Image Source from haaheokat

41 Cheap Meal Prep Recipes You’ll Love

Meal prepping is an excellent way to save time, reduce food waste, and stick to a budget without sacrificing flavour. With a little creativity and planning, you can whip up a variety of delicious meals that won’t break the bank. Here are 41 cheap meal prep recipes you’ll love, perfect for batch cooking and enjoying throughout the week.

Breakfast

1. Overnight Oats
   Combine rolled oats, milk (or dairy-free alternatives), Greek yoghurt, and your favourite fruits. Leave them in the fridge overnight for a quick breakfast in the morning.

2. Savory Egg Muffins
   Whisk eggs and add vegetables, cheese, and cooked bacon or ham. Pour the mixture into a muffin tin and bake for a deliciously portable breakfast.

3. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
   Blend bananas, peanut butter, Greek yoghurt, and milk for a nutritious smoothie. Portion out the ingredients in bags to blend quickly in the morning.

4. Chia Seed Pudding
   Mix chia seeds with your choice of milk and a sweetener, then refrigerate overnight. Top with fruits or nuts before serving.

5. Vegetable Frittata
   Bake a frittata loaded with seasonal veggies and cheese. Cut into slices and store for quick breakfasts all week long.

Lunch

1. Quinoa Salad
   Cook quinoa and mix with black beans, corn, diced peppers, and a simple lime dressing for a filling and refreshing salad.

2. Pasta Primavera
   Toss cooked pasta with seasonal vegetables, olive oil, and herbs. Portion it out and enjoy warm or cold.

3. Lentil Soup
   Simmer lentils with carrots, celery, and spices for a hearty soup. Portion and freeze for easy reheating throughout the week.

4. Chicken Stir-Fry
   Stir-fry chicken and your choice of vegetables in soy sauce. Serve with rice or noodles for a well-rounded meal.

5. Chickpea Salad
   Combine canned chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice for a refreshing meal.

6. Turmeric Rice and Beans
   Cook rice with turmeric for colour and flavour. Mix with canned beans and spices for a nutritious lunch.

7. Vegetable Wraps
   Fill whole wheat wraps with hummus, mixed lettuce, and assorted vegetables. Roll them up for an easy-to-eat lunch.

8. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowl
   Roast sweet potatoes and mix them with black beans, avocado, and lime for a filling health bowl.

9. BBQ Chicken Bowls
   Shred leftover roast chicken and mix with BBQ sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa, topped with slaw for crunch.

Dinner

1. One-Pot Chilli
   Brown some ground meat or go vegetarian with lentils. Add beans, tomatoes, and spices, then simmer for a comforting chilli.

2. Stuffed Peppers
   Fill bell peppers with a mixture of rice, beans, and spices, then bake until soft. These are easy to store and reheat.

3. Baked Ziti
   Layer pasta, marinara sauce, cheese, and vegetables in a baking dish for a hearty pasta bake. Cut into portions and freeze.

4. Curry Lentils
   Cook lentils with coconut milk, curry powder, and vegetables for a warming dish that pairs well with rice.

5. Teriyaki Tofu and Vegetables
   Marinate tofu in teriyaki sauce, then stir-fry with your choice of vegetables. Serve with rice for a filling meal.

6. Fried Rice
   Use leftover rice to create a stir-fry with eggs, peas, carrots, and soy sauce. Perfect for using up scraps.

7. Baked Chicken Thighs
   Season chicken thighs and roast them until crispy. Serve with roasted vegetables for a simple, fulfilling dinner.

8. Vegetable Curry
   Cook mixed vegetables in coconut milk with curry spices. Serve over rice for a satisfying vegetarian dinner.

9. Cabbage Stir-Fry
   Quick-fry cabbage with leftover meats (like sausage or chicken) and soy sauce for a budget-friendly dish.

10. Easy Vegetable Gnocchi
    Toss gnocchi with roasted vegetables and a bit of pesto for a quick, flavourful dinner.

Snacks

1. Energy Balls
   Blend oats, nut butter, honey, and add-ins like chocolate chips or seeds, then roll into balls for a quick snack.

2. Vegetable Sticks and Hummus
   Cut carrots, cucumbers, and peppers into sticks and pack with hummus for a crunchy, satisfying snack.

3. Homemade Granola Bars
   Combine oats, honey, and your choice of mix-ins. Bake and cut into bars for an easy grab-and-go snack.

4. Yoghurt Parfaits
   Layer Greek yoghurt with fruits and granola for a delicious treat that you can prepare in jars.

5. Popcorn Seasoned
   Popcorn makes a great low-cost snack. Season with your preferred spices (salt, paprika, or nutritional yeast) for added flavour.

Desserts

1. Banana Bread
   Use overripe bananas to make a simple loaf of banana bread. Slice and freeze for easy desserts later on.

2. Apple Crisp
   Combine chopped apples with oats and brown sugar for a delicious dessert. Bake and portion it out for dessert throughout the week.

3. Chocolate Mug Cake
   Whip up a quick cake in a mug with flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Perfect for a single-serving dessert.

4. Frozen Yoghurt Bark
   Spread Greek yoghurt on a baking sheet, sprinkle with nuts and berries, freeze, and break into pieces for a healthy treat.

5. Rice Pudding
   Simmer rice with milk, sugar, and a hint of vanilla for a comforting dessert that can be made in bulk.

Wrap-Up

Meal prepping doesn’t need to be expensive. With these 41 cheap meal prep recipes, you can easily fill your week with delicious, nutritious meals that won’t strain your wallet. Enjoy the freedom of having healthy options ready to go, and say goodbye to the last-minute takeaways! Embrace this cooking style, and your future self will thank you!