If you’re broke but still want to eat healthy, try these 10 vegetarian meals

We’ve all been there. Hungry and broke, you stare at the fridge and wonder what you can make from almost nothing.

Eating healthy can feel out of reach when you’re short on cash, but here’s the truth: some of the most satisfying and nourishing meals are built from the cheapest ingredients out there. 

And they’re often vegetarian.

I’ve spent plenty of weeks living on a shoestring budget, especially in my early twenties, when I was trying to eat better but couldn’t justify expensive ingredients. 

Over time, I discovered that meals based on beans, rice, tofu, and vegetables aren’t just affordable, they’re hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly flexible.

Here are 10 vegetarian meals that prove you can eat healthy, even when money’s tight. 

Each one comes with a cost-saving tip and a flavor boost you can pull off without spending more.

1. Chana masala

This classic Indian chickpea curry is a lifesaver when funds are low. A can of chickpeas, an onion, a can of tomatoes, and a few spices are all you really need. 

Serve it with rice, and you’ve got a meal that will keep you full for hours.

Money-saving tip: Buy chickpeas dried in bulk instead of canned. A big bag costs a fraction of the price per serving, and cooking a pot on the weekend gives you ready-to-use protein all week long.

I first learned to make chana masala in a shared apartment where we cooked “family meals” every Sunday. 

One of my roommates taught me the trick of toasting cumin seeds before adding anything else. 

It filled the kitchen with a smell that made us forget we were broke students eating off mismatched plates.

2. Mujaddara (lentils, rice, and caramelized onions)

Mujaddara is proof that simplicity equals comfort. Just rice, lentils, and slow-cooked onions create a dish that feels far more luxurious than its price tag suggests. 

The caramelized onions turn sweet and silky, balancing the earthy lentils.

Money-saving tip: Use whatever onions you can get cheapest—yellow, white, or red. Buy them in bulk mesh bags for the best price.

3. Hummus and veggie sticks

When money is tight, it’s easy to snack on junk food because it seems cheaper. 

But hummus made at home beats most processed snacks in cost and nutrition. Pair it with carrot sticks, cucumber, or even plain bread, and you’ve got a light meal.

Money-saving tip: Peel chickpeas after cooking for an extra creamy texture. Skip tahini if it feels expensive. Peanut butter works as a substitute in a pinch.

4. Falafel wraps

Crispy, spiced falafel tucked into pita with lettuce and tomato is a budget-friendly street food classic. 

If you’ve only had frozen falafel before, making it from scratch will change your mind forever.

Money-saving tip: Dried chickpeas are non-negotiable here because canned won’t hold the texture. 

Soak them overnight and blend with onion, garlic, and parsley. Pan-fry instead of deep-frying to save on oil.

5. Simple ratatouille

This French vegetable stew might sound fancy, but at its heart it’s just a way to use up whatever vegetables you have. 

Eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes stew together until rich and saucy. Serve it with bread or rice.

Money-saving tip: Buy “imperfect” or slightly bruised vegetables at the market. 

They’re usually cheaper, and since they’re going into a stew, no one will know the difference.

6. Mapo tofu (vegetarian style)

Mapo tofu is a Sichuan classic that packs flavor without expensive ingredients. 

Soft tofu soaks up a spicy, umami-rich sauce made from chili paste, garlic, and ginger. 

Swap out the traditional minced meat for mushrooms or just extra tofu.

Money-saving tip: Tofu is usually cheapest at Asian markets, where you can buy it in bulk packs. 

Stock up, it lasts a week in the fridge if stored in water.

7. Lentil salad with a yogurt drizzle

Cook up a big pot of lentils, and you can stretch them into several meals. 

One of my favorites is tossing them with olive oil, lemon, and herbs, then topping with a spoonful of yogurt. It feels light yet filling.

Money-saving tip: Buy plain yogurt tubs instead of single-serve cups. It’s cheaper per portion, and you can use it for both sweet and savory dishes.

8. Gado-gado (Indonesian peanut sauce salad)

Gado-gado is essentially a warm vegetable salad with peanut sauce. 

Think potatoes, green beans, cabbage, and a boiled egg if you have it, all smothered in a rich, savory peanut dressing.

Money-saving tip: Skip expensive nut butters and buy store-brand peanut butter. Even the cheap stuff makes a great sauce once you add garlic, soy sauce, and lime.

9. Stuffed potatoes

Baked potatoes are a blank canvas. Load them with beans, sautéed veggies, or leftover curry, and you’ve got a filling dinner for pocket change.

During a particularly lean period when I was freelancing full-time, I lived off baked potatoes topped with whatever was in the fridge—sometimes hummus, sometimes leftover chili. 

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was comforting, and it taught me that creativity in the kitchen often comes from limits.

Money-saving tip: Buy a big sack of potatoes instead of individual ones. They’ll last weeks in a cool, dark place.

10. High-protein grain salad

Quinoa or brown rice mixed with beans, roasted vegetables, and a simple dressing makes a hearty, balanced bowl. 

It’s the kind of meal that leaves you energized instead of sluggish.

Money-saving tip: Quinoa can be pricey, but bulgur, millet, or even plain rice work just as well. Stock up on whichever grain is cheapest in your area.

Final thoughts: cooking broke is a hidden skill

Cooking while broke can feel limiting, but in my experience, it sharpens your creativity. 

You start to see a bag of lentils or a sack of potatoes as endless possibilities. You notice which ingredients stretch the furthest. 

You learn which flavors make simple food exciting. And you discover how to cook in a way that keeps you satisfied without spending much.

The meals above aren’t just budget-friendly, they’re also building blocks. Mastering a few of them gives you confidence in the kitchen, no matter what’s in your bank account. 

And that confidence is worth more than any fancy ingredient.

So the next time money feels tight, don’t think of it as a barrier to eating well. 

Think of it as an invitation to cook smarter, embrace simplicity, and discover just how satisfying cheap vegetarian meals can be.