50 Cheap, Healthy Meals You'll Want to Make This Week (2024)

Home Recipes Meal Types Dinner

Updated: Dec. 11, 2023

Yes, you can eat well on a budget without sacrificing flavor. Try out these cheap, healthy meals that are tasty, too.

1/50

Cool Beans Salad

This protein-filled dish is one of our favorite cheap, healthy dinner ideas. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice add a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Get Recipe

2/50

Modern Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole was my favorite as a kid, and I found myself craving it as an adult. I reconfigured the recipe to include more vegetables, and the result is perfection. —Rebecca Blanton, St. Helena, California

Want more? Get your guide to healthy eating on a budget.

3/50

Healthy Turkey Chili

I’ve taken my mother’s healthy turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It’s a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

4/50

Apples 'n' Onion Topped Chops

Now that my husband and I are trying to lose weight, I find it a challenge to come up with cheap, healthy dinner ideas that are flavorful, quick and appealing to us and our young daughter. This one fits the bill on all counts. —Beverly McLain, Endicott, New York

5/50

Vegetarian Enchilada Bake

I’ve had this vegetarian enchilada bake recipe for years. You’ll enjoy the delicious Tex-Mex flavors so much that you won't even miss the meat. —Barbara Stelluto, Devon, Pennsylvania

6/50

My husband and I are always looking for light fish recipes because of their health benefits. This one's a hit with him, and we've served it at dinner parties too. It's become a staple! —Michelle Martin, Durham, North Carolina

Pro tip: Here’s the easiest way to portion your meals.

7/50

Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew

While on one of our small group quilting retreats, one of my friends made this wonderful recipe packed with cheap, healthy foods. We all loved it and have since passed it around for others to enjoy—now I’m passing it on to you. —Melissa Glancy, La Grange, Kentucky

8/50

Spinach 'n' Broccoli Enchiladas

I like to top this wonderful meatless meal with lettuce and serve it with extra picante sauce. It's quick, easy, filled with fresh flavor and definitely satisfying! —Lesley Tragesser, Charleston, Missouri

Psst…Find ways to save money on groceries.

9/50

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania

10/50

Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake

I’ve taken this hot dish to potlucks and it’s received rave reviews. There’s never a morsel left. Best of all, it’s a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with cheap, healthy foods that are easy to find. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

We’re big fans of these healthy pasta sauce recipes, too.

11/50

Cobb Salad Wraps

A homemade dressing lightens up these refreshing tortilla wraps. The avocado, bacon, blue cheese and tomato deliver the flavors I enjoy most while keeping me on my healthy eating plan. -Lynne Van Wagenen of Salt Lake City, Utah

12/50

Chicken Jambalaya

This is a great easy chicken jambalaya recipe. It's great to serve at parties and it reheats well after! —Lynn Desjardins, Atkinson, New Hampshire

13/50

Tex-Mex Pork Chops

These easy Tex-Mex pork chops won a contest for me. Salsa, cumin and green chiles give them the kick they need to earn their name. —Jo Ann Dalrymple, Claremore, Oklahoma

14/50

Penne with Veggies and Black Beans

Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce. —Vickie Spoerle, Indianapolis, Indiana

15/50

Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri

16/50

Lentil-Tomato Soup

Double the recipe and share this hearty soup with neighbors and loved ones on cold winter nights. I serve it with cornbread for dunking. —Michelle Curtis, Baker City, Oregon

17/50

Italian Beef and Shells

A veggie and pasta combo makes a hearty entree that comes together easily. Wine lends an extra touch of flavor to the sauce and makes this main dish a winner. —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio

18/50

Veggie-Cashew Stir-Fry

Getting my meat-loving husband and two sons, ages 5 and 7, to eat more veggies had always been a struggle until I whipped up this stir-fry. I was shocked when they cleaned their plates and asked for seconds. —Abbey Hoffman, Ashland, Ohio

19/50

Cheese Tortellini with Tomatoes and Corn

Fresh corn and basil make this dish taste like summer. I think it's a good one for bringing to picnics or gatherings, but it's great along with any side dish for a weeknight dinner! —Sally Maloney, Dallas, Georgia

20/50

Vegetable and Barley Pilaf

Hearty, colorful, easy and fast were the reviews we gave this good-for-you dish. Barley has a healthy amount of soluble fiber, which aids digestion. And it can help to lower cholesterol too! You can easily substitute other fresh veggies you have on hand. —Jesse Klausmeier, Burbank, California

21/50

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes

This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

22/50

Tuscan Portobello Stew

Here’s a healthy one-skillet meal that’s quick and easy to prepare yet elegant enough for company. I often take this stew to my school’s potlucks, where it is devoured by teachers and students alike. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin

23/50

Tomato-Melon Chicken Salad

Nothing says summer like picking watermelon, tomatoes and raspberries, then tossing them together in a salad. The addition of grilled chicken makes it a satisfying summery meal. —Betsy Hite, Wilton, California

24/50

Spicy Tomato Pork Chops

Simmered in tomato sauce, these pork chops are big at our house. I add garlic powder and Creole or Cajun seasoning before browning the chops to give them extra punch. —Holly Neuharth, Mesa, Arizona

25/50

I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana

26/50

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

27/50

Meatless Chili Mac

I came across this recipe in a newspaper years ago and it’s been a hit at our house ever since. It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages. — Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

28/50

Cashew Turkey Salad Sandwiches

One bite and you'll be hooked on this slightly sweet turkey salad sandwich. It's protein-packed so you can feel good while you munch! —Mary Wilhelm, Sparta, Wisconsin

29/50

Satisfying Beef Stew

This beef stew is so hearty and tastes even better the next day—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or any crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma

30/50

The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the roast pork. With its crisp, golden exterior and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this pork is my family's favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

31/50

Mandarin Pork Stir-Fry

When my husband and I were dating, he told me he liked Asian food. I got a wok and discovered the joy of dishes like this pork stir-fry. —Laurie Martignon, Niagara, Wisconsin

32/50

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili

My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan

33/50

Egg Roll Noodle Bowl

We love Asian egg rolls, but they can be challenging to make. Simplify everything with this deconstructed egg roll made on the stovetop and served in a bowl. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

34/50

Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

35/50

Asian Pork Medallions

When I became serious about losing weight and getting healthy, my kids missed the Chinese delivery that I used to order so frequently. I combined a few recipes to come up with this tasty winner. —Dianne James, Edmond, Oklahoma

Serve with one of these8 healthy alternatives to plain white rice.

36/50

Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

I've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

37/50

Golden Summer Peach Gazpacho

Because peaches and tomatoes are in season at the same time, I like to blend them into a cool, delicious soup. Leftovers keep well in the fridge—but they rarely last long enough to get there. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada

38/50

Chicken Florentine Meatballs

Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

39/50

Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup

This is my favorite soup recipe. It's quick to fix on a busy night and full of healthy, tasty ingredients. It originally called for spicy sausage links, but I've found that turkey sausage, or even ground turkey breast, is just as good. —Tracy Fasnacht, Irwin, Pennsylvania

40/50

Asparagus Ham Dinner

I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska

41/50

What could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side? This healthy supper goes together in no time flat and makes an eye-catching presentation. —Genna Johannes, Wrightstown, Wisconsin

42/50

Buttery Grilled Shrimp

This grilled shrimp recipe is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico

43/50

Cinnamon-Apple Pork Chops

When I found this pork chops with apples recipe online years ago, it quickly became a favorite. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand, and the one-pan cleanup is a bonus. —Christina Price, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

44/50

Slow-Cooked Lemon Chicken

Garlic, oregano and lemon juice give spark to this memorable main dish. It's easy to fix—just brown the chicken in a skillet, then let the slow cooker do the work. I like to serve this dish to company. —Walter Powell, Wilmington, Delaware

45/50

Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs

When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada

46/50

Spinach Quesadillas

My family gave these cheesy quesadillas oohs and aahs. Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts so it keeps a little bit of crunch. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri

47/50

Tortellini Caesar Salad

This salad was served at a dear friend's baby shower by a health-conscious friend, who suggested the dressing be prepared with low-fat or fat-free ingredients. Either way, the creamy dressing has plenty of garlic flavor and coats the pasta, romaine and croutons nicely. —Tammy Steenbock, Sembach Air Base, Germany

48/50

Herbed Lemon Pork Chops

Expect to get plenty of compliments on these fast, flavor-packed chops. They're tender and juicy. —Billi Jo Sylvester, New Smyrna Beach, Florida

49/50

Gather zucchini from your garden or farmers market and start cooking. My family goes wild for this wholesome casserole. You can grate the zucchini if you'd like. —LeAnn Gray, Taylorsville, Utah

50/50

Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts

I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington

Originally Published: May 08, 2020