5-ingredient budget meal plan
Plan for a week of quick-fix budget mains that use 5-ingredients or fewer, including flavour-packed pizzas and loaded sweet potatoes
When you’re pushed for time and need a meal in a hurry then call on a winning 5-ingredient budget recipe. The quick and easy options in this seven-day meal plan use low-cost ingredients and have four or five-star ratings. Unless otherwise specified, the recipes in this plan serve four adults.
Planning ahead and using a shopping list will help you make budget, nutritious meals that taste great. We calculate a budget meal at a cost of approximately £1.50 per serving for ingredients used, however the price of many ingredients is constantly fluctuating. You may have to spend a little more if you need to replenish staples, such as a full bottle of cooking oil, a bag of flour or a pot of spices, but you will use these up over time and we will give you ideas for how to do this. You may also have access to markets and local shops that offer savings. With energy costs in mind, we’ve favoured the more energy-efficient hob cooking method, alongside using a grill and/or toaster.
Monday:
Tuesday:
Smoked mackerel & leek hash - note this recipe serves two, so add extra veg and serve one egg each, or double recipe.
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Shopping list
View the 5-ingredient budget meal plan shopping list.
For more budget recipe inspiration, money-saving tips and useful guides, take a look at our vegetarian budget meal plan, budget family meal plan and budget recipe hub.
We'd love to hear how this meal plan goes for you and, if we were to repeat it, what you'd like to see more of, or done differently. Please use the comment box below to let us know, or tag us on social using #gfcooksmart.
