Three home cooks show host Ree Drummond their secrets for creating the perfect party food without emptying their wallets or filling their sink with dishes. After going on a dollar-stretching shopping trip, they make their own version of the one-pot dinner party dish. Then, they must prepare an elegant platter of appetizers for a summer soiree in 30 minutes or less.

Host Ree Drummond sends three home cooks to the market to buy $50 worth of weekend groceries. The competitors return ready to make their best grilled summer sandwich, but when friends call to say they're coming over, the cooks have only 45 minutes to make a drop-in dinner for eight!

Host Ree Drummond instructs the three home cooks to make a family friendly weeknight meal, but with no time to stop at the market, they'll have to make the entire meal using only what they can scrounge up in their pantry! Then, Ree gives the cooks $10 to replenish their pantry for an elevated dinner. The home cook whose pantry dishes make the biggest impression on the judges will win a year's worth of groceries!