Our top 60 budget meals for two are ideal if your looking for something cheap for dinner tonight. The perfect way to keep to a tight budget and still cook from fresh ingredients is to take full advantage of the supermarket offers or search out those low-cost ingredients and use small quantities of more expensive ingredients to add extra
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Chicken is one of the most affordable meats we keep the cost down by using thighs and legs and when we use chicken breast, we mix it up with vegetables so a chicken breast can feed more than 1 person. Chicken is also a favourite for supermarket offers and this can really help the budget, many of the chicken thigh recipes are freezable which makes it even easier to take advantage of multiplies when you are cooking for two. Chicken makes the perfect dinner any night of the week
Slices of chicken breast coated in breadcrumbs, encased in a warm tortilla wrap with herby roast tomatoes, fresh avocado and salad, topped with creamy parmesan and garlic mayo
A delicious chicken thigh tagine cooked with onions and then slow cooked in a Moroccan spiced tomato sauce, finished with a touch of honey and serve with a lemon and coriander couscous. Couscous is a very low cost carbohydrate and the perfectly compliments this dish. You can buy it flavoured or flavour it yourself
Chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, soy sauce and honey roasted in the oven and served with a mixed vegetable brown rice salad dressed in an orange sesame soy sauce
Roasted chicken thighs, marinated and then cooked in a spicy shawarma sauce with red onions. The chicken is shredded and served in toasted pita breads on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves, Sprinkled with green olives and sliced sprinkle onions, all topped with a lemon creme fraiche sauce
Chicken pieces stir fried with vegetables, chilli, and garlic and then coated in a Chinese black bean sauce and served with noodles. To keep the price down on this dish, increase the vegetables and decrease the chicken if necessary.
Homemade chicken goujons coated in southern fried spices oven baked, and served with a red cabbage, and fruity coleslaw with a smoky pepper dipping sauce. Perfect for a summer nights dinner. Keep the cost down by serving the goujons with lots of coleslaw
Teriyaki chicken thighs marinated with ginger and garlic, slow cooked in teriyaki sauce till crisp and juicy, served on a bed of ginger and chive rice
Chicken thighs marinated in a spicy Jamaican jerk sauce and then slow cooked till the chicken is perfectly cooked and the marinade turns into a delicious sauce, This delicious stew is served
with a spicy sweet potato, bean and butternut veggie side
Minced beef or ground beef is one of the cheaper meats per serving when you are on a budget, it is very versatile and if you add a few expensive ingredients sparingly to the mince you can elevate the taste. Mince beef needs to be cooked slow and low to maximise
Minced beef meatballs flavoured with olives, parmesan, paprika, chilli and parsley, oven baked in a Chianti, basil and tomato sauce. served with spaghetti. You can also use any red wine for the dish to help with the budget
A traditional Bolognese with minced beef, pancetta or bacon and vegetables flavoured with Worcester sauce, oregano, bay leaf, garlic, and Chianti, served with al dente spaghetti
Layers red wine beef Bolognese, soft lasagne pasta and creamy white sauce, baked in the oven and served with a tomato and fresh green side salad. To keep the price down make your bolognaise and white sauce from scratch, this delicious dish can be served with garlic bread or on its own.
Tortillas stuffed with a mixture of mince beef, black beans and corn with a homemade enchilada sauce spiced with cumin, coriander, oregano & chilli, topped with cheese.
Slow cooked minced beef, red peppers, and kidney beans in a tomato chilli sauce with a touch of chocolate, served with white rice
Pork is one of the least expensive meats and certain cuts of pork like chops and pork fillet or tenderloin are particularly cost effect. Pork also has a selection of cured cuts such as bacon and chorizo these meats are ideal to add to vegetable and rice based dishes to add extra taste and texture and make delicious budget-friendly lunches and dinners
Slices of pork fillet cooked in a garlic, mustard, and maple syrup sauce with sliced apples, served on a bed of fried onions and white rice
For an affordable Sunday dinner roast dinner cook pork fillet wrapped in bacon and served with creamy potato and onion bake topped with cheddar cheese. Pork fillet is one of the few low cost cuts of meat but it cooks quickly so be careful not to over cook it. It also has very little fat so needs to be wrapped in bacon to make sure it roasts well.
Bacon is the perfect low cost cut of meat and adds loads of taste to dishes especially smoked bacon which adds an amazing taste profile to some simple dishes
Potato hash is a delicious economy recipe, its base is cabbage, potato, and leeks, we have added bacon, halloumi, and tomatoes but you can add just about anything to hash to give it extra flavour and texture, this is another great base that you can add to with fridge leftovers. This dish is perfect on its own or with a simple green salad
Bacon and pasta ribbons coated in a cream, egg, and parmesan cheese sauce served with crispy garlic spinach balls for extra crunch if the budget allows otherwise serve with crusty rolls or garlic bread. This dish uses cream and eggs so is a creamy treat on a budget.
Risotto is a very affordable dish, this is ideal for using up leftover red wine, This risotto, can be made with leftovers from the fridge like bacon instead of pancetta and mushrooms, serve sprinkled with parmesan shavings.
Crispy squares of smoked bacon, mixed with peas and al dente pasta coated in a rich brie sauce and sprinkled with basil and parmesan
Pasta and
crispy bacon, in a rich tomato and camembert sauce flavoured with garlic,
chilli and basil Serve on its own with crusty or garlic bread. This dish can be
prepared with any creamy continental cheese such as brie.
Chorizo is not the cheapest of ingredients but use it sparingly and it can really add to both the flavour and texture of your dish.
Spanish tortillas are a great way to use up leftovers in the fridge, you can use the tortilla egg base and add any ingredients you like we have kept it traditional and used chorizo, red pepper, and Manchego cheese, but you can swap any of the ingredients for something cheaper. This dish is budget-friendly and ready in minutes and makes the perfect meal in one
Chorizo salad with potatoes and chickpeas sat on a bed of spinach, with a tomato dressing, topped with a gooey poached egg. The cost effective and filling elements of this dish are the potatoes and chickpeas the chorizo is added for extra flavour.
A deliciously creamy roast butternut squash risotto with leeks, topped with a chunky chorizo and lemon crumb. Risotto is the perfect low-cost dinner, and is ideal to use up any leftover items in your fridge
Homemade pizza makes a affordable and quick dinner this pizza has a with a Spanish topping of chorizo and Manchego cheese sprinkled with oregano serve it with a cress and almond salad
A tasty quesadilla perfect for a quick worknight dinner, these delicious oven baked crunchy tortillas are filled with red peppers, red onions fried potatoes and crispy chorizo all topped with Spanish Manchego cheese. Serve this crispy quesadillas with a a fresh tomato salsa.
Vegetables are great to help with your 5-a-day, and beans and lentils are really cheap ingredients to pop in your store cupboard for busy work night meals and neither will break the bank. Creating meat free meals also helps save the planet and a great way to feed a family as well as couples
Red bell peppers stuffed with a creamy mushroom and barley risotto topped with mascarpone & parmesan, served with a tomato and green salad. Pearl barley is a low-cost healthy alternative to risotto rice and is the perfect vegetable stuffing
Spicy veggie burgers made with carrot, chickpea, red onion, and flavoured with smoked paprika, cumin & coriander served with a homemade barbeque sauce. These burgers are the perfect vegetarian alternative to the traditional burger in a bun and they are made with budget ingredients!
Butter bean fritters made with mashed butter beans, onions, grated carrots, and parsnips lightly fried and served with a green salad and tomato dressing
A vegetable Thai green curry with cauliflower, roast sweet potatoes and mushrooms coated in a fresh green coconut curry sauce served with a flavoured rice
Cauliflower florets coated in a southern spice mix
and oven baked, served a deliciously fruity coleslaw and a hot pepper dip
Courgette, black beans, and corn encased in a soft wheat tortilla and coated in a spicy enchilada sauce, all topped with a layer of melted cheddar cheese.
Individual feta and spinach turnovers flavoured; oregano & nutmeg served with a traditional Greek salad with a lemon & mint dressing
Spicy pancakes made with grated carrots, and flavoured with coriander, chilli, and fennel, served with a traditional Greek salad
Lightly grilled aubergines on a bed of watercress with a salad of rice, red peppers, chilli, lemon, parsley and feta served with tzatziki dip
Mushroom, courgettes, red onions, and bell peppers encased in a wrap with a cucumber, tomato, salsa flavoured with coriander and chilli and a chipotle cream, served with an avocado and lettuce salad. If avocados are outside your budget, make it a simple lettuce and tomato salad
A mushroom and spinach tartiflette with sliced potato, layered with spinach, crispy onion, smoked cheese, and caramelised mushroom all baked in a creamy sauce
Mushrooms and red peppers in a brandy and paprika stroganoff sauce, served with white rice and sprinkled with parsley
A hearty veggie bean stew made with mixed vegetables and cannellini beans in a delicious tomato gravy, topped with cheddar cheese dumplings.
A butternut squash, sweet potato, black bean and red pepper jerk stew flavoured with chilli, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon served with spicy coconut and aduki bean rice
Portobello mushrooms stuffed with ricotta cheese, peas, and cashew nuts, baked in a Indian spiced tomato sauce.
mushrooms cooked in a spicy spinach and tomato sauce flavoured with scotch bonnet and spices served with lentil rice
A crispy pizza with a homemade cherry tomato sauce, flavoured with oregano and chilli topped with pecorino, mozzarella and black olives served with a green salad
Mushrooms lightly battered and stir fried in a soy sauce, chilli, garlic, ginger, and tomato sauce, served with sesame, lime, and chilli noodles
A delicious cauliflower shawarma with cauliflower marinated in middle eastern spices served with a crisp salad and yogurt sauce packed into a pita.
Slices of courgette coated in breadcrumbs and oven baked, lettuce, roast tomatoes and fresh avocado all wrapped in a warm tortilla and topped with parmesan and garlic mayo
A vegetarian version of the traditional Greek bake with layers of chickpeas, aubergines, and courgettes and in a rich tomato sauce, topped with potatoes and creamy cheese sauce
Roasted butternut squash and spiced tomato sauce encased in crisp filo pastry and drizzled with a touch of warm honey. You get quite a few sheets of filo pastry in a pack so it is a cost-effective pastry to use the filling for the tart is low cost and the flavour is added with the spices which will last a long time as you only use a little. Serve this dish with a simple green salad
Delicious chickpea and spinach burgers spiced with garlic, ginger, coriander, chilli and garam masala all coated in crispy cornmeal, these tasty veggie burgers are served in a toasted pitta bread with a mint yoghurt sauce and a fresh cucumber and courgette salad
A tasty veggie Bolognese with green lentils, vegetables, and tomatoes, flavoured with garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and red wine. served on a bed of spaghetti.
Homemade veggie lentil burgers, flavoured with mushrooms, Italian herbs and garlic served in a crusty ciabatta roll if courgettes are in season serve with courgette cheesy chips, if not serve with regular fries. Make extra burgers and freeze to keep life simple
Layers of soft lasagne pasta and green lentil mushroom Bolognese topped with a white sauce baked in the oven and served with a fresh green salad.
A tasty lentil chilli with red peppers, tomatoes, and kidney beans, flavoured with coriander, chilli, garlic, cinnamon and cumin, served on a bed of rice
A wholesome lentil stew made with leeks, potatoes, and mushrooms, flavoured with French herbs and white wine
Layers of sliced potatoes, spinach, smoked cheese, and
lentils, baked in the oven till golden brown and serve with a fresh salad
Pasta salad with tomato, olive, broad beans, and feta mixed with warm pasta, coated in a fresh rosemary and garlic dressing. This delicious pasta is full of flavour by adding a touch of feta and olives, but the bulk of the dish is pasta and broad beans which are very filling and relatively cheap. Serve with garlic bread
Pasta coated in a courgette, garlic, and chilli sauce, served with Carluccio's spinach and parmesan balls flavoured with garlic and nutmeg. This recipe is ideal for the budget conscious the main ingredients are pasta and courgettes, the dish is given extra flavour with the garlic and chilli. The spinach balls really add an extra texture and taste to the dish, so we recommend them if the budget allows as they are delicious
Pasta coated in a rich brie sauce served with
mushrooms and peas, sprinkled with parmesan, basil and black pepper. Serve with
crunchy garlic bread
Freshly cooked spaghetti in a blended tomato and red pepper sauce, flavoured with basil, mint and garlic, serve sprinkled with finely grated parmesan and crispy garlic bread
Risotto is surprisingly cheap to make and perfect
for using up left-over ingredients from the fridge to flavour the risotto
A soft cheesy risotto flavoured with white wine and
leek peppered with oven roasted butternut squash and topped with a crunchy
walnut and sage crumb
Red wine with mushrooms risotto, has a delicious
rich and earthy flavour from the wine and the mushroom served with an extra
sprinkle of cheese.
A rich cheese risotto flavoured with thyme and garlic, topped with creamy mascarpone and toasted almond crumb
Soups are the ideal budget meal as they are filling and can often be made with cheap ingredients like root vegetables. Our soups are flavoured with spices and herbs for that extra flavour impact. A lot of vegetable-based soups can be made while the vegetables are in season and at their cheapest, then stored in the freezer. To make your soups extra filling serve with crusty bread, thick toast or a sandwich
A spicy smooth soup made with roasted butternut squash, celery, and onions, spiced with cumin, coriander, chilli, cayenne pepper, ginger and star anise.
A delicious sweet potato and tomato soup with a beefy base and roasted sweet potato, tomatoes and onions all blended till thick smooth
A chunky mushroom soup made with milk and cream with intense bursts of mushroom from chunks of garlic fried mushrooms. This soup can be cost effective as it uses milk and stock for the base and it works perfectly with low cost mushrooms.
An easy soup made with leek, onions, and potato, blended with veg stock & milk, finished with a touch of cream.
Carrots, tomatoes, and fresh coriander blended
together with chilli, fennel, cumin turmeric and coriander for a delicious
spicy soup
Butter beans, peppery celeriac and sweet white onions blend into a delicious soup flavoured with, crushed caraway, parsley & parmesan
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