and arc for each Bridgerton sibling will be equal, making it a much more balanced watching experience! Plus, eight siblings, eight episodes, eight seasons.

Will Bridgerton have all 8 seasons?

Image via Liam Daniel/Netflix

Yes, Bridgerton will have all 8 seasons, one for each Bridgerton sibling — at least, that's the plan. "This being a family of eight children and there being eight books, I would love to be able to focus and really tell stories and love stories for all the Bridgerton siblings. For each character, for sure," showrunner Chris Van Dusen tells Collider.

After Bridgerton season 4, I'm most interested to see youngest sibling Hyacinth's love story play out! Seeing her arc throughout all eight seasons, especially mirrored with the way her brothers and sisters evolve over the course of the show, is going to be the perfect way to wrap this series up.

What are you looking forward to the most for Bridgerton season 4? Follow us on Facebook for more TV show news!

Lead image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

This post has been updated.

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