It can be really, really hard to eat healthy for cheap.
When you compare cost on a calorie-by-calorie count, you realize that junk food – chips, sodas, freezer meals – are so much cheaper than eating healthy. And frankly, easier, too. Ripping open a bag or a box takes so much less time and effort.
But calories aren’t everything. In terms of nutritional bang-for-your-buck, those processed foods fail miserably. There are so many fantastic foods out there that are nutritious, filling, and easy on the wallet.
I did a roundup of 16 recipes that cost a TOTAL of $6.00 and under. Not per serving, but TOTAL. Most of these recipes make at least four servings, which is awesome.
I tallied up the cost of each recipe based on the ingredient amounts called for in the recipe, and the prices are based off of my local Wegmans store. I was actually really surprised at how much I could find there that packed a lot of nutritious punch for under $6. It did, however, take some research and time – which is why I did the legwork for you, so you can just go and make the food!
Click on the picture to take you to the recipe.
Curried Green Lentil Soup by The Cilantropist
$5.75
Alice Waters’ Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup by Serious Eats
5.36
Avgelomono (Greek Egg, Lemon and Orzo) Soup by Epicurious
$4.72
Black Bean and Bacon Soup by Home Made Simple, with cornbread
$4.45
A Simple Tomato Soup by 101 Cookbooks, with garlic-rubbed toast
5.95
Baked Tomatoes, Squash, and Potatoes by Whole Living Magazine, over rice and greens
$5.55
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos by Supper for a Steal
$5.67
Pan-Fried Tofu with Dark-Sweet Soy Sauce by Serious Eats, with rice and steamed broccoli
$5.13
Orrecchiette with Caramelized Cauliflower, Shallots, and Breadcrumbs by Martha Stewart
5.97
Baked Falafel Patties with Tahini Yogurt Sauce by Kalyn’s Kitchen
$4.72
Roasted Sweet Potato Pizza with Spinach and Caramelized Onions by Poor Girl Eats Well
$5.00
Chicken Drumsticks with Chipotle Glaze by Family Spice, with black beans and rice
$4.70
Veggie and Egg Fried Rice, by Annie’s Eats, add in 1 sliced 5 oz pork chop to stir fry
$5.50
Mexican Baked Eggs by Closet Cooking
5.17
Asian Glazed Chicken Drumsticks by Skinnytaste, with roasted broccoli
5.65
Hot Turkey, Cheddar and Apple Melts by Kitchen Explorers
$5.95
