Better Homes And Gardens Healthy Dinner Recipes Under 3

Turmeric-Ginger Marinated Chicken

Credit: Andy Lyons

Looking for cheap, healthy meals? The fact that you're searching for cheap, healthy recipes here rather than calling for carryout meals (or reservations) means you're way ahead of the game! With more than a month's worth of healthy meals on a budget, you'll soon learn how to use inexpensive but flavor-packed ingredients to bring well-balanced meals to your table.

Moroccan Chicken and Cauliflower Stew

Credit: Carson Downing

Budget dinner price: $2.97 per serving

Choose your own adventure with this North African-inspired feast. The chicken, chickpea, and veggie stew can be made on the stove top in a Dutch oven, or you can hit fast-forward with a pressure cooker or go low and slow with a slow cooker. Using any of these ways, you'll be treated to a healthy meal on a budget that's low in calories, high in protein, and nicely spiced with cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne.

Vegetarian Hoppin' John

overhead view of Vegetarian Hoppin' John in skillet

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.34 per serving

This traditional Southern dish is said to bring good luck if you eat it on New Year's Day. But we're so wild about this cheap, healthy meal, we eat it all year. Instead of calling for bacon or ham, our vegetarian riff on this rice and black-eyed peas dish features several spices and heaps of veggies, including bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and frozen corn.

Turmeric-Ginger Marinated Chicken

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $2.93 per serving

The spice—and the price—is right for this Indian-inspired cheap, healthy dinner idea. Serve the turmeric- and ginger-infused grilled chicken on a bed of basmati rice (included in the price estimate) to round out the meal. Save leftover sliced meat to tuck inside warm pita bread or a tortilla for a lunch wrap the next day.

Mini Meat Loaves, Green Beans, and Potatoes

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $2.29 per serving

Meat loaf scores a top spot on the list of cheap, easy, healthy meals when you use lean ground beef and boost the filling factor with inexpensive spuds. And don't you love the way sheet-pan dinners like this one require so little cleanup time? Cooking everything on one foil-lined pan speeds it.

Buy It: OXO Half Sheet Pan ($25, Target)

Pesto-Prosciutto Flatbread

Credit: Jacob Fox

Budget dinner price: $1.70 per serving

You'd be hard-pressed to find a delivery pizza as inexpensive as this homemade healthy dinner recipe. Start with store-bought dough to make the Mediterranean meal doable, even on a weeknight. (Pro tip: Look for the dough in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or ask your local pizza shop if you can purchase an extra pound of their secret recipe!)

Chickpea Alfredo with Spring Veggies

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $1.21 per serving

Noodle dishes are known to be easy on the wallet. Cashews? Not so much. Fortunately, a small handful of heart-healthy nuts can go a long way to add a rich flavor to cheap dinner ideas like this one. Whole wheat noodles help too.

Cilantro-Lime Pork

Credit: Karla Conrad

Budget dinner price: $1.70 per serving

Low in fat (6 grams per portion) yet high in protein (a strong 28 grams), this five-ingredient slow cooker pork recipe checks all the boxes. Healthy? Yes. Simple? Almost couldn't be easier. Affordable? Indeed—it's one of the lowest-cost options in this collection of cheap, healthy dinners.

Related: More Healthy Slow-Cooker Pork Recipes

Noodle Bowl with Tofu and Poached Eggs

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $2.84 per serving

Now here's a vegetarian cheap, healthy meal with real staying power. With 24 grams of protein, plus plenty of hunger-taming broth and noodles, this soup will fill you up for hours. Meaty portobello mushrooms, tofu, and a poached egg join fresh veggies in this cozy, crowd-pleasing Asian noodle soup.

Buy It: OXO Egg Poaching Set ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $1.82 per serving

Because it's breaded with whole wheat panko and baked instead of fried, this eggplant Parm is 600 calories slimmer than its classic Italian counterpart. Keep your nutrition streak going by grabbing a couple of zucchini at the store to spiralize, toss with the rest of the marinara, and serve under the baked eggplant. Voilà—a budget dinner recipe for four that tastes as incredible as its restaurant competition.

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna cooling on wire rack

Credit: Jacob Fox

Budget dinner price: $2.57 per serving

A few decades ago, "stretch the meat" was the mantra for cutting costs at dinnertime. It's still a great strategy for making cheap, healthy meals even more affordable. Here wide egg noodles, mushrooms, and a bit of cheese stretch 8 ounces of ground beef to five hearty servings. One bite will be all the proof you need that you can absolutely make satisfying suppers with only a bit of meat.

Buy It: Granitestone 14-Inch Sauté Pan ($40, Target)

Veggie Tostadas with Cauliflower Mash

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.48 per serving

Instead of refried beans, this flavorful Mexican entrée—ready in 30 minutes—uses a creamy cauliflower puree. If you're hungry and have leftover chicken or shrimp, toss them on too. (Psst ... this dish can easily be cut in half for an easy, healthy dinner recipe for two on a budget.)

Chicken with Parmesan Noodles

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $2.10 per serving

Just 20 minutes and $12.60 worth of groceries are all you need to pull off our chicken and pasta dinner for six. PS: To make your cheap, healthy dinner recipes keep on giving, never let any ingredients go to waste. Use any leftover pesto in these quick and easy pesto recipes.

Ham and Sweet Potato Mini Flatbreads

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $1.78 per serving

Turn budget-friendly shaved cooked ham into something to savor by serving it on mashed sweet potatoes and topping it with cranberry sauce. This healthy dinner recipe on a budget offers a taste of Thanksgiving anytime of year. Not so into ham or craving even more holiday vibes? Try this with sliced smoked turkey instead.

White Bean Tuna Salad

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $1.36 per serving

Your favorite Tuscan-inspired restaurant may not be the first place you'd head to get inspiration for healthy meals on the cheap. But the truth is that a lot of cuisine from this Italian region is quite humble and healthy. Tuscan cooks are fond of using cannellini beans. Here the beans partner with other great Mediterranean diet-friendly ingredients for a true-to-Italy dish that won't break the bank or your nutrition goals.

Fish Tostadas with Chili-Lime Cream

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.82 per serving

Whitefish is a great choice for healthy meals on a budget. The affordable and lean protein is mild enough to please even picky eaters. Enjoy it on these crowd-pleasing tostadas expertly seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and lime.

Related: 6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat (And 4 to Avoid)

Bacon-and-Egg Rice Bowls

Bacon and Egg Rice Bowls with bowl of pepper

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $1.49 per serving

On the hunt for healthy meals on a budget that work for dinner or brunch? Get cracking—eggs, that is. Here protein-rich, budget-friendly eggs pair with other refrigerator and pantry staples for a cheap and easy recipe that's under 400 calories a serving. Save even more money when you substitute dried herbs you have on-hand for the fresh herbs.

Beef and Black Bean Chili

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Budget dinner price: $1.36 per serving

Start planning your next chili night now. This slow cooker chili recipe can be prepped in 25 minutes. Stir everything together in the slow cooker and come home to a cheap, healthy dinner loaded with veggies and 8 grams of fiber.

Peanut Fettuccine with Roasted Cauliflower

Credit: Karla Conrad

Budget dinner price: $1.81 per serving

Sticking to healthy meals on a budget often means driving past your favorite take-out joints and heading home. With healthful restaurant remakes like this, you can enjoy dining-out flavor while saving money, sodium, and calories. If you're ravenous, toss in some leftover or rotisserie chicken—as-is, this less-than-$2 meal has only 270 calories per serving, leaving plenty of wiggle room for add-ins.

Chili-Pasta Skillet

Chili Pasta Skillet

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $1.61 per serving

Not only does this well-balanced pasta recipe ring in at under 300 calories per serving, but it also requires only 20 minutes of prep. Comforting chili flavors plus pasta and cheese make this meal a family favorite. Oh yes, and it all comes together in one pan. Win, win, win!

Related: 15 Sizzling Pasta Skillet Recipes

Fall Vegetable Fajitas

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $1.25 per serving

Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness; here they're spiced and seasoned to star in our fajita recipe. Bonus: If you're someone who grills no matter the season, this dish belongs in your regular rotation of healthy dinner recipes on a budget because you can find these veggies anytime of year.

Falafel and Vegetable Pitas

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $1.53 per serving

Burger night just scored a healthy vegetarian upgrade. Here we blend fiber- and protein-rich chickpeas with warm spices, sear them to crisp perfection, then serve with crunchy, good-for-you veggies. Ready in less than 30 minutes and under $2 per serving, this dinner idea has a lot to love.

Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Shrimp

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Budget dinner price: $2.58 per serving

Whole wheat noodles, no-salt-added canned tomatoes, and shrimp make this delicious meal surprisingly low-cal and nutritious. Use frozen shrimp instead of fresh to cut the cost of seafood. Just don't skip the pinch of crushed red pepper flakes—they're what give this healthy meal on a budget just enough kick.

Vegetarian Gumbo

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $1.50 per serving

How many cheap, healthy meals can you make without chopping anything? Not many, but here's one. It's a no-knife-needed, "dump and done" slow cooker recipe for when you have no more than 10 minutes of hands-on prep time to spare.

Mexican Meatball Stew

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.05 per serving

This slow cooker dump dinner might be the easiest of all: It requires no chopping and no measuring. How easy is that? Six ingredients, 10 minutes prep time, and great flavor combine to make this a go-to cheap, healthy dinner idea for any night of the week.

Buy It: Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker ($50, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Cuban-Style Stuffed Poblanos

Credit: Blaine Moats

Budget dinner price: $2.04 per serving

Since they're often loaded with affordable rice, canned veggies, and ground meat, stuffed peppers are one of our top dinner ideas when we're aiming to keep our wallets stuffed too. This recipe is a delightful example and is wildly flavorful thanks to Cuban elements like briny olives, nutty almonds, and sweet raisins. Yes, we know that combo might sound different from what you'd usually pair with beef and brown rice, but we bet you (and your dinner companions) will be blown away.

Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Dinner Salad

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $2.57 per serving

Cheap, easy, healthy dinners don't get fresher or more flavorful than this. The 20-minute recipe features favorites from the Mediterranean diet, including chicken, feta cheese, olives, and tomatoes for a meal brimming with flavor.

Gnocchi, Sweet Corn, and Arugula in Cream Sauce

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $2.24 per serving

We'll never say no to pasta dinners, but sometimes, we're more in the mood for spuds. On those nights, we turn to gnocchi, a traditional potato-based Italian dumpling. In this healthy dinner, it joins sweet corn, arugula, and a plethora of seasonings to make one delicious dinner that you'd never guess is budget-friendly. The veggies amp up the nutrients too.

Cucumber-Chicken Pita Sandwiches

Chicken Cobb Pitas

Credit: Carson Downing

Budget dinner price: $2.58 per serving

You need not choose between a fast dinner and a cheap, healthy recipe. This 15-minute, no-cook meal proves all those concepts can coexist. Pile a pita full of leftover or precooked chicken (we tallied the cost using those deli strips next to the sandwich meat you can buy), sliced veggies, and a speedy DIY tzatziki sauce and you have a Mediterranean sandwich that will keep your kitchen and your budget cool.

Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Budget dinner price: $1.48 per serving

Two pans and 20 minutes later, a serving of this recipe fulfills 20 percent of your daily iron requirement. It's a great choice when you're looking for low-sodium recipes too. It makes four side-dish servings, or double each portion for an easy, healthy dinner recipe for two on a budget that rings in just under our main-dish limit at $2.96.

Grilled Pork and Pineapple

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.67 per serving

Turn a classic pork chop into a tangy, tropical meal. Orange marmalade creates a mouthwatering and easy glaze then becomes a refreshing topping when mixed with yogurt. Grilled pineapple slices on the side lend their bold sweetness to this new grill-season favorite.

Jamaican Pork Stir-Fry

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $2 per serving

When you need a cheap, easy, healthy meal, it's time for a stir-fry. The prechopped packaged frozen vegetables save time in the kitchen and keep you well within your grocery budget without losing any of the nutrition. Lighten the meal more by opting for low-cal bottled plum sauce and low-sodium soy sauce.

Egg White Scramble with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Budget dinner price: $2.79 per serving

No matter how wiped out you are at the end of a busy day, you can still cook an egg. Right? Here we scramble only the whites for a cheap, healthy breakfast-for-dinner idea that's a little bit salad-y but with a lot of protein to help you feel satisfied.

Veggie Mac and Cheese

Credit: Andy Lyons

Budget dinner price: $1.29 per serving

Mac and cheese probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of nutritious dinner ideas. (You probably think mac and cheese is for childhood lunches.) But when you use whole grain pasta, broccoli, carrots, and reduced-fat cheese, the same concept becomes a healthy dinner recipe on a budget.

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