Eating healthy on a budget doesn’t have to be a challenge! We’ve put together a list of five delicious and nutritious meals that can feed a family of four for around £5 per meal. These recipes use affordable ingredients available from major supermarkets. We’ve also included a shopping list to make your week of meal planning even easier (bottom of the page).
Please feel free to substitute, or even add some protein to the vegetarian meals if your budget supports it. The cooking directions are very simple to keep this concise, but also don’t be afraid to add some herbs and spices you might have already in the kitchen to jazz things up!
Let’s dive in!
Spaghetti Bolognese
- Ingredients:
- Spaghetti (500g): £0.75
- Bacon (200g): £1.20 (half of the 400g pack)
- Mushrooms (100g): £0.75
- Eggs (4): £1.00 (from the 6-pack)
- Grated Cheese (100g): £1.00 (half of the 200g pack)
- Garlic (3 cloves): £0.10 (from the £0.40 bulb)
- Total Cost: £4.80
- Serves: 4
- Instructions: Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions. Fry the bacon and mushrooms, then mix with the garlic. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and grated cheese. Combine the cooked spaghetti with the bacon mixture, then quickly stir in the egg mixture to create a creamy sauce.
Chicken and Pepper Pasta
- Ingredients:
- Wholemeal Pasta (400g): £0.50
- Frozen Peppers (250g): £1.60
- Cherry Tomatoes (250g): £1.00
- Chicken Breasts (400g): £2.99
- Garlic (1 clove): £0.05 (from the £0.40 bulb)
- Light Soft Cheese (150g): £1.20
- Total Cost: £7.34
- Serves: 4
- Instructions: Cook the pasta and set it aside. Sauté the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, then add the chicken breasts and cook until done. Mix in the soft cheese until creamy, then combine with the pasta.
Bacon and Cheese Pasta
- Ingredients:
- Pasta (500g): £0.75
- Unsmoked Bacon (200g): £1.20 (remaining from the 400g pack)
- Cheddar Cheese (200g): £2.00
- Onion (2): £0.20
- Garlic (2 cloves): £0.10 (from the £0.40 bulb)
- Total Cost: £4.25
- Serves: 4
- Instructions: Cook the pasta. In a separate pan, fry the bacon and onions, then mix with the cooked pasta. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese and garlic for a rich, cheesy sauce.
Sausage and Mash
- Ingredients:
- Sausages (8 pack): £1.50
- Potatoes (1.5kg): £1.00
- Butter (50g): £0.35 (from the 250g pack)
- Milk (200ml): £0.24 (from the 1L)
- Total Cost: £3.09
- Serves: 4
- Instructions: Cook the sausages according to the packet instructions. Peel and boil the potatoes until soft, then mash with butter and milk until creamy. Serve the sausages with the mash for a hearty meal.
Vegetable Stir-Fry with Noodles
- Ingredients:
- Egg Noodles (300g): £1.00
- Mixed Frozen Vegetables (500g): £1.50
- Soy Sauce (100ml): £0.50
- Garlic (2 cloves): £0.10 (from the £0.40 bulb)
- Ginger (20g): £0.30
- Total Cost: £3.40
- Serves: 4
- Instructions: Cook the noodles and set them aside. Stir-fry the mixed vegetables with garlic and ginger, then add the cooked noodles. Pour in the soy sauce and stir until everything is well coated and heated through.
Shopping List
This shopping list includes all the ingredients you’ll need for the week, with quantities and prices:
- Spaghetti (500g): £0.75
- Bacon (400g total): £2.40
- Mushrooms (100g): £0.75
- Eggs (6-pack): £1.50
- Grated Cheese (200g total): £2.00
- Wholemeal Pasta (400g): £0.50
- Frozen Peppers (250g): £1.60
- Cherry Tomatoes (250g): £1.00
- Chicken Breasts (400g): £2.99
- Garlic (1 bulb, multiple uses): £0.40
- Light Soft Cheese (150g): £1.20
- Onion (2): £0.20
- Cheddar Cheese (200g): £2.00
- Sausages (8 pack): £1.50
- Potatoes (1.5kg): £1.00
- Butter (250g): £1.75
- Milk (1L): £1.20
- Egg Noodles (300g): £1.00
- Mixed Frozen Vegetables (500g): £1.50
- Soy Sauce (100ml): £0.50
- Ginger (20g): £0.30
Total Weekly Shopping Cost: £26.54
Closing Thoughts:
By shopping smart and choosing versatile ingredients, you can create a week of healthy, delicious meals for your family that won’t break the bank. These recipes are not only budget-friendly but also packed with nutrients, ensuring your family stays well-fed and happy.
