Budget Friendly Meal Prep

Planning, preparing, and portioning your meals ahead of time is one of the most effective tools for keeping your food budget in check. We have over a hundred budget-friendly meal prep ideas to keep your taste buds happy, your belly full, and your budget on track! New to meal prepping? Check out our Meal Prep 101 before you begin.

Looking for pre-made meal plans? With a Budget Bytes+ membership, you’ll get a brand-new meal plan every week—designed to save you time, money, and stress in the kitchen (plus more)!

This Cheeseburger Meatloaf Meal Prep is an easy American classic meal that you'll look forward to each day. Toss the TV dinners and make your own! Budgetbytes.com

Popular Meal Prep Recipes

Smoky Chicken and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato Meal Prep

$9.43 recipe / $2.36 serving

Four glass meal prep containers lined up with roasted vegetable couscous. Two with chicken and two with chickpeas

Roasted Vegetable Couscous Meal Prep

$12.01 recipe / $4.00 serving

Three glass containers filled with hummus lunch box ingredients

The Hummus Lunch Box

$8.04 recipe / $2.01 serving

Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

$5.30 recipe / $1.33 serving

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

$8.05 recipe / $1.61 serving

Meal Prep Ideas for an Easy Breakfast

Newest Budget Friendly Meal Prep

Texas Chili

$9.14 recipe / $2.29 serving

A bold, budget-friendly Texas Chili recipe made with ground beef, chipotles, and warm spices for rich, smoky flavor without the beans.

Side view of a plate of Cincinnati chili with shredded cheese and diced onions.

Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Chili)

$11.70 recipe / $2.92 serving

Recreate the famous Skyline flavor with this Cincinnati Chili recipe! The spiced beef sauce is simmered, not browned, and served over spaghetti with cheddar and onions.

Cheesy Kidney Bean Quesadillas

$4.05 recipe / $0.81 serving

These Cheesy Kidney Bean Quesadillas are quick, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor. A family favorite and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping!

Overhead view of of a vegetarian lentil meatloaf with half cut into slices.

Lentil Loaf

$9.55 recipe / $0.95 serving

A cozy vegan Lentil Loaf recipe packed with protein-rich lentils, veggies, and a sweet-savory glaze. Easy comfort food made plant-based!

Sweet Potato Casserole

$7.47 Recipe / $0.94 Serving

A classic Southern Sweet Potato Casserole made with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan streusel topping. Simple, affordable, and always a Thanksgiving favorite.

Turkey Sausage and Kale Casserole

$10.84 recipe / $1.81 serving

This Turkey Sausage and Kale Casserole with mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella is creamy and comforting. An easy, family-friendly fall dinner with holiday flavors!

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

$13.56 recipe / $1.13 serving

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with bacon, sour cream, and cheddar. An easy side for the holidays or anytime.

Cheesecake Bars

$5.51 recipe / $0.61 serving

Creamy, tangy homemade Cheesecake Bars with a graham cracker crust. Easy to bake, slice, and top with fruit, jam, or chocolate for the perfect dessert!

Vegetarian Chili

$9.93 recipe / $1.65 serving

This hearty vegetarian chili is cozy, budget-friendly, and full of flavor. With beans, spices, and molasses, it’s the perfect comforting meal.

Pumpkin Spice Fudge

$9.48 recipe / $0.26 serving

This easy Pumpkin Spice Fudge recipe uses white chocolate, pumpkin puree, and warm spices for a festive fall treat. Quick to make and a crowd-pleaser!

30 Minute Posole

$8.50 recipe / $1.42 serving

Use your leftover pulled pork and a quick homemade enchilada sauce to make this super fast and easy, intensely flavored 30 Minute Posole.

Side view of a worms in dirt dessert pudding cup.

dirt pudding

$4.16 recipe / $0.83 serving

This Worms in Dirt recipe is a classic! Creamy chocolate pudding and cookie crumbs topped with gummy worms make an easy dessert kids can help make!