When it comes to cooking on a budget, planning your meals in advance means you can maximise the use of your ingredients and minimise waste. Cooking separate meals for different members of the family not only creates a lot of work, but can easily rack up the expense of your weekly shop. We've chosen these recipes for their taste, simplicty and family-friendly qualities. Simply scroll down to view our handy weekly shopping list, as well as things to check your store cupboard for.

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MONDAY

Turkey burgers with sweet potato chips

Turkey burgers with sweet potato chips

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Welcome the kids home from school with scrumptious homemade burgers, and you are sure to be popular. Turkey thigh mince is a lean but flavoursome meat, simply shape into patties with cheese and spring onions, and serve in healthier wholemeal buns. This hearty meal will count as one of your five-a-day and is high in fibre, iron and vitamin C. We're betting on clean plates all round.

Turkey burgers with sweet potato chips

TUESDAY

Smoked haddock chowder with garlic bread

Smoked haddock & sweetcorn chowder with herby garlic bread

A creamy, wholesome soup that is a great way of getting fussy eaters to eat fish. Serve with buttery homemade garlic baguette and plenty of parsley for the ultimate warming supper.

Smoked haddock & sweetcorn chowder with herby garlic bread

WEDNESDAY

Cauliflower & bacon pasta

Cauliflower & bacon pasta

What do you get if you add cauliflower cheese to pasta and bacon? Comfort food heaven. This creamy gratin will have everyone round the table in no time. And it's one of your five-a-day, high in calcium, folate and vitamin C.

Cauliflower & bacon pasta

THURSDAY

Oven-baked ratatouille & sausages

Oven-baked ratatouille & sausages

Pack in two of your five-a-day with sweet roast onions, courgettes and red peppers, then serve in a tomato sauce alongside sizzling pork sausages. A seriously tasty Thursday night supper.

Oven-baked ratatouille & sausage

FRIDAY

Chicken & sweet potato curry

Chicken & sweet potato curry

Nothing says Friday night like a beautiful homemade curry, and this one will kick a takeaway to the curb. It's flavour-packed but mild enough for kids. It takes just ten minutes of preparation - so plenty of time to enjoy the beginning of the weekend with the family.

Chicken & sweet potato curry

Shopping list

Fruit & veg

2 spring onions

1.5kg / 3lb 5oz sweet potatoes

1/4 x cucumber (or 1 small Lebanese cucumber)

2 x salad to serve with Turkey burgers and Cauliflower & bacon pasta (optional)

3 onions and 8 garlic cloves

small pack flat-leaf parsley

1 cauliflower

3 courgettes

1 red pepper

100g bag baby spinach

Meat, fish and dairy

500g / 1Ib 2oz turkey thigh mince

225g / 8oz cheddar

300g / 11oz streaky bacon

300g / 11oz smoked haddock

8 large pork sausages

450g / 1Ib boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Dry goods and bakery

5 soft wholemeal rolls

325g can sweetcorn

1 baguette

300g / 11oz dried pasta shapes

2 x 400g cans tomatoes

165g jar korma paste

Check your storecupboard and fridge

7 tbsp olive oil

tomato ketchup

400ml / 14 fl oz chicken stock

200g / 7oz potatoes

25g plain flour, plus 2 tbsp

900ml / 1.5pts milk

about 165g / 6oz butter

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp sunflower oil

basmati rice

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Did you try our meal plan? We'd would love to hear how you got on. Or do you have any tips for eating on a budget?

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