Budget-friendly meals for the whole flat

These delicious recipes prove you can make hearty, fulfilling meals for under £5!

Budget Beef Bolognese 🍝

Cook & prep time: 30 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients 

• 250g minced beef (budget range)
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 carrot, grated 
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp tomató purée
• 1 beef stock cube 
• 1sp mixed herbs 
• 200g spaghetti 
• 1 tbsp oil 
• Salt & pepper (to taste) 

Method

1. Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions
2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the beef for 5 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed
3. Add the veg, stir in the onion, garlic, and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened
4. Now to make the sauce, stir in the onion, garlic, and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes until softened
5. To simmer, reduce the heat and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve over the spaghetti with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese on the top 

This costs around £4.50, and is only £1.12 per portion! 💰

Vegan Chickpea & Spinach Curry 🍛

Cook & prep time: 25 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients 

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 can chopped tomatoes 
• 100g fresh spinach 
• 1 tsp curry powder 
• ½ tsp cumin 
• ½ tsp paprika 
• 1 tbsp oil 
• 150g rice

Method

1. Cook rice as per instructions
2. Heat the oil in a pan and cook the onion and garlic until they become soft
3. Add curry powder, cumin, and paprika, and stir for 30 seconds
4. Pour in chopped tomatoes and chickpeas. Simmer for 10 minutes
5. Stir in spinach and cook for another 2 minutes
6. Serve with rice

This recipe costs £4, that's £2 per serving! 💰

One-Pot Chilli

Cook & prep time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients 

• 250g minced beef
• 1 can kidney beans 
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp chilli powder 
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 beef stock cube
• 150g rice
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

Method

1. Cook the rice as per instructions
2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the beef for 5 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed
3. Add the onion and garlic, cooking for another 5 minutes until soft
4. Stir in the chilli powder and cumin
5. To make the sauce, add the chopped tomatoes, drained kidney beans, and crumbled stock cube. Then stir well
6. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If too thick, add a splash of water
7. Season with salt and pepper and serve with fluffy rice

This costs around £4.50, and is only £1.12 per portion! 💰

We hope you enjoy these recipes that don't break the bank!