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

These Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats are naturally sweet without any added sugar, and provide plenty of flavor and texture to keep you happy and full all morning. BudgetBytes.com

Breakfast Meal Prep

Smoky Chicken and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato Meal Prep is an easy, delicious, filling, and healthy daily lunch or dinner. BudgetBytes.com

Chicken Meal Prep

Four cheese board lunch boxes lined up in a row

No Re-Heat Meal Prep

rectangular glass containers with Cajun Sausage and Vegetables lined up

Three glass meal prep containers full of cold peanut noodle salad, dressing containers on the side.

Vegetarian Meal Prep

Popular Meal Prep Recipes

Smoky Chicken and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato Meal Prep is an easy, delicious, filling, and healthy daily lunch or dinner. BudgetBytes.com

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 divided between meal prep containers, dressing being poured.

Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

$5.30 recipe / $1.33 serving

Three rectangular glass meal prep containers with Ground Turkey Stir Fry and Brown Rice

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

$8.05 recipe / $1.61 serving

Meal Prep Ideas for an Easy Breakfast

Overhead view of overnight oats with various toppings

Overnight Oats

Side view of a stack of breakfast cookies on a plate.

Breakfast Cookies

$5.32 recipe / $0.35 serving

Overhead view of sheet pan pancakes cut into squares with one slice being lifted out.

Sheet Pan Pancakes

$3.52 recipe / $0.88 serving

Cooked egg muffins lined up in a grid on a blue surface.

Egg Muffins

$2.01 recipe / $0.34 serving

Newest Budget Friendly Meal Prep

Side view of jars of zucchini relish, is a spoon taking some from one jar.

Zucchini Relish

$6.14 recipe / $0.08 serving

This homemade Zucchini Relish is a great way to preserve fresh zucchini with onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and a sweet-tangy brine. Includes canning tips for beginners.

Side view of seafood sauce in a bowl with shrimp.

Cocktail Sauce

$1.14 recipe / $0.57 serving

Learn how to make Cocktail Sauce at home with ketchup, horseradish, lemon, and hot sauce! Perfect for seafood of all types and easily customizable.

Overhead view of a homemade peach pie.

Peach Pie

$10.14 recipe / $1.27 serving

This easy Peach Pie recipe uses peaches (fresh, frozen, or canned!), brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and a store-bought crust. Simple, summery, & delicious!

Side view of homemade peach sauce in a glass jar.

Peach Sauce

$2.76 recipe / $0.17 serving

This homemade Peach Sauce recipe is sweet, made with frozen peaches, and perfect for topping ice cream, pancakes, oatmeal, and more!

Overhead of peaches and cream cookies on a parchment lined wire rack.

Peaches and Cream Cookies

$5.12 recipe / $0.32 serving

These soft Peaches and Cream Cookies combine fresh peaches, pecans, and white chocolate for the perfect summer cookie. Easy, sweet, and delicious!

Overhead view of a plate of peach cobbler.

Peach Cobbler

$5.39 recipe / $0.67 serving

This easy Peach Cobbler is made with juicy peaches and a golden, buttery topping. Perfectly sweet, cozy, and ready in under an hour.

Overhead view of a bowl of macaroni salad.

Macaroni Salad

$4.15 recipe / $0.52 serving

Macaroni Salad is an easy and inexpensive classic for potlucks, summer BBQs, or an easy side dish for dinner.

Overhead view of a bowl of budget friendly pesto.

Budget-Friendly Pesto

$5.36 recipe / $0.67 serving

This Budget-Friendly Homemade Pesto uses sunflower seeds, basil, and spinach for a delicious and affordable twist on the classic.

Overhead view of a bowl of antipasto pasta salad.

Antipasto Pasta Salad

$15.77 recipe / $1.42 serving

Make this easy Antipasto Pasta Salad loaded with meats, cheeses, olives, and veggies. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or quick lunches!

Overhead close up shot of plated strawberry spinach salad.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

$8.72 recipe / $2.18 serving

A fresh, vibrant, Strawberry Spinach Salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, candied pecans, and insanely delicious flavors!

Overhead view of honey lime chicken on a plate with lime wedges.

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

$5.73 recipe / $1.43 serving

Make this Grilled Honey Lime Chicken using chicken thighs and a simple marinade. It's sweet, smoky, tangy, and easy to throw on the grill!

Side view of a chicken burger.

Chicken Burger

$6.36 recipe / $1.59 serving

These juicy Ground Chicken Burgers are easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for grilling. A leaner weeknight favorite that’s big on flavor!