50+ Budget Healthy Meals (2024)

These are the best Budget Healthy Meals. From cheap, healthy dinner ideas to budget breakfasts, browse all the best cheap, easy, healthy meals!

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (1)

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Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re looking to save a little bit of money on your grocery bill, there are tons of cheap healthy dinner recipes out there!

Cheap Healthy Meals

We always aim to save on our grocery bill where we can. You’ll find tons of budget friendly recipes on our website, but here are some of our favorite cheap options dinners! From ground beef to chicken, soups and meatless meals – there’s something for everyone!

How to make Healthy Meals on a Budget

Here’s our formula for building a cheap and healthy meal:

  • Protein: Pick a protein that isn’t overly expensive. Ground beef and whole chicken are two of the most affordable proteins you can find in most stores.
  • Vegetables: Fill your plate with veggies. Frozen and canned vegetables are significantly cheaper than fresh!
  • Starch/Carb: Rice is the cheapest starch and sold in all stores. Beans/Potatoes are also a great form of healthy carbs!

Cheap Healthy Dinner Ideas

We have tons of cheap and healthy dinner recipes here. Ground beef is one of our favorite things to cook with for a healthy meal, but cooking a whole chicken or chicken breast can also be affordable. Here are our best healthy dinner ideas:

Healthy Cheap Meals with Ground Beef

Taco Casserole is a delicious weeknight dinner. Made in under an hour with tortillas, this ground beef casserole is the best!

Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe that is hearty, filling and healthy! The best easy weeknight dinner.

Ground Beef Stew can be made in the instant pot, crockpot, or on the stove for dinner. It’s cheaper than making stew with stew meat!

Homemade Hamburger Helper is easy, healthy and delicious – one of our favorite cheap healthy meals!

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (2)

Taco Soup is one of the best easy dinner recipes. You’ll need a pound of ground beef, canned black beans, frozen corn and only a few other items to make a delicious meal!

Stuffed Pepper Casserole is so yummy! A healthy dinner that is made in one dish in under an hour! Gluten free & delicious.

Healthy Baked Ziti Pasta is a lighter twist on a classic Italian dish. Baked Ziti Pasta is made withground turkeyor ground beef for a simple, budget friendly dinnerthat anyone will love!

Healthy Taco Seasoning on ground beef is one of our favorite meals. You can make a bowl with black beans and rice, or serve it over a salad!

Homemade Meatballs are a staple in our house for a cheap healthy dinner. They’re loaded with protein and perfect over pasta!

Greek Meatballs are a quick & easy, flavorful main dish or appetizer ready in 20 minutes! Serve them with tzatziki, wrapped in a pita, or over a greek salad.

Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats are loaded with cheese and meat. Baked and served up in a casserole dish for an easy, affordable dinner.

Korean Beef Bowls are ready in only 15 minutes! Easy, cheap and affordable!

Cheap and Healthy Meals with Chicken

Chicken can be a delicious, affordable dinner option. We like to cook with chicken breasts and chicken thighs- but the most affordable chicken recipe is cooking a whole chicken! You can get many meals out of one chicken and use the scraps to make broth!

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is a healthy, easy dinner made in less than 10 minutes of prep time!

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken can be made in your slow cooker, instant pot or on the stove. Great for tacos or with rice!

Easy Greek Chicken Thighs Recipe is the perfect meal! Made with simple ingredients, this sheet pan chicken thigh dinner is yummy & healthy!

Homemade Chicken Nuggets are so easy to make! These Healthy Chicken Nuggets are delicious, super crispy & so much better than fast food!

Healthy Fried Rice is packed with chicken, veggies and brown rice. Full of flavor + so delicious – just like takeout chicken fried rice at home! You can use up whatever veggies you have in the fridge or use frozen veggies to save money.

Crispy Baked Chicken Legs Recipe! Baking Chicken Legs in an oven is great for an easy, healthy dinner!

Best Mexican Chicken Casserole is so easy to make! This Mexican Chicken Casserole is perfect for a one-pan dinner.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe is so easy to make! Perfectly crispy, coated with a delicious sauce and cheese for a healthy dinner! Serve it over pasta to make it a complete meal

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (3)

Healthy Chicken Fajita Casserole Recipe is made in one pan with only a few ingredients. A healthy, quick and delicious dinner.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe is made with basic ingredients like potatoes & chicken in under an hour for an easy dinner. Quick, simple and delicious.

Chicken and Rice Casserole is easy and healthy! Made with broccoli and no condensed soup – this is the best dinner made in one dish!

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie is the perfect light dinner. Learn how to make chicken pot pie in under an hour for a delicious meal!

Whole Roasted Chicken is one of our favorite cheap and healthy recipes. Whole chickens are great because you can use the scraps/bones to make chicken broth.

Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe! Paleo, gluten free + delicious – it’s one of the best healthy chicken recipes!

Crockpot Whole Chicken is another easy way to cook a whole chicken! The slow cooker does all the work and when you’re finished you can make Crockpot Bone Broth.

Instant Pot Orange Chicken is made in the pressure cooker with only a few basic ingredients. It’s cheap, easy and delicious!

Chicken Fusilli Pasta is made with only 6 affordable ingredients. Done in less than 30 minutes.

Jalapeno Popper Hasselback Chicken is easy to make weeknight dinner option. It has tender chicken with slices of jalapenos, thick-cut bacon, cheddar cheese, and a cream cheese sauce!

Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry is a cheap and healthy dinner, made with just a few ingredients.

How do you eat healthy on a low budget?

Here are my best tips for eating healthy on a budget. You can read more about this in our Eating Healthy on a Budget post!

  1. Buy in bulk.
  2. Buy less convenience products.
  3. Plan your meals out.
  4. Always take inventory of your fridge before going to store.
  5. Only buy what’s on your list.
  6. Shop sales and stock up.
  7. Stop eating out for meals – cook at home!
  8. Use coupons
  9. Buy from the bulk section if your store has one
  10. Save your leftovers + repurpose.

We have a budget friendly meal plan that you can download here.

Healthy Cheap Soup Recipes

Soup is one of the best cheap and healthy meals you can make. We like to load them up with frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes, and a protein. Here are some of our favorite delicious soup recipes!

Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup can be made in your instant pot, crock pot or on the stove top for an easy healthy dinner!

Easy Pasta fa*gioli is one of the most affordable meals you can make. Made with pasta, beans, broth and tomatoes – it can feed a crowd for under $5!

Ground Turkey Chili! Learn how to make turkey chili that’s healthy & delicious in your crockpot, instant pot, or on the stove!

15 Bean Soup Recipe is our favorite budget meal. It’s made from a cheap 15 Bean mix, broth, and some veggies. Simple, delicious and hearty!

Healthy Potato Soup is total comfort food! Paleo, Whole30 + vegan, this easy creamy potato soup can be made on the stove, in the slow cooker or instant pot or check out our Instant Pot Potato Soup Recipe or Crock Pot Potato Soup.

Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe is so easy to make in your instant pot, crockpot or on the stove. Healthy, vegan & dairy free.

Homemade Tomato Basil Soup is so simple to make. Canned tomatoes, broth and some dried spices are all you need for a cozy dinner. Pair it with a grilled cheese!

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (4)

Easy Minestrone Soup is another delicious cheap and healthy dinner. Loaded with veggies, pasta and broth!

How to Make Lentil Soup – a staple that you can make on the stove, in the slow cooker or in the instant pot! Vegan, GF and delicious!

Red Chicken Chili Recipe is so easy to make with simple ingredients. Healthy and delicious!

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic that we love. Chicken breasts, veggies and egg noodles come together for a cozy dinner everyone will love!

Healthy Broccoli Soup is a delicious, cozy meal. Easy to make in the instant pot, crockpot, or on the stove – this broccoli cheddar soup is a must make!

Cheap Easy Healthy Meals without Meat

Eating meatless is a great way to save money! Here are some of our favorite vegetarian, meatless recipes.

Vegetarian Chili is easy to make, cheap, and delicious. It’s made with canned beans, tomatoes and corn!

Vegan Orange Chicken is a delicious plant based dinner made with chickpeas! Gluten free, healthy, delicious and done in 30 minutes!.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi everyone will love! Learn how to make sweet potato gnocchi with only a few ingredients!

Vegetable Primavera Pasta is our favorite ‘clean out the fridge’ meal. Make it with whatever veggies you have on hand! This is our favorite vegetarian pasta dish.

Pasta with White Beans and garlicky kale is a classic combination of beans and greens the whole family will love! It’s a cheap and healthy, fast, and flavorful meatless meal.

Sweet Potato Red Lentil and Coconut Curry is nourishing comfort food at its best and consists of a handful of basic ingredients.

Vegetable Pasta Bake is made with fresh mushrooms, peppers, spinach, onion, garlic, and tomato. A cheap healthy diner everyone will love!

Gnocchi with White Beans and Spinach cooks quickly with fire-roasted diced tomatoes and Parmesan for a satisfying meatless meal in under 30 minutes.

Vegan Cauliflower Chickpea Curry is loaded with chickpeas, veggies, potatoes, and coconut milk for a healthy Thai curry at home.

Healthy Cheap Meals with Seafood

Seafood is usually more expensive than other cuts of meat, but sometimes it can be affordable! Here are some of our favorite seafood dinner recipes

Healthy Tuna Salad WITHOUT Mayo is cheap and healthy! Using a can of tuna, greek yogurt and some chopped veggies.

Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad is one of the best budget dinner recipes. Canned tuna gets tossed with pasta and tomatoes for flavor!

Honey Sriracha Salmon is another delicious dinner. Made with potatoes & zucchini, baked in the oven until perfectly cooked! You can use whatever veggies you have – it’s the perfect sweet and spicy.

Lemon Salmon is another easy dinner if you like fish. We like to buy a whole salmon filet and cook it with potatoes and green beans or other veggies.

Honey Garlic Shrimp is easy to make and delicious! A quick meal that you can serve over rice or frozen veggies.

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas are super quick and easy to make. You’ll need shrimp, onions, peppers and a few spices to make them!

Canned Tuna Pasta is easy to make with canned tuna and a few other inexpensive pantry staples!

Cheap Healthy Food for Breakfast

Grabbing breakfast on the go can be expensive. Make one of these budget breakfast recipes at home for an affordable meal!

Egg White Oatmeal is an easy, high protein breakfast you’ll love. Made with only a few simple ingredients and great for meal prepping! You can’t even taste the eggs!

Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal is a delicious, healthy breakfast everyone will love. Vegan, GF & so easy to make -it’s the best way to cook Irish oatmeal! Regardless of what you top it with or mix in it – it’s so yummy!

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats are a delicious, hearty breakfast. Healthy & cheap – these pumpkin oats can be made in the crockpot or on the stovetop!

Baked Apple Oatmeal is perfect for breakfast! Learn how to make the best baked apple oatmeal that is easy to make and delicious!

Egg Casserole with Hash Browns is so simple to make. This breakfast casserole with hash browns is great for a crowd or brunch!

How can I cut down on food costs?

It can be tough to cut down on food costs. Check out this post for Eating healthy on a budget where I outline all my best tips for saving money on food.

My top tips for cutting down on food costs are:

  1. Plan your meals in advance.
  2. Always take inventory of your fridge before going to store.
  3. Shop sales and stock up.

How to Store Prepared Food

Storing: Most prepared food will last for 4 days in an airtight container.

Freezing:Some foods freeze better than others. Soups and stews freeze very well, but other things like stir fries don’t. It’s best to check the recipe for freezing instructions. Check out these 35+ Healthy Freezer Meals!

Reheating:You can most prepared food in a pan or in the microwave.

Other healthy recipes:

Looking for other easy meals? Check out these posts for more ideas!

  • Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
  • Healthy Dinner Ideas
  • Easy Healthy Pasta Recipes
  • Healthy Crockpot Chicken Recipes
  • High Protein Dinners
  • Healthy Ground Beef Recipes
  • Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes

crockpot whole chicken = cheap healthy food

This recipe is one of our favorite healthy, cheap dinners! Whole chickens are much more affordable to buy per pound compared to buying chicken breasts, thighs or legs!

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (7)

Cheap Healthy Meals: Crockpot Whole Chicken

5 from 1 vote

A Whole Chicken is the perfect budget friendly recipe. This cheap cut of meat feeds a family and you can make broth with the leftovers!

WW Freestyle Points 5

Prep Time : 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time : 8 hours hours

Total Time : 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Serves : 6 people

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINTRATE

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Roll 4 2-inch balls with aluminum foil and place in a square at the bottom of the crockpot (This is not necessary, but allows the chicken to be propped up so it doesn’t get mushy.)

  • Remove filling (giblets, organs, etc) from inside chicken and fill chicken with halved lemons + 2 whole rosemary sprigs. You can tie the chicken legs together with cooking twine.

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place chicken on top of aluminum foil balls.

  • Pour olive oil on chicken + rub into the skin to coat. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder & onion powder. Place excess rosemary springs around the chicken.

  • Add in 1 cup of chicken stock to bottom of crockpot and set to cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Low is recommended for most tender chicken.

  • You can transfer the chicken to a glass baking dish and broil to make the skin crispy, or serve directly from the crockpot!

  • Tip: Save all of the bones, skin & other scraps in the crockpot so you can make Easy Crockpot Bone Broth

Video

Notes

Tips for cooking a whole chicken

  • Don’t be afraid. People seem to be so grossed out or nervous about cooking it… it’s really not that different than regular boring chicken breasts! If you’re really grossed out by it (I mean, I get it.. sticking your hand in a chicken is weird and unpleasant), you can wear disposable gloves.
  • Make sure to clean out the inside of the chicken. Many chickens will come with the insides pre-cleaned. Sometimes they leave the organs inside in a little bag or pouch. You want to toss those (this is where those gloves come in handy.)
  • Always pat your chicken dry before spraying, stuffing and seasoning it. This allows the skin to get really crispy + full absorb the flavors.

Substitutions for this recipe:

  • Oil– You can use refined coconut oil or avocadol oil if you prefer
  • Herbs – If you don’t like rosemary feel free to substitute with thyme/oregano. Any spices will be delicious. If using dried rosemary – only use 1.5 tablespoons

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Cheap Healthy Meals: Crockpot Whole Chicken

Amount Per Serving (8 oz (approx))

Calories 433Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 6g

Monounsaturated Fat 13g

Cholesterol 136mg45%

Sodium 322mg14%

Potassium 451mg13%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A 266IU5%

Vitamin C 32mg39%

Calcium 36mg4%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

Tried this recipe?Share it! Make sure to tag @thecleaneatingcouple or use #thecleaneatingcouple!

50+ Budget Healthy Meals (2024)

FAQs

How can I eat healthy for $50 a week? ›

$50 Shopping List
  1. 4 pounds boneless chicken breast: $7.96.
  2. 3 five ounce cans of solid white albacore tuna: $3.75.
  3. 2 five ounce cans of salmon: $2.50.
  4. 1 frozen bag Brussel sprouts: $0.99.
  5. 1 frozen bag mixed vegetables: $0.99.
  6. 1 frozen bag whole green beans: $0.99.
  7. 1 frozen bag Asian stir fry: $0.99.
  8. 2 cans of black beans: $1.60.

How to feed 50 people on a budget? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  1. Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  2. Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  3. The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  4. Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  5. Sausage Casserole. ...
  6. Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  7. Quiche Lorraine. ...
  8. Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

Can you still eat healthy food if you are on a budget? ›

Plan your weekly menu, and stick to your list. Meal planning is a great way to adhere to a healthy diet without blowing up your budget. Map out your meals and snack options for the week, and make a grocery list. The key: Avoid impulse purchases and stick to your list at the store.

What are the cheapest meals you can make? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  • Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  • Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Jun 8, 2024

Can you live on $50 a week for food? ›

Planning out your meals so you use all of the ingredients, both raw and cooked, plus pantry staples and frozen goods means you can make a week's worth of dinners for around $50 in groceries.

What to eat if you can't afford healthy food? ›

12 healthy and affordable foods for your grocery list
  • Brown rice.
  • Cans or packets of chicken or tuna.
  • Dried beans and lentils.
  • Eggs.
  • Frozen chicken breasts.
  • Frozen or canned fruit (in its own juice or light syrup).
  • Frozen vegetables.
  • Low-fat dairy like cottage cheese.
Oct 14, 2022

What is the best cheap food to feed a crowd? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  • Meatballs. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Homemade Pizza. ...
  • Baked Pasta. ...
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to cook for 50 guests? ›

These recipes each take just a few minutes of prep!
  • Simple Barbecue Beef Roast.
  • Simple Overnight Saucy Crock Pot Chicken.
  • Simple Overnight Melt-in-Your-Mouth Beef Roast.
  • Simple Oven Fried Chicken.
  • Simple Honey Mustard Chicken Legs.
  • Simple Roasted Rotiserie Chicken.
  • Simple Hawaiian Beef Roast.
Jul 24, 2011

How to eat well when you're poor? ›

  1. Buy in Bulk. Research shows that when compared to specialty markets or general grocery stores, bulk supermarkets can help people save a significant chunk on grocery costs. ...
  2. Invest in Leftovers. ...
  3. Embrace Frozen Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  4. Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat—Or Less Meat Overall. ...
  5. Learn to Love the Store Brand.
Jan 9, 2024

What should I eat on a tight budget? ›

Strategies for Grocery Shopping on a Tight Budget
  • Look for produce that's in season. Pay attention to seasonal produce; it will be fresh and generally cheaper.
  • Take advantage of weekly specials and sales. ...
  • Don't ignore the center of the store. ...
  • Consider canned fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Stay away from heavily processed foods.

What is the best way to buy healthy food on a budget? ›

This can help you resist the urge to buy unhealthy foods that are not on your list.
  • Avoid processed foods. ...
  • Look at the unit price. ...
  • Buy less meat. ...
  • Buy produce that is in-season. ...
  • Know the dirty dozen. ...
  • Frozen and canned vegetables can cut down on waste. ...
  • Unhealthy beverages can be a drain on your budget. ...
  • Healthy foods are worth it.

How do you feed a family of four on $10 a day? ›

Ten Healthy Family Meals Under $10
  1. Healthy Fried Rice.
  2. Pasta Salad.
  3. Fettuccini Alfredo… or Bowtie, or Shells, or Rotini.
  4. Rosemary White Bean Soup or Turkey White Bean Chili.
  5. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos.
  6. Black-eyed Peas and Pork…with Kale.
  7. Enchilada Casserole.
  8. Down-home Macaroni and Cheese.

How can I eat for under $30 a week? ›

Here's how I keep my grocery bill under $30 a week
  1. Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
  2. Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
  3. Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
  4. Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
Jan 13, 2017

What is the best cheapest meal? ›

Make your weekly shopping budget go the distance with these cheap and cheerful dinner ideas.
  • Creamy chicken pasta. ...
  • Chicken and ricotta cannelloni. ...
  • Microwave roast chicken. ...
  • Pork and apple rissoles. ...
  • Baked cheesy meatballs. ...
  • Sour cream quiche. ...
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken. ...
  • Chicken Curry.

How to make $50 a week? ›

How To Make $50 Fast
  1. Answer Paid Surveys.
  2. Sell Online Services.
  3. Play Games For Money.
  4. Borrow $50.
  5. Deliver Food & Groceries.
  6. Leverage Sign-Up Bonuses.
  7. Complete Odd Jobs.
  8. Create Passive Income Sources.
Jul 25, 2024

How much money do I need to eat for a week? ›

But that number varies depending on where you live and how many family members you're feeding. The average family spends about $270 at the grocery store per week, but that number increases when children are taken into account.

What is a good weekly budget for food? ›

For a low-cost budget for a family of four, you can plan on spending $243.80 a week or about $1,055.80 a month. Moderate-cost plan. For a moderate budget for a family of four, you would spend $302.80 a week for groceries or $1,311.50 a month.

How to eat cheap and healthy for a week meal plan? ›

Assigning theme-night meals based on different meal types—like Slow-Cooker Sunday, Meatless Monday or Stir-Fry Friday—or based on pantry staples like brown rice and whole-grain pasta (think Rice Bowl Thursday or Pasta Wednesday) is a good way to stick to your budget and also reduce meal-planning decision fatigue.

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