10 Healthy Dinner Recipes Under $2 Per Serving

There is a stubborn myth floating around that eating healthy means spending more money. Walk into any grocery store and you will see overpriced organic snack bars, $8 bags of quinoa chips, and fancy salad kits that cost more per serving than a steak dinner. No wonder people think nutritious eating is only for those with deep pockets. But here is the reality: some of the healthiest foods on the planet — beans, rice, eggs, frozen vegetables, chicken thighs, oats — are also the cheapest. You do not need high-end ingredients to eat well. You need good recipes. Every dinner on this list costs under $2 per serving, packs real nutritional value, and actually tastes good enough that your family will ask for seconds. Let's dig in. ## 1. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken with Vegetables **Cost per serving: ~$1.75 | Calories: ~380 | Protein: 32g** This is hands-down one of the easiest healthy dinners you can make. Chicken thighs roasted on a sheet pan with whatever vegetables you have — broccoli, carrots, potatoes, zucchini — and finished with a bright lemon herb drizzle. One pan. Minimal prep. Maximum nutrition. Chicken thighs are loaded with protein and iron, and roasting vegetables at high heat brings out their natural sweetness without adding extra fat or sugar. Check out our full [Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken](/recipes/sheet-pan-lemon-herb-chicken) recipe for the exact method. ## 2. Crispy Chicken Thighs with Steamed Broccoli and Rice **Cost per serving: ~$1.50 | Calories: ~420 | Protein: 30g** Perfectly seasoned, golden-brown [Crispy Chicken Thighs](/recipes/crispy-chicken-thighs) paired with steamed broccoli and a scoop of white rice. This is a classic plate that balances protein, complex carbs, and fiber without any fuss. The secret is starting the thighs skin-side down in a cold pan, which renders the fat and gives you shatteringly crispy skin without deep frying. Broccoli is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables you can buy, especially frozen — it is picked and flash-frozen at peak nutrition and costs about $1 per pound. ## 3. Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry **Cost per serving: ~$1.90 | Calories: ~350 | Protein: 25g** Restaurant-style [Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry](/recipes/beef-broccoli-stir-fry) at home costs a fraction of takeout and skips all the excess oil, sugar, and sodium. Use a cheaper cut like flank steak sliced thin against the grain, or stretch the dish further by using less meat and more broccoli. Serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal that hits every macronutrient. The sauce comes together from pantry staples — soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of brown sugar. You control what goes in, which means you control the nutrition. ## 4. Spicy Peanut Noodles with Vegetables **Cost per serving: ~$1.25 | Calories: ~400 | Protein: 14g** [Spicy Peanut Noodles](/recipes/spicy-peanut-noodles) are proof that plant-based meals can be deeply satisfying. Spaghetti or rice noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce with shredded carrots, cucumbers, and a squeeze of lime. The peanut butter provides healthy fats and protein, while the vegetables add fiber and vitamins. To boost the protein further, toss in some edamame or a sliced hard-boiled egg. This meal comes together in 15 minutes and tastes even better the next day as leftovers. ## 5. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos **Cost per serving: ~$1.30 | Calories: ~370 | Protein: 12g** Roasted sweet potato cubes and seasoned black beans piled into warm tortillas with a drizzle of salsa and a squeeze of lime. This is a fiber powerhouse — one serving delivers nearly 15 grams of fiber, which is half the daily recommended intake. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, and black beans bring iron and plant-based protein to the table. Buy dried black beans in bulk for the best price. One pound of dried beans costs around $1.50 and yields enough for about six servings once cooked. ## 6. Egg Fried Rice with Mixed Vegetables **Cost per serving: ~$0.90 | Calories: ~380 | Protein: 14g** This might be the single cheapest healthy dinner on the list. Day-old rice tossed in a hot pan with eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce, and garlic. It takes ten minutes from start to plate. Eggs provide complete protein with all nine essential amino acids, and the mixed vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and color. The trick is using cold leftover rice — freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and will steam instead of fry. Cook extra rice with any dinner earlier in the week specifically so you have leftovers for this meal. ## 7. Lentil Soup with Carrots and Spinach **Cost per serving: ~$0.85 | Calories: ~310 | Protein: 18g** Lentils are a nutritional heavyweight. One cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein, 16 grams of fiber, and significant amounts of iron, folate, and potassium. Simmered with diced carrots, onions, garlic, and a handful of spinach stirred in at the end, this soup is warming, filling, and absurdly cheap. A one-pound bag of dried lentils costs about $1.50 and makes roughly eight servings of soup. Add a slice of crusty bread on the side and you have a complete meal for under a dollar. ## 8. Baked Salmon Patties with Side Salad **Cost per serving: ~$1.95 | Calories: ~340 | Protein: 24g** Canned salmon is an underrated budget protein. A 14-ounce can costs about $3 and makes four generous patties. Mix the salmon with breadcrumbs, an egg, diced onion, and a squeeze of lemon, then pan-fry or bake until golden. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health — nutrients that are hard to get cheaply elsewhere. Serve alongside a simple side salad of shredded cabbage, carrots, and a splash of vinegar-based dressing for a balanced plate. ## 9. Turkey and Vegetable Chili **Cost per serving: ~$1.80 | Calories: ~330 | Protein: 28g** Swap the ground beef for ground turkey and you get a leaner chili with plenty of protein. Load it up with kidney beans, diced tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, and onions. The beans and vegetables stretch the meat so you need less of it, which saves money and adds fiber and micronutrients. Make a big batch on Sunday and portion it out for easy dinners and lunches throughout the week. Chili freezes beautifully for up to three months. ## 10. Veggie-Loaded Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil **Cost per serving: ~$1.10 | Calories: ~390 | Protein: 12g** Take the classic Italian approach — good pasta, good olive oil, plenty of garlic — and toss in whatever vegetables need using up. Frozen spinach, broccoli florets, diced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or all of the above. Pasta provides energy from complex carbs, and the vegetables round out the nutrition with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is a great template meal. The base stays the same and the vegetables rotate with the seasons and sales. A sprinkle of parmesan on top adds calcium and makes it feel indulgent. ## Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget **Prioritize protein at every meal.** Protein keeps you full longer than carbs or fats, which means fewer snacks and less overall spending. Chicken thighs, eggs, canned fish, beans, and lentils are your go-to affordable sources. **Do not fear frozen vegetables.** They are picked at peak ripeness and flash-frozen, which actually preserves more nutrients than fresh vegetables that have traveled across the country and sat on a shelf for days. Frozen broccoli, spinach, peas, and mixed vegetable blends are all excellent choices. **Cook in bulk and eat leftovers.** Making four servings costs barely more than making two, and leftovers eliminate the temptation to order takeout on busy nights. Soups, chili, stir-fries, and pasta all reheat well. **Build meals around whole foods.** If the ingredient list on the package is longer than five items, you are probably paying a premium for processing. Stick to single-ingredient foods — chicken, rice, beans, vegetables, eggs — and combine them yourself. **Season generously.** The number one reason people abandon healthy eating is bland food. A well-stocked spice rack — garlic powder, cumin, chili flakes, paprika, Italian seasoning — transforms cheap ingredients into craveable meals. Most spices cost $1 to $2 and last for months. ## The Bottom Line Healthy eating and budget eating are not opposites — they are natural partners. The cheapest whole foods happen to be the most nutritious. When you cook at home with simple ingredients and smart recipes, you can feed your family well for under $2 per plate. Start with any recipe on this list, prove it to yourself, and build from there. Your wallet and your body will both thank you.