Eating Well Without Breaking the Bank
Healthy eating on a budget may seem difficult, but it is possible. Simply using simple ingredients and easy recipes you can create delicious and satisfying meals that don't break the bank. Here are 20 budget friendly meal ideas centered around whole foods, basic flavors, and choices that will keep you feeling your best.
1. Oatmeal With Fruit and Nuts
Skip the pricey packaged oatmeal and make your own on the stove. Enhance flavor and nutrition by adding frozen berries, banana slices, or a small handful of nuts. Hot oatmeal will fill you up without breaking the bank.
2. Bean and Vegetable Soup
Beans are inexpensive, whether dried or canned. Toss in any veggies you have on hand (fresh or frozen), and simmer away. The finished soup will be hearty, healthy, and perfect for leftovers.
3. Baked Chicken Thighs With Roasted Vegetables
Chicken thighs often cost less than chicken breasts and are juicier when baked. Serve the chicken with roasted carrots, potatoes, or onions. You’ll have protein, fiber, and plenty of comfort food all on one plate.
4. Scrambled Eggs With Toast and Spinach
Cheap and full of nutrients your body craves, eggs are an easy solution to morning hunger. Scramble eggs with a handful of spinach, and serve with whole-grain toast. Enjoy it for dinner too!
5. Tuna Salad With Crackers or Bread
Tuna is low-cost and easy to keep stocked in your pantry. Mix canned tuna with a little mayo or Greek yogurt, add some chopped celery or onion, and you have a meal that requires no cooking. It’s quick and easy for such a delicious flavou!
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6. Lentil Stew
Cooking lentils is fast when you use canned, but buying them dry is even cheaper. Though satisfying on their own, lentils taste delicious with onions, garlic, and your favorite spices. One pot can last you all week.
7. Rice and Beans With Vegetables
Another pantry staple combo, rice and beans are easy on your wallet and your body. Use canned beans and frozen veggies to minimize prep time. There are many flavors of rice and beans depending on how you spice it.
8. Baked Fish With Lemon and Rice
Frozen fish fillets are often less expensive than fresh fish. Bake it with a sprinkle of lemon and your favorite seasoning, then serve it with rice or another grain. You can enjoy a fancy feeling meal on the cheap.
9. Vegetable Stir-Fry
Use leftover veggies by tossing them into a pan with some oil and soy sauce. Serve over rice, noodles, or quinoa. Stir-frys are great because you control exactly what goes into them.
10. Whole-Wheat Pasta With Tomato Sauce
Pasta fills you up and won’t break the bank. Use canned tomato sauce and cook up some vegetables or beans to add on top. Warm, comforting food that requires minimal effort.
11. Baked Potatoes With Simple Toppings
Potatoes may be the cheapest thing you can buy at the grocery store. Top your baked potato with a sprinkle of cheese, a scoop of beans, or leftover veggies from your fridge. You’ll get warm, filling comfort that’s good for you too!
12. Chicken and Vegetable Casserole
Casserole is another great way to make a few ingredients stretch for multiple meals. Use cooked chicken, frozen vegetables, and your favorite broth or sauce. Portion it out and heat up for easy leftovers.
13. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
If you can swing stopping at the store, this inexpensive classic fills you up and tastes great. Whole wheat bread adds fiber, and peanut butter is a good source of protein. Don’t feel like cooking? Try this.
14. Chili Made With Ground Turkey or Beans
Not only is chili cheap to make, it’s easy to make a lot at one time. Use beans on their own or add ground turkey to bulk it up when it’s on sale. It freezes great, so you won’t have any waste.
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15. Cottage Cheese With Fruit
Cottage cheese is high in protein and low in cost. Top with canned peaches or pineapple, or buy fruit when it’s on sale. Feel like you’re eating something light, but still stay full.
16. Vegetable Omelet
An omelet is a great way to use random vegetables hiding in your fridge. Throw in some peppers, leftover onions, or mushrooms from dinner the night before. Fill yourself up without spending too much at the grocery store.
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17. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Soup is another great way to stretch one piece of chicken into multiple meals. Add noodles, chopped carrots, and celery for an easy comfort food favorite. Chicken soup is easy on your stomach and simple to reheat.
18. Baked Ziti With Vegetables
This simple recipe calls for pasta, sauce, and a small amount of cheese. Bulk it up with vegetables to help fill you up and add nutrients. Make enough for multiple days of easy lunches or dinners.
19. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Quesadillas are affordable and can be ready in minutes. Beans are a healthy source of protein, and you won’t need much cheese to add great flavor. Serve with a side of vegetables or salsa.
20. Slow Cooker Vegetable and Bean Curry
Your slow cooker does all the work for you. Beans, affordable spices, and frozen vegetables combine to create a delicious meal. Serve over rice, and enjoy leftovers for days to come.
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