What counts as a cheap meal?

On this page, under $4.00 a serving, priced from the ingredients themselves. Beans, eggs, pasta, rice and the cheaper cuts do most of the work. Nothing here is a punishment recipe.

Why does a small budget mean fewer recipes?

Because the week spends the money you actually have. A bigger budget fills seven meals. A tight one still gives you real meals — just as many as the ceiling allows — instead of a plan you can't afford.

Is the price what I pay at the store?

It is the cost of the amount the recipe uses, at typical US grocery prices. You will pay a little more at checkout for whole packages, and that leftover food is what makes the next week cheaper.

Cheap meal ideas

Under $4.00 a serving, priced from the ingredients. A cheap week that still tastes like food —354 recipes from the same catalog are below.

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Under $4.00 a serving

Prices come from the ingredient catalog, not a number typed onto the recipe. From $0.74 up.

The rest of the catalog is on all recipes.

A cheap week

A cheap week for two

A tight week for two at about $166. 20 minutes on average, 8 main proteins, one grocery list.

Open the full cheap week →

Grocery list for that week

48 items · sorted by store section

Produce

Firm tofu4.4 lb
Cherry tomatoes1.7 lb
Eggplant3
Cucumber4
Bell peppers3
Spinach14 oz
Potatoes4.4 lb
Broccoli1.5 lb
Lemons4
Oranges4
Tomatoes6
Avocados2
Butternut squash2.2 lb
Garlic5
Bok choy9 oz
Baby potatoes1.7 lb
Onions3
Limes4
Kale7 oz
Green beans7 oz
Bananas6
Carrots2.2 lb
Scallions8
Fresh basil1 oz
Fresh parsley1 oz
Fresh ginger4 oz

Meat & seafood

Salmon fillets1.1 lb
Ground beef1.1 lb
Sliced ham7 oz

Dairy & eggs

Eggs12
Cheddar14 oz
Cottage cheese2 lb

Bakery

Flour tortillas8
Bread16

Pantry

Canned diced tomatoes4
Kidney beans (can)4
Chia seeds7 oz
Teriyaki sauce8 fl oz
Cannellini beans (can)2
Rice2.2 lb
Chunky salsa11 oz
Quinoa11 oz
Microwave rice pouch1
Coconut milk (can)1
Olives5 oz
Dried red lentils1.1 lb
Egg noodles11 oz
Strained tomatoes17 fl oz

Check your pantry

You probably have these already.

Olive oil
Soy sauce
Bouillon cubes
Sesame seeds
Sesame oil
Maple syrup
Peanut butter
Smoked paprika
Honey
Vegetable oil
Dried oregano
Red pepper flakes
Ground cumin
Cinnamon
Salt & pepper

Meal BFF app

Spend the budget you have

Tell it how much the week can cost. It comes back with the meals that fit and one grocery list.

Cheap meal questions

What counts as a cheap meal?: On this page, under $4.00 a serving, priced from the ingredients themselves. Beans, eggs, pasta, rice and the cheaper cuts do most of the work. Nothing here is a punishment recipe.
Why does a small budget mean fewer recipes?: Because the week spends the money you actually have. A bigger budget fills seven meals. A tight one still gives you real meals — just as many as the ceiling allows — instead of a plan you can't afford.
Is the price what I pay at the store?: It is the cost of the amount the recipe uses, at typical US grocery prices. You will pay a little more at checkout for whole packages, and that leftover food is what makes the next week cheaper.

Cheap meal ideas

Under $4.00 a serving

Banana Cinnamon Quinoa Porridge

Banana Peanut Microwave Oatmeal

Spiced Lentil & Carrot Rice Pilaf

Banana Chia Toast

Carrot, Ginger & Coconut Soup

Maple Berry Porridge with Chia

Instant Pot Ginger Congee

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Red Lentil Dal with Rice

Carrot & Kale Salad with Lemon Tahini

Orange & Ginger Chia Pudding

Red Lentil Soup with Lemon

Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats

Coconut Rice Pudding with Berries

Carrot Ginger Sunrise Smoothie

Smoky Tomato Beans on Toast

Cinnamon Banana Chia Bowl

Cottage Cheese Tomato Toast

Instant Pot Coconut Lentil Dal

Ginger Chicken Rice Porridge

Spiced Carrot Chia Pudding

Swiss Bircher Muesli

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oats

Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Warm Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl

Banana Coconut Breakfast Smoothie

Tofu & Potato Breakfast Hash

Paprika Breakfast Potatoes with Spinach

Caprese Toast with Balsamic

Lentil Bolognese

Moroccan Chickpea Couscous

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Toast

Berry Chia Overnight Oats

Spinach, Carrot & Cucumber Sesame Salad

Lentil, Tomato & Kale Stew

Lentil, Carrot & Arugula Salad

Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl with Coconut Yogurt

Potato, Spinach & Olive Warm Salad

Avocado Toast with Fried Egg

Pear Ginger Porridge with Walnuts

Sesame Noodle Salad with Edamame

Tofu, Spinach & Sweet Potato Plate

Turkish Poached Eggs on Yogurt

Cinnamon French Toast with Berries

Hummus Veggie Toast

Smoky Tofu Breakfast Tacos

Baked Eggs Florentine

Kale Caesar with Crispy Chickpeas

Banana Split Breakfast Bowl

Roasted Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl

Air Fryer Pita Pizza

Instant Pot Chana Masala

Tofu Breakfast Burrito Bowl

Citrus Strawberry Fruit Salad with Chia

Kale & Potato Egg Scramble

Sesame Tofu Scramble with Scallions

Coconut Berry Chia Pudding

Smoky Kidney Bean & Potato Bowl

Butternut Squash Hash with Eggs

Moroccan Harira Soup

Sesame Tofu Cucumber Rice Bowl

Ginger Tofu & Bok Choy Breakfast Bowl

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs on Toast

Microwave Cheesy Mushroom Egg Mug

Zucchini Carrot Egg Fritters

Sweet Potato & Egg Breakfast Plate

Berry Protein Pancakes

Chicken & Spinach Omelet

Soft-Boiled Eggs with Asparagus

Potato & Spinach Stovetop Omelet

Chorizo Potato Breakfast Tacos

Mango Lime Overnight Oats

Zucchini & Pepper Breakfast Hash with Olives

Turkey, Kale & Potato Hash

Smashed Avocado Chickpea Toast

Green Pea Soup with Feta

Mushroom Egg Ramen

Mediterranean Egg Pita Pocket