15 cheap and easy weeknight dinners to make in January

Feeling like your weeknight dinner rotation is in need of a shake-up? Searching for easy and affordable meals to help make it through January without breaking the bank? We're here to assure you that it's entirely possible to enjoy comforting, seasonal meals all January long — without overspending.

These budget-friendly recipes below make the most of winter produce and storecupboard staples with options for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. They're warming, satisfying and perfect for cold January evenings, all while keeping your food shop costs low.

Looking for low-cost dinners to refresh your repertoire? See our budget winter recipes, budget batch cooking recipes and freezable winter dinners.

1. Sausage & winter greens cannelloni

Stretch a pack of sausages and feed the whole family with this hearty cannelloni. The meaty ragu sauce is bulked out with nutrient-dense winter greens to make a filling, budget-friendly meal. This comforting dish serves up to six, making it ideal for batch cooking.

Find more cosy dinners in our collection of winter pasta recipes.

2. Super-green curry with quinoa rice

A healthy and comforting curry that's easy on the wallet is just the ticket for January. Chickpeas are used in this, but the curry base is adaptable; just add your choice of protein. A squeeze of lemon adds vitamin C to aid iron absorption and mixing quinoa with rice increases your intake of high-fibre wholegrains and protein.

Next, check out our collection of healthy curry recipes.

3. Curried bean stew with coconut & coriander drizzle

Make the most of a pantry staple – butter beans – in this hearty and fragrant stew. Butter beans are filling, packed with protein and low-cost, too. Topped with crispy kale, a drizzle of coriander chutney and a sprinkling of lime zest, it's a parade of flavour and will please even the staunchest of meat-eaters.

Check out our bean recipes, including hearty soups, stews and one-pots.

4. Pulled chicken bowl

January doesn't have to mean restricting or skimping on comforting foods. Instead, try this budget-friendly chicken and spinach dish with rice and tortilla chips, or use as a filling for a burrito or burger buns. It's low in calories but still delivers on those cosy, satisfying flavours.

See our round-up of budget family chicken recipes for more ways to eat well without overspending.

5. Miso lentil & cabbage soup

Fancy making your own soup to curl up with this January? This filling soup combines green lentils, pancetta, white cabbage and mushrooms, flavoured with miso for umami depth. It's then finished with a dollop of thick yogurt for fresh creaminess. It’s healthy, low in fat and packs in three of your five-a-day, too.

See our hearty winter soups for more inspiration, as well as these miso recipes for using up the whole jar.

6. Microwave chicken & tomato risotto

Use your microwave to rustle up this creamy chicken and tomato risotto for dinner this week. It’s hard to believe that using just a microwave can result in the creamiest of risottos – try it for yourself and watch it become your new comfort food favourite.

Browse through our collection of microwave meals for more thrifty ways to use this appliance.

7. Curried chickpea brothy pasta

Make a batch of spiced lentils and use them as a base for this cheap and cheerful pasta dish with curried chickpeas and kale. This cosy, comforting veggie dinner is perfect with flatbreads for dipping, and it's ready on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Read up on the health benefits of chickpeas then use them in a plethora of satisfying dinners, from curries to traybakes.

8. Coconut & squash dhansak

Check out this quick and easy vegetarian curry featuring butternut squash, coconut milk, lentils and spinach. It's both healthy and satisfying, plus it's suitable for gluten-free diets. It's also one of our highly-rated recipes, with over 300 ratings and an average of 5-stars.

Find more cheap weeknight wins in our budget vegetarian recipe collection.

9. Creamy butter bean, kale & lasagne soup

This hearty, wholesome soup is perfect for cold winter days. It's enriched with egg yolk, and parmesan lends it a velvety texture reminiscent of carbonara. It's also high in fibre and protein, served with crusty bread for dipping. Freeze any leftovers for a speedy midweek meal.

We have plenty more butter bean recipes for you to try.

10. Black bean & tortilla soup

Make good use of tinned black beans with this easy and satisfying tortilla soup. You'll probably have most of the ingredients already to hand, like tomato purée, chopped tomatoes and stock. Top with a sprinkle of coriander, avocado, feta and pumpkin seeds for extra flavour.

Discover our budget storecupboard meals for more easy ways to cook with kitchen staples.

11. Easy air fryer cheese & ham hock gnocchi

This creamy air fryer gnocchi bake is a one-pot wonder, made with potato gnocchi and classic cheese and ham. With a few staple storecupboard ingredients, you can have this dish from your air fryer to the table in just 15 minutes. Double up the recipe to feed a crowd.

See our air fryer recipes for more ways to use this trusty mod-con.

12. Vegan lentil & sweet potato cottage pie

Tuck into this hearty meat-free pie for dinner, featuring a rich umami sauce made from soy and mustard powder. Pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch, making this perfect vegan comfort food. This serves up to six – freeze any leftover portions for speedy meals as and when you want them.

Discover more vegan comfort food recipes.

13. One-pan smoky veggie lentil lasagne

Re-think lasagne with this comforting no-bake version – you’ll pack in lots of nutritious veggies, building up to 30 plant points for the week. The courgettes and mushrooms can be swapped out for other seasonal veg – leeks and aubergines work well.

Check out more one-pan recipes and vegetarian lasagne recipes.

14. Slow-cooker sausage casserole

Use your favourite sausages to make this family-friendly casserole. Making use of cheap, storecupboard heroes, you can serve this hearty casserole over pasta, baked potatoes or with bread. Perfect for a comforting winter dinner.

Next, see our top 10 family sausage recipes, including this speedy sausage, kale & gnocchi one-pot.

15. Orzo & chickpea soup

Knock up this nourishing pasta soup made with orzo, chickpeas, vegetables and tinned tomatoes. Low in fat and calories, we like to top ours with a blanket of grated parmesan for a simple, satisfying veggie dinner.

Search through more of our hearty pasta soup recipes, like this classic pasta e fagioli.