Super Easy and Affordable Meal Ideas
Life is busy. Between work, commitments, and simply trying to enjoy your day, the last thing you need is a complicated, expensive meal plan. But "quick and cheap" doesn't have to mean compromising on taste or nutrition!
As your Money Coach, I know that smart spending starts in the kitchen. Here are 12 of my go-to meal ideas that are designed to be ready in 15-20 minutes tops and cost less than $10 per serving. Get ready to save time, money, and stress!
Sunrise Savings: Budget-Friendly Breakfasts
Forget skipping breakfast or reaching for expensive drive-thru options. These ideas fuel your morning without breaking the bank or your schedule.
Oats with Frozen Berries:
How: Cook instant oats. While they bubble, toss in some frozen berries to melt into the oats! For added protein, use milk instead of water!
Yogurt Parfait with Toasted Oats & Fruit:
How: Layer Greek yogurt, a handful of quick oats (toasted for crunch, or raw), and affordable fruit like banana or thawed frozen berries. Add vanilla or fruity protein powder for extra protein!
Peanut Butter Banana Toast (Elevated):
How: Toast whole wheat bread or sourdough, spread with peanut butter, top with sliced banana. Add cinnamon or chia seeds if you have them. Maybe even some honey!
Breakfast Quesadilla:
How: Scramble 1-2 eggs. Lay a tortilla in a hot pan, sprinkle cheese on half, add egg, fold. Cook until golden. Air fry some chicken sausage or ham for more protein!
Lunchtime: Frugal Midday Meals
Ditch the expensive takeout and pack your own power lunch. These options are perfect for home or to prep quickly for work.
Chicken Salad Sandwich/Wrap:
How: Buy pre-made chicken salad and serve on bread, croissant, in a wrap, or over greens. Pre-made chicken salad may cost a bit more, but it’s definitely worth the headache AND you don’t need to reheat it!'
BONUS Tip: If you’re not a fan of chicken salad sandwich, substitute for just a grilled chicken breast with a brioche bun, mayo, and pickles, and you basically have Chick-fil-a for half the cost.
Enhanced Ramen with Egg & Veggies:
How: Cook ramen, adding frozen mixed vegetables in the last minute. Top with a soft-boiled or fried egg, soy sauce, or chili oil. Feel free to add rotisserie chicken, deli meat, or frozen shrimp for protein and extra fanciness!
Quick Black Bean & Corn Salsa Bowl:
How: Mix drained black beans and corn. Add a squeeze of lime juice, chili powder/cumin. Serve over pre-cooked rice or with tortilla chips. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or other easily prepped meats can make this a make-shift chipotle!
Dinner: Savory Suppers
End your day with a delicious, home-cooked meal that doesn't demand hours in the kitchen or a hefty grocery bill.
One-Pan Sausage & Peppers/Onions:
How: Slice pre-cooked sausage (e.g., kielbasa) and bell peppers/onions. Toss with a little oil and spices. Roast in a hot oven (or cook in a pan) for 15-20 minutes.
Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Broccoli:
How: Toss chicken tenders/thighs and chopped broccoli with olive oil, lemon juice, and dried herbs. Roast on a sheet pan for 15-20 minutes, maybe at 400 degrees F
Casual Fried Rice:
How: Add rice (preferably refrigerated leftovers) to a pan and cook it with eggs and a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. Season with soy sauce or your favorite spices. Add your choice of protein (chicken, sausage, shrimp, bacon, tofu)
BONUS Tip: Use rice you cooked from a previous meal and refrigerated. It crumbles better in the pan
Healthy-ish Pasta
How: Cook angel hair pasta (because it’s faster). While it cooks, toss some chicken or ground pork into a pan with marinara or alfredo sauce and add a side of broccoli!
Loaded Sweet Potato (Microwave Method):
How: Pierce a sweet potato, microwave until tender (5-7 mins). Split open and stuff with canned black beans, corn, salsa, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of cheese.
BONUS Tip: If you’re afraid to microwave a raw sweet potato like me, cut them into 1 inch cubes and air fry with some olive oil for 10-15ish minutes
