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

Chicken Kabobs

$12.57 recipe / $2.51 serving

These easy Chicken Kabobs are marinated in honey, garlic, lemon, and yogurt, then grilled with peppers and onion until lightly charred. Delicious and easy!

Gnocchi with Spring Vegetables

$8.65 recipe / $2.16 serving

This easy Gnocchi with Spring Vegetables recipe is a delicious one-skillet dinner with pan-seared gnocchi, seasonal veggies, lemon, and Parmesan!

Overhead view of marry me lentils in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Creamy Marry Me Lentils

$6.69 recipe / $1.67 serving

This Creamy Marry Me Lentils recipe is an easy vegetarian dinner made with brown lentils, cream, spinach, Parmesan, and sundried tomatoes!

Angel Hair Pasta Pomodoro

$5.21 recipe / $0.65 serving

Angel Hair Pasta Pomodoro is an easy weeknight pasta recipe with tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs tossed with delicate noodles that cook in just 2 minutes!

Biscuits and Gravy Bake

$8.21 recipe / $1.64 serving

This easy Biscuits and Gravy Bake turns a Southern breakfast classic into a cozy one-pan meal with creamy sausage gravy and fluffy cheddar drop biscuits.

Overhead view of a bowl of lentil and ham soup.

Ham and Lentil Soup

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving

This Ham and Lentil Soup recipe is a hearty dinner made with simple ingredients, brown lentils, veggies, and diced ham in a flavorful broth!

Crustless Quiche

$7.71 recipe / $1.28 serving

This easy, tasty Spinach Mushroom and Feta Crustless Quiche is low on carbs and big on flavor. This veggie-filled breakfast will keep you full and happy.

Honey Glazed Ham

$18.13 recipe / $1.51 serving

This Honey Glazed Ham recipe turns a spiral-cut smoked ham into a sweet, sticky, holiday main dish with a simple homemade glaze made from pantry staples!

Ham Tetrazzini

$7.65 recipe / $1.28 serving

This Ham Tetrazzini recipe is a cozy way to use up leftover ham with spaghetti, mushrooms, peas, and a creamy homemade sauce. Cheap and delicious!

Potato Leek Soup

$8.46 recipe / $1.05 serving

This creamy Potato Leek Soup recipe is rich & cozy, made with buttery leeks, tender potatoes, and a few simple techniques for the best texture.

Overhead view of a chicken brothy rice bowl.

Chicken Broth Bowl

$7.53 recipe / $1.89 serving

This easy Chicken Broth Bowl recipe is a one-pot soup made with chicken, rice, and veggies for a nourishing soup everyone will love!

Feta Pasta

$11.05 recipe / $2.76 serving

This baked Feta Pasta recipe is made with budget-friendly roasted Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, pasta, and a creamy block of feta! Easy and SO delicious!