Need to Shrink Your Budget? These Healthy Meal-Prep Ideas Couldn't Be More Affordable

The benefits of meal prep [1] are endless. Planning out a menu [2] before another hectic week begins — and then making those meals ahead — can help you eat healthier, lose weight [3], and save money, since nothing drains your bank account faster than takeout. If you want to shrink your spending even more, try these budget-friendly recipe ideas [4], using simple ingredients like whole-wheat pasta, frozen vegetables, oats, chicken breasts [5], and eggs. They're proof that healthy, flavorful food doesn't have to break the bank. Scroll through to make your picks, and head into Monday morning knowing that you have delicious, nutritious foods to power you through the week.

Oats, coconut, coffee, banana, fruit, cacao nibs

Sweet potatoes, sweet corn, chickpeas

Whole-wheat pasta, Thai red curry paste, light soy milk, veggies

Dough, cheese, tomato sauce, pineapple, fresh herbs

Eggs, red onion, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mixed grains, spinach, parsley, sriracha

Tofu, carrots, zucchini, green beans, onion, garlic, chili

Mediterranean cauliflower rice, frozen vegetable mix, chicken breast

Eggs, avocado, tomato, spinach, cheese, almonds, apple

Spaghetti squash, buffalo chicken, scallions

Brown rice, chicken breast, onions, pepper, mushrooms, fajita seasoning

Roasted garlic herb whole chicken, brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes

Sweet potato, orange bell pepper, onion, corn, black beans, guacamole, hot sauce

Whole-wheat pasta, chicken thighs, pasta sauce

Spiralized zucchini, red kale, ground turkey, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese

Rice, zucchini, spinach, onion, garlic, ground beef, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, chili bean paste, lemon juice, sesame oil

Scrambled eggs, dark leafy greens, onion, veggies, vegan cheese

Tofu, broccoli, potatoes, quinoa, teriyaki sauce

Tabouli salad, cucumber, mushrooms, butter lettuce, shredded chicken, Greek yogurt dressing

Hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, turkey slices, whole grain crackers

Oven-cooked salmon, sweet potato chips, baked beans in BBQ sauce

Brown rice, peri peri chicken, red bell peppers

Chili lime salmon, arugula, avocado, sesame ginger dressing

Chickpeas, onions, kale, spicy curry sauce

Tex-Mex jackfruit, bell peppers, onions, brown rice, quinoa

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