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Cheap, Fast, and Healthy Dinners

Save money, time, and calories.

Menus Make Dinner Easier

Get a week's worth of dinners ready to go in a jiffy with Menu Planner.

See How It's Done

Turn basic ingredients into quick and easy dinners with these video tips and tricks.

Keep It Fresh

Tired of going to the store? Try your own garden. Just growing your own herbs saves money and time.

Pantry Staples

Dinner's easier to make--and a little cheaper--when you've got a well-stocked pantry.

A quick and inexpensive weeknight dinner doesn't have to come from the drive-thru. With just a few staple recipes, you can get a healthy dinner on the table without too much fuss--and fast! It's easier than you think.

Roast Chicken

Whether you roast a chicken yourself or pick it up at the store, it's always a good deal. Plus, you can use the leftovers in plenty of delicious dinners.

Pasta and Sauce

Pasta is a great quick-dinner solution. Change up that usual noodles-and-sauce combo with one of these quick and fresh pasta dishes. Just add some inexpensive meats or veggies for an easy meal everyone will love.

Fresh Veggies

What could be healthier than a dinner filled with fresh veggies? Whether you stick to what's fresh and seasonal in the produce aisle or get great-tasting vegetables from the freezer section, they're simple and quick to make.

Chicken and Turkey Breast

A staple of quick cooking, chicken breast is so easy and versatile, you might forget how healthy it is. Looking for a different (and even less-expensive) option? Try turkey breast cutlets.

Ground Beef and Ground Turkey

A bit of ground beef is always economical, and if you grab ground turkey, which is always low in fat, it's pretty healthy, too. Plus, it's so quick to make!

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claylady01

Apr. 18, 2012 4:11 pm

My hubby accidently bought artichoke tappenade instead of the artichoke hearts I asked for so I took some of the tappenade mixed a little sour cream with it and made a sauce out of it,served it in place of spagetti sauce and loved it, poor hubby said he will pass next time to spicy for him.

I'mabakernotacook

Apr. 29, 2012 3:42 am

In my experience, I've learned that you can either eat healthy, or eat cheaply, but not both. Unfortunately, I usually have to go for cheaply. It's not that I don't LIKE fruits and veggies, it's that I usually can't AFFORD them, unless they're on sale. Also, there's more to healthy eating than just fat and calories. There are also cholesterol and sodium to take into consideration, too.

cookbooklover

Apr. 30, 2012 10:37 am

I understand exactly what you mean I'mabakernotacook but I'm hoping I found a solution. We are trying a veggie garden this year. With the warmer winter and spring warmer as well the season should be a lot longer. We have parsley, rosemary and oregano that I did not kill....(my mother has the green thumb. If you have a small spot in your yard or on a sunny spot you can use anything as a planter. Thanks again for the shared experience.

MsBleu

May 3, 2012 8:55 am

It's tough, Imabakernotacook, I don't disagree with you. Especially when you have 3 kids that plow through fruit like they're getting paid to eat it. I don't know if you live in an area where grocery stores have a bulk department (here in Oregon they all do)but I have found if you buy grains like barley rice and quinoa in bulk they are cheaper than the processed foods. In fact many whole foods are cheaper than pre packaged meals, for example, mashing your own potatoes instead of buying instant. I find that if I stick to whole foods it's cheaper, and you can bet more healthy too. Especially when you're talking about sodium! The hardest part for me about buying and cooking whole foods means everything has to be from scratch. What I save in money I usually spend in TIME in the kitchen. A small veggie garden keeps me in supply of spinach and zucchini all summer too. There's no arguing tho, it's getting more and more expensive to feed a family these days. I may start raising goats and chick

MrsPriss32

May 9, 2012 10:18 pm

LOL @ MsBleu, I certainly agree with you with being more versatile in the kitchen. I don't have a garden but I certainly buy my veggies in bulk a week at a time as I have started to plan meals a week at a time. I save money purchasing seasonal veggies and pairing with pastas or something a little more filling to make it stretch. Also, I stopped my family from eating meat constantly and found that it really does save on my grocery bill.

JGray11

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)

May 20, 2012 3:37 pm

I have found that frozen veggies are a great way to save money. (I'm just not the garden type!) I go for frozen because then I don't have to worry about using them immediately and the mixes that are available are fantastic! Also, I don't agree the healthy=expensive. I am yet to find a meal that is cheaper or more healthy than brown rice and stir-fry veggies. Options are available for any budget.

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