Delicious Meal Prep Ideas for Under $5

Budget-Friendly Meal Prep Ideas Under $5

Meal prep is a fantastic way to save time and money while ensuring you have healthy meals ready to go. Here are some easy, budget-friendly meal prep ideas that cost less than $5 each!

1. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of mixed frozen vegetables ($1.50)
• 1 cup of cooked rice ($0.50)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.25)
• 1 tablespoon oil for cooking ($0.25)
• Optional: 1 scrambled egg ($0.50)

Total Cost: $2.50

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the frozen vegetables and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until cooked.
3. Push the veggies to one side and scramble the egg on the other side if using.
4. Mix in the cooked rice and soy sauce, stir everything together, and serve.

Tip: Divide into containers for easy grab-and-go meals!

2. Chickpea Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas ($0.80)
• 1 cucumber ($0.50)
• 1 tomato ($0.50)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.25)
• Salt and pepper to taste ($0.05)

Total Cost: $2.10

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
2. Chop the cucumber and tomato.
3. In a bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, and tomato.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Mix well and store in the fridge.

Tip: This salad is great on its own or served with pita bread!

3. Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 box of spaghetti ($1.00)
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes ($1.00)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder ($0.10)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil ($0.10)
• 1 tablespoon grated cheese (optional) ($0.50)

Total Cost: $2.70

Instructions:

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. In a pot, heat the crushed tomatoes and add garlic powder and basil.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Toss the cooked spaghetti in the sauce and top with cheese if desired.

Tip: Portion this out for several meals throughout the week!

4. Egg Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cooked rice ($1.00)
• 2 eggs ($0.50)
• 1 cup mixed frozen peas and carrots ($1.00)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce ($0.25)
• 1 tablespoon oil for cooking ($0.25)

Total Cost: $3.00

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a pan and scramble the eggs.
2. Add the frozen peas and carrots, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
3. Stir in the rice and soy sauce, and mix until heated through.

Tip: This is a great way to use leftover rice! Store in individual containers.

5. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils ($0.75)
• 1 carrot ($0.25)
• 1 onion ($0.25)
• 2 garlic cloves ($0.10)
• 4 cups vegetable broth ($1.00)
• Seasonings to taste ($0.15)

Total Cost: $2.50

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté chopped onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add diced carrot, lentils, and vegetable broth.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Season to taste and store in portions.

Tip: Lentil soup freezes well, making it perfect for meal prep!

Conclusion

With these budget-friendly meal prep ideas, you can enjoy delicious, homemade meals for under $5 each. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have the convenience of ready-to-eat meals throughout the week. Happy cooking!