The best recipes for meal prepping on a budget

Introduction

Meal prepping is a great way to save money, eat healthy, and make your life as a busy professional easier. These recipes are an easy way to get started with meal prepping.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean “Hex” Bowls

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Hex Bowls

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A hexagonal food pyramid is definitely not a thing, but this recipe is so good that you might be tempted to create one just so you can shove it into your office-mates’ faces. This meal prep recipe calls for sweet potatoes as a base, black beans and corn to round things out, chicken or tofu as the protein source of your choice (the latter is definitely more budget-friendly), avocado salsa or mango salsa as a sauce of choice (we’re partial to both), leafy greens like spinach or kale for some added color and nutrients…and finally quinoa as the grain component that ties everything together.

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Peanut Tofu Curry

This recipe is perfect if you’re looking to make a big batch of food that’s super easy and quick. It’s also budget friendly and vegan. Peanut tofu curry is the perfect dish for meal prep because it can be served hot or cold—and it tastes great both ways!

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The first step in creating this recipe is setting up your peanut tofu curry base. We recommend using a medium-sized pot or dutch oven, so that you have enough room to add all of your ingredients in at once without crowding them out of their own space (you don’t want them fighting for attention). Next, add some oil and sauté some garlic until it starts to brown slightly (about three minutes).

Afterward, add one tablespoon each of red curry paste and peanut butter (our favorite brand is Natural Route), then stir everything together until they are fully combined with each other—this should take another minute or so depending on how well mixed they were initially (if not then just keep stirring!). Once this step has been completed then proceed directly into adding chicken broth into the mix before throwing in some coconut milk too (in case anyone wondered why those two things always go together…).

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Finally combine everything together so that there aren’t any clumps left behind from either peanut butter or coconut milk—but don’t worry too much about getting rid of every last bit because we’ll be doing even more mixing later on down below when we start cooking up our veggies!

Spicy Red Lentil Soup

This soup is a great meal for beginners—with just six ingredients and no cooking required, it’s easy to make. All you need are some lentils, onions, garlic, spices and vegetable broth (in addition to salt and pepper). If you’re looking for something more filling and substantial than the typical chicken noodle soup, this is it.

Slow Cooker Garlic Ginger Chicken w/Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans

Slow cookers are a great way to make meals that are healthy, easy and delicious. This recipe is a good example of how you can use your slow cooker to make something yummy without having to spend all day in the kitchen. It’s also great for meal prepping!

Smoky Chickpeas With Kale and Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in chickpeas, broth and spices; bring to a boil. Lower heat to maintain a simmer for 15 minutes or until thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper; serve hot over rice or quinoa.

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“Un-Stuffed” Cabbage Roll Casserole

This recipe will save you money, as it makes use of inexpensive ingredients that are already in your kitchen and don’t require much prep work. It also keeps for four days in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time and eat off of it during your busy week.

It’s pretty straightforward: Prepare the cabbage rolls (recipe below), then add them to a slow-cooker with a homemade sauce made from tomato paste, water, broth cubes, onion powder and garlic powder. Cook on low for five hours before adding cooked rice or egg noodles; cook on high for an additional hour before serving. This dish is similar to stuffed cabbage rolls but has fewer carbs because there’s no breading involved.

Flank Steak Fajita Bowls with Skillet-Charred Corn, Avocado, & Tomatoes

Flank steak is a lean cut of beef that’s ideal for the grill, or for marinating and then cooking on the stovetop. It’s versatile enough to use in many different types of dishes, from tacos to fajitas to pasta. And since it’s relatively inexpensive, you’re getting a healthy dose of protein at an affordable price.

Thai Coconut Curry Lentil Soup

Lentils are a great source of protein, and they’re low in fat and calories. They’re high in fiber, which helps you feel full. Coconut milk is also high in fat and calories. However, it does contain some saturated fat—which can increase cholesterol levels if consumed in large quantities—but this recipe calls for only two cans of coconut milk so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

Set-it-and-Forget-it Greek Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and String Beans

  • Prep time: 30 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Recipe makes 4 servings

Ingredients: Chicken breast, olive oil spray, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tablespoon of each) 2 pounds baby red potatoes (about 8 medium), quartered 2 cups string beans (about 1 pound), ends trimmed and cut into thirds 11/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake w/ Avocado Lime Crema

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup quinoa soaked overnight in water, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup black beans (15 oz can) rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup salsa (12 oz jar) I used Trader Joe’s Medium Hot Salsa but you could use homemade or whatever you have on hand! You just need about 1 ½ cups of it total.
  • ½ cup enchilada sauce (12 oz jar) again you can use homemade if you want to for an extra kick of flavor. I personally like using Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce because it has a more “fresh” flavor than others I’ve tried before. It also comes in mild which is awesome if you don’t want your enchiladas super spicy!
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into strips for topping! Or corn…whatever floats your boat really 🙂

Meal prepping makes your life easy, these recipes are easy on your wallet too.

Whether you’re looking for a new career, searching for love or just trying to make your life a little easier, it’s always good to have options. But if you’re still using the same old recipes that don’t really work for you—because they are so boring—then it might be time to try something new.

You can find meal prep recipes all over the internet, but not all of them are created equal. To find ones that suit your needs and tastes best, consider these tips:

  • Look for meals that fill you up but aren’t too heavy or dense like pizza or burgers. If you have any food allergies or sensitivities then try avoiding those ingredients altogether (like nuts).
  • Make sure the meal provides enough protein; this helps keep blood sugar levels stable while also providing additional energy throughout the day! Some examples include eggs with veggies/tofu scramble; chicken breast with avocado slices on top; shrimp stir-fry with brown rice noodles…

Conclusion

Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money while still eating healthy. It also helps you get in the habit of making better food choices, which can lead to even more savings in other areas of your life. So don’t be afraid to try these recipes at home!