They provide vibrant color and a sweet crunch while staying within your budget. Cabbage is a budget-friendly vegetable that deserves more attention. Whether used in coleslaw, tacos , stir-fries, wraps , or stuffed cabbage rolls, it adds a unique and affordable twist to your meals. Canned beans are a convenient and affordable source of plant-based protein.

Canned coconut milk is a versatile ingredient that can be used for creamy curries , soups, and vegan whipped cream. Canned corn adds a sweet crunch to your dishes, from salads to soups and cornbread. Canned tomatoes are a staple in budget-conscious kitchens.

They serve as a versatile base for pasta sauces , chili, and hearty soups , allowing you to create delicious meals without spending a fortune. Carrots are a crunchy and budget-friendly snack, perfect for munching on their own or adding to soups, stews, smoothies , and salads.

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be roasted, mashed, used in tacos , or transformed into cauliflower wings or steaks. Chia seeds are small but mighty and can be used to make chia pudding or used in a jam.

A little goes a long way, making them an economical choice for adding texture and nutrition to your meals. Frozen vegetables are not only convenient but also budget-friendly. They retain their nutritional value and can be used in stir-fries, pot pies , casseroles , and side dishes with ease.

Green peas are a classic addition to rice dishes, salads , soups , and pot pies. They can even be roasted! They bring a burst of color and nutrition to your meals while being budget-friendly.

Their versatility shines in dishes like hearty casseroles , vegan meatloaf , spicy curries, and comforting stews. Mushrooms add a rich umami flavor to vegan dishes like stroganoff and risotto. They are an affordable way to infuse your meals with depth and complexity.

Oats are a budget-friendly breakfast superstar. They can be used to make hearty oatmeal, crunchy granola , or even indulgent overnight oats, making them an excellent choice for affordable morning meals.

Onions are an essential ingredient in countless savory dishes and are incredibly budget-friendly. Use them in vegan french onion soup , batter them and make onion rings , or pickle onions for a tasty topping. They add depth and flavor to your meals without breaking the bank.

Budget-friendly pasta, especially whole wheat varieties, is a comforting and versatile option. They provide a flavorful base for quick pasta dishes and budget-friendly meals. Peanut butter is a protein-rich spread that can be a budget-friendly staple in your pantry.

Whether mashed , roasted , or transformed into crispy fries , they offer endless possibilities for satisfying, wallet-friendly meals.

Vegan cheese, potatoes, and nutritional yeast give this amazing soup a velvety texture and rich taste. It might seem impossible to make a delicious quesadilla without cheese, but a hearty, spicy bean paste makes this recipe even more scrumptious than the traditional cheese version.

Add veggies or vegan meat or top with salsa or pico de gallo for an extra kick. Ready for a dish that looks beautiful and tastes complex but is actually incredibly simple? This rosemary garlic white bean soup is just the thing.

There are only eight ingredients, but this gorgeous recipe creates a filling, satisfying, and, most importantly, delicious dish that takes no time at all. What could be better than a one-pot meal?

How about something you can quickly toss together, pop into the oven, and leave to bake without any other hassle?

This southwestern vegan sheet pan dinner does just that. In fact, you can probably make it in less than half an hour. Pour the curry over white rice for a filling meal. Cauliflower, oat milk, and either nutritional yeast or vegan cheese are the stars of this dish, and you can use any leftover sauce as a pizza topping or in vegan lasagna.

A mixture of potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery, plus light seasonings, create an incredibly satisfying meal that only costs about 50 cents per serving. Low in both calories and cost, Spanish beans with tomatoes is a traditional staple that will quickly become a favorite cheap dish.

You can eat these spicy beans as a side or serve them with bread or even over pasta for a complete meal. Crunchy, tangy, and decidedly refreshing, sour cabbage soup is a perfect dish when served cold on a hot summer day, but the acidic taste also works well if you want to serve the soup warm during the winter.

You can make a simple version of this recipe or add vegetables, additional seasonings, or beans to take the soup to a new level. Easy, inexpensive, low in calories, and super quick to make, this lentil dahl recipe really has it all.

f you want something colorful, this pea soup is the ticket. Made with frozen peas, vegetable stock, onion, and oil, this soup is super quick and simple, and any excess can be frozen and warmed up as needed.

An easy, inexpensive dish that can serve a crowd, this baked garlic and mushroom rice recipe is sure to please. Sweet, spicy, and easy, carrot ginger soup is quick and inexpensive.

Its bright color, warm aroma, and zesty flavor are also sure to please all of your senses. The heartiness of pasta and the flavors of Mexican foods combine in this quick-yet-satisfying soup.

Toast the pasta before adding it to the soup for a nutty flavor. Just as tasty as it looks, this colorful pasta dish uses Cajun seasonings for a surprising and delightful kick.

Produce that was grown locally in season costs a lot less to grow and transport, therefore being more affordable. Usually the bigger amount you buy from a certain ingredient of product, the more discounted the price is. Meal prep!

Preparing your lunch will stop you from ordering expensive take out. By eating filling meals, you will spend much less money on snacks, junk food and other impulse purchases.

great college meal list! very college student-friendly, thank you! saving a fortune, thanks:. Home About. Cheap Vegan Meals 1. Smoky Vegan Lentil Soup Photo: The Green Loot Warm, smoky, and aromatic, this lentil soup is super budget-friendly. Vegan Tempeh Bolognese Photo: Happy Kitchen Rocks Bolognese seems complicated, but vegan Bolognese is anything but.

Scalloped Potatoes Photo: The Green Loot What could be more comforting and satisfying than warm, creamy scalloped potatoes? Vegan Ramen Soup Photo: The Hidden Veggies Most people are intimidated by the thought of making ramen at home, but vegan ramen is easy and inexpensive.

Spicy Black Bean Soup Photo: The Belly Rules The Mind Beans are filling, nutritious, budget-friendly and in this spicy black bean soup, they serve as a delicious backdrop to a range of zesty Mexican flavors. Vegan Sloppy Joes Photo: Happy Kitchen Rocks Quick, healthy, and fun to make and eat, vegan sloppy joes are a great option for a weekday dinner or weekend lunch.

Mujadara Photo: Contentedness Cooking A dish of lentils and rice, mujadara is cheap, vibrantly spiced, and easy to make. Instant Pot Tomato Soup Photo: Recipes from a Pantry A childhood staple with a grown-up flavor profile, Instant Pot tomato soup is delicately spiced and super creamy.

It often goes like this: you come across a purportedly simple vegan recipe on a blog, but then the first step asks you to chop an onion or dice up vegetables for mirepoix.

Cue the record scratch sound in your head. So, we asked Rhyan Geiger, an RDN and owner of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian , for simple, healthy, delicious vegan meal ideas that also happen to be budget-friendly.

Her top tips? Vegan food may have a reputation for being expensive, but many plant-based ingredients are among the cheapest options available. Geiger recommends stocking your pantry with staples like frozen fruit and vegetables, brown rice, peanut butter, and of course, whole-grain pasta, and whole-grain bread.

Looking for inspiration? Sam Turnbull. Pasta often comes to the rescue on those busy days when appetites are ravenous and the willingness to cook is low. For an easy pasta dish packed with greens, combine a serving of your favorite whole grain noodles with frozen spinach, shelled edamame, and extra virgin olive oil.

This combination of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat is an excellent way to get all of your macrobiotics on one plate. Whole grain pasta tends to contain more B vitamins, fiber, and protein.

As a finishing touch, top it with frozen shelled edamame to balance out your meal with some protein. For some easily added flavor, mix your pasta dish with garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and nutritional yeast.

For a recipe to model your meal after, try this spaghetti with spinach and white beans. Just swap the chopped onion and garlic with one tablespoon of onion powder and one teaspoon of garlic powder.

SEE D JAN. Spread some peanut butter on top and add sliced bananas for a quick, affordable meal or snack. This meal includes both complex carbohydrates from the whole grain toast, plus simple carbohydrates from the banana, both of which provide energy to help you go about your day.