Discover 17 cheap meal prep ideas for healthy eating. Save money and eat well with these budget-friendly recipes and simple meal prep tips. These recipes are easy and extremely tasty and will elevate your meal prep game significantly. Find out about the Ultimate Guide to Healthy Eating HERE!

Introduction

I have experimented extensively with meal prepping and these recipes are my favourites so far. As a student I like many others do not have an infinite amount of money and try to cook as efficiently as possible. Therefore, I have had to find ways to combine a budget, a busy schedule and a healthy diet. As an athlete as well the nutritional value in the food I eat plays a crucial role in my performance. These Ideas have helped me a lot during my time here at university, and I want to share them with you all to make your lives a little easier as well!  Whether you’re trying to cut grocery costs or just looking for easy meal prep ideas, these 17 budget-friendly recipes will help you stay on track while saving money. Find out more about Nutrition HERE!

17 Cheap Meal Prep Ideas

1. Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

• Oats, milk or yogurt, honey, peanut butter, and banana
• Prep multiple servings in jars for a quick grab-and-go breakfast

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

2. Scrambled Eggs with Veggies

• Eggs, spinach, tomatoes, and whole wheat toast
• Cook in bulk and reheat for an easy, protein-packed breakfast

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

3. Greek Yogurt & Granola Cups

• Greek yogurt, honey, granola, and frozen berries
• Store in small containers for a ready-to-eat snack or breakfast

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

4. Chickpea & Vegetable Stir-Fry

• Chickpeas, frozen mixed vegetables, and brown rice
• A quick, high-fibre meal that can be made in large batches

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

5. Tuna Salad Wraps

• Canned tuna, Greek yogurt, mustard, lettuce, and whole wheat wraps
• Easy to make and perfect for meal prepping lunch

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

6. Quinoa & Black Bean Bowls

• Quinoa, black beans, avocado, and a homemade dressing
• A filling and nutritious lunch that stays fresh for days

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

7. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

• Chicken thighs, carrots, potatoes, and broth
• Cook in bulk and portion into containers for quick dinners

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

8. Spaghetti with Lentil Marinara

• Whole wheat pasta, canned tomatoes, lentils, and garlic
• A hearty and budget-friendly alternative to traditional meat sauces

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

9. Roasted Veggies & Tofu Bowls

• Tofu, bell peppers, zucchini, and quinoa
• A simple, plant-based meal that’s easy to prepare

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

10. Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches

• Whole wheat bread, peanut butter, and banana slices
• A cheap and nutritious meal for any time of the day

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

11. Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

• Corn tortillas, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and salsa
• A simple and filling meal that’s high in fibre and flavour

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

12. Rice with Mince and Vegetables

• Rice, any type of mince (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Bison), carrots, mushrooms, spinach
• A nutritious, protein-packed meal that is very extremely easy to make

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

13. Baked Chicken & Rice

• Chicken drumsticks, brown rice, and mixed vegetables
• An easy, balanced meal that’s great for meal prep

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

14. Hard-Boiled Eggs & Veggies

• Hard-boiled eggs, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and hummus
• A quick and protein-rich snack or light meal

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

15. Cabbage Stir-Fry with Rice

• Cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and rice
• A simple, flavourful dish that’s extremely budget-friendly

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

16. Black Bean & Corn Salad

• Black beans, corn, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro
• A refreshing and nutritious meal that can be eaten on its own or as a side

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

17. Mince and Vegetable Pasta

• Pasta, any type of mince (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Bison), carrots, mushrooms, spinach
• An amazing easy lunch with protein, carbs and vegetables best eaten warm!

For the full recipe and further information click HERE!

Budget Meal Prep Tips

• Plan meals in advance! Before you even enter the shops, you should know exactly what you are going to buy. This makes it much more efficient to shop and you save a lot of money by avoiding purchases to avoid unnecessary grocery purchases
• Buy in bulk for staples like rice, beans, oats, pasta. A good trick is also to buy meat which is on sale and then just freeze it and defrost when you want to eat it!
• Use frozen and canned produce to save money and reduce waste. Also, you don’t need to worry about them going out of date.
• Opt for cost-effective protein sources like eggs, beans, and chicken thighs. Chicken or turkey mince is often quite cheap as well!
• Keep it simple! You don’t need to make your recipes overly complicated. You are meal prepping to save the hassle so stick to that and keep it simple!

Conclusion

Meal prepping on a budget is easy with the right recipes and planning! Try some of these 17 cheap meal prep ideas to save some money and eat healthier without sacrificing flavour or variety. Adapt them to your own taste and make them yours! Meal prep is an ongoing process so don’t expect it to go amazingly the first time you try it. But if you can stick with it, you will become great at it and you will become extremely creative and efficient. Its really worth it so I recommend you giving it a try!