20 Super Cheap and Healthy Meal Ideas to Save Money and Eat Well

Saving money on a budget can feel like a challenge, especially when you’re looking to prepare healthy meals. However, it doesn’t have to be. With a little creativity and planning, it’s possible to enjoy nutritious, delicious cheao and healthy meal without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a student, a busy parent, or simply trying to manage your expenses, there are plenty of affordable options that prioritize both health and taste. This list of super cheap and healthy meal ideas proves that with a few basic ingredients and some smart shopping, you can create satisfying dishes that nourish your body and your wallet.

In this guide, we’ll explore a range of meal ideas that focus on cost-effective, simple ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. These recipes are ideal for families, individuals on tight budgets, and anyone looking to save a bit while still eating well. Plus, they include diverse flavors, from comforting soups to quick stir-fries, all without sacrificing nutrition.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and love. Read full disclosure here.

1. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Brown Rice

Ingredients: Frozen or fresh vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots), 1 cup brown rice, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil.
Recipe:
- Cook brown rice according to package instructions.
- Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic, and add vegetables.
- Stir-fry with soy sauce until tender. Serve over rice.

2. Chickpea Salad

Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas, 1 cucumber, 2 tomatoes, 1 red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley.
Recipe:
- Drain and rinse chickpeas.
- Chop vegetables and mix with chickpeas.
- Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice, and mix in parsley.

3. Eggs and Vegetable Scramble

Ingredients: 3 eggs, spinach, tomatoes, onion, olive oil.
Recipe:
- Whisk eggs in a bowl.
- Heat oil, sauté chopped vegetables until soft.
- Add eggs to the pan, scramble until cooked through.

4. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes, 1 can black beans, corn tortillas, salsa, avocado.
Recipe:
- Roast cubed sweet potatoes until tender.
- Warm tortillas and fill with sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, and avocado.

5. Lentil Soup

Ingredients: 1 cup dry lentils, 1 onion, 2 carrots, garlic, vegetable broth, canned tomatoes.
Recipe:
- Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots.
- Add lentils, broth, and tomatoes. Simmer until lentils are soft.

6. Oatmeal with Fruit

Ingredients: 1 cup oats, 2 cups water or milk, bananas or berries, chia seeds.
Recipe:
- Cook oats with water or milk.
- Top with sliced bananas or berries and sprinkle with chia seeds.

7. Vegetarian Chili

a bowl of food with vegetables and herbs in it

Ingredients: 1 can black beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, chili powder.
Recipe:
- Combine beans, tomatoes, and corn in a pot.
- Season with cumin and chili powder, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

8. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Ingredients: Whole grain bread, peanut butter, 1 banana.
Recipe:
- Spread peanut butter on bread.
- Slice banana and layer on top of the peanut butter.

9. Quinoa with Steamed Vegetables

Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, olive oil.
Recipe:
- Cook quinoa according to package.
- Steam vegetables, drizzle with olive oil, and serve over quinoa.

10. Tuna and Brown Rice Salad

a plate of food with meat and vegetables

Ingredients: 1 can tuna, 1 cup cooked brown rice, cucumber, avocado, lemon juice.
Recipe:
- Mix tuna, brown rice, chopped cucumber, and avocado.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture and toss to combine.

11. Baked Potatoes with Greek Yogurt and Salsa

Ingredients: 2 baked potatoes, ½ cup Greek yogurt, salsa, green onions.
Recipe:
- Bake potatoes until soft.
- Top with Greek yogurt, salsa, and chopped green onions.

12. Hummus and Veggie Wraps

Ingredients: 1 whole wheat tortilla, hummus, cucumber, carrots, spinach, bell peppers.
Recipe:
- Spread hummus on tortilla.
- Layer veggies, roll up, and slice in half.

13. Rice and Beans

Ingredients: 1 cup brown rice, 1 can black or pinto beans, garlic, cumin, cilantro.
Recipe:
- Cook brown rice.
- Mix with beans, garlic, cumin, and cilantro.

14. Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

Ingredients: 2 zucchinis, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese.
Recipe:
- Spiralize zucchini into noodles.
- Heat marinara sauce and serve over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

15. Cabbage and Carrot Stir-Fry

Ingredients: ½ cabbage, 2 carrots, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil.
Recipe:
- Shred cabbage and carrots.
- Stir-fry with soy sauce and garlic until tender.

16. Minestrone Soup

Ingredients: 1 can tomatoes, 1 onion, carrots, celery, beans, small pasta.
Recipe:
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery.
- Add tomatoes, beans, and broth. Simmer until veggies are soft.
- Stir in cooked pasta before serving.

17. Black Bean Quesadillas

Ingredients: 1 can black beans, tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa.
Recipe:
- Spread beans and cheese on a tortilla.
- Put another tortilla on top and cook on a skillet until crispy.
- Serve with salsa.

18. Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce (Shakshuka)

Ingredients: 1 can crushed tomatoes, garlic, paprika, eggs.
Recipe:
- Simmer tomatoes with garlic and paprika.
- Crack eggs into the sauce and bake until eggs are cooked through.

19. Vegetable Frittata

Ingredients: 4 eggs, spinach, bell peppers, onions, olive oil.
Recipe:
- Whisk eggs, sauté veggies, and pour eggs over vegetables.
- Bake until eggs are set.

20. Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients: 1 spaghetti squash, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese.
Recipe:
- Roast spaghetti squash and shred into noodles.
- Serve with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Healthy eating on a budget is completely achievable, and the meals listed above are proof that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavor or nutrition. By focusing on simple, whole ingredients and making smart use of pantry staples like beans, rice, and vegetables, you can prepare meals that are satisfying, balanced, and easy on your wallet. These super cheap healthy meals are not only great for regular weeknight dinners, but they also help establish long-term habits for eating well on a budget.

Remember, the key to sticking to affordable and nutritious meals is planning ahead, cooking at home, and being mindful of your ingredients. Whether you’re trying out a simple stir-fry or whipping up a batch of lentil soup, you’ll find that eating healthy while saving money is not only doable but can also be fun and rewarding. So go ahead, experiment with these recipes, and start enjoying nutritious meals that keep both your body and budget happy!