35 meals under £5
Kanika Banwait
Social WriterFeed your family for under a fiver with these delicious, family-friendly recipes.
It can be tough feeding the whole family with tasty and interesting meals when you're on a budget, but luckily for you, we've got loads of recipe ideas for hearty, kid-friendly dishes that'll feed you all for less than a fiver.
In fact, some of our meals cost as little as a pound or less per person, saving you extra cash but keeping those little tummies full.
1. Spiced leek, potato and lentil soup
Devised by Jane Hornby – author and BBC Good Food cookery writer – this warming soup combines the fresh flavours of delicious leeks with a hit of heat using chilli, spices and ginger.
This easy-to-make soup is both wholesome and wallet-friendly.
You will need a large saucepan to make this delicious recipe, this one is non-stick with a soft-touch handle. See more details on Amazon.
2. Courgette risotto
A simple dish, featuring just a handful of ingredients.
Courgette goes brilliantly in a creamy risotto – in this budget recipe it's combined with peas and fresh-tasting mint for a full-flavoured dish, delicious topped with shavings of parmesan.
Try the recipe for courgette risotto here.
3. Lentil supper
Lentils are a staple of the frugal kitchen store cupboard and can be used in a variety of ways, providing a filling meal on a shoe-string budget.
Try them in this delicious supper stew, served with rice or tortillas and a side dish of veg – it's both nutritious and cheap.
Don't forget to rinse through and drain your lentils! This will reduce cooking time and will remove substances that may cause indigestion.
This rice and grain colander will do the job and you can see more details on Amazon.
Why not try this lentil supper recipe tonight?
4. Leek, chorizo and goat's cheese tortilla
Try this unusual take on the Spanish classic. Combining flavoursome leeks with spicy chorizo and creamy goat's cheese, this filling tortilla works well for both quick suppers or for lunchboxes and picnics.
It's perfect for lunchboxes, but you'll need the right container to pack it in. This one from Sistema is 920 ml, leak-proof – see more details on Amazon.
Follow our step-by-step instructions to make this delicious tortilla.
5. Mince and sweet potato pie
Sent in by Netmums member Niki, this dish is not only good value for money but a filling and nutritious alternative to Shepherd's pie.
Niki says: 'We call it the "morepie" because everyone always wants more and there's ALWAYS a clean bowl at the end.'
6. Quick salmon pasta
A healthy dish packed with fishy goodness and veg. You could use tinned sweetcorn or frozen mixed veg instead of peas if you prefer.
Either way, this is a quick, simple supper that's easy on the wallet and tastes delicious!
7. Hearty leek and lamb cobbler
Combining slow-cooked lamb (or you could use beef) with leeks and a cobbler topping, this is a hearty dish perfect for Sunday lunch.
Take a look at the budget-friendly recipe for hearty lamb and leek cobbler here.
8. Baked tortillas
This veggie supper will feed your family for under a fiver and is something a bit different.
Baked tortillas are mixed with beans and tomatoes, and topped with tasty mature cheddar – this is a satisfying dish packed with flavour.
Get the recipe for baked tortillas here.
9. Chicken and potato layer
A great dish for using up left-over chicken from your Sunday roast.
Combined with bacon and mushrooms, and topped with a creamy potato layer, this is a simple dish that couldn't be easier to prepare.
You'll need an oven-proof dish to complete this tasty meal. We really like this Mason Cash stoneware baking, roasting and serving dish. See more details on Amazon.
Try the recipe for chicken and potato layer here.
10. Turkey stir fry
If you've cooked a roast chicken or turkey, why not strip the carcass the next day and use what's left for this quick and easy dish – just add garlic, onion, veg, seasoning and noodles.
11. Sausage, bean and sweet potato casserole
If you can get hold of Toulouse sausages they work brilliantly in this French-inspired casserole – but any old sausages will do.
Hearty and wholesome, this is a healthy one-pot dish that's quick and easy to make.
Get the recipe for sausage, bean and sweet potato casserole here.
12. Baked potatoes
A great budget meal, that can be filled with whatever you have handy.
Baked beans are a cheap option, but the possibilities for fillings are endless. Try coronation chicken or tuna mayonnaise, instead of beans.
Check out our recipe for baked potatoes.
13. Bacon-wrapped chicken with leeks, peas and basil
This simple supper makes a great family dish, and is super cheap too.
It's quick to prepare and combines simple flavours that work brilliantly: leek, chicken and bacon, complemented with the fresh taste of peas and basil.
14. Bubble and squeak
A cost-effective dinner that can be made on a Monday using leftovers from a Sunday roast.
All you need is cooked potato and any leftover green veg. Add a fried egg, to make a nutritious and hearty meal the whole family will enjoy.
Check out our recipe for bubble & squeak.
15. Cheesy Spanish omelette
This is a great recipe for kids' dinners, giving them their veg in a healthy meal.
It's super easy to cook and makes a fab midweek dinner. It's also great cold, so any leftovers are perfect for a school packed lunch.
You'll need a frying pan that can go under the grill. We really like this one by KitchenCraft, which you can view Amazon.
Follow our recipe for a cheesy Spanish omelette.
16. Blue cheese and bacon pasta
This budget dish is so versatile and a good way to use up any leftover Stilton or some other blue cheese.
Check out our recipe for blue cheese and bacon pasta here.
17. Broccoli cheese
Another budget recipe that can be made with leftovers. This is a very tasty way of eating broccoli and it's packed with calcium, too.
Find our recipe for broccoli cheese here.
18. Chicken and sweetcorn pie
This pie can be made using leftover cooked chicken and tinned sweetcorn.
It's super cheap and tasty too – try it for yourself with our recipe.
19. Cottage pie with carrot and potato mash
A tasty and colourful twist on a classic cottage pie. Carrots make great mash and they're so cheap to buy.
Use a potato masher for quicker results. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune either. This one costs well under a tenner – see more details on Amazon.
Here's our recipe for cottage pie with carrot and potato mash.
20. Tuna pasta bake
Try this quick, cheap and tasty fish recipe as a teatime meal that even fussy eaters will love!
Make our tuna pasta bake with this recipe.
21. Chickpea curry
A cheap and easy yet very tasty curry dish that can be rustled up using mainly store cupboard ingredients.
Serve with warm bread.
Here's our recipe for chickpea curry.
22. Pitta bread pizza
This recipe is so much cheaper than shop-bought pizza and the kids can join in with making it, too.
Use any toppings you have available such as tinned sweetcorn, sliced mushrooms, leftovers in the fridge etc.
Check out our recipe for pitta bread pizza here.
23. Sausage and tomato pasta
This is a quick and cheap dinner to make and goes down well with all the family.
A yummy pasta dish that's full of flavour, you'll find most of the ingredients in your cupboards already.
Use a colander to drain your pasta. We recommend this micro-perforated one - see more details on Amazon.
Here's our recipe for sausage and tomato pasta.
24. Baked bean omelette
A very cheap and easy meal that uses few ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Follow our recipe for baked bean omelettes.
25. Cauliflower cheese
A quick and easy recipe to tickle the whole family's tastebuds.
It takes just 20 minutes in the oven and works great as a side dish or a main meal with some veggies.
26. Cheesy eggs and tomatoes
Very healthy, very easy and very quick – what more could you want from this delicious supper?
Check out our recipe for cheesy eggs and tomatoes.
27. Potato and spinach bake
Try this delicious and nutritious bake for a filling family meal that costs pennies!
Here's the recipe for a tasty potato spinach bake.
28. Carrot and orange soup
Cheap, delicious, easy to make and freezable too, this is the perfect quick mid-week dinner meal.
Serve with bread and chunks of cheese for a filling meal.
And, if you want to make it lunchbox-friendly, this Thermos food flask is a must – see more details here at Amazon.
Here's the recipe for carrot and orange soup.
29. Creamy tomato and chicken pasta bake
Everyone loves a creamy, baked pasta dish, and this is ideal for using up leftover chicken. A hearty dinner that's sure to fill hungry tummies.
Here's our recipe for tomato and chicken pasta bake.
30. Macaroni cheese
This classic dish can be made using mainly store cupboard ingredients and is super cheap too.
Check out the macaroni cheese recipe here.
31. Baked bean curry
Kids will love this super-quick and healthy curry. It uses staple store cupboard ingredients – you can even swap the fresh tomatoes for tinned if you prefer.
Get the recipe for baked bean curry here.
32. Boiled egg and soldiers
Sometimes the simple things are the best. A boiled egg with soldiers is ideal for a protein-packed weekend lunch. The kids will love it.
Here's the recipe for the perfect boiled egg and soldiers.
33. Butternut squash soup
Make a big batch of this bargain soup at the weekend for some quick and filling meals throughout the week.
You can mix it up by swapping the butternut squash for sweet potato instead.
Get the recipe for butternut squash soup here.
34. Chilli con carne for kids
This one-pot meal uses turkey or beef mince and store cupboard ingredients to create a healthy, lightly spiced dish the whole family will love.
It's perfect for batch cooking and freezing, too.
Get our chilli con carne for kids recipe.
35. Cowboy casserole
Easy, tasty and good enough for Desperate Dan, this fun pie combines all the good stuff – beans, sausages and mashed potato.
Follow this cowboy casserole recipe.
More purse-friendly recipes on Netmums
We've got lots more inspiration for budget cooking on Netmums. Why not try these for some more ideas?
Making a weekly meal plan can help to save money, too and help you shop more wisely. So why not invest in a meal planning whiteboard so you can plan meals and your shopping list every week. See more details here at Amazon.
You can tuck into dishes like leek and lamb cobbler, courgette risotto, salmon pasta or sausage and sweet potato casserole – and we've got plenty of other yummy ideas where they came from!
Meal planning and cooking at home is a great way to help you stick to a budget. It reduces the chance of impulse buys and makes the most of the ingredients you already have in the cupboards.
What's more, it can help you to make better food choices and feel fuller for longer, instead of binging on takeaway food, ready meals and snacks.
Check out our month-long budget meal plan for more ideas of cheap and easy meals you can cook at home, featuring plenty of ingredients you'd likely have in your cupboard already, making some of these dishes effectively free to make.
Don't forget to make large portions where possible so you can save them for leftovers or freeze the rest. That way, when plans change, you've got a meal ready to defrost.
Handy tips for making meals under £5
Stock up on healthy extras for lunches, snacks or treats
Great options include fromage frais, yoghurt pots, salad or vegetable sticks, fruit (fresh, tinned or dried), tinned rice pudding, jelly, nuts or crackers. Check out our snack recipes for more ideas.
Look for special offers on breads
Freeze bread on the day of purchase and only take out what you need to defrost each day.
Homemade puddings and treats
Make a double batch and freeze half for another time. Check out our dessert recipes for ideas.
Batch cook
Make big one-pot meals like chilli, lasagne, spaghetti bolognese or a stew, then freeze some and defrost whenever you haven't the time to cook. A slow cooker is a great way to do this.
Go meat-free a few times a week
Going veggie a few times a week is good for your health, your wallet and the environment.
Sneak in veggies in clever ways
It’s can be tricky getting the kids to eat certain foods like vegetables and fibre-rich grains, but our recipes use clever ways of incorporating them.
Make cheap healthy swaps
You can still keep the family healthy when you're on a budget. Just make simple swaps like semi-skimmed milk instead of whole milk, wholegrain bread instead of white, brown pasta and rice instead of white and so on.
Buy a couple of big bags of frozen veg for the week too, instead of fresh which may go off quickly. You can always bulk out dinner with vegetables if you haven't got much meat.
Make sure you have some handy cupboard essentials
The meals work on the assumption that you have already got some of the basic ingredients such as vegetable/olive oil, stock cubes, mayonnaise/salad dressing, sauce, spreads, mixed herbs, chilli powder etc.
Use spare cash for staple cooking ingredients
If you have any spare money at the end of the week, use it to stock up on staple cooking ingredients such as flour and tinned tomatoes, or buy bigger bags of rice and pasta that will last for a couple of weeks.
Choose food on special offer
You can cut the cost of your shopping further if you choose foods on special offer, cheaper cuts of meat and use dried pulses instead of tinned. Many supermarkets add great offers in the late afternoons and evenings, so try shopping later in the day to nab a bargain!
Have you got some great tips for making meals that cost less than a fiver? Let us know over on our forum below:
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