10 Healthy Meals on a Budget

Food that’s good for you and cost-effective? Tried, tested, and totally achievable. With rising food costs, it’s easy to assume that eating healthy just isn’t plausible for everyone, but it can be. A bit of planning, preparation and wise purchasing is all it takes.

If you really want to hone in on those health goals, Gousto is the perfect solution. Choose meals with low calories, take on more protein or fibre, or pack in the veg with a huge variety of recipes, and no compromise on flavour. Our handy cost-per-portion pricing means you know exactly where your money is going, and the value is far greater than you would find in a supermarket.

Eating Healthy Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

Healthy food doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag. By planning your meals in advance with Gousto, you can cut down on waste, save valuable time, and avoid the temptation of impulse supermarket spending. Each recipe comes with pre-portioned ingredients so nothing goes to waste, and the dishes themselves are dietitian-backed and nutrition-conscious. You get all the flavour and all of the health benefits.

With our meal boxes starting at just £3.20 per serving (excluding delivery), eating well on a budget has never been easier. Also, if you’re new to Gousto, you can get 50% off your first box and discounts for your first 2 months!

10 of Our Favourite Healthy & Budget-Friendly Recipes

Get a taste of what we offer with these 10 healthy meal ideas. From warm and hearty goodness to super salads, there’s something for everyone.

1. Shredded Hoisin Chicken Wraps

Sticky, savoury hoisin chicken piled into soft wraps with plenty of crunchy salad. This dish is quick, fresh, and endlessly satisfying. It’s the kind of midweek dinner you’ll want to put on repeat, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes!

Healthy eating: Lean chicken breast is packed with protein, fresh salad veg for vitamins and nutrients, and light wraps for balance and crunch.

Budget-friendly: A little hoisin goes a long way, and salad leaves can be stretched across several meals.

2. Southern-Style Chicken, Sweet Potato Mash & Gravy

Think southern comfort food with a wholesome spin. Tender chicken and creamy sweet potato mash enhanced with rich gravy and crunchy green beans on the side. It’s hearty, homely cooking without the heavy price tag.

Healthy eating: Sweet potatoes contain fibre, vitamin A, and support slow-release energy.

Budget-friendly: Affordable chicken thighs and sweet potatoes keep this dish wallet-friendly.

3. Thai Green Chicken Curry with Brown Rice

Fragrant, colourful, and perfect for batch cooking, this curry is a weeknight saviour. The creamy coconut base is balanced with zesty green curry paste, lean chicken, and plenty of veg served over nutty brown rice. Coming in under 600 calories, it tastes like a treat and fuels you for days.

Healthy eating: Brown rice for fibre, lean chicken for protein, and veg for colour and nutrients.

Budget-friendly: Curry paste brings big flavour in one small pot, and batch cooking to freeze saves both time and money.

4. Beef & Mushroom Bolognese with Wholewheat Tortiglioni

An Italian classic made heartier and healthier. Mushrooms blend into a rich tomato sauce, adding depth of flavour while cutting down on the beef. Served with wholewheat pasta, it’s a dinner that feels indulgent but works hard for your health and budget.

Healthy eating: Wholewheat pasta adds fibre, and mushrooms are rich in antioxidants.

Budget-friendly: Mushrooms bulk out the mince, meaning you spend less on expensive meat without compromising on great flavour.

5. Korean-Style Gochujang Lean Pork Bibimbap with Spinach Rice

This vibrant rice bowl is all about colour, flavour, and texture. Spicy-sweet gochujang pork meets iron-rich spinach and crisp vegetables, all layered over steaming rice. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks impressive but comes together with ease.

Healthy eating: Iron-rich spinach and lean pork deliver nutrients without excess fat.

Budget-friendly: Rice is the affordable base that most will have lying about in the pantry, and just a spoonful of gochujang transforms the dish into something special.

6. Greek-Style Lamb Meatball Tray Bake with Garlic Yoghurt

A one-tray wonder that brings the sunshine to your dinner table. Juicy lamb meatballs roast alongside colourful vegetables, served with a cooling drizzle of garlic yoghurt to finish. With minimal washing up, this is Mediterranean flavour made easy.

Healthy eating: Oven-baked meatballs and roasted veg keep things light, while yoghurt adds protein and calcium.

Budget-friendly: Minced lamb costs less than chops, and a large tub of Greek yoghurt can be used for breakfast throughout the week.

7. One Pot Prosciutto & Leek Mac ‘N’ Cheese

A lighter twist on a family-favourite comfort dish. Fresh leeks with a bit of sweetness and a little prosciutto to top it off result in big flavour without overpowering the creamy cheese sauce. And the best but? It all cooks in one pot.

Healthy eating: Leeks bring vitamins and fibre, and a reduced cheese sauce cuts back on saturated fat.

Budget-friendly: One-pot cooking saves energy, and prosciutto used sparingly still adds a big impact.

8. Moroccan-Style Meatballs & Bulgur Wheat Grain Bowl

Spiced meatballs, fluffy bulgur, and roasted veg come together in this bowl of warming comfort. It’s filling, fragrant, and just the right amount of exotic for a weeknight dinner. Plus, it’s proof that spices can turn simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Healthy eating: Bulgur wheat is high in fibre, and aromatic spices add flavour without relying on salt.

Budget-friendly: Bulgur wheat is also cheap, filling, and perfect to keep in the pantry for multiple meals.

9. Chilli Cheese-Stuffed Pepper with Buttery Red Rice

A colourful vegetarian dinner that’s as satisfying as any meaty alternative. Soft, roasted peppers are filled with cheesy chilli bean goodness and served with buttery red rice on the side. It’s hearty, healthy, and easy to love.

Healthy eating: Plant-based protein from beans, plus vitamin-rich peppers and tomatoes.

Budget-friendly: Pantry staples like tinned beans, rice, and dried spices are inexpensive and reduce waste.

10. Green Goddess Salad With Glorious Grains, Avocado & Feta

This isn’t your average salad. With wholesome grains, creamy avocado, and tangy feta, it’s a fresh dish that’s filling and feel-good. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it’s a bowl of green goodness you’ll actually look forward to.

Healthy eating: Fibre-rich grains, healthy fats from avocado, and protein from feta.

Budget-friendly: Grains are low-cost and filling, and you can make them in bulk to save more.

FAQs About Healthy Meals on a Budget

Here are a few quick-fire questions and answers to help you find inspiration for healthy meals on a budget.

What is the Cheapest Healthy Meal to Make?

Think pulses, grains, and veg. Lentil soup, chickpea curry, or a veggie stir-fry with noodles all come in at a fraction of the price of meat-based dishes.

What are the ‘3 Ps’ for Eating Healthy on a Budget?

The ‘three P’s’ for eating healthy on a budget are:

– Plan: Make a weekly meal plan, check what you already have at home, and create a list before going to the shop. This helps avoid impulse buys and ensures you pick up only what you need.

– Purchase wisely: Compare prices, choose stores’ own over big brands, buy in bulk where possible, and focus on seasonal produce.

– Prepare: Cook at home, batch-cook for later, and repurpose leftovers so nothing goes to waste.

What is the Healthiest Meal You Can Eat Every Day?

A balanced meal with lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of veg. Think a spicy chicken quinoa bowl, or a cod and lentil stew. Perfect for batch cooking, and hard to get bored with.

Start Saving (and Eating Well) Today

Eating healthy doesn’t need to mean spending more. It just takes a little know-how and the right recipes. With Gousto, you can enjoy meals that are pre-portioned, nutrition-conscious, and budget-friendly, without sacrificing flavour. Try one or two from this list and see how simple saving money and eating better can be.

Better yet, get started with Gousto with this week’s recipes, and begin your healthy eating journey from as little as £3.20 per serving!