quick budget dinners

This vegetarian low-calorie chickpea curry makes a wonderful, easy after-work meal, and is ready in less than 20 minutes. It's also vegan if you leave out the egg. 

Each serving provides 441 kcal, 26g protein, 92g carbohydrates (of which 8.5g sugars), 20g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 15g fibre and 0.6g salt. 

With a GI of 45 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a>.

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

eggs

olive oil

tsp cumin seeds

tsp black mustard seeds

tbsp medium curry powder,

garlic

ginger

tin chopped tomatoes

tin chickpeas,

lemon juice

milliliters/3½fl water

baby leaf spinach

salt and black pepper

tbsp chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

Vegetable curry is a good choice when you’re on a diet because vegetables are so low in calories, which means you can have a generous portion. This very low-calorie dish provides three of your five-a-day. It's also vegan.

Each serving provides 300 kcal,11g protein, 40g carbohydrate (of which 27g sugars), 8g fat (of which 0.5g saturates), 12.5g fibre and 1.3g salt.


Butternut squash curry with cauliflower 'rice'

cauliflower florets

tsp rapeseed oil

onion (75 grams/2½oz peeled weight), chopped

250 grams/9 ounces butternut squash,

garlic clove, finely chopped

tbsp curry paste (see tip)

tomatoes

150 milliliters/5fl oz vegetable stock

grams/1½oz baby spinach, washed (frozen is also fine)

Chicken egg-fried rice is a quick, easy and cheap way to use up leftovers. Perfect for late-night meals or dinner in a hurry.

Each serving provides 702 kcal, 4g protein, 79g carbohydrates (of which 11g sugars), 24g fat (of which 5g saturates), 6g fibre and 3.5g salt.

Chicken egg-fried rice

vegetable oil

egg,

spring onions, sliced

grams/1¾oz frozen peas

pouch microwavable rice

chicken

sesame oil

tbsp dark soy sauce

Stuff this Taiwanese omelette with whatever fillings you like - shredded carrot, cabbage, fried tofu all work well.


Egg fu yung wrap with chilli sauce

tbsp groundnut oil

mushrooms

red pepper, de-seeded and diced

75 grams/3 ounces smoked bacon, diced

eggs,

soy sauce

white pepper

spring onions, shredded

salad leaves

sweet chilli sauce

A comforting, healthy and creamy dish that’s ready in a flash. This light version of beef stroganoff is a little over 500 calories so it is recommended you pair it with a lower calorie breakfast or lunch on a diet day to ensure your calorie intake doesn't exceed 1200–1500.

Each serving provides 546 kcal, 41g protein, 64g carbohydrates (of which 9g sugars), 14g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 8g fibre and 1g salt. 

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganoff

grams/5½oz brown basmati rice

shallots, finely chopped

tsp sweet smoked paprika

red pepper, seeds removed,

200 grams/7 ounces chestnut mushrooms, thinly sliced

garlic cloves, finely chopped

tbsp cider vinegar

level tbsp wholegrain mustard

150 milliliters/5fl oz beef stock

sirloin

milliliters/3½fl oz fat-free plain fromage frais

level tbsp roughly chopped gherkins

tbsp finely snipped fresh chives

A delicious jumble of smoky sausage, chicken, tomato and rice. This chicken jambalaya also makes a great lunch the next day. 

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya

chicken thighs, boneless, skin removed, cut into 2½cm/1in pieces

chorizo sausage

onion,

celery stick, finely chopped

red pepper, thinly sliced

½ tsp cayenne pepper,

150 grams/5½oz basmati rice

200 milliliters/7fl oz chicken stock

parsley,

Miguel's quick bean stew is creamy, salty and hearty. It's also really flexible, so if you want to switch the beans or vegetables, feel free.

Bacon and white bean stew

onion, thinly sliced

rashers

garlic cloves, thinly sliced

tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

chicken stock cube

Beans pulao is a vegan one-pot rice dish that's cheap, healthy and oh-so-simple to make.

Beans pulao 

tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil

cumin seeds

tins mixed beans

½–1 tsp dried chilli flakes

tsp cumin

salt

300 grams/10½oz long-grain rice

900 milliliters/1½pints boiling water

herbs

A great chicken noodle soup recipe for using up leftover cooked chicken. Combine with broccoli, peas or any other vegetables that need eating. Good stock is the key to this recipe, so use the best you can get your hands on.


Easy chicken noodle soup

500 milliliters/18fl oz good-quality chicken stock

garlic clove, sliced

ginger,

chicken breast

grams/3½oz egg noodles

broccoli peas

2–3 tsp reduced salt soy sauce

spring onions, trimmed

chilli or sesame oil (optional)

A family-friendly pasta recipe that makes the most of tinned foods. If your kids love Hawaiian pizza then this ham and pineapple pasta is a great twist to try for a quick mid-week dinner.

Hawaiian spaghetti

spaghetti (or pasta shape of your choice)

butter

200 grams/7 ounces tinned ham,

pineapple

full-fat cream cheese

This budget vegetarian burrito uses tinned beans and frozen sweetcorn. You can even use a microwave to cook the whole recipe.

Each serving provides 733kcal, 24.5g protein, 128g carbohydrate (of which 11g sugars), 12g fat (of which 6g saturates), 13g fibre and 2.5g salt.

Bean and rice burrito

200 grams/7 ounces tomatoes, diced

tbsp white wine vinegar

lime, zest only (juice used below)

salt and pepper

tin Mexican-style bean mix or mixed beans

sweetcorn,

tortilla wraps

150 grams/5½oz long-grain rice, cooked according to the packet instructions

lime, juice only

plain yoghurt

This easy sausage bake is made with gnocchi rather than pasta. Roasted gnocchi is magical – while the inside stays light and fluffy, the outside goes crisp and golden, like mini roast potatoes.

Each serving provides 600 kcal, 24g protein, 47g carbohydrates (of which 10g sugars), 33.5g fat (of which 12g saturates), 8g fibre and 1.8g salt.

Sausage bake with gnocchi

pepper,

orange

gnocchi

pork sausages

Make broccoli the star of the show with this creamy broccoli pasta. This recipe is a doddle to prepare and will get you on your way to five a day. 

Quick broccoli pasta

150 grams/5½oz rigatoni or penne pasta

spring onions

grams/4½oz cherry tomatoes

broccoli

chilli flakes,

grams/2¾oz cream cheese

A tasty pasta meal in less than 20 minutes - with cream cheese, chilli and tomatoes.

Lisa Faulkner makes quick broccoli pasta

Orzo makes a quick alternative to risotto, no stirring for half an hour! The starch from the pasta makes a creamy sauce without the cream. Orzo is also great to use in a vegetable soup.

One-pan mushroom and leek orzo

tbsp olive oil,

250–300 grams/9–10½oz mushrooms, sliced

leeks,

orzo pasta

vegetable or chicken stock cube

It's not quite a one pot but this easy rice recipe has most of the advantages of one. The beef and Cajun seasoning make sure it's packed with flavour and there's plenty of mixed veg in there to keep everyone healthy.

Top 15 quick budget dinners recipes from across the web

The most viewed quick budget dinners recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

Butternut squash curry with caulifl...

Chicken egg-fried rice

Egg fu yung wrap with chilli sauce

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganof...

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya

Bacon and white bean stew

Beans pulao

Easy chicken noodle soup

Hawaiian spaghetti

Bean and rice burrito

Sausage bake with gnocchi

Quick broccoli pasta

One-pan mushroom and leek orzo

Dirty rice

Top 15 quick budget dinners recipes from across the web

The most viewed quick budget dinners recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

Butternut squash curry with caulifl...

Chicken egg-fried rice

Egg fu yung wrap with chilli sauce

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganof...

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya

Bacon and white bean stew

Beans pulao

Easy chicken noodle soup

Hawaiian spaghetti

Bean and rice burrito

Sausage bake with gnocchi

Quick broccoli pasta

One-pan mushroom and leek orzo

Dirty rice

The most viewed quick budget dinners recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine