15 Healthy Meal Ideas on a Budget (Under $3 Per Serving)

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried lentils
• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep your base

   Dice the onion and mince garlic. Cube sweet potatoes into 1-inch pieces. This is your flavor foundation and it takes about 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Build the flavor

   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

3. 3

   Add the hearty stuff

   Toss in cubed sweet potatoes, lentils, diced tomatoes, and spices. Stir everything together and let those flavors mingle for 2 minutes.

   

4. 4

   Simmer to perfection

   Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender and sweet potatoes are fork-soft.

5. 5

   Finish strong

   Stir in frozen vegetables and spinach during the last 5 minutes. The spinach will wilt beautifully and the frozen veggies will heat through perfectly.

Substitution Ideas

Storage Tips

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze portions for up to 3 months. It actually tastes better the next day when all the flavors have had time to marry. Reheat with a splash of broth if needed.