Cheap Breakfast Meal Prep for the Week

Meal prepping your breakfasts for the week can save you time, stress, and money. With a little planning, you can create a week’s worth of cheap breakfast options that are not only delicious but also budget-friendly. By preparing your meals in advance, you can enjoy quick, easy breakfasts without having to worry about cooking every morning.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some simple and affordable breakfast meal prep ideas that you can prepare ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.

Benefits of Breakfast Meal Prep

Before we dive into the recipes, let’s talk about why meal prepping your breakfasts is a great idea:

• Saves time: You’ll have more free time in the morning since your breakfasts are already prepared.
• Reduces food waste: By planning your meals, you’re less likely to let ingredients go bad.
• Saves money: Prepping in bulk allows you to buy in bulk, reducing your overall food costs.
• Promotes healthy eating: When you prep your meals, you’re more likely to choose nutritious options instead of reaching for something unhealthy on busy mornings.

How to Get Started with Breakfast Meal Prep

To start your meal prep journey, you’ll need some basic tools:

• Containers: Invest in a set of airtight containers or mason jars to store your meals.
• Plan your meals: Decide what you want to eat throughout the week and create a shopping list based on those recipes.
• Pick a day for meal prep: Set aside a couple of hours on the weekend to prepare and portion out your breakfasts for the week.

Now that you’re ready, let’s dive into some affordable breakfast meal prep recipes!

1. Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are a filling and customizable option that can be made in bulk and frozen for later. You can fill them with your choice of ingredients, but keeping it simple with eggs, cheese, and veggies keeps costs low.

Ingredients:

• 8 large tortillas
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup black beans (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cost breakdown:

• Tortillas: $2.00
• Eggs: $1.20
• Cheese: $2.00
• Bell pepper: $0.75
• Black beans: $0.50
• Olive oil: $0.10

Total cost: $6.55 for eight burritos (approximately $0.82 per serving)

Directions:

1. Scramble the eggs and sauté the bell peppers in olive oil.
2. Add black beans and cheese to the egg mixture.
3. Fill each tortilla with the egg mixture, roll up, and wrap in foil.
4. Store the burritos in the freezer and reheat them in the microwave or oven when needed.

2. Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are one of the easiest and most affordable breakfasts to meal prep. They’re customizable with different fruits, nuts, and seeds, so you can change up the flavors each week.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups milk (or plant-based alternative)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
• 1 cup berries or banana slices
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Cost breakdown:

• Oats: $0.80
• Milk: $0.80
• Chia seeds: $0.50
• Berries/bananas: $1.50
• Honey/syrup: $0.50

Total cost: $4.10 for five servings (approximately $0.82 per serving)

Directions:

1. Combine oats, milk, chia seeds, and sweetener in mason jars or containers.
2. Add fruit on top.
3. Refrigerate overnight, and enjoy cold or heated up in the morning.

3. Egg Muffins

Egg muffins are a protein-packed, low-cost breakfast that can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for the week. You can add whatever vegetables or cheese you have on hand to keep things budget-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• ½ cup diced bell peppers
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cost breakdown:

• Eggs: $1.20
• Spinach: $1.00
• Cheese: $1.00
• Bell peppers: $0.75

Total cost: $3.95 for six muffins (approximately $0.66 per serving)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk together the eggs, spinach, cheese, and bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake for 15-20 minutes, until set.
4. Store in the fridge for up to five days and reheat as needed.

4. Smoothie Packs

Smoothie packs are perfect for busy mornings. By prepping all of your smoothie ingredients ahead of time, you can simply dump the contents into a blender, add liquid, and have a quick, nutritious breakfast ready in no time.

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas, sliced
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 cups mixed berries
• 1 cup yogurt (optional)

Cost breakdown:

• Bananas: $0.80
• Spinach: $1.00
• Berries: $2.00
• Yogurt: $1.00

Total cost: $4.80 for four servings (approximately $1.20 per serving)

Directions:

1. Divide the fruit, spinach, and yogurt into freezer bags or containers.
2. Store in the freezer.
3. In the morning, blend with water, juice, or milk for a quick smoothie.

5. Baked Oatmeal Squares

Baked oatmeal is a great option if you want a warm, comforting breakfast that can be made in a big batch and portioned out for the week. It’s affordable and versatile—you can add fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips to switch things up.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cost breakdown:

• Oats: $0.80
• Eggs: $0.40
• Milk: $0.40
• Banana: $0.20
• Cinnamon: $0.10

Total cost: $1.90 for eight squares (approximately $0.24 per serving)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together the oats, eggs, milk, mashed banana, and cinnamon.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.
4. Let cool, cut into squares, and store in the fridge or freezer for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.

Conclusion

Prepping your breakfasts for the week doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. With these cheap breakfast meal prep ideas, you can enjoy a variety of nutritious and delicious meals every morning without the hassle of cooking each day. Whether you prefer overnight oats, egg muffins, or smoothie packs, meal prepping will save you time, money, and stress throughout the week.