Top Recipes for Cost-Effective Meals
Teatime? Dinnertime? Let’s talk about evening meals!
How do evening meals look in your house?
For many, teatime represents precious time spent with family, catching up on the day’s events. If you’re a cooking connoisseur, it may be your time to shine, or it could be a welcome spell of calm after a hectic day at work; half an hour where you can simply sit down, unwind, and clear your mind.
Sadly, mealtimes may be a source of stress for some. Between July 2022 and July 2023, the cost-of-living crisis saw food prices rocket by 14.9%.
A survey carried out in November 2022 revealed that 83% of people were worried about the rising cost of food.
The good news is that we can watch the pennies and eat on a budget while still enjoying healthy, hearty dishes, sublime flavours, and the odd treat or two.
We’ve been on a mission to bring you a sensational selection of low-cost meals for a family of four, covering all bases from vegetarian to meaty, and healthy to a little bit naughty.
Store cupboard staples
Before we get started, we’ve put together a quick list of store cupboard staples that are commonly used in various recipes and useful to have in. Tinned goods and items such as lentils and rice can be potentially stored for years – just be sure to check the sell-by/use-by dates before you use.
It’s always useful to keep things like beans, pasta, and pasta sauce to hand for those nights when you’re short on time, or you simply can’t be bothered to cook up an elaborate meal.
Frozen veg is a whole lot cheaper than fresh, with the added bonus that it lasts longer, and you are unlikely to waste any. Frozen veg generally takes minutes to cook and can be added to almost any dish to provide a subtle healthy kick.
Worried about the nutritional value of frozen veg? Don’t be. Vegetables are usually frozen immediately after being picked, which means they retain many of their nutrients.
| Item | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil (750ml) | £3.79 | £2.50 |
| Stock cubes (12 pack) | 59p | 90p |
| Baked beans (420g) | 28p | 27p |
| Chickpeas (420g) | 55p | 55p |
| Tinned chopped tomatoes (400g) | 35p | 35p |
| Tomato puree (200g) | 59p | 65p |
| Tuna in brine (145g) | 55p | 72p |
| Pasta Sauce (tomato & herb, 440g) | 47p | 50p |
| Pasta (white penne, 400g) | 41p | 75p |
| Rice (white basmati, 1kg) | £1.85 | 90p |
| Lentils (red split, 500g) | £1.29 | £2.00 |
| Plain flour (1.5kg) | 69p | 79p |
| Eggs (medium, box of 6) | £1.35 | £1.50 |
| Block of mild cheddar cheese (400g) | £2.69 | £3.00 |
| Bag of grated mozzarella cheese (250g) | £1.99 | £2.75 |
| Greek yoghurt (150g) | 69p | 80p |
| Frozen mixed vegetables (1kg) | 85p | £1.30 |
| Wholemeal wraps (pack of 8) | 99p | £1.20 |
| Baking Potatoes (each) | 23p | 70p |
Prices correct as of 30th August 2023. We selected the cheapest option for each item, which included a mixture of own-brand and label products.
Seven days of cost-effective meals
Please note that we have not included the price of olive oil or plain flour in our recipe breakdowns, assuming that these are things you already have in your cupboard following our store cupboard staples list above.
Meal one: sausage pasta - £1.08 per serving
This dish gave us gorgeous winter-warmer vibes! Imagine tucking into this on a cold night – heaven!
For such a filling meal combining meat and carbs, the cost per portion is surprisingly low.
Vegetarian or vegan? You can easily omit the pork sausages for a plant-based version (£1.49 at Aldi, and £1.75 at Sainsbury’s).
The recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/saucy-sausage-pasta-0
Ingredients list (serves four):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Pork sausages (pack of 8) | £1.29 | £1.50 |
| Pasta (white penne, 400g) | 41p | 75p |
| Tin of chopped tomatoes (400g) | 35p | 35p |
| Brown onion (three pack, cost breakdown) | 95p (32p each) | 95p (for one) |
| Garlic (four pack, cost breakdown) | 69p (17p each) | 24p (for one) |
| Chilli powder (40g) | 65p | £1.10 (44g) |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £4.34
Total cost per serving: £1.08
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £4.89
Total cost per serving: £1.22
Meal two: Spaghetti aglio e olio – 46p per serving
Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this delicious, underrated dish. It’s super-easy to rustle up with just four ingredients, and look at that cost per serving!
Expecting friends? This could be an ideal Friday night rustle-up that will be sure to wow your guests.
Buon appetito!
The recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spaghetti-aglio-e-olio
Ingredient list (recipe is to serve two; however we have doubled the ingredients to serve four):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti (500g) | 75p | 56p (1kg) |
| Garlic (four pack, cost breakdown) | 69p (17p each) | 24p (for one) |
| One red chilli (65g) | 54p | 54p (65g) |
| Fresh parsley | 52p | 52p |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £2.50
Total cost per serving: 62p
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £1.86
Total cost per serving: 46p (WOW!)
Meal three: chicken curry - £3.01 per serving
Chicken is a firm favourite in a lot of households, although it can be pricey.
With this in mind, we have included a classic curry recipe using chicken thighs, which tend to be cheaper than chicken breast.
This recipe requires a lot of ingredients that can be used again and again, including rice and ground almonds.
The recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-chicken-curry
Ingredient list (serves four):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Brown onion | 95p (three pack, so broken down the cost would be approximately 32p each) | 95p (for one) |
| Garlic | 69p (four pack, so broken down the cost would be approximately 17p each) | 24p (for one) |
| Whole ginger | 69p (125g) | £1.00 (100g) |
| Tikka paste | Not available, however this could be substituted for tikka cooking sauce – 99p (500g) | £2.00 (125g) |
| Chicken thighs | £3.99 (600g) | £5.15 (640g) |
| Tin of chopped tomatoes | 35p (400g) | 35p (400g) |
| Greek yoghurt | 69p (150g) | 80p (200g) |
| Fresh coriander | 52p | 52p |
| Ground almonds | £1.35 (150g) | £2.50 (100g) |
| Basmati rice | £1.85 (1kg) | 90p (500g) |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £12.07
Total cost per serving: £3.01
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £14.39
Total cost per serving: £3.59
Meal four: tuna & bean jacket potato - £1.03 per serving
Ahh, the ultimate British comfort food.
Can you go wrong with a jacket potato? We think not!
This recipe – incorporating the humble spud with one of the nation’s favourite, tinned fish – includes a jamboree of veggies and pulses to set you on your way to five-a-day.
The recipe: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/tuna-and-bean-jacket-potatoes/
Ingredient list (serves four. To keep the cost down, we have not included the optional extras in this recipe, although of course feel free to add them if you wish.):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Four potatoes | 23p each, 92p for four | 70p each, £2.80 for four |
| Tin of cannellini beans | 59p (400g) | 59p (400g) |
| Tuna (200g needed) | 55p (in brine, 145g), £1.10 for two | 72p (in brine, 145g), £1.44 for two |
| Tomato puree | 59p (200g) | 65p (200g) |
| One pepper (any color) | 42p | 55p |
| Spring onions | 50p | 50p |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £4.12
Total cost per serving: £1.03
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £6.53
Total cost per serving: £1.63
Meal five: Spaghetti Bolognese - £1.38 per serving
Twirly forks at the ready!
Here in Britain, the ever-popular ‘spag bol’ is a timeless household name, and we treat it as if it were our very own cuisine.
Want to make this dish green? No problem! Swap beef mince and beef stock cubes for Quorn or vegan mince and vegetable stock cubes.
The recipe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/easy_spaghetti_bolognese_93639
Ingredient list (serves four):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Beef mince (20% fat) | £2.49 (500g) | £2.49 (500g) |
| One brown onion | 95p (three pack, so broken down the cost would be approximately 32p each) | 95p (for one) |
| Garlic | 69p (four pack, so broken down the cost would be approximately 17p each) | 24p (for one) |
| Carrots | 33p (500g) | 40p (500g) |
| Beef stock cubes | 59p (for 12) | 90p (10 pack) |
| Spaghetti | 75p (500g) | 56p (1kg) |
Prices correct as of 30th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £5.80
Total cost per serving: £1.45
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £5.54
Total cost per serving: £1.38
Meal six: wrap pizzas - £1.57 per serving
Who doesn’t love a pizza?
The best thing about pizza (besides its cheesy, carby deliciousness, of course) is the fact that it’s hugely versatile.
Pizzas can be made on a variety of bases, including bagels, baguettes, and even crumpets.
A healthy, low-cost way to enjoy pizza is to whack your toppings on a wholemeal tortilla wrap.
Don’t judge us, but there’s something strangely thrilling about rolling your pizza up before you eat it!
The recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/258013/easy-tortilla-pizza/
Ingredient list (serves four – two pizzas each):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal tortilla wraps | 99p (pack of eight) | £1.20 (pack of eight) |
| Tomato puree | 59p (200g) | 65p (200g) |
| Grated mozzarella cheese | £1.99 (250g) | £2.75 (250g) |
| Example topping one: Pepperoni | £1.05 (120g) | £1.00 (100g) |
| Example topping two: Red onion | 95p (three pack, so broken down the cost would be approximately 32p each) | 95p (for one) |
| Example topping three: Sweetcorn | 72p (340g) | 65p (325g) |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £6.29
Total cost per serving: £1.57
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £7.20
Total cost per serving: £1.80
Meal seven: homemade fish, chips, & peas - £2.83 per serving
Who says you can’t enjoy a delicious ‘fakeaway’ classic on a budget?! Not us!
In 2022, fish and chips was voted Britain’s favourite meal.
We hate to open a can of worms here, but we need to know… what do you top your chippy chips with? It’s an age-old British debate, destined to send mealtimes across the country into utter chaos.
Are you a curry sauce fan, a lover of the classic gravy, or a handful of cheese kind of person?
However you enjoy your chips, we’ve got the basics covered. Top as you please!
The recipe: https://www.parentclub.scot/recipe/fish-chips-and-peas
Ingredient list (serves four):
| Ingredient | Aldi | Sainsbury’s |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless haddock fillets (pack of two) | £3.49 for one packet, £6.98 for two (total four portions) | £4.74 for one packet, £9.48 for two (total four portions) |
| Plain flour | 69p (1.5kg) | 79p (1.5kg) |
| Eggs | £1.35 (medium box of six) | £1.50 (medium box of six) |
| Dried breadcrumbs | 89p (175g) | £1.25 (100g) |
| Five potatoes | 23p each, £1.15 for five | 70p each, £3.50 for five |
| Frozen peas | 95p (900g) | 80p (850g) |
Prices correct as of 29th August 2023.
Aldi
Total cost: £11.32
Total cost per serving: £2.83
Sainsbury’s
Total cost: £13.73
Total cost per serving: £3.43
Food for thought
If a family of four followed this meal plan over the course of a week, they could be looking to spend around £46.44 (£11.61 per person/ £1.65 per day) at Aldi, and £54.14 (£13.53 per person/ £1.93 per day) at Sainsbury’s.
How to Save Money on Food
You can never know too many foodie money-saving tips!
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite tried-and-tested methods to help keep down the cost of your food shop.
- Use apps such as SuperCook and BigOven to transform your leftovers into yummy dishes.
- Try a flexitarian diet. Aiming to swap a few meaty meals for vegetarian substitutes could reduce your food bills by up to 14%.
- Choose ‘own brand’ labels rather than branded products.
- Plan your meals in advance. This makes it easier to stick to your list when shopping.
- Don’t shop when you’re hungry. It’s advice that has been passed down through the decades for good reason!
Further help
EVERYONE has the right to access and enjoy food – that is completely non-negotiable.
If you are in a position where you cannot afford to buy food, please seek help as soon as possible.
Most areas will have a local food bank, who provide food and essential items for those who may be struggling.
To qualify for a food bank voucher you must be referred by your doctor, a social worker, local council, or a housing officer. It’s also possible to be referred by the Citizens Advice Bureau – please click here for future information.
You can find your nearest food bank via the Trussell Trust website.
It’s possible that you may feel that there is a certain stigma surrounding food banks. You may also feel as though you and your personal situation will be judged. This is absolutely not the case.
Unfortunately, money worries and debt do not discriminate and can happen to anyone, at any time.
Many people across the country are currently battling through the cost-of-living crisis. You are certainly not alone, so please never feel this way.
You can find free, impartial financial advice on websites such as Citizens Advice, National Debt Line, MoneyHelper and StepChange.
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