Budget-Friendly Family Recipes

How to Make: Easy-Peasy Paella' Diary & Egg free recipe Serves 4. Cooking time is approximately 20-30 minutes. Vegetarian and vegan option available. Total cost is £5. Tip: Try the veggie/vegan option to save more pennies! *Cost may vary depending on store / promotions / inflation
1 onion, diced Use up what you have. Shallots and spring onions work well too. 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped 1 tbsp olive oil 200g long grain or risotto rice 1 mug of rice will serve 4 250ml white wine (optional) 500ml chicken stock or veg stock 350g pack frozen prawns or sushi nori Leftover cooked meat such as chicken or pork / tofu or veg
Step 1. Get Frying 1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on low/medium heat, add the onion and cook gently for 5 minutes until soft. 2. Meanwhile soak the saffron in 2 tbsp hot water, if using. 3. Add the peppers (or your chosen veg) and garlic to the pan and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.
Step 2. Time to Simmer 3. Stir in the rice, wine, hot stock, saffron mixture and seasoning. Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring occasionally until almost all the liquid has evaporated. 4. Add the seafood (or sushi nori), leftover meat and spicy sausage (or tofu / veg sausage). Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 mins, taking the lid off every few mins to give it a stir.
Step 3. Finish & Serve 5. Add the peas and cook for a further few minutes until the liquid has evaporated. 6. Season and serve immediately with a wedge of lemon (optional). Got leftovers? Pop them in a tub when cool and store in the fridge. Eat within 24 hours and only reheat once.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Sushi Nori: Best price is at Asda for £1.90 2. Best price for long grain rice is 1kg 'Grower's Harvest' at Tesco for 52p. 3. Best price for chorizo sausages is at Tesco or Asda for £2.70 4. Great value for cold water prawns is at Tesco for £2.69 5. Best price for tofu is the Organic Medium-Firm Tofu by Wicked Kitchen at Tesco for £1.70 6. We love Linda McCartney's vegetarian chorizo and red pepper sausages for £2.50 at any supermarket.
'How to make spaghetti Bolognese' A recipe that can be made dairy free and egg free. Serves 4 and takes approximately 60 mins to make. Vegan and vegetarian option available. Costs approximately £5 total. *Cost may vary depending on store / promotions / inflation
Ingredient list: 1tbsp olive oil (sunflower & vegetable also work) 2 onions, diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 500g beef mince or soya mince 125g mushrooms, sliced 2 carrots, diced 0.5tbsp of mixed herbs 1/2 carton or 250g of passata 270ml of beef or vegetable stock 1tbsp tomato puree 300g of spaghetti or pene 1tsp of sugar Salt & black pepper to taste Parmesan, cheddar, or vegan cheese to serve (optional) Tip: You can make your own vegan mince by dicing the mushrooms or swap for black-eyed beans for a high-protein meal!
Step 1: Get Frying 1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion for 5 minutes on a med/high heat. 2. Add the garlic and mince. Cook for 5 mins until brown. 3. Mix in the carrots, mushrooms, peppers and mixed herbs and cook for a further 3-4 mins.
Step 2: Season to perfection 4. Slowly stir in the passata, tomato puree, beef/veg stock and bring to the boil. 5. Add the sugar, salt, and ground pepper to taste and cook on a medium heat for approximately 30-40 mins, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Bon Appetit 6. Boil the spaghetti in a large pan with a pinch of salt until soft (10-15 mins). 7.Serve with a generous sprinkling of parmesan, grated cheddar, or vegan cheese (optional) Got leftovers? Make a chilli the next day by adding some beans and spice.
Budget-Friendly Recommendations 1. Lind McCartney's Veg Mince. Tesco Club card price is £2.00 2. Tesco's beef mince is great value for £2.49 3. Tomato passata best price is at Tesco for £0.49 for 500g. 4. Spaghetti best price is Tesco for £1.39
How to make a chilli con carne. A dairy free and egg free recipe with vegetarian and vegan options available. Serves 4. Takes approximately 60 minutes to make. Ingredients cost an estimated £4.50. Tip: You can use leftovers from a bolognese and just add chilli, cumin, and beans!
Shopping list: 1tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced 2 large garlic cloves, crushed 1tbsp mild chilli powder 2tsp ground cumin 2tsp dried oregano 500g pack lean minced beef / soya mice 400g can chopped tomato / passata 2 beef stock cubes or veg stock 2 large red peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks 400g can red kidney beans or whatever beans you fancy, drained Salt & pepper to tasye 200g long grain or basmati rice 1 mug of rice will serve 4 ip: A tablespoon of cocoa powder is great in a chilli. Really! Go on, try it...
Step 1: Get Frying 1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat, add the onion and cook gently for 5 minutes until soft. 2. Add the garlic, red pepper, chilli powder, and cumin. Cook for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. 3. Turn the heat up slightly, add the beef or soya mince. Fry for 5 mins until brown.
Step 2: Make the sauce 4. Stir in the beef or veg stock (300ml), chopped tomatoes/passata, and salt & pepper, 5. Bring to the boil and then lower the heat, cover with a lid and gently simmer for 20 mins. Stir occasionally.
Step 3: Finish and serve 5. Drain and rinse the kidney beans before adding them to the chilli. Cook for a further 10 mins, adding some water if it gets too dry. 6. Season to taste and turn off heat. Leave to stand for 10 mins before serving. 7. Meanwhile, rinse and boil the rice before serving. Got leftovers? Pop them in a tub when cool and store in the freezer. Try it with tortilla chips and guacamole!
Budget-friendly recommendations: We love Vegemince by Linda McCartney, available for £2.00 with a Tesco Clubcard. Best value for beef mince is at Tesco for £2.49. Best price for passata is by 'Napolina' available at Tesco for 49p. Best price for a 400g tin of red kidney beans is by 'The Grower's Harvest' at Tesco for 33p. Best Price for chilli powder and cumin is by Rajah at Asda for 85p per packet.
How to make a creamy mac and cheese. Serves 4 and takes approximately 45 minutes to make. Vegan and vegetarian option included. Tip: Service with garlic bread on the side to mop up the sauce. Costs approximately £4.50
Shopping List: 2 tbsp butter, plus 1 tbsp melted or vegan margarine 350g macaroni pasta 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp English mustard or Dijon mustard 3 tbsp plain flour 500ml whole milk or plant-based milk 250g mature cheddar, or vegan mature cheddar, grated 1/2 a broccoli chopped into small florets (optional) White breadcrumbs Salt & pepper to taste Tip: Tip: Finish with a dusting of paprika for extra flavour
Step 1: Make the sauce 1. Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack (approx 9 mins), then drain. If adding broccoli, boil with the pasta for 2 mins. 2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and mustard, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour. 3. Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar
Step 2: Bake it golden 4. Stir the pasta (and broccoli if using) and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish. 5. Scatter over the bread crumbs, then bake for 20 mins at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 until crisp and golden. 6. Leave to stand for 5 mins before serving. Got leftovers? Pop them in a tub when cool and store in the freezer.
Budget-friendly recommendations: Best price for macaroni is Tesco at £1.39 per kilogram. Best price for dijon mustard is Asda for 85p. Best price for a plant-based alternative milk is the Grower's Harvestunsweetened soya drink at Tesco for 50p for a litre. Asda's mature cheddar is great value at £3.20 400g. We love Violife's 'Epic Mature' vegan cheese available at Tesco for £2 for 200g
How to make sizzling fajitas. A diary and egg-free recipe with vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Serves four and takes approximately 25 minutes to make. Top tip: service with guacamole or salsa for a fresh finish. Costs approximately £4.50 total, however, costs are subject to change.
Shopping list: 4tbsp olive oil or sunflower / vegetable 2 chicken breasts, finely slice, or tofu / vegan chicken pieces 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red pepper, sliced 1 red chilli, finely sliced 1 heaped tbsp smoked paprika 1tbsp of ground coriander Pinch of cumin 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 lime, juiced Salt & pepper taste 8 tortillas Tip: Sweetcorn adds a nice sweet crunch to fajitas.
Step 2: Fry it up 3. Heat a frying pan on high heat and add the marinated chicken (or alternative) and vegetables to the pan. 4. Keep stirring and tossing everything in the pan for 5 mins on a high heat until charred. 5. Check the chicken is cooked by tearing it at the thickest part. If still raw, cook for a further few minutes.
Step 3: Serve it sizzlin' 6. Heat up the tortillas in the oven or pan fry them dry (no oil), turning over once bubbles form. 7. Serve while the chicken and vegetables are still sizzling hot. Got leftovers? Try them as a cold wrap the next day for your lunch.
Budget-friendly recommendations. Our healthy choice is Tesco's pack of 8 wholemeal tortilla wraps for £1.15. Best price for 2 chicken breast fillets is Tesco at £2.60 We love Quorn's vegan chicken pieces available at Asda for £2.50. We love the hot salsa by Asda for £ The guacamle by Tesco is great value at £1.20
How to make a speedy stir fry. Serves 4 and takes approximately 30 mins to make. Vegetarian and vegan option included. Costs approximately £5. Cost may vary depending on store / promotions / inflation
Shopping list: 2 nests dried egg / rice / wheat noodles 1 tbsp sesame oil 3 boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips or vegan chicken pieces / tofu 3 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp honey or agave 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely sliced 3cm piece ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks 100g broccoli, cut into florets 100g baby corn, thickly sliced diagonally 75g mushrooms, sliced 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into strips. Tip: Use up any veg in your fridge that needs eating! Green beans and carrots work well.
Step 1: Get glazing. 1. Boil the noodles - check the packaging for instructions - and set aside. 2. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan over a high heat. Add the chicken or meat-free substitute and stir-fry for 5-7 mins until crispy and golden. 3. Add the soy sauce and honey/agave and heat for 30 secs until bubbling and the chicken/substitute is coated. Set the contents of the pan aside in a bowl. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper.
Step 2: Stir and fry 4. Add the vegetable oil to the pan and fry the garlic and ginger for 30 secs. Add all of the vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 mins, continually tossing the mixture. 5. Return the chicken/substitute to the pan and mix. Serve over the noodles. Got leftovers? Pop them in a tub when cool and store in the fridge. Eat within 2-3 days.
Budget friendly ingredients: For dried noodles, Asda or Tesco's own is the best price at £2. Best price for boneless chicken thighs is at Tesco at £3 for 500g. Best price for soy sauce is Asda's at 65p a bottle. Best price for sesame oil is Asda at £2.40 a bottle. We love Asda's Easy Ginger which costs £1.25 a jar.