Cheap eat recipes
Munch your way through the credit crunch with our low-cost meals. Try these hearty, filling dishes such as Toad in the hole and Macaroni cheese.
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Sticky ribs with roast potato salad
By
- Ready in 2 hrs 50 mins
When the kids have friends over, this stack of ribs and spuds is a cheap, crowd-pleasing, prepare-ahead option
5
ratings
Easy
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Turkey meatballs in tomato & fennel sauce
By
- Ready in 40 mins
This quick, tasty and economical supper is a healthy way of getting the family fed
26
ratings
Easy
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Lamb-stuffed aubergines
By
- Ready in 1 hr 15 mins
Use summer veg and lamb mince to make a great-value Middle Eastern-style meal
8
ratings
Easy
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Tuna sweet potato jackets
By
- Ready in 30 mins
If your standby supper is baked potatoes with tuna, switch to sweet potatoes and a fresh, spicy topping - budget-friendly and low-fat too
20
ratings
Easy
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Spiced glazed pineapple with cinnamon fromage frais
By
- Ready in 20 mins
Try this tropical treat when you want to end a meal on a sweet note without too much effort or too many calories
10
ratings
Easy
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Cheese & bacon lasagne
- Ready in 1 hr 15 mins
This freezable, family-friendly recipe is economical and has a wonderful comfort-food feel about it
61
ratings
Easy
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Veggie shepherd's pie with sweet potato mash
- Ready in 45 mins
The secret to this shepherd's pie’s filling is to choose big carrots so they don’t lose their texture when cooked
186
ratings
Easy
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Feelgood fish cakes
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- Ready in 50 mins
These budget-friendly fish cakes made with canned sardines are packed full of good stuff
22
ratings
Easy
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Easy peasy lentil curry
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- Ready in 50 mins
Cooking with virtue; fast, cheap and healthy vegetarian lentil curry, that's also low in fat and freezable
45
ratings
Easy
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Better-than-baked beans with spicy wedges
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- Ready in 45 mins
Students' cuisine may be the butt of many a joke, but with these nutrient-packed, low-fat and cheap beans, they get the last laugh
38
ratings
Easy
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Minestrone in minutes
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- Ready in 10 mins
Whip up a main-meal soup in next to no time, perfect for a quick lunch and ready in just 10 minutes
39
ratings
Easy
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Spicy root & lentil casserole
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- Ready in 45 mins
The potatoes in this recipe take on the spicy flavours beautifully - our idea of the perfect veggie supper
311
ratings
Easy
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Fast-fix fried rice
By
- Ready in 12 mins
A great way to use leftovers, this is a super-speedy one-pan supper
33
ratings
Easy
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Chicken & bacon cacciatore
- Ready in 1 hr 45 mins
By using a whole chicken and freezing leftovers this tasty supper is extra penny-friendly
24
ratings
Easy
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Nice 'n' spicy savoury rice
By
- Ready in 45 mins
Introduce children to spices by getting them to cook this easy rice dish
13
ratings
Easy
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Toad in the hole in 4 easy steps
By
- Ready in 1 hr
A British classic. Meaty sausages enveloped in crispy batter, plus, a special onion gravy to really top it off. We think it's better than mum's!
61
ratings
Easy
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Macaroni cheese in 4 easy steps
By
- Ready in 45 mins
A simple step-by-step guide to making a classic supper dish for quick fix. An old favourite
31
ratings
Easy
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Easy Italian bean salad
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- Ready in 10 mins
A quick and easy summery salad - ideal for serving with a barbecue spread
7
ratings
Easy
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Pizza margherita in 4 easy steps
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- Ready in 35 mins
Even a novice cook can master the art of pizza with our simple step-by-step guide. Bellissimo
135
ratings
Easy
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Strawberry cheesecake in 4 easy steps
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- Ready in 1 hr 30 mins
Follow our step-by-step recipe for this easy no-cook cheesecake – a delicious summer dessert for all occasions
134
ratings
Easy
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Easy oven frittata
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- Ready in 1 hr
Sure to become a firm family favourite, this dish is packed with peas, sweetcorn and peppers - it'll help you get your 5-a-day
39
ratings
Easy
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Spaghetti with tomato, chilli & tuna salsa
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- Ready in 22 mins
A speedy spaghetti supper that you can throw together with minimum shopping
9
ratings
Easy
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Salt-grilled mackerel
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- Ready in 20 mins
You can use this method for whole fish such as sardines, trout, sea bass or red mullet
0
ratings
Easy
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Chicken with roots & chickpeas
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- Ready in 1 hr
A filling and healthy meal that's great for an easy supper
21
ratings
Easy
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Italian rice with chicken
- Ready in 40 mins
This one-pan dish is simple, but really looks the business when you're trying to impress
57
ratings
Easy
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Five-a-day tagine
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- Ready in 45 mins
Get your day's veg quota all in one go. Great for feeding a group, or freeze portions
61
ratings
Easy
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One-pot chicken pilaf
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- Ready in 25 mins
Keep the washing-up down to an absolute minimum with this one-pot supper - you can even eat it out of the cooking dish!
58
ratings
Easy
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DIY kofta burgers
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- Ready in 50 mins
With these quick, easy and cheap koftas, there's no excuse for hitting the kebab van
29
ratings
Easy
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Saucy sausage pasta
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- Ready in 30 mins
Tomato, onion and garlic pasta sauce with sausage chunks for a bit of substance - brilliant for students (and as a hangover cure)
61
ratings
Easy
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Rosemary chicken with tomato sauce
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- Ready in 35 mins
This Italian-style casserole will warm you up, and it's great value too
87
ratings
Easy
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Mumbai potato wraps with minted yogurt relish
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- Ready in 50 mins
This help-yourself veggie supper is full of fresh flavours and low-fat too
12
ratings
Easy
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Honey mustard chicken pot with parsnips
By
- Ready in 45 mins
For an easy, warming family casserole on a budget, this one-pot ticks all the boxes
147
ratings
Easy
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Sticky slow-roast belly of pork
- Ready in 3 hrs 40 mins
Pork belly is a relatively cheap cut of meat, making this an affordable roast to feed a crowd
58
ratings
Easy
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Creamy ham & mushroom pasta bake
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- Ready in 30 mins
Use up the leftovers in your fridge with this hearty family supper dish
68
ratings
Easy
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Chinese-style braised beef one-pot
- Ready in 2 hrs 40 mins
Great for casual entertaining, when you fancy a warming beef stew but with some more vibrant flavours
91
ratings
Easy
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Moroccan spiced mince with couscous
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- Ready in 40 mins
Adding dried fruit, fresh mint and warm spices to savoury dishes is typical of North African cooking. Quorn replaces meat in this recipe
43
ratings
Easy
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Tuna pasta bake
By
- Ready in 50 mins
Whip up this cheap treat using storecupboard ingredients, tinned tuna and sweetcorn
74
ratings
Easy
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Mushroom & rice one-pot
- Ready in 50 mins
Take a handful of simple storecupboard ingredients and turn them into this hearty comforting supper
30
ratings
Easy
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Irish stew
- Ready in 2 hrs 30 mins
The trick with this classic one-pot is to use a cheaper cut of meat, which means you’ll skimp on price but not quality
26
ratings
Easy
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Bean & bangers one-pot
By
- Ready in 40 mins
Make sausages go further by cooking them in a simple veg-packed stew - no need for any accompaniments
19
ratings
Easy
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Apple pie samosas
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- Ready in 45 mins
These hand-held puds are a great low-fat alternative to apple pie, and are bound to be a big hit with a crowd
16
ratings
Easy
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Cheesy tuna pesto pasta
By
- Ready in 25 mins
Throw together some storecupboard ingredients and pop under the grill for a simple midweek meal
28
ratings
Easy
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Macaroni cheese with mushrooms
- Ready in 25 mins
A lighter dish than the original, simple to make and very cheap, perfect for students.
6
ratings
Easy
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Savoy cabbage parcels
- Ready in 45 mins
Simon Rimmer does the humble cabbage proud with this iron-rich, bargain dish
1
rating
Easy
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Chicken braised with cider & bacon
By
- Ready in 1 hr
Cheaper than a roast, this is a great-value weekend treat
32
ratings
Easy
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Sausage & borlotti bean casserole
By
- Ready in 1 hr 50 mins
Sausages and beans are a well-trodden combination, says Rosie Lovell, as she shares her version here
2
ratings
Easy
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Chilli bean baguettes
- Ready in 15 mins
Chilli beans spice up a baguette filling - this recipe is a good source of folic acid and costs around 70p a head
4
ratings
Easy
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Indian mince with fresh tomato salad
By
- Ready in 20 mins
This flavour-packed dish is super-cheap and speedy to make, the perfect family meal
17
ratings
Easy
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BBQ beans with mashed potato tops
By
- Ready in 45 mins
A healthy and filling lunch which is easy and cheap to make too - great for hungry kids
8
ratings
Easy
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Cold meatloaf with squashed tomato & pepper salsa
- Ready in 1 hr 30 mins
Thickly slice this meatloaf and serve in rolls as a picnic burger, or on its own as a tasty and economical cold cut
9
ratings
Easy
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Black bean & chilli soup
By
- Ready in 45 mins
A good-value, hearty supper in a bowl, lightened up with a dollop of yogurt and sprinkling of fresh herbs
12
ratings
Easy
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Lamb & apricot meatballs
By
- Ready in 30 mins
No one can resist meatballs, and this recipe is so moreish you might want to make double and freeze for another time
17
ratings
Easy
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Spicy chorizo potatoes with fried eggs
By
- Ready in 40 mins
For a budget-friendly supper, Spanish-style, you can't beat this simple, spicy treat
18
ratings
Easy
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Summer chicken & basil stew
By
- Ready in 50 mins
One-pot suppers aren't just for the colder months. This light, fresh stew just needs crusty bread to mop up the juices
25
ratings
Easy
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Bean & sausage hotpot
By
- Ready in 45 mins
Warm up after work with this ultimate comfort food dish, just add a buttery dollop of mash
13
ratings
Easy
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Spicy chicken cacciatore
By
- Ready in 1 hr 25 mins
With a tub of homemade tomato sauce in the fridge, this dish is a cinch
7
ratings
Easy
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Fuss-free lasagne
- Ready in 2 hrs 30 mins
Take advantage of the special offers available on mince and batch-cook this sure-fire family winner
13
ratings
Easy
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Pea & tarragon risotto
By
- Ready in 35 mins
Keep your wallet and your belly satisfied with this creamy vegetarian storecupboard supper
4
ratings
Easy
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Sweet potato & chicken curry
By
- Ready in 30 mins
Chicken thighs are good value and tasty, just right for this healthy, versatile curry
58
ratings
Easy
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Tuna empanada pie
By
- Ready in 1 hr 20 mins
Empanadas are a South American special. This pie will feed a family using just one can of tuna
6
ratings
Easy
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Bacon, spinach & Gorgonzola pasta
By
- Ready in 25 mins
An indulgent pasta dish that is quick and cheap to make
9
ratings
Easy
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Oriental duck salad
By
- Ready in 40 mins
Who says a duck supper has to be expensive? Make your meat go further with this flavour-packed salad
3
ratings
Easy
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Lentil ragù
- Ready in 1 hr 30 mins
Struggle to get your five-a-day? This superhealthy ragù will get you four steps closer and can be frozen for extra convenience
26
ratings
Easy
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Quick tomato soup with cheesy garlic dippers
By
- Ready in 25 mins
Everyone needs a trusty tomato soup recipe - and this one costs less than a pound per serving
14
ratings
Easy
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Sweet & sticky wings with classic slaw
By
- Ready in 50 mins
Kids will love these sweet and sticky wings which are quick to prepare and cheap too!
12
ratings
Easy
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Honey, mustard & crème fraîche baked chicken
By
- Ready in 55 mins
This cheap and simple chicken one-pot makes for a fuss-free dinner
57
ratings
Easy
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Minced beef Wellington
- Ready in 1 hr 40 mins
John Torode nostalgically shares his nana's recipe for a Sunday lunch with a money-saving twist
11
ratings
Moderately Easy
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Spiced red lentil soup
By
- Ready in 35 mins
Simple soups like this make great lunches - and are wallet-friendly too!
11
ratings
Easy
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Mussels with red onion, cider & crème fraîche
- Ready in 25 mins
Mussels are a real treat, but excellent value and sustainable. Serve this simple dish with crusty bread for a special meal for two
0
ratings
Easy
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