The bottom line: Blue Apron is a classic example of a quality meal delivery service. One of the original providers of this service, it also stands out for eco-friendliness.

Blue Apron is one of the original meal kit services and it's also one of the best. In fact, Blue Apron topped our list of best meal delivery services for with a wide range of excellent recipes, all for an affordable price. It's true, you can order bistro steaks and roasted trout dinners with Blue Apron's standard plan, where many services charge extra for those premium proteins.

In addition to solid meal kits, Blue Apron is the most eco-friendly service of the major players, according to a recent study. The heartier meals are great too, like the cauliflower rice and pesto harvest bowl with cashews and spinach.

You won't need more than a saucepan, toaster or blender to prepare most of the meals, and most can be made in as little as 5 minutes. When I tried Daily Harvest , I loved the interesting smoothie combos such as a chocolate blueberry smoothie with greens, banana and almond butter.

The bottom line : It doesn't get much easier than HelloFresh. This service has tons of cheap meal kit options, more than 50 per week, and allows you to add proteins or extra servings to keep the whole crew fed and happy. HelloFresh has as many as 25 dinner meal kits per week, so it is nearly impossible not to find something you'll like.

HelloFresh also has five or six plant-based recipes a week, making it the best cheap meal kit service for vegetarians. Over the past few years, we've tested nearly every meal kit delivery and prepared meal delivery service we could get our oven mitts on, and that includes the best budget meal delivery services.

Many of the menu options for the meal delivery services we've listed include nutritious plant-based food or high-protein recipes with lots of veggies and lean meats.

To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service. I always choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings.

For instance, if a meal subscription service offers vegan or vegetarian meals I was sure to try at least one. I also mixed up the cuisine types to include pasta, meat dishes, bowls and other various styles offered by the brand. To test the best cheap meal kits, there was another set of standards and protocols to adhere to.

Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET. The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals ready to heat and eat.

Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few dollars more per serving. If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others.

Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options. With almost every service, the more meals or servings are in your order per delivery, the cheaper it becomes per meal. Ideally, you'll want to determine exactly how much food makes sense for your household.

That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go-around. Services like Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon have meals for similar prices but are focused more on grain bowls and smoothies and might be better for breakfast or lunch versus dinner.

When it comes to meal kits, your options are many, and most services provide weekly recipes that are low on calories but still filling. HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service, so that might be your best bet for finding consistent meals that keep your diet goals on track.

But all services list the calorie content for each recipe, along with carbs, protein, sugar and sodium. Depending on your weight loss goals, a healthy prepared meal delivery or meal kit service can help. Fresh N Lean, Pete's Real Food and Daily Harvest all have low-calorie meals to choose from.

Some of the services listed here are healthy prepared meal delivery services , sending fully cooked meals -- often frozen or partially frozen -- and ready to eat when you receive them. Others include health-focused meal kits with premeasured ingredients all boxed up and ready for easy weeknight cooking.

There's a stark difference between meal kits and meal delivery, but both make dinnertime easier and can translate into healthier eating choices for you in Plus, we sussed out the best healthy meal services for those on special diets like keto or paleo or for those who wish to eat organic prepared meals and meal kits.

Wellness Nutrition. Written by David Watsky. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he's toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.

Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or researching the best way to make bacon. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.

Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio. Why You Can Trust CNET.

Table of Contents Top. Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of What's the best cheap meal delivery service? Cheapest meal delivery services for Cheapest prepared meal services compared. How we test meal kits and meal delivery services. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service.

Why you should trust us. Cheap meal delivery FAQs. Back to selection. See at EveryPlate. Best cheap meal kits overall. See at Fresh N' Lean. Best cheap prepared meal delivery overall.

See at Dinnerly. Best cheap meal kits for picky eaters. See at Mosaic Foods. Best cheap vegan meals. See at Blue Apron. Best cheap meal kits that include steak and seafood. See at Daily Harvest. Best cheap meal delivery for breakfast and lunch.

See at HelloFresh. Best cheap meal kits for diet and weight loss. FILTER BY all Meal Kit Prepared Meal. Showing 7 of 7 Results. Editors' choice. Show less. CNET rating out of 10 8. Cons Not as many healthy options No customization allowed.

Type Meal Kit. Good for Healthy, family-friendly, comfort food, picky eaters, quick and easy. Full Review Read full review. See at EveryPlate Best cheap meal kits overall EveryPlate. Show expert take Show less. When freezing, use single-serve containers so you can reheat one portion at a time.

Make sure to mark each item with a name and the date it was prepared, then try to use the foods up based on this timeline:. These freezer storage times indicate how long the item will retain the best flavor and quality. Frozen foods remain safe even past these dates.

When ready to cook, make sure to safely thaw foods in the fridge, in cold water, or in the microwave. When reheating frozen foods, make sure they reach °F measured with a food thermometer. USDA Economic Research Service.

Food Price Outlook and Food Prices and Spending. New York Times. Lots of Food Gets Tossed. These Apps Let You Buy It, Cheap.

Springmann M, Clark MA, Rayner M, Scarborough P, Webb P. The global and regional costs of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns: a modelling study [published correction appears in Lancet Planet Health.

Lancet Planet Health. Healthy Eating on a Budget. Feeding America. Food Waste and Food Rescue. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freezing and Food Safety. Leftovers and Food Safety. By Cara Rosenbloom, RD Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Meal Plans. By Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON.

Cara Rosenbloom, RD. Learn about our editorial process. Learn more. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN.

Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN. Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate.

Learn about our Medical Review Board. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Set a Budget. Create a Plan. Look for Savings. Compare Prices. Shop Seasonally. Plan Around Ingredients. Stock Up on Staples. Reduce Waste. Batch Cook. Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

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Southwest Lentils And Rice Skillet Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cost-conscious meal solutions - Air Fryer Chicken Breast. $ recipe / $ serving Southwest Lentils And Rice Skillet Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner Stuffed Bell Peppers

But several cost-effective services are available, many of which offer options to fit some dietary restrictions and food preferences. When deciding which meal delivery service is right for you, consider factors such as variety, quality, cost, availability, and ingredients.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. These Black-owned companies check all the marks for freshness, flavor, and elevating Blackness in the food industry.

Dinnerly is an affordable meal kit service that provides quick recipes and the ingredients you need to prepare them.

We put Dinnerly to the test to…. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health.

Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more. A new study found that healthy lifestyle choices — including being physically active, eating well, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption —….

Carb counting is complicated. Take the quiz and test your knowledge! Together with her husband, Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Brittany Mohomes shares how she parents two children with severe food….

While there are many FDA-approved emulsifiers, European associations have marked them as being of possible concern. Let's look deeper:. Researchers have found that a daily multivitamin supplement was linked with slowed cognitive aging and improved memory. Dietitians can help you create a more balanced diet or a specialized one for a variety of conditions.

We look at their benefits and limitations. Liquid collagen supplements might be able to reduce some effects of aging, but research is ongoing and and there may be side effects. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based The 6 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services.

Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on November 28, On this page Our picks Comparison table How we tested How to choose FAQ Bottom line. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest. Comparison of the best cheap meal delivery services. How we test meal delivery services. Each service in this article: is in compliance with U.

Department of Agriculture USDA and Food and Drug Administration FDA food safety and manufacturing regulations uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging promotes a healthy approach to well-being does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials.

How to choose an affordable meal delivery service. Frequently asked questions. Which meal delivery service is cheapest? Is HelloFresh cheap? What is the average price for meal delivery services? Keep this list in sight, and cross off items as you go!

Setting aside minutes each week to plan for meals and snacks that help you get through the day can go a long way for your energy level, concentration — and budget!

Using less processed ingredients such as roasting a whole chicken vs. pre-cut chicken pieces, or slicing your own vegetables vs. buying pre-chopped veggies can provide cost savings.

However, if you plan to cook from scratch and some ingredients end up sitting in your refrigerator or pantry and spoiling, this can also feel like money wasted.

Before you hit the grocery store, determine which ingredients you are more likely to cook from scratch, and which convenience products are worth the extra dollars in order to ease the process of cooking.

Get creative to reduce food waste! Buy ingredients that can be used in multiple meals throughout the week. Soak wilted vegetables in ice water for minutes to restore their crunch.

Use stale bread to make toast or croutons. Blend overripe avocados into a delicious chocolate mousse. Check out SaveTheFood. com for more ideas!

Cost-conscious meal solutions - Air Fryer Chicken Breast. $ recipe / $ serving Southwest Lentils And Rice Skillet Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage Dinner Stuffed Bell Peppers

She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content. One of the biggest challenges of cooking for two is the constant leftovers. Fortunately, each of these recipes serves a pair, providing a little more variety to your weekly dinners. We've curated a month's worth of budget-friendly dinners ready in 30 minutes or less, each of which yields two servings.

Plus, we've included prepared grocery lists with tips on how to use leftover ingredients. Fresh lemon juice, pepper, and oregano add bright flavor to chicken breasts. Cut into strips and serve over a simple green salad such as this Spinach Pomegranate Salad.

This filling and nutritious combination is just what you need to jumpstart your week. This recipe calls for boneless pork loin chop, but you can also substitute chicken or shrimp. When tomatoes are at their best, you'll forget all about stuffed peppers and opt for these simple stuffed tomatoes instead.

Here, fresh tomatoes are stuffed with canned tomatoes and peppers, bread crumbs, Cheddar cheese, and smoked sausage. The classic Cheddar cheese and tomato combination takes on new form in this recipe. Salmon fillets are topped with dried basil and fresh tomato slices.

Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake. This simple recipe is one you'll want to keep in your rotation for easy weeknight dinners.

Serve over rice. Going meatless just once a week can do amazing things for your budget. One of the best veggie meals. Even my carnivore of a husband said that he liked it," says reviewer Fran. This healthy and filling combination of chickpeas, tomatoes, onion, and numerous spices means Meatless Mondays never have to be boring.

Serve with Indian Naan Bread , basmati or jasmine rice. This gives the dish its signature look, as well as adds a subtle nutty flavor. These make-your-own burrito bowls are a whole lot cheaper than takeout. It's a great way to use any leftover chicken or rice you may have on hand.

Fresh basil is the key to this quick and easy stir-fry. Be careful not to overcook it, instead, stir the basil in right before serving.

Opt for more plant-based meals. Replace meat with less expensive options such as tofu or beans. Studies show that eating more plant-based foods and less animal-based foods can cut the cost of groceries by almost 30 percent.

Well-priced plant-based protein options include beans, lentils, tofu, and peanut butter. When you do include animal protein, you can save money by avoiding the most expensive cuts of meat and poultry and choosing these instead:.

You can combine these protein choices with grains and vegetables that are more affordable. These include:. Some meal options made from these ingredients include:.

Ingredients with a long shelf life, such as pasta , rice, and canned beans, can be purchased on sale and stored until you need them. If you maintain a well-stocked pantry, you'll have fewer items to buy every time you shop. Keeping essential ingredients on hand can save money and reduce last-minute grocery runs too.

When you meal plan, make sure to check your pantry and incorporate ingredients that you already have on hand. Some delicious, affordable pantry recipes include:.

This affects restaurants and grocery stores, but it's also happening in individual homes across the US. One smart way to save money is to reduce waste. Quite simply, stop throwing away food that you spent money on.

Here are some tips for reducing food waste:. Double the ingredients in your recipe so you can make and freeze meals. This is known as batch cooking, and works well for multi-serve meals such as lasagna, soups, stew, chili, and curry.

When freezing, use single-serve containers so you can reheat one portion at a time. Make sure to mark each item with a name and the date it was prepared, then try to use the foods up based on this timeline:. These freezer storage times indicate how long the item will retain the best flavor and quality.

Frozen foods remain safe even past these dates. When ready to cook, make sure to safely thaw foods in the fridge, in cold water, or in the microwave. When reheating frozen foods, make sure they reach °F measured with a food thermometer. USDA Economic Research Service. Food Price Outlook and Food Prices and Spending.

New York Times. Lots of Food Gets Tossed. These Apps Let You Buy It, Cheap. Springmann M, Clark MA, Rayner M, Scarborough P, Webb P. The global and regional costs of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns: a modelling study [published correction appears in Lancet Planet Health.

Lancet Planet Health. Healthy Eating on a Budget. Feeding America. Food Waste and Food Rescue. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Freezing and Food Safety. Leftovers and Food Safety. Breadcrumb Home Advancing Health Body Systems Weight Loss Healthy Lifestyle Healthy meal planning on a budget: 15 tips from a nutrition therapist.

Healthy Lifestyle Body Systems Weight Loss Healthy meal planning on a budget: 15 tips from a nutrition therapist. March 18, Some great pantry items to have on hand include: Barley Beans Brown rice Canned tomatoes Chicken broth Lentils Oatmeal Peanut butter Whole wheat pastas Whole wheat flour Get help from a nutrition therapist Get health advice tailored to your medical conditions from an experienced nutrition therapist.

Call Related articles. Healthy Lifestyle. March 17, January 5, How nutrition labels work: 7 tips for demystifying foods. April 28, In this article Services Primary Care Bariatrics Weight Loss Need help finding a doctor? Share: Link to share on Twitter Link to share on Facebook Share via email.

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