7-Day Meal Plan to Eat on the Cheap
Eating healthy on a budget is easier to do when you have a meal plan and stick to it. We've done the planning for you and pulled together a week of absolutely mouthwatering dinners that use (and re-use) everyday ingredients in creative ways to make nutritious cheap meals without breaking the bank. With every recipe in this meal plan coming in under $2.00 per serving, you'll save some serious cash and still enjoy delicious, healthy meals all week.
Related: The Best Foods for Eating Well on a Budget
Day 1:
Slow-Cooker Honey-Orange Chicken Drumsticks ($1.56 per serving)
Slow-Cooker Honey-Orange Chicken Drumsticks: This slow-cooker chicken recipe makes a perfect alternative to standard tomato-based barbecued chicken. Both kids and adults will devour these drumsticks, doused in a honey-sweetened sauce spiked with orange, ginger and garlic. Serve chicken with steamed broccoli.
Day 2:
Red Flannel Hash ($1.07 per serving)
Red Flannel Hash: This vegetarian beet, fennel and potato hash recipe is a healthy and delicious side dish-top it with two fried eggs and it becomes a meal.
Day 3:
Vegetable & Tuna Pasta Salad ($1.84 per serving)
Vegetable & Tuna Pasta Salad: This delicious pasta salad recipe is made with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula and chunk light tuna. Chunk light tuna is an affordable and healthy option, lower in mercury than white albacore tuna.
Day 4:
Loaded Baked Potato Soup ($1.59 per serving)
Loaded Baked Potato Soup: This healthy loaded baked potato soup recipe is inspired by the comforting flavor of fully loaded baked potatoes with bacon, Cheddar, sour cream and chives. To make a vegetarian version of this potato soup, omit the bacon and use "no-chicken" broth. Serve it with a green salad and crusty bread to clean up the bowl.
Day 5:
Spring Pizza ($1.67 per serving)
Spring Pizza: Forget take-out-this easy pizza recipe combines asparagus, chives and fontina cheese to make a delicious and affordable meal. Serve with baby greens tossed with vinaigrette.
Day 6:
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta ($1.91 per serving)
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: This Cajun-style pasta use simple ingredients-lean chicken, peppers and onions-to make a zesty and satisfying dinner.
Day 7:
Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive Biscuits ($1.59 per serving)
Kale & White Bean Potpie with Chive Biscuits: In this vegetarian white bean potpie recipe, kale and hearty white beans are topped with easy, homemade chive biscuits. If desired, add a little shredded Gruyère or Cheddar cheese to the biscuit dough.
