9 Budget-Friendly Dinners to Help You Lose Weight

An easy weekday dinner is this earthy lentil dish with leftover roasted root veggies from a huge batch. Keep it vegan or pour plain yogurt for richness.

Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils

Quinoa and chickpeas provide plant-based protein in this vegetarian grain dish. Make these savory grain bowls and store them in covered containers in the fridge for healthful, convenient lunches all week.

Chickpea & Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

This weeknight pasta with beef sauce is simpler than jarred sauce. With steamed broccoli and garlic bread. Recipe yields eight servings. If only four are eating dinner, make 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the sauce.

Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

These little vegetarian shepherd's pies have lentils, carrot, corn, and silky mashed potatoes. A broiler-safe casserole dish can be used. Serve spinach salad with oranges, walnuts, and red-wine vinaigrette.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pies

With cumin, paprika, and pepper, this fast, protein-rich chicken stew recipe is inspired by shawarma. Double the recipe and freeze for a healthy, quick dinner. Serve stew with couscous and steamed broccoli.

Cumin Chicken & Chickpea Stew

A cast-iron pan makes the cornbread crunchy in this healthful casserole, often called tamale pie. Medium-ground yellow cornmeal has the nicest texture. Serve with lime wedges for added acidity.

Cornbread-Topped Chili Casserole

A big bowl of delicious vegetable soup will keep you full for hours without many calories, which helps you lose weight. Plus, it's a simple method to increase your daily veggie intake, which everyone could use. 

Vegetable Weight-Loss Soup

This nutritious stovetop baked ziti dish requires no chopping and is excellent for busy weeknight dinners. Whole-wheat pasta adds fiber; if ziti is scarce, use penne.

Sausage & Peppers Baked Ziti