19 Budget-Friendly Diabetes Dinners

April 19, 2020

Skip gallery slides

These diabetes-appropriate dinner recipes are delicious and budget-friendly. These recipes are low in calories as well as saturated fat and sodium while still being flavorful and affordable. Recipes like Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice and One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake are healthy, filling and great for dinner any day of the week.

Start Slideshow

1 of 19

Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the tortillas in favor of this warm fajita salad, which features a nutritious medley of chicken with roasted kale, bell peppers and black beans. The chicken, beans and vegetables are all cooked on the same pan, so this healthy dinner is easy to make and the cleanup is easy too. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 19

Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Wondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another weeknight-friendly, quick dinner. Don't forget to reserve some pasta water--its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

3 of 19

Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

Advertisement

4 of 19

Rainbow Buddha Bowl with Cashew Tahini Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

5 of 19

Skillet Chicken Breast & Broccoli with Mustard-Rosemary Pan Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The one-two punch of searing and roasting results in this perfectly browned, moist, and tender skillet chicken recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

6 of 19

Potato Hash with Sausage & Fried Egg

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Leftover cooked potatoes and peppers form the base of this quick weeknight meal for one. Alternatively, use frozen cubed hash browns and and bell pepper-onion stir-fry mix. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 19

Roasted Salmon & Tomatoes with Garlic & Olives

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Keep the mess to minimum with this easy sheet-pan dinner. Cherry tomato halves roast alongside salmon fillets and make a delicious topping combined with olives, garlic and thyme in this easy fuss-free dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2020

8 of 19

Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegetarian faux fried rice uses riced cauliflower in place of white or brown rice to pack in extra veggies and cut down on carbs. Chile-garlic sauce pumps up the heat, and fresh ginger adds a bright, warm bite. If you don't like the heat of the chile-garlic sauce, leave it out and add a bit more tamari or soy sauce for a rich, fermented tang. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018

9 of 19

Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy one-pan skillet-roasted lemon chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in the same pan as baby potatoes and kale for a satisfying meal with the added bonus of minimal cleanup. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 19

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Upgrade baked beans from classic side dish to a meaty main meal by adding lean ground beef. The final result, a superfast hearty casserole, is an easy and fast dinner option. Ground turkey or even sausage would work nicely in this dish. Just watch the sodium. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

11 of 19

Spaghetti & Zucchini Noodles with Basil-Walnut Pesto

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Basil is the backbone of this vibrant no-cook basil-walnut pesto sauce. Toss in some leftover roast chicken or pork with these zucchini noodles for a heartier meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

12 of 19

One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this chicken and asparagus recipe, we use one baking sheet to whip up dinner quickly, veggies included. Pounding the chicken thin helps it cook quickly alongside the carrots and potatoes, with asparagus rounding out the meal. This is one quick dinner recipe you'll be returning to again and again. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 19

Kale, Sausage & Pepper Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This entire healthy pasta recipe cooks in one skillet, so there's only one pot to clean! Try it with any greens you have in the fridge, such as chard or spinach. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

14 of 19

Cheeseburger Stuffed Baked Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the bun and serve all of your favorite cheeseburger ingredients--beef, cheese, tomatoes, red onions and lettuce--with baked potatoes for a hearty and easy dinner recipe that kids and adults will love. Feel free to swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or tofu crumbles. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

15 of 19

Mushroom & Tofu Stir-Fry

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This tofu veggie stir-fry is quick and easy, making it a great go-to weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, toothsome texture that crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here. Or opt for a smoked version, which has the same texture with a more robust flavor. Serve over brown rice. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 19

Shrimp & Egg Fried Rice

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy egg, vegetable and shrimp fried rice comes together in about 30 minutes for a delicious dinner you can make any day of the week. Fried rice is traditionally made with leftover rice cooked a day ahead; this recipe simplifies the process by cooking the rice together with the rest of the meal. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

17 of 19

Spinach-Tomato Macaroni & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

An old-school classic gets a boost of nutrition and flavor from garlicky spinach and tomatoes in this healthy mac and cheese recipe. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

18 of 19

Lemon Chicken Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We love the combination of lemon zest and toasted breadcrumbs in this quick and easy pasta recipe for one. This healthy dinner is made with rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking spiralized zucchini and baby zucchini, so you get a complete meal in just 10 minutes. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Summer 2019

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 19

Garden-Style Ravioli

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Packaged light cheese ravioli cuts the cooking time for this pasta recipe, and helps trim fat and calories, too. Tender bell peppers, carrot strips, and tomato add fresh flavor and color to this simple 20-minute pasta dish. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

Up Next