The Cheapest Healthy Meals You Can Make: 25 Recipes Under $2

BUDGET MEALS | HEALTHY EATING

📋 Table of Contents

  1. Breakfast Recipes Under $2
  2. Lunch Recipes Under $2
  3. Dinner Recipes Under $2
  4. Cost-Saving Strategies
  5. Nutritional Completeness on a Budget
Cheap healthy oatmeal breakfast recipe under $2

Introduction

Budget doesn’t mean boring. These 25 recipes deliver complete nutrition for under $2 per serving — covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with whole foods, legumes, and simple ingredients that stretch every dollar as far as it can go.

If you want to take your budget cooking further, our Meal Prep Under $5 guide shows you how to batch cook these into a full week of meals. Our Eat Healthy on $30/Week plan builds a complete weekly structure around budget ingredients like these. And before you shop, our Budget Grocery List tells you exactly what to buy and where to save the most.

🌅 Breakfast Recipes (Under $2)

Recipe 1: Oatmeal with Banana and Peanut Butter ($0.85)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 cup oats ($0.18)
  • 1 banana ($0.30)
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter ($0.35)
  • Salt ($0.02)
  • Total: $0.85

Instructions

  1. Cook oats with water or milk according to package directions.
  2. Slice banana and layer on top.
  3. Add peanut butter and a pinch of salt.
  4. Serve immediately.
Calories: 320 Cost: $0.85

Recipe 2: Scrambled Eggs with Whole Wheat Toast ($0.75)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 2 eggs ($0.30)
  • 2 slices whole wheat bread ($0.30)
  • Butter ($0.15)
  • Total: $0.75

Instructions

  1. Whisk eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt.
  2. Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat.
  3. Add eggs and stir gently until just set.
  4. Toast bread and serve alongside.
Calories: 240 Cost: $0.75
Scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast under $1

Recipe 3: Canned Beans on Toast ($0.70)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 can beans ($0.35)
  • 2 slices toast ($0.30)
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • Total: $0.70

Instructions

  1. Heat beans in a small pan or microwave until warm.
  2. Toast bread to your liking.
  3. Spoon beans over toast and season with salt.
  4. Serve immediately.
Calories: 285 Cost: $0.70

Recipe 4: Rice and Beans Breakfast Bowl ($0.70)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 cup cooked rice ($0.15)
  • 1/2 cup beans ($0.35)
  • 1 egg ($0.15)
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • Total: $0.70

Instructions

  1. Warm rice and beans in a pan or microwave.
  2. Fry or poach the egg to your liking.
  3. Layer rice and beans in a bowl and top with the egg.
  4. Season with salt and serve.
Calories: 315 Cost: $0.70

Recipe 5: Lentil Porridge ($0.55)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/4 cup dried lentils ($0.30)
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • 1 tbsp honey ($0.20)
  • Total: $0.55

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils and add to a small pot with 1 cup water.
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until very soft.
  3. Mash lightly to a porridge consistency.
  4. Season with salt and drizzle with honey.
Calories: 265 Cost: $0.55

☀️ Lunch Recipes (Under $2)

Recipe 6: Bean and Rice Burrito ($1.15)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 tortilla ($0.40)
  • 1/2 cup beans ($0.35)
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice ($0.15)
  • Salsa ($0.25)
  • Total: $1.15

Instructions

  1. Warm beans and rice separately.
  2. Layer onto tortilla with salsa.
  3. Fold and roll into a burrito.
  4. Warm in a dry pan 1–2 minutes per side if desired.
Calories: 380 Cost: $1.15

Recipe 7: Lentil Soup ($1.25)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 cup dried lentils ($0.60)
  • 2 cups broth ($0.30)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Total: $1.25

Instructions

  1. Add lentils, broth, carrot, and onion to a pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve hot.
Calories: 340 Cost: $1.25

Recipe 8: Pasta with Tomato Sauce ($1.00)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 2 oz pasta ($0.30)
  • 1/2 can diced tomatoes ($0.45)
  • Garlic ($0.15)
  • Oil ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.00

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
  2. Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic 1 minute.
  3. Add tomatoes and simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Toss with pasta and serve.
Calories: 320 Cost: $1.00

Recipe 9: Split Pea Soup ($1.25)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 cup split peas ($0.45)
  • 3 cups broth ($0.45)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Total: $1.25

Instructions

  1. Add split peas, broth, carrot, and onion to a pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 35–40 minutes until peas are soft.
  3. Stir well — peas will thicken the soup naturally.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Calories: 285 Cost: $1.25

Recipe 10: Chickpea Salad ($1.10)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 can chickpeas ($0.45)
  • 1/2 cucumber, diced ($0.40)
  • Lemon juice ($0.15)
  • Oil ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.10

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse chickpeas.
  2. Combine with diced cucumber in a bowl.
  3. Drizzle with lemon juice and oil.
  4. Toss and season with salt. Serve immediately.
Calories: 295 Cost: $1.10 No Cook

Recipe 11: Bean Chili ($1.60)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can beans ($0.90)
  • 1/2 can diced tomatoes ($0.45)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Chili powder ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.60

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion in a little oil until soft.
  2. Add beans, tomatoes, and chili powder.
  3. Simmer 15 minutes until thickened.
  4. Season and serve.
Calories: 360 Cost: $1.60

Recipe 12: Egg Fried Rice ($1.05)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 cup cooked rice ($0.30)
  • 2 eggs ($0.30)
  • 1/2 cup frozen vegetables ($0.40)
  • Soy sauce ($0.05)
  • Total: $1.05

Instructions

  1. Heat a pan over high heat with a little oil.
  2. Add frozen vegetables and stir-fry 2 minutes.
  3. Push to side, scramble eggs in the pan.
  4. Add rice and soy sauce. Stir-fry everything together 2 minutes and serve.
Calories: 310 Cost: $1.05

Recipe 13: Tuna and Crackers ($1.30)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can tuna ($0.60)
  • 10 crackers ($0.25)
  • Lettuce ($0.30)
  • Lemon ($0.15)
  • Total: $1.30

Instructions

  1. Drain tuna and mix with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  2. Arrange crackers on a plate with lettuce leaves.
  3. Top crackers with tuna.
  4. No cooking required.
Calories: 280 Cost: $1.30 No Cook

Recipe 14: Barley Soup ($1.25)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/4 cup pearl barley ($0.30)
  • 3 cups broth ($0.45)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1 celery stalk, diced ($0.15)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Total: $1.25

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat and simmer 30–35 minutes until barley is tender.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve hot.
Calories: 265 Cost: $1.25

Recipe 15: Bean Salad ($1.45)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can mixed beans ($0.90)
  • 1 tomato, diced ($0.35)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Vinegar ($0.05)
  • Total: $1.45

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse beans.
  2. Combine with tomato and onion in a bowl.
  3. Drizzle with vinegar and a little oil.
  4. Toss, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Calories: 340 Cost: $1.45 No Cook

🌙 Dinner Recipes (Under $2)

Cheap healthy rice and beans dinner recipes under $2

Recipe 16: Lentil Bolognese ($1.50)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/2 cup dried lentils ($0.60)
  • 1/2 can diced tomatoes ($0.45)
  • 2 oz pasta ($0.30)
  • Garlic ($0.15)
  • Total: $1.50

Instructions

  1. Cook lentils in water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.
  2. Sauté garlic in oil, add tomatoes and lentils. Simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  4. Serve lentil sauce over pasta.
Calories: 385 Cost: $1.50

Recipe 17: Bean Stew ($1.65)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can beans ($0.90)
  • 2 cups broth ($0.30)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Cumin ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.65

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion until softened.
  2. Add carrot, beans, broth, and cumin.
  3. Simmer 20 minutes until carrot is tender.
  4. Season and serve.
Calories: 295 Cost: $1.65

Recipe 18: Rice and Beans ($1.05)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 cup cooked rice ($0.30)
  • 1/2 can beans ($0.45)
  • Salsa ($0.25)
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • Total: $1.05

Instructions

  1. Warm rice and beans separately.
  2. Layer rice in a bowl, top with beans.
  3. Spoon salsa over the top.
  4. Season with salt and serve.
Calories: 380 Cost: $1.05

Recipe 19: Chickpea Curry ($1.58)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can chickpeas ($0.90)
  • 1/4 can coconut milk ($0.50)
  • 1/4 cup cooked rice ($0.08)
  • Curry powder ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.58

Instructions

  1. Heat chickpeas in a pan with curry powder for 2 minutes.
  2. Add coconut milk and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Serve over cooked rice.
Calories: 375 Cost: $1.58

Recipe 20: Egg Noodle Soup ($1.15)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 2 oz egg noodles ($0.30)
  • 3 cups broth ($0.45)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • Total: $1.15

Instructions

  1. Bring broth to a boil with carrot and onion.
  2. Add egg noodles and cook 6–8 minutes until tender.
  3. Season with salt.
  4. Serve hot.
Calories: 260 Cost: $1.15

Recipe 21: Dal — Lentil Curry ($0.90)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/3 cup dried lentils ($0.60)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric ($0.05)
  • Garlic ($0.15)
  • Oil ($0.10)
  • Total: $0.90

Instructions

  1. Simmer lentils in water with turmeric 20 minutes until very soft.
  2. In a separate pan, fry garlic in oil until golden.
  3. Pour garlic oil over lentils and stir.
  4. Season with salt and serve.
Calories: 285 Cost: $0.90

Recipe 22: Pinto Bean Tacos ($1.90)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can pinto beans ($0.90)
  • 2 tortillas ($0.80)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • Salt ($0.05)
  • Total: $1.90

Instructions

  1. Heat beans with diced onion in a pan until warm.
  2. Mash lightly with a fork.
  3. Warm tortillas in a dry pan 30 seconds per side.
  4. Fill with beans, season with salt, and serve.
Calories: 340 Cost: $1.90

Recipe 23: Vegetable Lentil Stew ($1.40)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1/3 cup dried lentils ($0.60)
  • 1 carrot, diced ($0.20)
  • 1 celery stalk, diced ($0.15)
  • 1/4 onion, diced ($0.15)
  • 2 cups broth ($0.30)
  • Total: $1.40

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes.
  3. Stir occasionally until lentils are soft and stew has thickened.
  4. Season and serve.
Calories: 310 Cost: $1.40

Recipe 24: Black Eyed Pea Curry ($1.55)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 1 can black eyed peas ($0.90)
  • 1/4 can diced tomatoes ($0.45)
  • Cumin ($0.10)
  • Oil ($0.10)
  • Total: $1.55

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan and toast cumin 30 seconds.
  2. Add tomatoes and cook 3 minutes.
  3. Add black eyed peas and simmer 10 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and serve over rice if available.
Calories: 305 Cost: $1.55

Recipe 25: Whole Grain Pasta with Beans ($1.35)

Ingredients (Serves 1)

  • 2 oz whole grain pasta ($0.40)
  • 1/2 can white beans ($0.45)
  • Garlic ($0.15)
  • 1 tomato, diced ($0.35)
  • Total: $1.35

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
  2. Sauté garlic in oil, add tomato and cook 3 minutes.
  3. Add beans and pasta water. Simmer 5 minutes.
  4. Toss with pasta, season, and serve.
Calories: 350 Cost: $1.35

Cost-Saving Strategies

  • Buy dried legumes in bulk: Legumes cost $1–2 per pound dried. One pound yields 6–8 servings.
  • Use seasonal vegetables: Prices drop 30–50% when vegetables are in season.
  • Buy store brands: Identical products at 20–40% less than name brands.
  • Meal prep dried goods: Cook large batches of rice, beans, and lentils. Portion and refrigerate.
  • Skip processed foods: Whole foods cost less than pre-packaged alternatives.
  • Buy eggs in bulk: At $2–3 per dozen, eggs are the cheapest protein available.
  • Use water for broth: Homemade broth costs $0.30 per liter. Store-bought costs $0.90.

Nutritional Completeness on a Budget

  • Protein: Beans, lentils, eggs, canned tuna, peanut butter — all under $0.75/serving
  • Carbohydrates: Rice, pasta, oats, potatoes, bread — all under $0.40/serving
  • Vegetables: Carrots, onions, tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables — all under $0.50/serving
  • Healthy Fats: Oil, nuts, seeds, peanut butter — all under $0.25/serving

Healthy eating on a budget requires whole foods, legumes, and consistency — not expensive specialty products. For a complete weekly structure built around ingredients like these, our Meal Prep Under $5 guide is the perfect next step. Our Eat Healthy on $30/Week plan shows you how to build a full week of meals on a tight budget, and our Budget Grocery List makes sure you never overspend at the store.

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