Easter 2026

 With Easter being just right around the corner I thought I would give you another episode of Pick Your Budget Holidays. Let’s get started. As always I’m using Walmart pricing unless otherwise stated.

SIDES

8.5oz can of Great Value peas and carrots (.67¢)

10oz package Marketside fresh asparagus spears $3.84 (we will be roasted these)
8.5oz Gem extra virgin olive oil ($4.48)
26oz Great Value iodized salt (.84¢)
2oz Supreme Traditional ground black pepper (Dollar Tree - $1.25)
served with melted butter (8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94)
or melted margarine (16oz Imperial margarine - $1.24)

To make: start by preheating your oven to 400-425°F  then washing and rinsing your asparagus under cold water to remove any dirt. Pat the spears dry because any remaining moisture can steam them rather than sear them. Snap off the woody, tough bottom ends of the asparagus (about 1-2 inches) by bending the spear until it breaks naturally. Of course you can cut off the ends as well, if you desire. You can peel the asparagus if the spears are very thick stalks by using a vegetable peeler. You will only need to peel the bottom half of the spear for a more tender texture. Toss the asparagus with a generous drizzle of olive oil, and liberally sprinkled with salt and pepper. Spread into a single layer without overcrowding the asparagus on a baking sheet. Roast in your oven for 12-15 minutes until tender and lightly browned, tossing or stirring halfway through.


Creamed Peas by Julie Seats and Treats 

1/4 cup butter (8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94)
1/4 cup flour (2lb bag Great Value flour - $1.32)
2 cups milk (16oz Kemps Select milk - $1.32)
1/2 teaspoon salt (reduce this amount if using salted butter - maybe 1/4 teaspoon – 26oz Great Value iodized salt .84¢)
4 cups frozen peas (32oz bag Great Value frozen sweet peas - $2.48)
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon pepper (2oz Supreme Traditional ground black pepper $1.25 from Dollar Tree)

To make: melt your butter in a medium sized pot over low heat. Once the butter is melted, slowly whisk in your flour. Whisk this until it is smooth. Next add your milk and turn up the heat to medium until this becomes smooth and thickens - be sure to whisk often so this doesn’t burn. Add your peas and salt. With your heat still on medium heat the peas through. Taste and adjust the seasonings if need be.

If you know my family at all, you know we love green bean casserole and make it for every holiday we can possibly make it for. So I am including it here with a twist - the stovetop method.

Green Bean Casserole
2 cans 14.5oz Great Value french style or cut green beans ($1.52 - .76¢ ea),
1-10 1/2oz can of Great Value cream of mushroom soup (.70¢)
bag of Golden Farms crispy fried onions purchased from the Dollar Tree (2.8oz bag for $1.50)

To make: just mix the green beans and the cream of mushroom soup together in a pot on the stovetop. Cook this, stirring often until everything is nice and warm. Sprinkle in a small handful of fried onions and stir. Dish this up into your serving bowl and top with more fried onions.

Note: this method works great but I will tell you that it won’t get that “browned” flavor you get for making it in the oven.


You can do dinner rolls or we love to do a combination of corn muffins and blueberry muffins. That way there is a flavor for everyone.
Dinner Rolls -12ct Great Value brown and serve dinner rolls $1.87
Corn Muffins - 8.5oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix .67¢
Blueberry Muffins - 7oz box Jiffy blueberry muffin mix .98¢
Garlic Herb Biscuits - 8.5oz Harvest Hill garlic herb biscuit mix from Dollar Tree for $1.50

Note: for the corn muffins you will need 1 egg and ⅓ cup milk for the blueberry muffins you'll need 1 egg and ⅓ cup milk and for the cheddar herb biscuits you will need ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and ¼ cup unsalted butter - or you can use margarine.

Here are the prices:
6 count Great Value eggs - .96¢
16oz Kemps Select milk - $1.32
8oz block (you'll need to shred it) Great Value sharp cheddar cheese $1.87
8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94 or 16oz Imperial margarine - $1.24

POTATOES & GRAVY

Mashed Potatoes & Pork Gravy
4oz Great Value instant mashed potato pouch $1.00 or 9oz box for $1.26
1.41oz Pioneer roasted pork gravy mix $1.48

Note: if you go with the box of instant potatoes you will need milk, margarine and salt.
16oz Kemps Select milk - $1.32
16oz Imperial margarine - $1.24
26oz Great Value iodized salt .84¢


Au Gratin Potatoes - 4.7oz Great Value Au Gratin Potatoes $1.22

Note: you'll need 2 tablespoons margarine or butter and ½ cup 2% milk (8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94 or 16oz Imperial margarine - $1.24 and 16oz Kemps Select milk - $1.32)


2 pounds baby potatoes, diced (Yukon Gold or red) 1.5lb bag of fresh red baby potatoes $3.48
4 tablespoons butter (melted) - 8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94
1/2 teaspoon salt - 26oz Great Value iodized salt .84¢
1/4 teaspoon pepper - 2oz Supreme Traditional ground black pepper from Dollar Tree $1.25

Butter “Gravy”
3 cups potato water - this is the water you used to cook your potatoes, saved from draining them
6 tablespoons butter (melted) - 8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94

To make: put your diced potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Add salt (26oz Great Value iodized salt .84¢) to the water and bring your potatoes to a boil. Cook them until they are fork-tender (about 15-20 minutes.) Drain your potatoes and put them into a serving dish. Toss in your melted butter, salt and pepper (2oz Supreme Traditional ground black pepper from Dollar Tree $1.25)

To make: the butter “gravy”: simply pour the melted butter into the saved potato water, mix and serve.

MEAT/MAIN

Deli Ham - 2oz package Carl Buddig ham lunchmeat .83¢ or 9oz tub of Great Value ham lunch meat $3.57

Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Rolls
Deli ham
Brown sugar - 16oz Domino Light Brown Sugar $1.50 from Dollar Tree 
Butter (or margarine) - 8oz Great Value salted butter - $1.94 or 16oz Imperial margarine - $1.24

To make:  Roll ham slices, place in a pan, dot with butter, sprinkle brown sugar. Bake at 350°F for ~10–15 min.


Pork Chops - premium bone in assorted pork chops at Aldi's for $2.49/pound

Note: if you'd like a pork chop recipe please check out Valentine's Day 2026


Pork Lion - premium boneless half lion pork roast 1.89/pound from Aldi's 


Canned Ham - 5oz can of Great Value canned ham $1.52

Pineapple Ham Skillet
Deli ham (chopped)
Canned pineapple (with a little juice) - 20oz Libby’s pineapple tidbits in light syrup $1.50 from Dollar Tree 

To make:  Pan-fry the ham, add pineapple and a splash of juice, cook until slightly caramelized.


Hamsteak - 14oz 2pack Great Value Pork Boneless Cooked Smoked ham $3.97

Ham - Appleton Farms spiral sliced ham $2.19/pound from Aldi's 

Hot Pockets - Probably the cheapest option - 1 4.5oz Hot Pockets Hickory Ham and Cheddar $1.47 or a package of 4 for $4.87

DESSERT

Carrot Cake by Inspired Taste  

2 cups flour, spooned and leveled meaning fluff the flour, spoon it into the measuring cup, then level off the top with a flat edge. 2lb bag Great Value flour - $1.32
2 level teaspoons baking soda - 8oz box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda .87¢
1/2 teaspoon salt - 26oz Great Value iodized salt .84¢
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 2.5oz Great Value Kosher Ground Cinnamon $1.32
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil - 16oz bottle Golden Chef vegetable oil $1.50 from Dollar Tree 
1 cup granulated sugar - 1lb box Dominos granulated sugar $1.50 from Dollar Tree 
1 cup lightly packed brown sugar - 16oz Domino Light Brown Sugar $1.50 from Dollar Tree 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Great Value Pure Vanilla Extract, 1 fl oz $3.94 or Baker's Kosher Imitation Vanilla Flavor, 8.0 fl oz Bottle $2.08
4 large eggs, at room temperature - 6 count Great Value eggs - .96¢
3 cups grated peeled carrots, 5 to 6 medium carrots - 2lb bag carrots $2.09 from Aldi’s
Optional: 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans - 8oz Southern Grove chopped pecans $3.95 Aldi's 
Optional: 1/2 cup raisins - Great Value Sun-Dried Raisins Carton, 12 oz $2.86

For Creamy Frosting
8 ounces block cream cheese, at room temperature - 8oz Great Value cream cheese $1.56
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar - Great Value Confectioners Powdered Sugar, 32 oz $1.94
1/3 cup cold heavy cream, not plain whipping cream - Great Value Heavy Whipping Cream, 16 oz Carton $2.96
Optional: 1/2 cup  coarsely chopped pecans, for topping cake (see above)
Optional: 2 teaspoons cornstarch - 16oz Bakers Corner pure cornstarch $1.65 from Aldi's 

To make: position your oven rack in the middle then preheat your oven to 350°F. Start by lining the bottom of 2 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper (20sq ft roll $1.50 from Dollar Tree.) Grease the top of your pans or you can simply grease and flour the sides and bottom of both pans if you don’t want to do the parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk your flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together. In another bowl, whisk together your oil, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Once it's mixed well add one egg at a time and whisk after each one until all eggs are incorporated. Using a rubber spatula add your dry ingredients in three parts, stirring gently until the batter is smooth. Stir in your carrots. And finally your nuts and raisins if using. Divide the batter between your two cake pans and put into your oven for 35-45 minutes. You cake is down when it springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cakes in their pans for 15 minutes to cool then carefully turn them out onto cooling racks. If you used parchment paper, remove it now. Allow to cool completely.

Note: if your cakes are sticking to the bottom of the pan, just leave the pans upside down and allow gravity to do its thing.

To frost your cake start by whisking or sifting together your cornstarch and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Set it aside. Next in a large bowl, beat your cream cheese with your handheld mixer on a medium speed until it becomes whipped, creamy and smooth - about 1-2 minutes. Now turn your mixer to a low speed and add your dry ingredients to the cream cheese, a heaping spoonful at a time until it's thoroughly combined. Add your cold heavy cream and beat on medium to medium high speed for about 2-3 minutes or until it’s creamy and whipped. The frosting should resemble the texture of whipped cream. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until you are ready to frost your cake.

Note: if when you add the heavy cream it isn’t whipping, toss your bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and try again.

To assemble your cake start by frosting the top of one cake layer then place the second cake layer on top. Add the frosting to the top of the cake using a butter knife or small spatula. Leave the cake sides unfrosted and finished with a handful of nuts on top if desired.

Angel Food Cake with Berries
14oz Plain Angel Food Ring Cake in the bakery $5.48
Fresh or Frozen Berries - 10oz Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend $2.98


8inch 24oz Marketside Blueberry Pie $5.93

Mini Blueberry Pies - 4oz Mini Blueberry Pie .96¢

16oz Marketside Blueberry Lemon Streusel Loaf $4.97

Jello - 4 count Jell-O Temptations Lemon Meringue Pie Pudding Cups $2.97


Well I hope you enjoyed this article and as always I will have this available for download at the end of the month. Have a great Easter with your family and drive safely!

💗 Jo