Buttery Herb Mashed Potatoes with Lentil Gravy

Ingredients

• 1 pouch (4 oz) Idahoan Dairy-Free Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes

  On sale at Walmart: Idahoan Dairy-Free Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, 4oz Pouch

  $0.75 $1.48

• 1 box (4 oz) Betty Crocker Cheddar and Bacon Casserole Potatoes

  On sale at Walmart: Betty Crocker Cheddar and Bacon Casserole Potatoes, Made with Real Cheese, 4 oz Box

  $0.75 $1.97

• 3 cups Water

  pantry

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

  pantry

• 1 small Onion

  about $0.75

• 2 cloves, minced Garlic

  about $0.25

• 1 cup Lentils (dry)

  about $1.50

• 2 cups Vegetable broth

  about $1.00

• 1 teaspoon dried Thyme

  pantry

• to taste Salt and pepper

  pantry

Prices are from Walmart the week of October 11, 2026. Sale prices change every week and differ by store.

Steps

1. In a pot, bring 1.5 cups water to a boil and prepare the Idahoan dairy-free mashed potatoes according to package directions, stirring until creamy. Transfer to a serving bowl and set aside.
2. In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the dry lentils, vegetable broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender and the liquid has reduced to a gravy-like consistency, about 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season the lentil gravy with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Prepare the Betty Crocker casserole potatoes according to package directions using 1.5 cups water and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir until combined and creamy.
6. Serve the dairy-free mashed potatoes topped with the lentil gravy, and place the herbed casserole potatoes on the side.

Why it’s cheap

2 of the 10 ingredients were on sale at Walmart the week of October 11, 2026, led by idahoan dairy-free buttery homestyle mashed potatoes at $0.75 instead of $1.48.

The sale items rang up $1.95 under their regular prices.

Penny Meals prices a dinner by the share of each package you actually cook, adds an estimated shelf price for anything that wasn’t on sale, and counts pantry staples like oil and salt as free. That came to $1.19 a serving, or $4.76 for 4 servings.

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