These cheap and easy dinner ideas prove that you can eat healthy on a budget – they can all be made for around $10 or less!
Cheap Meals
Just because you’re cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on flavour. There are tons of delicious recipes out there that cost around $10. I rounded up some of my favourite recipes that are as affordable as they are tasty and will help take your meal budget even further. They’ll keep your wallet and your stomach happy!
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Save Money by Meal Planning
If you want to save even more money, meal planning is the way to go. By having all your meals for the week organized in advance, you can plan out what ingredients you need and save on your grocery bill. You also won’t be reaching for the takeout menus as often since you’ll already have a home-cooked meal ready to go in the fridge.
What Can You Cook For Under $10?
Budget-friendly doesn’t have to mean bland. There are a range of meals you can cook for around $10 that are super flavourful – and you won’t even be able to tell they were that cheap! Check out some of my favourites below.
Watch how to make some of these recipes on YouTube!
Super Easy Mini Vegetable Lasagnas
35 minutes
Estimated Cost: $9.60These Super Easy Mini Vegetable Lasagna Cups are such a cute individual serving size version of everyone's favourite comfort food, lightened up!
Make this recipe
Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 2.5mg
Chana Masala {Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, Stovetop}
30 minutes
Estimated Cost: $9.80Chana Masala is a delicious vegan chickpea curry made from pantry staples. Make it in the Instant Pot, slow cooker or stovetop.
Make this recipe
Calories: 735kcal | Carbohydrates: 129g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 777mg | Potassium: 1466mg | Fiber: 25g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 2552IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 12mg
Meal Prep Individual Taco Pizza
40 minutes
Estimated Cost: $12.80This Meal Prep Individual Taco Pizza is a great way to save time and money by doing some weekly batch cooking. And it's a healthy, fun twist on pizza that you're going to love – you can freeze these mini pizzas for work too!
Make this recipe
Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 340mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 10.7mg | Calcium: 440mg | Iron: 5.6mg
Ground Turkey Stir Fry
30 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10.90This ground turkey stir fry is the easiest recipe ever! It's low carb too – all you need is ground turkey, bell peppers, carrots and coleslaw mix. It's a great weeknight dinner idea.
Make this recipe
Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 725mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3737IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Jars {Vegan}
15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $11.20These Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Jars with artichokes & sundried tomatoes are the perfect plant-based meal prep lunch idea!
Make this recipe
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 453mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 9.1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 5.2mg
Creamiest Crockpot Chicken and Rice {Healthy Dump Dinner}
4 hours 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $11.70The Creamiest Crockpot Chicken and Rice is so easy to make in your slow cooker – and no soup can is required! Just add frozen veggies, sour cream and cheese.
Make this recipe
Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 579mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3411IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 197mg | Iron: 2mg
Instant Pot Turmeric Lentil Soup {Vegan}
40 minutes
Estimated Cost: $11.50This Instant Pot Turmeric Lentil Soup is a vibrant vegan soup made with immunity-boosting turmeric that's ready in just 20 minutes.
Make this recipe
Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 1257mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5609IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 9mg
Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies
55 minutes
Estimated Cost: $12.60 These Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies are a healthier, lighter version of your favourite comfort food made with puff pastry in the perfect individual serving size!
Make this recipe
Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 882mg | Potassium: 537mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 7800IU | Vitamin C: 34.7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3.1mg
Healthy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
30 minutes
Estimated Cost: $8.60This Healthier Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with broccoli and white cheddar is comfort food that comes together with less than 10 ingredients!
Make this recipe
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 540mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich
25 minutes
Estimated Cost: $9.50 This Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a delicious, healthy lunch idea filled with avocado, spinach, sprouts, havarti and mozzarella!
Make this recipe
Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 794mg | Potassium: 531mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1232IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 448mg | Iron: 3mg
Copycat Chili's Texas Cheese Fries {Oven-Baked}
45 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10.80These Copycat Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries will satisfy all your cravings, made with homemade fries, crispy bacon and creamy ranch on the side.
Make this recipe
Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 722mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 504IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg
The BEST Arugula Salad
45 minutes
Estimated Cost: $12.90Inspired by Aroma Espresso Bar, is the BEST Arugula Salad with lentils, sweet potatoes and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can meal prep it, too!
Make this recipe
Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 17294IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 6mg
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup {Super Easy}
30 minutes
Estimated Cost: $13.40This easy Instant Pot Minestrone Soup is a delicious spin on the Italian classic that comes together in less than 20 minutes.
Make this recipe
Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3550IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 4.1mg
Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps {Low-Carb}
30 minutes
Estimated Cost: $13.40These Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps are a healthy and low-carb meal prep idea with fresh veggies and a creamy vegan garlic sauce!
Make this recipe
Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 34g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3680IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 1mg
Southwest Quinoa Salad
1 hour
Estimated Cost: $7.80These Quinoa Salad Recipes are full of protein! Choose from 5 flavours: southwest, curried, Mediterranean, caprese, or green goddess.
Make this recipe
Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 301mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1033IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg
Green Goddess Vegan Broccoli Soup
25 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10.39This Green Goddess Vegan Broccoli Soup is topped with kale chips and packed with leafy greens – you won't even notice it's dairy-free!
Make this recipe
Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 862mg | Potassium: 544mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4276IU | Vitamin C: 132mg | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 2mg
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