They say that you can’t have things that are cheap, easy, and delicious, but I happen to disagree. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious cheap and easy recipes here.
Need a great dinner? Stuck for lunch ideas? Just need a midday pick-me-up snack? No matter what you need in your life, this list has an option for you.
What are we waiting for? Let’s dive right into the thirty-one recipes you need in your meal rotation to save time and money.
1. Honey Garlic Chicken
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 803
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 47g
• Carbs: 105g
• Fiber: 4.1g
• Sugar: 26g
First on the list is a classic dish designed to get you through your midweek stress-free. I came up with this recipe because I was sick of accepting last-minute meals that didn’t taste amazing.
This honey and garlic chicken is Asian-inspired, featuring earthy and sweet ingredients. Quick, simple, and delicious, it’s ideal for meal-prepping or a quick dinner.
2. Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 520
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 64g
• Fiber: 9.5g
• Sugar: 4.2g
Next up is another one of my recipes!
This healthy chicken burrito bowl is proof that cheap and easy eats can also be healthy. With vibrant vegetables and lean protein, it’s a great midday meal.
Take your prepped healthy burrito bowls to work or school with no hassle.
This literally takes thirty minutes to make, producing four healthy portions that take up your week’s lunches in a blink.
3. Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 653
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 51g
• Carbs: 68g
• Fiber: 2.4g
• Sugar: 23g
Teriyaki chicken is one of my favorite dishes in the world! The sauce is so easy to make from just a few condiments you already have at home, and you can use it on anything you like.
Paired with gut-friendly broccoli and some fluffy white rice, this is a great balanced meal. Enjoy at lunch or dinner (or breakfast if you’re really keen).
4. Baked Herb Chicken Breasts with Couscous Meal Prep
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 633
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 61g
• Carbs: 56g
• Fiber: 7.5g
• Sugar: 9.7g
What’s even easier than a standard meal-prep recipe? That’s right, a baked meal prep recipe! Packed with vegetables, gut-friendly grains, and lean protein, this is the perfect lunch.
The baked chicken breasts feature almost no oil, relying on the herby seasoning for their flavor. Tender, juicy, and absolutely delicious, this recipe is one of my favorite recipes I’ve ever created.
You might also want to know these other high protein dinner ideas!
5. Instant Pot Spicy Chicken with Quinoa
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 767
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 65g
• Carbs: 104g
• Fiber: 30g
• Sugar: 12g
Take just twenty-five minutes out of your day to prep this delicious Instant Pot meal! Dairy-free, gluten-free, and macro-friendly, this recipe is my go-to when I need something healthy.
Along with the lean chicken, the red kidney beans and quinoa help make this dish super filling. Not to mention, it’s great for your gut!
6. Orange Chicken Meal Prep
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 662
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 62g
• Carbs: 71g
• Fiber: 6.1g
• Sugar: 21g
Next up, I’d love to introduce you to my tasty orange chicken meal prep recipe. Packed with a sweet, citrus flavor, this dish is a super balanced choice if you’re craving takeout.
While the sides are usually broccoli and white rice, you can make this with anything you like. Try using fried noodles or fried edamame for a tasty kick.
7. Lemon Chicken with Veggies Meal Prep
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 500
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 7.3g
• Sugar: 11g
Looking for a summer-friendly meal prep dish packed with healthy vegetables? So was I! That’s why I came up with this tasty lemon chicken meal prep recipe that takes just half an hour.
The protein from the chicken and sweet potato is balanced by the fresh tomatoes and roasted broccoli. Low on dishes and rich in nutrients, this is the ultimate quick and easy meal.
8. Mexican Red Bean Quinoa Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 560
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 77g
• Fiber: 14g
• Sugar: 15g
If you’re as in love with Mexican flavors as I am, then this quinoa casserole is for you. This is a super healthy take on a Mexican meal featuring all your favorite spices.
This is a casserole, which means it takes a little longer to prep. That said, only about fifteen minutes of this is hands-on time.
9. Chickpea Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 556
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 58g
• Fiber: 15g
• Sugar: 17g
Light, refreshing, but full of protein, this salad is great as both a side dish and a main meal. This is a super easy salad you can whip up in a matter of minutes.
In fact, this keeps very well in a fridge, so it’s a great choice if you need a salad on hand for any meal.
10. Spicy Chickpea Meal Prep
Source: allnutritious.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 736
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 89g
• Fiber: 24g
• Sugar:
Got twenty minutes to kill? This spicy chicken meal prep recipe has got your back. With a ton of protein and fresh, healthy ingredients, this dish is one of my go-to for a quick lunch.
Make sure to pile on the parsley for a fresh and summery taste that balances the rich chickpeas!
11. Seafood Fried Rice
Source: momadvice.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 376
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 39g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 2g
Got some leftover rice in your fridge? Don’t let it go to waste! This super simple seafood fried rice is a budget-friendly way to prepare lunches for the week ahead.
This is super easy to customize, which is why I love the recipe. Use cauliflower rice if you’re after a low-carb alternative, or use other meats to change up the flavor.
12. Lebanese Red Lentil Soup
Source: sweetandsavourypursuits.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 257
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 18g
• Sugar: 6g
The best kind of recipe is one that uses the ingredients already in your home. That’s what you get with this Lebanese red lentil soup.
Warm, nourishing, and tasty, this recipe comes together in less than thirty minutes.
13. Creamy Italian Sausage
Source: neighborfoodblog.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 531
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 61g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 14g
Looking for something comforting? Look no further than this creamy Italian sausage dish! With bow-tie pasta and a hearty sauce to accompany the sausage, this is one for the recipe book.
This is a great end-of-week meal when you’re low on ingredients (and energy). Make it as-is, or add any vegetables you like to make it even healthier.
If you are looking for healthy fall dinner recipes, this is a great option!
14. Tortellini Bake
Source: groundbeefrecipes.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 427
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats a delicious pasta bake! Not only is this pasta bake out of this world, but it features stuffed tortellini for an extra flavor dimension!
Topped with cheese and soaked in a tasty tomato sauce, this bake takes almost no to make. It uses pre-made elements that will save you a ton of time and energy.
15. Pasta with Tomato Sauce
Source: organizedisland.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 67
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
When it comes to cheap and easy eats, one of the mainstay choices is pasta with tomato sauce. Sometimes, we just don’t have many ingredients on hand. But that’s okay!
This recipe uses only a few staple ingredients to make a classic comfort food. You really only need 15 minutes to make this, so it’s a great after-school snack or quick lunch.
16. Tuna Pesto Pasta
Source: feastforafraction.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 218
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 8g
• Carbs: 19g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 0g
When you’re low on ingredients and operating with a tight budget, tuna is a great go-to protein. With bright and delicious pesto to lift up the taste, this dish is a great last-minute dinner.
Rich with flavors of garlic, tuna, and pesto, this is an all-season dish that takes just minutes to prepare. Make sure to pick up some pre-made pesto to save time and energy.
17. Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
Source: onmykidsplate.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 563
• Fats: 32g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 43g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g
Quesadillas are a great option if you’re looking for some comfort food. Rich with cheese and bites of sweet corn, this is like a warm hug to eat.
Crispy, crunchy, and packed with delicious protein, this is the ultimate recipe to have on hand for summer.
18. Baked Ravioli Casserole
Source: noshingwiththenolands.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 510
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 27g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 7g
Ravioli takes pasta bakes to a whole new level. Imagine the taste of a full-blown rich pasta bake with the added dimension of stuffed pasta! Incredible.
This recipe is a great way to enrich store-bought ravioli because it often needs a little help to taste its best. Whip up, bake to golden perfection, and enjoy.
19. Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta
Source: delicioussidedishes.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 413
• Fats: 38g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 13g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
When you combine lemon and garlic, you can never go wrong. This is a deliciously fragrant pasta dish with a creamy sauce base that straddles the line between comforting and refreshing.
Top this with a handful of fresh herbs, and you’ve got yourself the dish of the summer.
20. 5 Bean Salad
Source: thedevilwearssalad.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 330
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 52g
• Fiber: 17g
• Sugar: 4g
Whether you’re after a protein-rich side dish or a quick and easy snack, this 5-bean salad is for you. Honestly, I’ve always been skeptical about bean salads.
But then, I created one of my own to try it out, and I was hooked. They’re rich, tasty, full of protein, and actually quite refreshing!
Not to mention, this high protein salad comes together in five minutes flat.
21. Chicken Noodle Casserole
Source: jugglingactmama.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 514
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 45g
• Carbs: 51g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 3g
Casseroles are one of the best options for a quick and easy dinner, especially if you’re working with a budget. With the right sauce and some cheese, any ingredient becomes luxurious.
This is a very versatile recipe, so you can switch it up however you like. Use a different soup, a different cheese, some leftover protein, or even your leftover vegetables.
If you are counting your calories, check out these other yummy 500 calorie meals!
22. Chickpea and Lentil Curry
Source: healthmylifestyle.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 376
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 47g
• Fiber: 14g
• Sugar: 8g
Take a page out of India’s book and try this chickpea and lentil curry! To get the best results for this dish, try using dried chickpeas and lentils that have been soaked for a few hours.
These are incredibly cheap and long-lasting, ideal if you’re budgeting. However, if you’re short on time, canned lentils and chickpeas will do.
23. Cream Cheese Pasta
Source: thefastrecipe.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 772
• Fats: 34g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 93g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 9g
With just a few ingredients on the list, this cream cheese pasta is so quick to come together! This is a great end-of-week option. Reward yourself for reaching Friday with a comforting treat.
Top with some fresh herbs to counteract the rich pasta and a crank of black pepper for a little kick.
24. Busy Day Soup
Source: simplystacie.net
Per Serving:
• Calories: 230
• Fats: 3.1g
• Protein: 22.1g
• Carbs: 28.5g
• Fiber: 5.1g
• Sugar: 5g
This busy-day soup really lives up to its name! Great for meal prepping or busy weeknights, this rich and nutritious soup is like an easy take on a minestrone.
This is one of those recipes that’s great for the end of the week because you can sweep your vegetable drawer out and use them all in the soup.
25. Creamy Chicken Ramen Soup
Source: flippedoutfood.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 704
• Fats: 38g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 56g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 2g
In the world of lightning-fast lunches, you don’t generally expect the results to taste super good. But that’s where this creamy chicken ramen soup is ready to change the game!
All you need for this dish is a microwave and a few simple ingredients you can easily take with you.
26. Slow Cooker Chinese Chicken Curry with Noodles
Source: applytofaceblog.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 727
• Fats: 30g
• Protein: 58g
• Carbs: 57g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 18g
Slow cooker meals are one of my favorite types of recipes to accumulate. If you’re working from home or need an easy weekend meal, this slow cooker meal is a great crowd-pleaser.
Packed with mild curry flavors and tasty five spices, this meal is easy to customize with any vegetables or protein you like.
This is one of the best high protein crockpot recipes for dinner!
27. Black Bean Tostadas
Source: beanrecipes.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 572
• Fats: 40g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 44g
• Fiber: 15g
• Sugar: 3g
Tostadas are a Mexican meal I don’t see getting a lot of love, but they need it! Consider them almost like flat-fried tacos, making them the perfect base for your chosen protein.
This is the ultimate lazy yet delicious meal. Great for vegetarians or vegans who are just after a simple meal.
28. Lentil Bolognese
Source: rainbowplantlife.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 434
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 74g
• Fiber: 14g
• Sugar: 9g
Lentil bolognese is one of my favorite recipes in the whole world. While it’s a vegetarian meal, it doesn’t feel like it at all!
Rich, hearty pasta sauce packed with plant-based protein, all poured over perfectly cooked spaghetti? Sign me up.
29. Broccoli Rice Casserole
Source: chefsavvy.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 378
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 27g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
When you reach the end of the week, and you only have broccoli and rice left in your pantry, this dish has got your back. With a layer of golden baked cheese on top, this is super comforting!
You can pack this with extra vegetables if the spirit moves you, but otherwise, this dish is delicious as-is!
30. Vegan Cabbage Soup
Source: veganhuggs.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 189
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 26g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g
Cabbage soup has a bad reputation as stinky or foul-tasting, but this recipe is here to prove that its reputation is unearned. Rich and refreshing, this is a cheap, nutritious, and delicious soup.
Make this recipe your own with all the vegetables you have at your disposal!
31. Ramen Noodle Salad
Source: inspiredbycharm.com
Per Serving:
• Calories: 346
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 39g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 10g
Finally, who knew ramen noodles could be this healthy? Ramen noodles are the epitome of easy eating, so why not use them to full effect?
Packed with broccoli, shaved almonds, and red onion for a kick, this is a super tasty choice you can have with any meal. Top with a sweet and spicy sauce for an extra bit of enjoyment.
And there you have it! Thirty-one delicious meals designed to delight and inspire your palate without overdoing it on a budget. Let me know which one was your favorite in the comments!