Need simple meals to make at home? There’s over 25 dinner ideas for low-carb keto diets in this collection of healthy recipes for weight loss. Most of the dishes are budget friendly too!
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Is your credit card bill exceeding your budget? You may be spending too much on food, especially if you are eating out regularly.
Do you have any idea how much you spend each month on food? Maybe you should take a look as it could be the reason why you are having a hard time making ends meet.
Do you spend $12-$15 for lunch every work day and then pay $50 for dinner with family a couple times a week? If so, your annual food cost may be over $10,000 a year.
If you want to start saving money, try making lazy meals at home. There are tons of healthy recipes for lazy cooks to make on a budget. As a bonus, these simple dinner ideas will help you meet your weight loss goals too!
Lazy Dinner Ideas For Weight Loss
Tons of people are cutting carbs and upping fat by using keto macros for weight loss. So try some super easy low-carb dinners that whip up super fast.
These meal ideas are perfect for those nights when you are so tired and busy that all you want to do is plop on the couch and binge-watch your favorite show.
Quick Chicken Topped Salad
Buy a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket on your way home. Most supermarkets sell a whole chicken for under $10. You can also buy an inexpensive bag of baby spinach or kale to make a salad.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it over the greens. Top it off with some sunflower seeds, nuts, fresh berries, and or cheese for a fast salad.
It takes 10 minutes tops to make a rotisserie chicken salad for you and the family. If you aren’t into salads, just serve the chicken with your favorite frozen vegetable cooked in the microwave.
You may even have leftovers for a couple days. Do this a couple times and you have the whole work week covered.
Simple Grilled Dishes
If you have a propane grill at home, fire it up often to make quick healthy recipes for weight loss. Just grab some fresh veggies from your local store or farmer’s market and inexpensive cuts of meat.
Grilled vegetables such as zucchini and asparagus are usually favorites for young kids. Take one day a week to grill a bunch of veggies. The flame broiling releases natural sugars in the veggies making them taste sweeter.
Do the same thing with meat or fish. You can cook both together by grilling the veggies on one side and the meat on the other side.
You’ll have lots of nutritious vegetables and protein to last several days. Per meal, the cost will be tiny in comparison to eating out.
If you or your family members aren’t into low-carb eating, cook healthy grains in bulk once a week. Quinoa and wild rice make for a well-rounded meal to serve with the vegetables and meat.
Meal Prep Healthy Recipes For Weight Loss On A Budget
If you want to lower your monthly food bill and lose weight, healthy meal prep is a must. Preparing meals ahead when you have the time will ensure that you have quick dinners ready when you are too busy to cook. Learning how to make simple inexpensive meals is a very practical way to save money.
For example, start using a slow cooker to make big batches of simple recipes that freeze well like our ground turkey chili. You can also keep pre-sliced vegetables like celery and cucumbers on hand in the refrigerator for quick healthy snacking.
In winter, chop up lots of veggies and throw them in a slow cooker. You can also add a protein such as grass-fed beef stew meat or organic chicken thighs.
Add some bouillon stock cubes to make the soup savory. Set the slow cooker to high for 6-8 hours. It’s safe to leave it on even if nobody’s home.
Doing this a couple times a week will provide enough food for the family.
If you have a family of four or more, cook the above lazy dinner ideas in bulk and freeze the extras in vacuum sealed containers. That way you’ll have long-lasting frozen healthy meals ready to go that just need to be reheated.
Do it even if you are a very busy person. Cooking in bulk is easy. Even if you are lazy when it comes to cooking. Or both lazy and busy.
Try Fasting
Perhaps the easiest way to lose weight on a budget is to not eat as much. You don’t want to starve yourself. Instead, try intermittent fasting which extends the time between lunch and dinner.
Intermittent fasting will make you leaner. And, it will save you money.
Here’s why….
When you only eat during an eight-hour window, which is a popular method of intermittent fasting, you tend to only eat a couple meals a day.
It’s true that it’s possible to spend lots of money eating out even if you’re practicing intermittent fasting every day.
However, after you have fasted for 16 hours, your belly shrinks. Therefore, even if you do eat out, you’re not going to want to eat as much.
Intermittent fasting is one of the best lazy dinner ideas. That’s because even if you do eat out, you’ll likely take half the meal home with you. So a $15 Thai food dinner is more like $7.50 because you’re paying for two meals.
Tips For Making Healthy Recipes For Weight Loss On A Budget
There’s no other way around it…. If you want to save money on your food bill and make healthy meals for your family, you can’t eat out as much.
But if you’re someone who doesn’t have the time or motivation to cook, meal prep and cooking easy meals in bulk is a must. Easy low carb recipes that take little prep time are what we favor these days.
Become best friends with your slow cooker. Also use your propane grill more often. Keep it simple and stick to grilled veggies and lean protein. Use a rice cooker for family members not on low-carb to make lots of wild rice or other low-glycemic healthy grains.
With enough practice, following these tips for making healthy recipes for weight loss on a budget won’t feel like a chore. You may even end up enjoying the process and you’ll really enjoy receiving less costly credit card statements.
25 Dinner Ideas For Lazy Keto Meals
Ready to start cooking with some super easy recipes? You are sure to find a few dishes to suit your taste buds in this round up of simple dishes.
Super Easy Healthy Recipes For Weight Loss On Keto
Need some lazy dinner ideas that are low-carb and keto-friendly? Check out some of our favorite recipes below.
4-Ingredient Keto Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe
No time for cooking? Try this ridiculously easy low carb crock pot Mexican chicken soup recipe. It’s made with only 4 ingredients!
Healthy Ground Turkey Chili (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)
Spice up your dinner with this easy ground turkey chili recipe! It’s a comforting dish that’s so simple to make in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot.
Keto Crockpot Crack Chicken Recipe
When you crave something new and easy for dinner, try this keto chicken recipe. It slow cooks in the Crock Pot leaving you free to do other things.
Keto Chicken Salad
There's nothing simpler than a quick and easy Keto Chicken Salad when you're short on time or just not in the mood to light up the stove. Make it
even easier with leftover chicken or supermarket rotisserie, no one will
complain
Easy Ground Beef and Squash Skillet
A quick and easy hamburger squash skillet dinner that cooks up in no time. Great alternative to fast food takeout on busy nights.
Keto Omelette - Rolled and Baked
Most
recipes for a keto omelette might be predictable. Not this one! Trust
me this recipe is ever so simple. A delicious low carb rolled omelette
in under 30 minutes!
Keto Baked Cod Recipe
This keto baked cod recipe has zero net carbs per serving! It's a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and a filling protein for dinner.
Baked Salmon in Foil
Looking
for a quick and easy weeknight dinner? This super tasty Baked Salmon in
Foil is ready in under 30 minutes and makes clean up a cinch!
Egg Roll in a Bowl--easy, healthy, and delicious! | Whole New Mom
This Egg Roll in a Bowl is the perfect easy one pan meal that is loaded with veggies and flavor! Easily adaptable too!
Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks
This juicy and flavorful baked chicken turns out perfectly crispy and is so easy to make. A big hit with adults and kids alike!
Italian Ground Turkey and Peppers
With maximum flavor and minimum effort, this Italian Turkey and Peppers is easy peasy!
Keto Palmini Spaghetti Bolognese
This
delicious Italian dish is made with Palmini instead of pasta. A
grain-free, low-carb and keto approved recipe that is super easy to make
with only three ingredients!
Kielbasa And Sauerkraut Recipe (EASY!)
Kielbasa and sauerkraut makes a quick and easy one pan meal. Using the slow cooker makes it even easier.
How to Cook Boneless Pork Ribs in the Oven
Here’s an easy way to bake boneless pork ribs that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Simply season and bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked thoroughly.
Low-Carb Sloppy Joes + VIDEO — 4.9g net carbs
Nothing could be easier for a quick mid-week dinner than sloppy joes. The whole family will love these.
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Let the air fryer do all the work! Just add a rub and 45 minutes later you have a rotisserie chicken for dinner.
Keto Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Keto Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry is a delicious quick and easy low
carb dinner you can make in less than 30 minutes from start to finish,
all in one single pan. It's perfect for the lazy cook who doesn't want
to sacrifice any flavor!
Sheet Pan Low Carb Fajitas with Shrimp
The easiest way to make fajitas is baking the meat and vegetables on a sheet pan. Here’s a simple recipe for shrimp ones.
Keto Baked Feta Pasta with Palmini Noodles
Enjoy
this Super Quick and Easy TikTok Viral Keto Baked Feta Pasta with
Palmini Noodles made in a few minutes. Fully Low Carb, Gluten-Free, and
Grain-Free Keto Dinner made with Pasta Alternative you are going to
love.
Keto French Onion Soup Chicken - 5 Ingredients, Low Carb, Gluten-Free
This French onion soup chicken has only a few minutes of hands on time for delicious flavorful chicken.
Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowls
Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowls are quick and simple to prepare, super
comforting, low carb meals. This quick & easy, low-carb Mexican
recipe is ready to eat in under 15 minutes.
Easy Baked Salmon Sheet Pan Recipe - a simple low carb dinner!
If you are looking for a healthy, low carb dinner, try this easy baked
salmon sheet pan recipe. There is also a delicious creamy lemon Asiago
sauce that goes great with both the salmon and asparagus.
Easy Chicken Fajita Casserole
Tender seasoned chicken, onions, peppers, and loads of melty cheese.
Everything you love about fajitas in a simple-to-make casserole that you can prepare in advance and toss in the oven for a quick and flavorful
dinner.
Low Carb Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet
This
is a low carb Cheesy Beef and Broccoli Rice Skillet recipe. is a
perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love with
all of the flavor minus carbs. Even my carb-loving family members
request this version over and over again!
One Pan Chicken and Veggies Bake for an Easy Meal
For a great weeknight dinner, give this super easy chicken with vegetables a try. It’s even easier if you use pre-cut veggies!
First published on August 23, 2018. Article republished on April 8, 2021, to include a list of simple keto recipes for weight loss.
Sara Welch says
Such a great roundup of healthy recipes that will be perfect for my diet! Looking forward to giving all of these a try; they look too good to pass up, indeed!
Tara says
Such a great collection of recipes! I especially love the rolled omelette and the French Onion Soup Chicken. Yum!
Biana says
Yum! So many delicious dinner ideas. The salmon looks really good!