Feeding a family on a tight budget can be tough. With more and more Families feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis, more of us are having to plan meals to keep spending low. If you’re stuck for ideas on what to make, this post lists 13 cheap meals for under £2 per portion.

Benefits of Cooking and Eating Cheap Meals

Saves money

Eating cheap family meals helps to reduce food expenses, by going for budget meals like spaghetti Bolognese or chicken curry, you can enjoy delicious dinners without stretching your wallet.

By incorporating budget-friendly recipes into your meal plan, you use cheaper alternatives and pantry staples which cut down on the cost of groceries. Preparing homemade soup or a tuna pasta bake with store cupboard ingredients ensures that eating well doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.

These affordable recipes allow families in the UK to manage their food prices more effectively. The focus on using cost-effective ingredients like chopped onion, beef mince, and canned tomatoes makes it possible to feed the whole family hearty and nutritious meals every day of the week.

It’s all about making small changes to save big over time while still enjoying great-tasting food. 

Increases creativity in the kitchen

Preparing delicious and affordable meals pushes you to get creative in the kitchen. You start mixing different ingredients that you might not have thought of before, like blending peanut butter into curries for added richness or tossing chickpeas with soy sauce for a quick stir-fry.

The simplicity of the recipes encourages experimentation without the need for expensive ingredients.

As you explore various cuisines and cooking styles from our list, you’ll find new ways to use everyday items. A jar of tomato sauce becomes the base for a hearty chicken casserole, while leftover bread transforms into a crunchy topping for macaroni cheese.

Can be healthy and nutritious

Affordably doesn’t mean you have to skimp on nutrition. Opting for meals packed with vegetables and lean proteins can massively boost your family’s health.

Ingredients like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and seasonal veg are not just cheap; they’re also filled with vitamins and minerals essential for a balanced diet. Including these in your weekly shopping list ensures you’re making hearty meals that fuel the body without breaking the bank.

Making smart choices like using chicken thighs instead of more expensive breasts or adding beans to bulk out meat dishes helps keep costs down while ensuring nutritional value is high. You can even opt for plant protein alternatives for extra nutrition at a lower cost. 

Substituting rice or pasta with brown rice adds an extra layer of nutrients to any meal. With batch cooking, you preserve the goodness of fresh ingredients and have healthy family meals ready at a moment’s notice.

13 Delicious and Affordable Recipes for UK Families

Spaghetti Bolognese

Making Spaghetti Bolognese for a family meal is both easy and affordable. With ingredients sourced from Tesco, the total cost comes to £6.29, which breaks down to just £1.57 per person when serving four people.

This classic Italian dish proves that enjoying delicious meals doesn’t have to break the bank.

To prepare this firm family favourite, you’ll need ground beef, tinned tomatoes, an onion, and a few other pantry staples like olive oil and herbs. The process involves frying the onion before adding the mince to brown it.

Next, stir in the tomatoes and let everything simmer until rich and flavourful. Serve overcooked spaghetti for a hearty and satisfying dinner everyone will love.

Tomato-Baked Chicken

This recipe brings chicken breasts to life with a wonderful combination of tomatoes, herbs, and spices all baked together in a casserole dish.

It’s simple and only needs a small amount of prep time. So you can enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen or breaking the bank.

Tomato-Baked Chicken proves that cheap recipes can also be nutritious and full of flavour. By using ingredients like tinned tomatoes and fresh herbs, this dish packs a tasty punch while remaining budget-friendly.

It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want to serve something special without resorting to takeout or expensive cuts of meat. Just pop it in the oven and let it work its magic.

Tuna Pasta Bake

The dish uses cost-effective ingredients like canned tuna, pasta, and a simple homemade tomato sauce, which helps in minimising food waste and reducing expenses.

Turning tinned tuna into a delicious dinner is easy with this recipe. It combines the tuna with pasta covered in a creamy sauce, then topped with cheese before being baked to perfection.

Families love it because it’s not just affordable; it’s also hearty enough to satisfy large crowds. By opting for supermarket own brands for some of the ingredients, you can make this meal even more economical without compromising on taste or nutritional value.

Winter Vegetable Soup

Winter Vegetable Soup is a perfect choice for UK families aiming to eat healthy on a budget. This soup combines affordable ingredients like leftover veg, stock cube, and frozen veg into a nutritious meal that warms you up during cold days.

Cooking this soup is straightforward; chop your vegetables, add them to a pot with some water and a stock cube, then let everything simmer until tender. You can throw in any vegetable sitting in your fridge, making it an excellent way to avoid waste.

The great thing about this recipe is its flexibility and how it encourages creativity in the kitchen without needing expensive items. Serve it hot with a piece of crusty bread or add a swirl of cream for extra richness.

Beer-Battered Fish and Double-Cooked Chips

To make beer-battered fish, coat chunks of white fish in a batter made from flour, baking powder, and a bottle of lager. Then deep fry until golden brown. For double-cooked chips, first parboil the potatoes, let them cool, then fry in hot oil until crispy.

Serve with tartare sauce for a classic British meal.

Macaroni cheese

Macaroni cheese is a satisfying and affordable option for UK families. This classic pasta dish is known for its creamy cheesy goodness that’s perfect for budget-friendly meals.

Macaroni cheese can easily fit into a frugal meal plan, costing just a few pounds per portion.

The recipe for macaroni cheese is likely designed to be simple and straightforward, so if you’re busy, you can prepare it quickly.

Cottage pie

Cottage pie is a classic British dish made with minced meat, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked until golden and crispy. It’s an economical meal that provides warmth and comfort to families on a budget. It’s one of my favourites!

The dish typically includes affordable ingredients such as minced beef or lamb, mixed vegetables, and potatoes. 

Cottage pie is not only easy to prepare but also offers a substantial serving size, ensuring that it can feed the whole family without breaking the bank. Additionally, by using simple ingredients found in most UK kitchens, this delicious meal becomes an accessible option for many households.

Easy pasta salad

This recipe provides a refreshing and budget-friendly meal for families. The easy pasta salad features simple ingredients that can be found in most kitchen cupboards, making it an accessible and affordable choice. Emphasising fresh produce while incorporating store-cupboard items, this recipe stands as a great way to create a healthy meal without overspending.

With its versatile nature, families can tailor the easy pasta salad to suit their preferences by adding vegetables or protein options that they have on hand.

Ham and vegetable bake

The ham and vegetable bake recipe is a budget-friendly option for families that maximises store cupboard ingredients. It provides an easy way to use less expensive alternatives and stretch pricey protein with seasonal vegetables.

This delicious meal is designed to enhance family meals without breaking the bank, making it a great alternative for those seeking more than just an affordable dinner option.

Next heading: “Sausage Casserole”

Sausage Casserole

The sausage casserole offers a budget-friendly and simple meal option for UK families. This recipe is designed to be affordable, making it ideal for families on a tight budget. With its easy preparation, the sausage casserole is not only cost-effective but also a convenient choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

This hearty dish features sausages cooked in a flavourful sauce alongside vegetables, providing a satisfying and filling option that won’t break the bank. The sausage casserole is among the collection of 30 extremely cheap and delicious meal ideas tailored specifically towards UK families seeking tasty yet economical options for their weekly menu planning.

Chicken curry

Chicken curry is another budget-friendly meal option for UK families, offering both affordability and great taste. You can easily prepare this delicious dish using cost-effective ingredients such as chicken, curry powder, tomatoes, and vegetables.

The recipe is simple to follow and provides a nutritious meal that won’t break the bank. This popular dish ensures that families can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much on groceries.

Vegetable Stir Fry

Vegetable Stir Fry is a quick and easy meal that can be customised with a variety of vegetables, making it a versatile and budget-friendly option for families. The dish is packed with nutrients and provides a convenient way to increase the daily intake of vegetables. We have it all the time.

With just a few simple ingredients like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and sugar snap peas, this dish offers a healthy and satisfying meal that can be prepared in no time. I like to fry my veg in onion, garlic and ginger with a splash of soy sauce. 

This delicious stir fry also allows for flexibility in terms of protein choices such as tofu, chicken, or prawns, catering to different dietary preferences within the family. 

Spaghetti and meatballs

The Spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a delicious and affordable option for families on a budget. This flavorful dish serves 4 people at just £6.29 in total, with each serving costing only £1.57 per person.

All the ingredients needed for this dish can be easily sourced from Tesco, making it convenient and accessible for UK families looking to prepare a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.

With spaghetti Bolognese as the main ingredient, this hearty meal offers great value for money while providing a filling and tasty option that everyone will enjoy. 

Prepare these budget-friendly recipes to enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank. From Spaghetti Bolognese and Tuna Pasta Bake to Beer-Battered Fish and Double-Cooked Chips, there’s a variety of affordable options.

Make use of leftovers by transforming them into new dishes, embracing supermarket own brands while utilising your freezer effectively. Opt for cheap cuts of meat when preparing dishes like Chilli Con Carne or Slow Cooker Recipes to keep costs down.

For added savings, experiment with Pressure Cooker recipes using the most affordable ingredients such as pinto beans, lentils, rice, and chickpeas.

Tips and Tricks for Cooking on a Budget

Batch cook meals

When making the most of your freezer, batch cook meals to save time and money. This allows you to prepare large quantities of food at once, making it easier to plan and prep for the week ahead.

Batch cooking also reduces food waste by utilising ingredients efficiently.

Make use of leftovers

After batch-cooking meals, making use of leftovers is a smart way to save time and money in the kitchen. Leftover roast chicken can be transformed into a tasty chicken noodle soup, while yesterday’s baked potatoes can become delicious jacket potatoes with sour cream and spring onion.

Making creative use of leftovers not only reduces food waste but also provides a cost-effective way to enjoy more home-cooked meals without starting from scratch every time.

Choose supermarket-own brands

Opt for supermarket brands when shopping for groceries to cut down on costs while still enjoying quality ingredients. These labels often offer similar products as well-known brands at a fraction of the cost, allowing you to create tasty and nutritious meals without breaking the bank.

Make the most of your freezer

Maximise your freezer by batch cooking and freezing individual portions of meals for later use. This not only reduces waste but also saves time on busy days. Make sure to label and date the containers to keep track of what’s inside and when it was made.

By doing so, you can have a variety of homemade “ready meals” in the freezer, ready to defrost and reheat at your convenience.

Increase veggies and cut back on meat

To create more budget-friendly meals, consider incorporating a variety of vegetables and reducing the amount of meat used in recipes. This not only helps to cut costs but also promotes a healthier, more balanced diet for families.

By focusing on plant-based ingredients and using smaller portions of meat, it is possible to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals while staying within a budget. Additionally, increasing the use of veggies in recipes can bring new flavours and textures to dishes.

Including more vegetables in family meals can be an effective way to increase nutrient intake while keeping overall food costs down. Making this small adjustment can lead to substantial health benefits for everyone at home without sacrificing flavour or satisfaction in meal preparation.

FAQs

1. What makes these meals affordable for UK families?

These meals are affordable because they use the cheapest ingredients, like chicken soup, chickpea curry, and tortilla chips, to create delicious dinners without spending a lot of money on food.

2. Can I find vegetarian options among these cheap meal recipes?

Yes! Many of these budget family meals include vegetarian options that are both tasty and cost-effective, using ingredients like goat’s cheese and extra seasonings spices, herbs and lemon juice.

3. What is the secret to making these meals so delicious yet inexpensive?

The secret lies in using simple ingredients like butter, brown sugar, and little olive oil creatively in original recipes that turn basic items into something special with similar technologies used in more expensive dishes.

4. Are there any quick recipes included for busy nights?

Absolutely! You’ll find quick recipes such as Spanish omelettes and fried egg dishes that require just a frying pan and can be made quickly for a cheap dinner option on busy evenings.

5. How can I make sure my family enjoys these meals even if we’re used to more expensive tastes?

By focusing on flavour-packed ingredients like fish sauce, cream cheese, and black pepper, you can prepare mouthwatering dishes from this list that rival the taste of more expensive things without breaking the bank.

6. Is it possible to prepare any of these meals in large batches for future use?

Yes! Many of these money-saving recipes are perfect for cooking in large quantities then dividing into bite-size chunks or portions to freeze for later use—ensuring you have delicious and affordable meal options ready anytime.

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