List of cheap healthy meals for under £3

Introduction

Eating healthy on a budget can seem daunting, but it’s possible with a little planning and creativity. There are plenty of nutritious and delicious meals that can be made for under £3 per serving.

Cheap Healthy Meals For Under £3

Here are 50 ideas to get you started

Breakfasts

Oatmeal – Make a big batch of oatmeal on the weekend and portion it out for quick breakfasts during the week. Top with milk, fruit, nuts or peanut butter. Cost per serving: £0.30

Yoghurt parfaits – Layer yoghurt with granola and fresh fruit like berries or bananas.Cost per serving: £0.90

Egg sandwiches – Hard boil a dozen eggs on the weekend and keep them in the fridge. Make sandwiches with one egg and toast or an English muffin. Cost per serving: £0.70

Breakfast burritos – Scramble eggs with onions, peppers and beans, then wrap in a tortilla. Make them ahead in batches and reheat them as needed. Cost per serving: £1.20

Baked oatmeal – Make a pan of oatmeal with milk, eggs, fruit and spices that can be portioned out and eaten all week. Cost per serving: £0.80

Lunches

Tuna or egg salad sandwiches – Make some chicken, tuna or egg salad and use it to make sandwiches. Cost per serving: £1.50

Leftovers – Repurpose last night’s dinner into a delicious lunch. Soups, chilis, and casseroles all make great leftovers.

Salad bar – Keep prepped produce and frozen veggies on hand to create quick salad bowls. Top with canned beans, cheese, nuts or protein. Cost per serving: £2.00

Quesadillas – Fill a tortilla with beans, cheese and veggies then grill or toast until crispy. Cost per serving: £1.20

Hummus wraps – Spread hummus in a tortilla, loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta and greens. Cost per serving: £1.50

Dinners

Pasta – Boil pasta, drain, then toss with olive oil, vegetables, garlic and cheese. Cost per serving: £1.20

Sheet pan meals – Roast vegetables and protein together on one sheet for simple clean up. Cost per serving: £2.50

Soup or chilli – Simmer beans, tomatoes, veggies and spices for an easy stew or soup. Cost per serving: £1.80

Veggie stir fry – Make a sauce with soy sauce, oils, garlic and ginger then stir fry with frozen veggies and tofu. Cost per serving: £2.20

Quesadillas or fajitas – Fill tortillas with veggies, beans and cheese for an easy Tex-Mex meal. Cost per serving: £1.80

Fried rice – Make quick fried rice with pre-cooked rice, eggs, frozen veggies and soy sauce. Cost per serving: £1.50

Beans and greens – Sauté greens like kale or spinach with onions and garlic then add canned beans. Season with lemon and olive oil. Cost per serving: £1.60

Lentil soup – Simmer lentils with stock, carrots, onions and garlic for a filling, protein-packed soup. Cost per serving: £1.40

Veggie curry – Make a curry sauce with coconut milk, curry paste and spices then add chickpeas and vegetables. Serve over rice. Cost per serving: £2.30

Egg scramble – Beat eggs with milk or cream and veggies then cook over medium heat, stirring until set. Serve with toast. Cost per serving: £1.40

Snacks and sides

Popcorn – Pop popcorn kernels on the stovetop with a bit of oil, then season as desired. Cost per serving: £0.30

Roasted chickpeas – Drain, rinse and roast canned chickpeas with oil and spices until crispy. Cost per serving: £0.60

Trail mix – Make your own mix with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and whole grain cereal. Cost per serving: £0.90

Smoothies – Blend yoghurt, milk, frozen fruit and greens for a nutrition-packed drink. Cost per serving: £1.20

Apple and peanut butter – Slices of apple with peanut or other nut butters make a filling, tasty snack. Cost per serving: £0.70

Hummus and veggies – Use hummus as a dip for raw veggies like carrots, cucumber and bell peppers. Cost per serving: £0.80

Cottage cheese and fruit – Mix cottage cheese with mashed fruit like banana or berries. Cost per serving: £1.10

Rice cakes and toppings – Dress up rice cakes with peanut butter, smashed avocado or ricotta and fruit. Cost per serving: £0.90

Roasted chickpeas – Toss chickpeas in oil and spices and roast until crispy for a crunchy, protein-packed snack. Cost per serving: £0.60

Energy balls – Bind oats, nut butter, dried fruit and seeds with honey for no-bake energy balls. Cost per serving: £0.70

Meal prep tips

• Cook once, eat twice. Double recipes and repurpose leftovers for lunches.
• Prep ingredients like beans, grains and hard-boiled eggs for easy assembly later in the week.
• Buy frozen fruits and vegetables to always have on hand for smoothies, sides, etc.
• Make big batches of grains like rice and quinoa on the weekend to use during the week.
• Save vegetable scraps like onion ends, carrot tops and herb stems for making free homemade stock.
• Plan out a weekly menu before shopping to minimise food waste.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity and planning, it’s easy to create nutritious and delicious meals for under £3 per serving. What are your favourite go-to cheap healthy meals?

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