Budget-Friendly Healthy Dinners under $2

Clients often assume that eating healthy means a higher grocery bill. While some ingredients can be more expensive — like organic produce versus conventional produce — there are plenty of healthy meals they can make that won’t break the bank. In fact, our recipe database is full of recipes that are budget friendly and use ingredients that many people already keep on hand.

While our LENA® Nutrition Intelligence automatically optimizes your clients’ meal plans for food waste AND cost, it’s nice to have a list of go-to, budget-friendly recipes for clients. In this post, we will share some of our favorite budget-friendly dinners based on cost per serving, which we calculate based on average ingredient costs from top grocers and the amount of an ingredient used in the recipe.

And remember, if you’re looking for more low-cost meals for your clients, take advantage of the advanced filter in the Recipe Search tool. You can sort all our recipes by “Least Cost.”

Chicken Cordon Bleu Wonton Cupcakes

These Chicken Cordon Bleu Wonton Cupcakes are perfect for serving a small family or a large crowd. While small, these wonton cupcakes taste just like a traditional chicken cordon bleu. This recipe utilizes rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time. Plus, it yields 12 servings!

Cost per serving: $0.65

Pesto Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

Our Pesto Chicken with Cauliflower Rice is a great source of vegetables and lean protein. While our recipe calls for store-bought pesto, clients can also try making their own. No cauliflower on hand? They can always swap it out for rice they have in the pantry.

Cost per serving: $1.42

Mac & Trees

Clients can put a healthy spin on a classic comfort food with our Mac & Trees. Each serving is full of vegetables along with gooey cheddar cheese, so the whole family will love it. Plus, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes.

Cost per serving: $0.80

Carrot & Cilantro Soup with Roll

Our Carrot & Cilantro Soup is perfect for chilly evenings. It’s packed with fiber, servings of vegetables, and fresh flavors. This soup is great for vegan and vegetarian clients too. And they can make it in under half an hour!

Cost per serving: $1.11

Broccoli Pita Pizza

Forget those $5 carry-out pizzas! Clients can easily make their own healthy pizzas at home for a fraction of the cost. Try this Broccoli Pita Pizza. Clients can top their pita with marinara sauce, broccoli, red onion, and other toppings that they have on hand.

Cost per serving: $0.98

Oven-Crispy Chicken with Broccoli

This Oven-Crispy Chicken with Broccoli is sure to be a hit. The recipe uses chicken thighs, which are cheaper than chicken breasts. Plus, the thighs should have the skin on, helping clients get that crispy texture they crave.

Cost per serving: $0.86

Baked Corn Dogs with Carrots

Upgrade those frozen corn dogs for a healthier version. Our Baked Corn Dogs with Carrots recipe is quick and easy to make. And it uses many ingredients that your clients may have in their pantry already — like sugar, flour, cornmeal, salt, etc.

Cost per serving: $0.43

Freezer Bean & Cheese Burritos

These Freezer Bean & Cheese Burritos are another fan favorite! Not only are these burritos budget-friendly, but they can be frozen and used for future lunches or dinners. Clients can make these burritos in advance and save themselves time and money when they are scrambling to grab a bite to eat.

Cost per serving: $1.11

Easy Peanut Noodles

Our Easy Peanut Noodles boast traditional Asian flavors at a fraction of the cost of eating out. While this recipe calls for gluten-free noodles, your clients can use conventional noodles to save even more. The best part is that this dish comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.

Cost per serving: $1.35

Meatloaf Cupcake with Mashed Potato Frosting

Meatloaf is a hearty meal that warms the stomach and the soul. Our Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting recipe is a unique way to present the classic meatloaf. This recipe also yields 12 servings, so there’s plenty of food to go around.

Cost per serving: $1.03

BBQ Tofu with Cauliflower Tots

Some of your clients might not be familiar with tofu. But this ingredient is an extremely affordable form of plant-based protein. When cooked the right way, even your meat-loving clients will enjoy tofu! Encourage them to try our BBQ Tofu with Cauliflower Tots.

Cost per serving: $1.11

Easy Bratwurst Sausage and Sauerkraut Dog

This recipe is an upgrade from the average hot dog. Clients can try our Easy Bratwurst Sausage and Sauerkraut Dog for weeknights, game days, and more. This recipe calls for store-bought sauerkraut, but clients can always make their own if they are feeling adventurous.

Cost per serving: $1.24

Hearty Lentil Soup

Our Hearty Lentil Soup is perfect for fall and winter weather. Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein, and they are budget friendly. This soup also has beans, carrots, and lots of spices.

Cost per serving: $1.26

Bean and Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers

While there’s nothing wrong with a meal of beans and cheese, clients can add poblano peppers to take the dish to a new level. Our Bean and Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers are quick and easy to make, and they pack a punch!

Cost per serving: $1.45

To unlock our budget-friendly recipes along with over 6,000 other dietitian-approved dishes, sign up for your FREE EatLove account.