budget dinner

Give falafel a makeover by using a mix of chickpeas and frozen peas, serve with couscous and a dollop of yogurt for a cheap but tasty meal

Pea falafels with minty couscous salad

frozen peas

chickpeas

tbsp flour

garlic

tsp cumin seeds

peanut butter

parsley

mint

lemon

couscous

olive oil

tomatoes

milliliters natural yogurt

Put the peas in a colander and run under the hot tap to defrost. Drain well, then put half into a food processor. Add the chickpeas, flour, garlic, cumin seeds, peanut butter or tahini, parsley, lemon zest and plenty of seasoning. Whizz the ingredients to a paste, adding a splash of water if it looks too crumbly. Using wet hands, shape the mixture into 8 patties, dust with flour, then place on a plate and chill for 10 mins, or longer if you have time. Boil the kettle.

Place the couscous in a large bowl, season, then pour over enough boiling water to just cover. Set aside for 5 mins.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan. Cook the falafels for 2-3 mins on each side, until crisp and golden – you may have to do this in batches, so keep them warm in a low oven while you do. Add the remaining oil, lemon juice, mint, tomatoes and peas to the couscous. Serve the salad and falafels with a dollop of yogurt.

Combine lean chicken with super-healthy broccoli, ginger and garlic for a quick and cheap, weeknight dinner

Stir-fried chicken with broccoli & brown rice

trimmed broccoli florets (about 6), halved

chicken breast (approx 180 grams), diced

ginger,

garlic cloves,

red onion, sliced

tsp mild chilli powder

tbsp reduced-salt soy sauce

tbsp honey

pack cooked brown rice

Put the kettle on to boil and tip the broccoli into a medium pan ready to go on the heat. Pour the water over the broccoli then boil for 4 mins.

Heat the olive oil in a non-stick wok and stir-fry the ginger, garlic and onion for 2 mins, add the mild chilli powder and stir briefly. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 2 mins more. Drain the broccoli and reserve the water. Tip the broccoli into the wok with the soy, honey, red pepper and 4 tbsp broccoli water then cook until heated through. Meanwhile, heat the rice following the pack instructions and serve with the stir-fry.

These tinned salmon fishcakes are perfect for a family-friendly dinner or summer lunch; you can make them up to a day ahead. Don’t be tempted to use fresh salmon: tinned salmon blends better with the other ingredients and packs more of a flavour punch – this is almost a store-cupboard supper.

Each serving provides 665 kcal, 28g protein, 60g carbohydrates (of which 4g sugars), 34g fat (of which 6g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.1g salt.

Tinned salmon fishcakes

potatoes,

grams/3½oz frozen peas

unwaxed lemon, zest only (optional)

spring onions, finely sliced

mayonnaise

grams/1¾oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting

grams/3½oz breadcrumbs

tbsp vegetable, sunflower

unsalted butter,

salt and black pepper

This could not be easier to whip up – and the base of this recipe (before the turmeric, coconut milk and spinach is added) can be used to make a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lentil_enchilada_bake_20525">Smoky enchilada bake</a>. Dal freezes so well, so if the portions are a bit big, just freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months for when you need a little warming up. 

This recipe is part of a <a href=" https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/vegan_budget_meal_plan_for_two"> Vegan budget meal plan for two</a>. In November 2022, this recipe was costed at an average of £2.27 when checking prices at four UK supermarkets. It is designed to be made in conjunction with a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/budget_recipes">low-cost store-cupboard</a>.

Red lentil dal 

red lentils

onions, finely chopped

garlic cloves, finely chopped

coriander

tsp cumin

chilli flakes

fresh tomatoes, chopped

soy sauce

½ tsp ground turmeric

¼ tin/100 milliliters/3½fl oz coconut milk

spinach spinach (about 125–150 grams/4½–5½oz)

Use up leftover root vegetables in this spiced, creamy soup. Dr Rupy’s mulligatawny recipe can be served chunky or smooth.

Each serving provides 466 kcal, 14g protein, 43g carbohydrate (of which 22g sugars), 24g fat (of which 16g saturates), 12g fibre and 1.3g salt. 

Veggie mulligatawny soup

olive oil,

onions, chopped

red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped

garlic cloves, crushed

tbsp curry powder,

grams/1 tomato purée

tin coconut milk

½ swede, peeled and finely chopped

carrots,

parsnips,

grams/3½oz red lentils

vegetable stock cube,

200 milliliters/7fl oz natural yoghurt

Use up leftover root vegetables in this spiced, creamy soup.

A quick and easy vegetable curry suitable for vegetarians and vegans. A great one if you are watching the pennies as it's quick and cheap to make with no fancy equipment required. Eat on its own or with rice. 

Cauliflower, potato and peas sabji 

potato

tbsp vegetable oil oil

cumin seeds

onion,

tsp garam masala

tsp turmeric

tsp dried chilli flakes

salt

cauliflower (about 750 grams/1lb 10 ounces), cut into small florets

150 grams/5½oz frozen peas

This mushroom curry by Dr Rupy is so easy to whip up for a midweek dinner, and it contains 3 of your 5-a-day. Go the extra step and make your own chapatis and the whole meal will cost under £1 per portion.

Each serving provides 646 kcal, 25g protein, 79g carbohydrate (of which 11g sugars), 22g fat (of which 8.5g saturates), 14g fibre and 1.4g salt. 

Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curry

flour

grams/1¾oz butter, melted

mushrooms,

onion, roughly chopped

grams/1 ounces piece root ginger, grated

tbsp garam masala

½ tsp smoked paprika

tin chopped tomatoes

250 grams/9 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted

grams/3½oz natural yoghurt

coriander,

This mushroom curry by Dr Rupy contains 3 of your 5-a-day.

A speedy, vegan stir-fry with aromatic spice and plenty of veg. Dr Rupy and the BOSH! team make a flavour-packed dinner that costs under £1 per portion.

Each serving provides 489 kcal, 14g protein, 81.5g carbohydrate (of which 13g sugars), 9g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 11g fibre and 1.1g salt. 


Vegan Singapore noodles

grams/5½oz rice vermicelli noodles

onion, thinly sliced

½ red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced

parsnip,

½ savoy cabbage, finely shredded

curry powder

50 grams/1¾oz spring onions, thinly sliced

tbsp light soy sauce

tsp sesame oil

A speedy, vegan stir-fry with aromatic spice and plenty of veg.

Bulgur wheat is a nubbly cousin to couscous, with a little more satisfying chew. It also needs a lot of help from added flavours, so use this as a starting point. Chopped red onion, peppers and celery would also taste great in the mix, as would feta or Greek-style salad cheese.

Hot bulgur wheat salad

bulgur wheat

tbsp olive oil, ideally extra virgin

salad tomatoes, diced

spring onions,

grams/1 ounces bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped

lemon, quartered

Dhansak is a traditional Parsi curry of lentils, vegetables and meat. This vegetarian version removes the meat, but is still bursting with flavour.

Vegetable dhansak

cauliflower,

sweet potatoes,

vegetable oil

garlic cloves, grated

grams/¾oz fresh root ginger,

600 milliliters/21fl oz reduced salt vegetable stock

grams/5½oz green beans or peas

300 grams/10½oz cooked basmati rice

natural yoghurt

flatbreads

This stir-fry is packed with veg and vitamins, and plenty of protein too from the eggs and sesame seeds. To scale up this budget stir-fry just add extra veg. 

Each serving provides 286 kcal, 17g protein, 31g carbohydrates (of which 6g sugars), 8g fat (of which 2g saturates), 9g fibre and 0.7g salt.

Vegetable egg-fried rice

tsp rapeseed oil

spring onions, thinly sliced

red pepper, seeds removed and thinly sliced

broccoli,

300 grams/10½oz freshly cooked basmati rice, cooled

175 grams/6 ounces frozen peas

eggs, lightly beaten

sesame seeds

sea salt and black pepper

If you need a family-friendly weeknight dish, you’ll love these baked Chicken Tenders Parmesan. My family loved it!

Chicken Tenders Parmesan

chicken tenders (1 1/4 lbs)

eggs (beaten)

breadcrumbs (1/2 gets tossed)

olive oil spray

marinara sauce

mozzarella

Parmesan cheese

basil leaves (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 425F. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray.

Season chicken with salt. Place egg in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs.

Dip chicken in the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture and shake off excess and place on a sheet pan.

Spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.

Bake the chicken 18 minutes flipping halfway until cooked through. It’s ok if it’s not crispy, it’s going to get covered in marinara anyway.

Transfer to a 9x13-inch baking pan, arrange the chicken strips. Spread the marinara sauce over the chicken and top with the mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until marinara is hot and the cheese is melted. Top with basil.

A super-simple Chinese-style chicken curry that can easily be adapted to whatever protein or veggies you have available.

For this recipe you will need a food processor or a blender.

Dad’s Chinese chicken curry

brown onion, chopped

fresh root ginger, chopped

red chilli, chopped

salt and pepper

plain flour

turmeric

tsp coriander

500 milliliters/18fl oz chicken stock,

chicken thighs (skin-on

chicken drumsticks

grams/3½oz frozen peas (or any other frozen, tinned

200–300 grams/7–10½oz basmati rice, cooked according to packet instructions

This easy beef stir-fry recipe is quick and easy to make with any vegetable you like! Lean tender rump steak, fresh ginger, garlic, and Sriracha add a kick of heat.

The Ultimate Beef Stir Fry In A Sticky Asian Sauce

ml Soy Sauce

ml Honey

Sriracha

Ginger

garlic (minced)

bell peppers Red (yellow, orange)

courgette (chopped)

600 g rump steak (skirt steak, stir fry steak)

spring onions

basil

make sauce

To make the sauce combine the soy sauce, honey, sriracha, ginger and garlic in a mixing bowl or measuring jug.

heat oil

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non stick skillet over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the pepper and courgette. Fry until golden and tender. Remove from the pan and place on a plate. Set aside.

add steak

Return the skillet to the heat and add another tablespoon of oil. Add the sliced steak and cook without turning for 2-3 minutes. Turn and cook undistrubed for another 2-3 minutes. Pour the sauce into the pan and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and coats the beef. Add the peppers and courgette back in and toss to coat in the sauce.

stir in basil

serve

Divide the rice into 4 bowls and spoon over the beef and peppers. Serve with extra spring onions and basil.

Try this family-style Bolognese sauce in your slow cooker – it makes four very generous servings or easily stretches to six when served with lots of spaghetti. It keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days and freezes brilliantly for up to four months.

Top 23 budget dinner recipes from across the web

The most viewed budget dinner recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Pea falafels with minty couscous sa...

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Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curr...

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Vegetable dhansak

Vegetable egg-fried rice

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Dad’s Chinese chicken curry

The Ultimate Beef Stir Fry In A Sti...

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Top 23 budget dinner recipes from across the web

The most viewed budget dinner recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Pea falafels with minty couscous sa...

Stir-fried chicken with broccoli & ...

Tinned salmon fishcakes

Red lentil dal

Veggie mulligatawny soup

Cauliflower, potato and peas sabji

Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curr...

Vegan Singapore noodles

Hot bulgur wheat salad

Vegetable dhansak

Vegetable egg-fried rice

Chicken Tenders Parmesan

Dad’s Chinese chicken curry

The Ultimate Beef Stir Fry In A Sti...

Easy slow cooker spaghetti Bolognes...

Quick chicken korma

Veggie sausage and mash with onion ...

Creamy mushroom pie and vegetables

Easy mushroom stroganoff

Air Fryer Breaded Cubed Steak (bist...

Sausage bake with gnocchi

One-pan mushroom and leek orzo

Minestrone soup

The most viewed budget dinner recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine