Recipes & Cooking Healthy Recipes Healthy Dinners 32 Cheap, Healthy Meals That Cost Less Than $3 Per Serving Save time and money (without sacrificing nutrition or flavor) with these cheap, healthy, home-cooked meals. By Wini Moranville Wini Moranville Food, wine, and travel writer Wini Moranville is the author of "Everyday French Cooking: Modern French Cuisine Made Simple." Over the past 25 years, she has written hundreds of articles, covering everything from Christmas Cookies to Cognac for Better Homes and Gardens, Bonjour Paris, Relish Magazine, and other national publications. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Karla Walsh Karla Walsh Karla Walsh began her career at FITNESS magazine in 2010. Since, she's worked at a wide variety of publications full-time, including BHG.com, Recipe.com and as a cross-brand social media specialist. From search engine optimization to features for print to video strategy, she has a diverse background in all things magazines. At the start of 2019, Karla chose to pursue full-time freelance writing and has contributed to more than 3 dozen brands. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 4, 2024 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Andy Lyons If you're looking for cheap, healthy meals, these ideas are guaranteed to satisfy any of your cravings. With more than a month's worth of nutritious meals on a budget, you'll soon learn how to use inexpensive but flavor-packed ingredients to bring well-balanced meals to your table. Cheap Chicken Recipes (Under $3 Per Serving!) for Speedy Meals 01 of 32 Moroccan Chicken and Cauliflower Stew View Recipe Carson Downing Budget dinner price: $2.97 per serving Choose your own adventure with this North African-inspired feast. The chicken, chickpea, and veggie stew can be made on your stove top in a Dutch oven, or you can hit fast-forward with a pressure cooker or go low and slow with a slow cooker. Using either of these methods will treat you to a healthy meal on a budget that's low in calories, high in protein, and nicely spiced with cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne. The 7 Best Small Slow Cookers for Entertaining, Meal Prep, and More, According to Testing 02 of 32 Vegetarian Hoppin' John View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.34 per serving This traditional Southern comfort dish is said to bring good luck if you eat it on New Year's Day. But we're so obsessed with this cheap, healthy meal, we eat it all year. Instead of calling for bacon or ham, our vegetarian variation of this rice and black-eyed peas dish features several spices and heaps of veggies, including bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and frozen corn. 03 of 32 Turmeric-Ginger Marinated Chicken View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $2.93 per serving The spice—and the price—are right for this Indian-inspired cheap, healthy meal. Serve the turmeric- and ginger-infused grilled chicken on a bed of basmati rice (included in the price estimate) to round out the meal. Save leftover sliced meat to tuck inside warm pita bread or a tortilla for a lunch wrap the next day. 04 of 32 Mini Meat Loaves, Green Beans, and Potatoes View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $2.29 per serving Meatloaf secures a top spot on the list of easy, cheap, healthy meals when you use lean ground beef and boost the filling factor with inexpensive spuds. And don't you love how sheet-pan dinners like this one require so little cleanup time? Cooking everything on one foil-lined pan speeds it up. 17 Cheap Salads to Fill Your Belly with Goodness on a Budget 05 of 32 Pesto-Prosciutto Flatbread View Recipe Jacob Fox Budget dinner price: $1.70 per serving You'd be hard-pressed to find a delivery pizza as affordable as this homemade healthy dinner recipe. Start with store-bought dough to make the Mediterranean meal a practical choice, even on a weeknight. Tip Look for the dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or ask your local pizza shop if you can purchase an extra pound of their secret recipe! 06 of 32 Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $1.21 per serving Noodle dishes are known to be easy on the wallet. Cashews? Not so much. Fortunately, a small handful of heart-healthy nuts can go a long way to add a rich flavor to cheap, healthy meals like this one. Whole wheat noodles help too. 13 Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes All Under 400 Calories 07 of 32 Cilantro-Lime Pork View Recipe Karla Conrad Budget dinner price: $1.70 per serving Low in fat (6 grams per portion) yet high in protein (a strong 28 grams), this five-ingredient slow cooker pork recipe checks all the boxes. Healthy? Yes. Simple? Only 10 minutes of prep required. Affordable? Indeed—it's one of the lowest-cost options in this collection of cheap, healthy meals. 17 Hearty Slow Cooker Pork Recipes for Delicious Meals Any Day 08 of 32 Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $2.84 per serving Here's a cheap, healthy vegetarian meal you'll want to make again and again. With 24 grams of protein and a nice portion of hunger-taming broth and noodles, this soup will fill you up for hours. Meat-like portobello mushrooms, tofu, and a poached egg join fresh veggies in this cozy, crowd-pleasing Asian noodle soup. 09 of 32 Baked Eggplant Parmesan View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $1.82 per serving Breaded with whole wheat panko and baked instead of fried, this eggplant Parmesan is 600 calories less than some classic recipes. Keep your nutrition streak going by grabbing a couple of zucchini at the store to spiralize, toss with the rest of the marinara, and serve under the baked eggplant. Voilà—a budget dinner recipe for four that tastes up to par with its restaurant competition. 10 of 32 Skillet Lasagna View Recipe Jacob Fox Budget dinner price: $2.57 per serving A few decades ago, "stretch the meat" was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime. It's still a great strategy for making cheap, healthy meals even more affordable. Here wide egg noodles, mushrooms, and a bit of cheese extend 8 ounces of ground beef to provide five hearty servings. One bite will be all the proof you need that you can absolutely make satisfying suppers without making meat the main event. The 9 Best Nonstick Pans of 2024 11 of 32 Veggie Tostadas with Cauliflower Mash View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.48 per serving Instead of refried beans, this flavorful Mexican entrée—ready in 30 minutes—features a creamy cauliflower puree. If you're hungry and have leftover chicken or shrimp, toss them in too. (Psst... the serving size can be cut in half for an easy, healthy dinner recipe for two on a budget.) 12 of 32 Chicken with Parmesan Noodles View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $2.10 per serving You only need 20 minutes and $12.60 worth of groceries to pull off our chicken and pasta dinner for six. To maximize your cheap, healthy dinner recipes, never let any ingredients go to waste. Instead, use any leftover pesto in these quick and easy pesto recipes. 13 of 32 Ham and Sweet Potato Mini Flatbreads View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $1.78 per serving Turn budget-friendly shaved cooked ham into a delicacy by serving it on mashed sweet potatoes and topping it with cranberry sauce. This healthy dinner recipe on a budget offers a taste of Thanksgiving any time of year. Not into ham or craving more holiday spirit? Try this with sliced smoked turkey instead. 14 of 32 White Bean Tuna Salad View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $1.36 per serving Your favorite Tuscan-inspired restaurant may not be the first place you'd head to get inspiration for healthy meals on the cheap. But much of this Italian region's cuisine is humble and healthy. Tuscan cooks are fond of using cannellini beans. Here the beans partner with other great Mediterranean diet-friendly ingredients for a true-to-Italy dish that won't break the bank or your nutrition goals. Mediterranean Kale & Cannellini Stew with Farro 15 of 32 Fish Tostadas with Chili-Lime Cream View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.82 per serving When coming up with cheap, healthy meals, consider cooking with whitefish. The affordable and lean protein is mild enough to please even picky eaters. Enjoy it on these crowd-pleasing tostadas perfectly seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and lime. 18 Healthy Seafood Recipes That Are as Tasty as Restaurant Fare 16 of 32 Bacon and Egg Rice Bowls View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $1.49 per serving On the hunt for affordable, healthy meals that work for dinner or brunch? Get cracking—eggs, that is. Here protein-rich, budget-friendly eggs pair with other pantry staples for a cheap and easy recipe under 400 calories per serving. Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on hand for the fresh herbs. 17 of 32 Beef and Black Bean Chili View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Budget dinner price: $1.36 per serving Start planning your next chili night now. This low-cost slow cooker chili recipe can be prepped in 25 minutes. Stir everything together in the slow cooker early in the day and come home to a healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 14 grams of protein. 18 of 32 Peanut Fettuccine with Roasted Cauliflower View Recipe Karla Conrad Budget dinner price: $1.81 per serving Sticking to healthy meals on a budget often means driving past your favorite eatery and straight home. But with nutritious restaurant remakes like this, you can don't have to miss out on take-out flavor while saving money, sodium, and calories. If you need more sustenance, toss in some leftover or rotisserie chicken; as-is, this less-than-$2 meal has only 270 calories per serving, leaving plenty of room for add-ins. 19 of 32 Chili-Pasta Skillet View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $1.61 per serving Not only does this well-balanced pasta recipe clock in at under 300 calories per serving, but it also takes only 20 minutes to prepare. Comforting chili flavors, pasta, and cheese make this meal a family favorite. Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan. One Pot Pasta Recipes Make a Delicious Dinner with Minimal Cleanup 20 of 32 Fajitas View Recipe Budget dinner price: $1.25 per serving Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness; in this recipe, they're spiced and seasoned to give the fajitas extra flavor. Bonus: If you grill no matter the season, this dish belongs in your regular rotation of budget-friendly healthy dinner recipes because you can find these veggies any time of year. The Best Indoor Grills to Buy When It's Just Too Hot to Grill Outdoors 21 of 32 Falafel and Vegetable Pitas View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $1.53 per serving Burger night just earned itself a healthy vegetarian upgrade. Here we blend fiber- and protein-rich chickpeas with warm spices, sear them to crisp perfection, then serve with crunchy, good-for-you veggies. Ready in less than 30 minutes and under $2 per serving, this dinner idea gives you a lot to love. 22 of 32 Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Shrimp View Recipe Marty Baldwin Budget dinner price: $2.58 per serving Whole wheat noodles, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, and shrimp make this delicious meal surprisingly low-cal and nutritious. Use frozen shrimp instead of fresh to cut the cost of the seafood. Just don't skip the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes—they give this healthy meal on a budget just enough kick. 23 of 32 Vegetarian Gumbo View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $1.50 per serving How many cheap, healthy meals can you make without chopping anything? This is one of the rare few. It's a no-knife-needed, "dump and done" slow cooker recipe for when you have no more than 10 minutes of hands-on prep time to spare. 24 of 32 Mexican Meatball Stew View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.05 per serving This slow cooker dump dinner might be the easiest of all: It requires no chopping or measuring. How easy is that? Six ingredients, 10 minutes of prep time, and great flavor combine to make this a cheap, healthy dinner idea for any night of the week. 25 of 32 Cuban-Style Stuffed Poblanos View Recipe Blaine Moats Budget dinner price: $2.04 per serving Since they're often loaded with affordable rice, canned veggies, and ground meat, stuffed peppers are one of the best dinner ideas to keep your wallet stuffed too. Thanks to Cuban elements like briny olives, earthy almonds, and sweet raisins, this recipe is wildly flavorful. We know that combo might sound different from what you'd usually pair with beef and brown rice, but we bet you (and your dinner companions) will be blown away. These Cuban Recipes Amp Up the Flavor at Your Dinner Table 26 of 32 Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Dinner Salad View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $2.57 per serving Easy, cheap, healthy meals don't get fresher or more flavorful than this. The 20-minute recipe features favorites from the Mediterranean diet, including chicken, feta cheese, olives, and tomatoes, for a meal bursting with flavor that still feels light. 15 Main Dish Salad Recipes Perfect for Fresh Weeknight Meals 27 of 32 Gnocchi, Sweet Corn, and Arugula in Cream Sauce View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $2.24 per serving We'll never say no to pasta dinners, but sometimes, we're more in the mood for potatoes. On those nights, we turn to gnocchi, a traditional potato-based Italian dumpling. This healthy dinner brings together sweet corn, arugula, and a plethora of seasonings to make one delicious dinner that you'd never guess is budget-friendly. The veggies amp up the nutrients, too. 28 of 32 Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Budget dinner price: $1.48 per serving Just two pans and 20 minutes later, a serving of this recipe fulfills 20% of your daily iron intake. It's a great choice when you're looking for low-sodium recipes too. It makes four side-dish servings, or double each portion for a cheap, healthy dinner recipe for two that rings in just under our main-dish limit at $2.96. 15 Low-Carb Side Dishes to Round Out Your Healthy Meal 29 of 32 Grilled Pork and Pineapple View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.67 per serving Turn a classic pork chop into a tangy, tropical meal. Orange marmalade creates a simple yet mouthwatering glaze and becomes a refreshing topping when mixed with yogurt. Grilled pineapple slices on the side lend their bold sweetness to this new grill-season favorite. 30 of 32 Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $2 per serving When you need a cheap, easy, healthy meal, it's time for a stir-fry. The pre-chopped packaged frozen vegetables save time in the kitchen and keep you below your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition. Lighten the meal more by opting for low-cal bottled plum sauce and low-sodium soy sauce. 31 of 32 Egg White Scramble with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes View Recipe Jason Donnelly Budget dinner price: $2.79 per serving No matter how wiped out you are at the end of a busy day, you can still cook an egg. Right? Here we scramble only the whites for a cheap, healthy breakfast-for-dinner option that's salad-y but packed with protein to help you feel satisfied. 21 Breakfast-for-Dinner Ideas That Are Appealing Any Time of Day 32 of 32 Veggie Mac and Cheese View Recipe Andy Lyons Budget dinner price: $1.29 per serving Mac and cheese probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of nutritious dinner ideas. (You probably associate it more with an indulgent childhood lunch.) But when you use whole-grain pasta, broccoli, carrots, and reduced-fat cheese, it transforms into a healthy dinner recipe on a budget. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit