Cheap Meal Ideas
Budget Recipes Under $5
Discover 100+ delicious, budget-friendly meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat well without breaking the bank with meals starting at just $0.75 per serving.
Cheap Meal Ideas by Time of Day
Budget Breakfast Ideas
Start your day without breaking the bank
Cheap Lunch Ideas
Filling midday meals that won't drain your wallet
Budget Dinner Ideas
Hearty evening meals for the whole family
Sample $40 Weekly Meal Plan
A complete week of cheap, nutritious meals for one person - total cost under $40
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Overnight oats | PB&J sandwich | Fried rice | $5.00 |
| Tuesday | Scrambled eggs | Leftover fried rice | Bean & rice bowl | $4.50 |
| Wednesday | Pancakes | Tuna melt | Fried rice | $6.50 |
| Thursday | Toast & banana | Quesadilla | Lentil curry | $5.00 |
| Friday | Smoothie | Ramen upgrade | Chicken stir fry | $7.25 |
| Saturday | French toast | Leftover curry | Bean chili | $5.75 |
| Sunday | Eggs & toast | Grilled cheese | Pasta e fagioli | $6.00 |
| Weekly Total | $40.50 | |||
Money-Saving Tips & Strategies
Smart Shopping Strategies
Make your grocery budget stretch further
- Shop with a list and stick to it
- Buy generic brands when possible
- Shop sales and use coupons
- Buy seasonal produce for lower prices
- Compare unit prices, not package prices
Bulk Buying Benefits
Save money by purchasing in larger quantities
- Buy rice, pasta, and beans in bulk
- Freeze meat bought on sale
- Share bulk purchases with friends
- Stock up on non-perishables during sales
- Calculate cost per serving accurately
Meal Planning Magic
Plan ahead to avoid waste and overspending
- Plan meals around sales and what you have
- Prep ingredients on Sunday
- Use leftovers creatively
- Cook in larger batches
- Keep emergency meals in freezer
Protein on a Budget
Get your protein without overspending
- Eggs are the cheapest complete protein
- Buy chicken thighs instead of breasts
- Use beans and lentils as protein sources
- Canned fish when on sale
- Stretch meat with vegetables and grains
Budget Pantry Essentials
Stock these affordable ingredients to always have cheap meal options available
Grains & Starches
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Pasta (various shapes)
- Quinoa
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Oats
Proteins
- Eggs
- Dried beans
- Lentils
- Canned tuna
- Peanut butter
- Chicken (frozen)
- Ground meat
Produce
- Onions
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Bananas
- Frozen vegetables
- Canned tomatoes
- Seasonal fruits
Pantry Essentials
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Basic spices
- Flour
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Hot sauce
Dairy & Alternatives
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Butter
- Plant milk
- Eggs
- Sour cream
More Budget Cooking Tools
AI Recipe Generator
Create cheap recipes from your ingredients
Cheap Dinner Ideas for 2
Budget meals perfect for couples
What Should I Eat Today
Get budget meal suggestions for today
Budget Cooking Tips
Master frugal cooking techniques
Food Picker
Filter meals by your budget
Cheap Easy Meals for 2
Simple budget recipes for two
Start Eating Well on a Budget Today
With these budget-friendly meal ideas and shopping strategies, you can enjoy delicious, nutritious meals without overspending.