10 Healthy Dinner Recipes Under $3

Fajita-Style Quesadillas

These cheesy quesadillas are packed with crunchy red and green peppers. Plus, we've added a touch of cilantro and lime to heighten the fresh Mexican flavor without adding excess calories.

Budget dinner price: $0.43 per serving

Makes: 8 servings

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 8 mins to 10 mins 

Fast Chicken Fettuccine

Don't deny yourself a bowl of pasta once in a while?just combine your noodles with other healthy ingredients. We love tangy sun-dried tomatoes and sauteed zucchini. Add protein with wallet-friendly chicken breast.

Budget dinner price: $2.02 per serving

Makes: 4 servings

Start to Finish: 20 mins 

Crispy Fish and Peppers Finger-licking good (and low-calorie) fried fish can be yours in just 20 minutes. Spicy Cajun-style batter adds fantastic crunch to your favorite fish fillets, and mini sweet peppers provide a great dose of vitamins.
Budget dinner price: $2.18 per serving

Grilled Steak Fajitas 

With a few simple ingredients, you can have a mighty Mexican meal. Tender peppers and onions star with grilled sirloin in this fajita recipe. Fajita seasoning and your favorite Tex-Mex toppings finish off the flavor.

Budget dinner price: $2.11 per serving

Makes: 4 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Grill: 20 mins

Potato Frittata

Thinly sliced potatoes form an impressive topper when this hearty frittata is flipped. Stocked with veggies and protein, this dish proves  that eggs aren't just for breakfast.
Budget dinner price: $0.87 per serving

Makes: 6 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Bake: 18 mins 375°F

  

Vegetable Lasagna 

Just as rich?and twice as nutritious?as traditional lasagna, this veggie-packed version has only 322 calories per serving. We swapped veggies for red meat but kept all the cheeses you love.

Budget dinner price: $1.73 per serving

Makes: 12 servings

Prep: 40 mins

Bake: 35 mins 350°F

Stand: 10 mins

Maple-Bourbon Glazed Salmon
An easy glaze of orange juice, pure maple syrup, and bourbon turns a basic salmon fillet into a sweet, tangy, and totally irresistible entree. Top it off with glazed pecans for a satisfying crunch.
Budget dinner price: $1.74 per serving

Makes: 4 servings

Stand: 30 mins 

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Lentil Soup with Beef and Red Pepper

Make expensive meats go farther with some help from additional protein-rich ingredients. Tender French lentils are inexpensive and filled with protein. Spice up this savory soup with a smoky blend of cumin and cayenne.
Budget dinner price: $1.90 per serving

Makes: 6 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Slow Cook: 7 hrs to 8 hrs (low) or 3 1/2 to 4 hours (high)

Tuna and Fruit Salsa Fruit salsa is a tasty way to dress up lean seared tuna steaks. We used warm apricot preserves and vinegar for the liquid, and mixed in fresh raspberries and roasted peaches.
Budget dinner price: $2.23 per serving
M

akes: 4 servings

Start to Finish: 25 mins

Herb-Garlic Beef Roast

You won't want to miss our take on a classic beef roast. It's brimming with plump roasted vegetables and plenty of garlic. Punch up the flavor even more with lemon zest and fresh parsley.

Budget dinner price: $1.46 per serving

Makes: 4 servings

Start to Finish: 19 mins