Do something different with sausages and transform them into this veg-packed ragu. Great for a family dinner, serve with couscous, mash or pasta
Sloppy joes
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.38 ratings
Sloppy joes are a simple, American staple the whole family can get stuck into. Add a dash of spicy chipotle or smoky barbecue sauce to the minced beef filling for some zing.
Peanut butter chicken
A star rating of 4 out of 5.362 ratings
You'll love this new, budget chicken dish. Any leftovers freeze well and make a handy lunch.
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.20 ratings
Cook this flavour-packed coconut fish curry in just 30 minutes for a speedy meal. For a dose of sour use lime juice or tamarind paste if you have it to hand
Stir-fried beef with ginger
A star rating of 4.9 out of 5.10 ratings
Forget a takeaway – make this beef and green pepper stir-fry with fragrant lemongrass and ginger instead. Marinate the beef while you prep the other ingredients
Make crowd-pleasing fajitas the easy way with this one-tray recipe that's full of nutrients and low in fat and calories. It makes a speedy midweek meal
Speedy lentil coconut curry
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.15 ratings
This quick and easy curry has such great depth of flavour – it tastes like it’s been cooked for hours. It's healthy too, as well as being low in fat and calories
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.4 ratings
Buy a larger chicken than usual and make extra meals from the leftovers. The bones contain lots of flavour, which take this comforting stew to the next level
Roasted red pepper soup with crispy croutons
A star rating of 5 out of 5.2 ratings
Warm up on colder evenings with this vibrant soup, spiked with fiery chilli powder and harissa. The crispy croutons are optional but add a satisfying crunch
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.22 ratings
Prep, cook and serve this quick and easy lemon and green veg pasta in just 15 minutes. It's perfect for busy days, and will be loved by the whole family
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.9 ratings
Make an elevated version of beans on toast using your favourite beans, plus tomatoes, garlic and chilli – they're great topped with cheese
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.81 ratings
Make our simple, budget-friendly tomato, pasta and chickpea soup in just 30 minutes. This easy, vegetarian family meal is healthy and even low fat
Store cupboard ingredients, spices and seasonal veg make this recipe the tastiest way to get 3 of your 5 a day
Cheat’s beetroot biriyani
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.44 ratings
Cook this beetroot biriyani and freeze the leftovers for busy weeknights. With colourful beetroot taking centre stage, it's full of spices and is a flavourful dish
Slow-cooker pumpkin soup
A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings
Put in a little effort the night before and you can have a velvety soup ready as a starter for a special dinner with guests. This recipe serves six generously
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.11 ratings
Marinate chicken in yogurt, spices and lemon zest, then grill to make these flavourful chicken skewers. Serve in flatbreads with salad and cucumber yogurt
A star rating of 5 out of 5.19 ratings
A satisfying vegetarian salad of contrasting flavours and textures. The salty cheese is cooled by crisp, sweet watermelon
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.28 ratings
Our budget-friendly pork and apple burgers are perfect for an easy and delicious family supper. This easy midweek meal takes just ten minutes to prepare
Sausage ragu
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.438 ratings
Feed the family this comforting, budget-friendly sausage ragu with pasta. You can freeze the leftovers for another time and it tastes just as good
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.227 ratings
Serve your pasta with a budget-friendly bacon, tomato and paprika sauce. It's a healthy choice to boot
Pizza baked potato
A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.16 ratings
This budget-friendly supper combines two favourites in one dish. Top your jacket spuds with cheese, tomato, pepperoni and basil
Spaghetti puttanesca
A star rating of 4.7 out of 5.159 ratings
Cook up this classic sauce in one pan, then toss with spaghetti for a simple midweek meal. It's budget-friendly too, making it a great meal for the family
Kedgeree with poached egg
A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.25 ratings
This curried fish and rice dish is suitable for brunch, breakfast or a main course at dinnertime. Replace traditional boiled eggs with poached
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.6 ratings
Get the best out of seasonal parsnips in this one-pot roast that’s quick enough to make for a midweek dinner. Enjoy with steamed greens or broccoli
Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!
Meat and dairy are both higher cost proteins, so using them less and opting for cheaper (and healthier) protein sources such as legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas, green peas, etc.) and tofu helps with feeding the family on a budget.
Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.
Lower-income households purchase more cereals, pasta, potatoes, legumes, and fatty meats. Their vegetables and fruits are often limited to iceberg lettuce, potatoes, canned corn, bananas, and frozen orange juice.
In 2022, households in the lowest income quintile spent an average of $5,090 on food (representing 31.2 percent of income), while households in the highest income quintile spent an average of $15,713 on food (representing 8.0 percent of income).
Vegetables and fruit are less expensive when they're in season. Frozen and canned choices are also a good buy and can be just as nutritious. Plan to use leftovers. If you're cooking roast chicken with rice and vegetables for Sunday night's supper, then make chicken sandwiches for Monday's lunch.
It is 5 times more expensive to order delivery from a restaurant than it is to cook at home. Meal kits are 3 times more expensive than cooking from scratch. When cooking at home, you'll save most money on carb-based meals (vs eating them at a restaurant).
Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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