Top 5 Cheap Healthy Meals In Under 10 Minutes

Budget meals don’t have to consist of fast food and gas station mart staples. You can eat cheap and healthy with meal prep on a budget. Eating properly will keep your body in fine form, and you don’t have to drain your savings for a decent supper. Not to mention, you can whip something up fast after a long day at work.

Inexpensive healthy food is available at your grocery store, you just have to know what to look for. Cheap meals can be delicious and nutritious, and these five cheap healthy recipes make healthy food something to look forward to.

Check out these super cheap meals and eating healthy tips that will transform the way you eat every day. You’ll feel satisfied as you save money. It’s a win-win! Each recipe makes one portion. Multiply the amounts for cheap meals for 2 or cheap family meals.

Shrimp And Grits

Comfort food is always pleasing, and this healthy version is just as good as the more calorie-dense style you’ll find in many southern-inspired restaurants. Lower in fat and still rich and creamy, this is one of the cheap dinners you’ll never get bored of.

Ingredients:

4-5 large peeled and cooked shrimp, cut into ¼ inch pieces

2 packets instant grits (plain or butter flavored)

2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion

1 tablespoon dried parsley

¼ cup low-fat milk

¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the grits as directed on the stovetop with the onion. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and heat for about 3-5 additional minutes. Add extra spices if you want a zestier flavor. You can also chop in veggies for added nutrition. Serve and savor.

Tuna Bake

Growing up, many kids adored mom’s or dad’s tuna casserole as an easy dinnertime go-to. This version is extra-nutritious and a healthy cheap dinner idea for any night of the week. The individual-size portion is perfect in terms of flavor and finances!

Ingredients:

One 5 oz. can of solid white albacore tuna

¼ cup breadcrumbs

¼ cup canned peas (or fresh, cooked)

¼ cup diced canned carrots (or fresh, cooked)

¼ cup canned green beans (or fresh, cooked)

2 tablespoons low-fat mayo (or low-fat sour cream)

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, aside from the breadcrumbs. Transfer the mixture into an individual-size loaf pan. You can also use muffin tins, portioning out the mixture to fill cups halfway. Top with breadcrumbs. Cook in preheated oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. You can prep the mixture ahead of time and store in the fridge, so it’s ready to heat up when you’re ready to eat.

Mini Veggie Pita Pizza

Pizza is an indulgence, but it can be one of your healthy food choices if you make it yourself. This individual veggie pita pizza is simple and cheap, satisfying your craving for pizza without busting your diet.

Ingredients:

One 8-inch whole wheat pita

¼ cup low-sodium pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)

2 tablespoons diced tomato (canned or fresh)

¼ cup chopped cooked broccoli

¼ cup drained chopped canned spinach

¼ cup sliced button mushrooms

¼ cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Top the pita with the sauce and layer on the veggies. Sprinkle with cheese. Pop in the oven pre-heated to 350-degrees for 5-7 minutes. Who needs pizza delivery when this cheap healthy meal can be prepped in a snap?

Mixed Beans And Brown Rice

Beans and rice is a suppertime staple that’s been around for centuries. It’s a healthy food option that makes eating cheap tasty and filling. This version adds some variety by using a mix of beans and brown rice vs. white.

Ingredients:

¼ cup canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas)

¼ cup canned kidney beans

¼ cup canned lima beans

¼ cup canned small white beans

½ cup instant brown rice (such as Minute Brown Rice)

1 tablespoon dried onion

¼ cup vegetable stock (or chicken stock)

Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare rice as directed in a stove pot. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Feel free to swap in different types of beans to your liking. You can also make this with white rice, or quinoa for added protein.

Chicken Penne With Sundried Tomatoes

An Italian meal doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Make your version budget-friendly and just as flavorful. Prep your chicken breast beforehand to cut down on cooking time.

Ingredients:

One cooked chicken breast, diced

1 serving penne pasta (or whatever pasta shape you love)

¼ cup sundried tomatoes, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried basil

¼ cup canned crushed tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the pasta as directed over stovetop. Drain and transfer back into the pot and mix with olive oil. Toss in the remainder of the ingredients and heat for an additional 5-7 minutes. You can add marinara sauce if you desire, or the liquid from the crushed tomato can. Pile onto your plate and dig in.

Bon Appetit!