Is it possible to provide your family with delicious healthy meals while staying on a budget? This task seems unreachable for many parents, but with these eight recipes — and a bit of meal planning — nutritious dishes are within your grasp.
Whether you’re planning breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time, take a peek at the list below for inspiration and insight!
Overnight Oats
These overnight oats will be a sweet treat for your kiddos in the morning. You can quickly adapt the recipe to suit your family’s tastes without compromising health. Packed with protein, fiber and antioxidants, this wholesome breakfast will have everyone feeling ready to conquer the day.
You’ll need to prep this dish in advance so that the oats have time to soak and absorb the milk. It’s best to enjoy it within 12-24 hours, but it will last in the fridge for two to three days. While it’s typically eaten cold, for a warm twist, you can pop it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.
Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches
Move over McDonald’s — there’s a new breakfast sandwich in town! Keep mornings healthy by making this recipe ahead of time and storing it in the freezer. With a quick pop in the microwave, it’s heated up in three minutes and ready to enjoy. This means nutritious food even on the days you’re running late!
A mushroom, spinach and onion omelet filling provides depth to this English muffin sandwich. With two slices of bacon and some cheddar cheese, this meal tastes balanced and delicious. If your kids aren’t fans of mushrooms or spinach, try another veggie like broccoli or carrot.
Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
Are you looking for a light breakfast or a midday snack? These blueberry muffins will leave you feeling full without being weighed down. Described as buttery, moist, soft and cakey, is there anything more you could wish for?
Blueberries lend a sweet and tart flavor to this dish, while yogurt adds moistness and depth. This recipe makes 12 muffins, so you may want to double it if you are feeding a lot of people. These muffins will stay fresh for one week in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer if sealed in an airtight container.
Buddha Bowl Recipe
Keep lunch feeling light and fresh with this vegetarian dish. While this recipe lists specific ingredients, a basic Buddha bowl should have a grain, some veggies, protein and healthy fats. In other words, feel free to experiment by adding any leftovers you have in your fridge to make a slightly altered version!
If you’re looking to keep things classic, this recipe recommends using quinoa, chickpeas, carrots, brussel sprouts, onion and a tahini-based sauce. You can easily adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more maple syrup or lemon juice.
Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches
This savory vegan dish will fill even the hungriest bellies. Jackfruit’s neutral taste is very versatile and will absorb the flavor of whatever BBQ sauce you choose to add. Introducing your children to vegan and vegetarian foods will teach them that meals can be nutritious even if they are meatless.
By adding a tangy veggie slaw on top of the jackfruit, you’ll have a well-balanced sandwich. Best of all, if you prep the ingredients in advance, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
White Chicken Chili
Beware, this dish will have you drooling as it cooks. You can make it in a slow cooker, a pressure cooker or on the stove — which means you can create home-cooked meals even if your kitchen is under construction or you’re visiting family.
With corn, chicken, beans and onion acting as the primary ingredients, this hearty recipe is quite simple. By adding plain yogurt for creaminess, this dish is much more forgiving to your waistline than other online renditions. Since you will find most of the ingredients in your pantry or freezer, this is the perfect meal to make on stormy days when you want to stay inside.
One-Pot Mexican Rice Skillet Dinner
Does your family love Taco Tuesday? If so, then this tasty Mexican dish will quickly become a household favorite!
Brown rice, corn and onions provide a nutritious base, but the cheese and ground meat will have your kids quickly forgetting about the vegetables. If you’d like to make it healthier, the optional toppings section includes suggestions like avocado, lettuce, tomatoes and green onion. This recipe calls for a touch of hot sauce to provide spice, but feel free to add as much or as little as your family prefers. Check out our other Mexican cousine dishes and lunchbox ideas for kids.
Spiced Salmon and Tomato Tray Bake
Is there anything better than a meal you can simply pop into the oven? With this simple recipe, you let the vegetables and scrumptious curry do all of the work. They’ll only need a quick roast in the oven before adding in the salmon and baking to your liking. Your family will love the flaky texture paired with naan bread. This dish is will be comforting on chilly evenings.
Make a List
With so many delicious healthy recipes to choose between, it’s time to make a list. After inventorying what you have at home, plan what ingredients you’ll need to purchase. Writing out a schedule can help you determine what ingredients you’ll need to buy each week so that you don’t overspend at the grocery store. Your kids will love the taste of these meals, and you’ll love knowing they’re eating something healthy every day.
