The best budget midweek meals to see you through the week (2024)

Eating cheaply doesn’t need to be boring or repetitive. With a bit of know-how, it’s more than possible to eat well for less; start with buyingmore economical cuts of meat, putting vegetables at the centre of the plate and making the most of store-cupboard spices. These are just a fewexamples ofbudget midweek meals, from soups to one-pot (or one-tray)mealsto pasta, but ifyou’re after more inspiration, delve into orThe Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook, both packed with ideas to get you putting delicious, economical dishes on the table.

Lentil Cumberland Pie fromEat Well for Less: Every DaybyJo Scarratt-Jones.

For a comforting weeknight dinner,this Cumberland Piefrom Eat Well for Less: Every Day ticks all the boxes.Dried green lentils are used in place of the traditional meat for a healthy and thrifty (but equally tasty) take on the dish

Asian-style Sticky Chicken with Chinese Leaf Salad fromEat Well For Less: Every Day by Jo Scarratt-Jones

This delicious Eat Well For Less recipe for Asian-style Sticky Chicken with a light cabbage salad is a budget-friendly recipe that makes a refreshing midweek family meal, with tasty leftovers for lunch the next day.

BuyEat Well For Less: Every Dayhere.

Sweet Leek Carbonarawith Fresh Thyme, Garlic, Cracked Black Pepper and Parmesanfromby Jamie Oliver.

This sweet, creamy pasta dish from Jamie Oliver’s Vegis a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your mealtime. You candouble or triple the amount of the leek base and freeze it in batchesfor an even more fuss-free evening in the future.

BuyVeg: Easy & Delicious Meals for Everyonehere.

Roasted Aubergine, Courgette and Macaroni Bake fromThe Quick Roasting Tinby Rukmini Iyer.

If you’re in need of some seriouscomfort food, thispasta bake fromThe Quick Roasting Tindelivers. The creamy Boursin adds a garlic and herb flavour, while the panko breadcrumbs provide a moreish crunch – all in under an hour.

Buy The Quick Roasting Tin here.

Chicken Biryanifrom by Jo Scarratt-Jones

Chicken Biryanifrom Eat Well For Less: Quick & Easy Meals is the perfect one-pot dish. Chicken, rice and vegetables are all cooked together with a selection of spices in one large sauté pan, making it the ultimate budget one-pot meal.

Tasty Salmon TacosfromSave with Jamie by Jamie Oliver

A winning recipe from Jamie Oliver’s failsafeSave with Jamie cookbook, theseTasty Salmon Tacosare a delicious family favouritethat are packed with nutritious ingredients as well asa whirlwind of fresh flavours and satisfying textures.

Buy Save with Jamie here.

Vegetarian Toad in the Hole from The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook by Amy Sheppard

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly twist on a warming comfort classic, have a go at thisVegetarian Toad in the HolefromThe Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook.Swapping meat for a veggiesubstitute is a great way to save the pennies, without compromising on flavour.

Get The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook here.

Pork Meatball Thai CurryfromMincespiration!by Dean Edwards

Dean Edwards’ flavour-packedPork Meatball Thai CurryfromMincespiration!will quickly becomeone of your go-to midweek dinner recipes, made with satisfying andfresh ingredients that won’t break the bank.

Buy a copy of Mincespiration!here.

Barbecue Chicken Bake fromEat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budgetby Jo Scarratt-Jones

Trust the Eat Well for Less team to come up with a budget-friendly,crowd-pleasing dinner that the whole family will love. Enter this tastyrecipe forBarbecue Chicken Bakefrom theEat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budgetcookbook, using chicken thighs and drumsticks (the cheaper parts of the chicken, also considered the most flavourful) coated inan irresistible barbecue glaze. Yes please.

Buy Eat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budget here.

Saucy Chicken and Pepper Piefrom The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook by Amy Sheppard

ThisSaucy Chicken and Pepper Piefrom the Savvy Shopper’s Cookbookgoes down a treat with even the fussiereaters in the family, combining the delicious flavours of chorizo and chicken with sweet red peppers and a comforting tomato sauce. It only gets better, with an irresistible topping of creamy mashed potato and oozy cheddar cheese.

Get The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook here.

Penne with Roasted Veg and Tomatofrom Eat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budget by Jo Scarratt-Jones

When it comes to pasta, simpleis often best, and thisPenne with Roasted Veg and TomatofromEat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budget is a case in point. Using frozen veggies to keep the price down, this fuss-free recipe is a great option for an easyweeknight meal, when you’re after something satisfying that’sstill nutrititious.

Buy Eat Well for Less: Family Feasts on a Budget here.

Mouthwatering Moussakafrom by Jo Scarratt-Jones

A vegetarian twist on a family favourite, thisMouthwatering Moussakafrom Eat Well for Less: Quick & Easy Mealsis a wholesome, satisfying dinner that always goes down well with a hungry crowd. Swapping the traditional red meat forred lentils and aubergine brings down the cost of ingredientswithout losing the benefits of a filling protein-based meal.

Buy Eat Well for Less: Quick & Easy Meals here.

Puy Lentil Bolognesefrom by Jo Scarratt-Jones

Swapping meat for pulses is an easy way to cut costs, and this Puy Lentil BolognesefromEat Well For Less: Quick & Easy Mealshas all the flavour and texture of a beef ragu. Spend 20 minutes preparing it, then leave it to tick away for 30 minutes while you get on with your to-do list.

Buy Eat Well for Less: Quick & Easy Meals here.

Broccoli PastafromJamie’s 15-Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver

This Broccoli Pastafrom Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals is not only quick to prepare, it is packed with flavour. Don’t feel obliged to make the accompanying green salad, and feel free to swap the small amount of pine nuts with whatever nuts you might have in the cupboard.

Buy a copy of Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals here.

Spicy Chipotle Chicken WingsfromThe Roasting Tinby Rukmini Iyer

Choosing economical cuts of meat is the best way to save money. Chicken wings are certainly cheaper than the breast, making this recipe forSpicy Chipotle Chicken Wings a great midweek option. Taken from The Roasting Tin cookbook, packed with ideas for fuss-free suppers that you can throw together in no time, leaving the oven to do the hard work.

Buy a copy of The Roasting Tin here.