Budget Christmas recipes

Enjoy an energy- and cost-efficient festive lunch – we’ve used a few tricks to cut down on the oven cooking time, but the result is still a succulent chicken

Cook canned potatoes in an air fryer to make these alternative roasties. Though they're not the same as oven-cooked, they do turn golden and crisp

Cook the British classic, cauliflower cheese, easily by making it in the microwave. It can work as a main or side dish for a Sunday roast

Use up any extra brussels sprouts in your veg box this winter by making this sprout slaw. It will go particularly well with cold cuts on Boxing Day

Marinate chicken wings in cranberry and soy sauce, then cook in an air-fryer to make this tasty side. They're perfect for a buffet or movie night snack

Make veg peelings the star of the show with these easy fritters. They're perfect the day after a big family dinner, such as at Christmas time

Transform stuffing into a new version of pigs in blankets to save oven space. You’ll also need to buy fewer sausages, as this makes good use of just a few

Keep warm with our hearty cauliflower soup that can be decanted into a flask for a car or train journey. Top with the croutons before serving

Make our no-waste gravy using overripe tomatoes, mushrooms, herb stalks, leek tops and celery leaves to give it added flavour

Marmite and brussels sprouts may sound like an unusual combination, but trust us: it works. Try this recipe for your next Christmas feast or as a winter side dish

Prep these festive chocolate robins' nests in less than 30 minutes. Made with cornflakes, they‘re ideal for getting younger children involved in the kitchen.

Try skin-on roasties – not only do they dramatically cut down the prep time, but it makes them more filling and gives them a deeper baked potato flavour

Maximise your oven space by throwing everything into one dish and roasting with goose fat

Enjoy the best of Christmas in a traybake. A perfect Boxing Day feast for using up leftovers like potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts and pigs-in-blankets

Make a flavourful bread sauce to accompany your Christmas dinner. The sauce is silky and thick thanks to butter and whole milk – no need to add cream

Warm up on colder evenings with this vibrant soup, spiked with fiery chilli powder and harissa. The crispy croutons are optional but add a satisfying crunch

Make this vegetable tatin with nuts and cheese as a Christmas showstopper. Perfect for a veggie family, it also makes a great Boxing Day buffet centrepiece

Gather your friends for a relaxed evening – these baked red onions are special but simple to prepare, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen

Feel free to add other bits to this Christmas pudding fridge cake, such as nuts or shop-bought chocolates. You could add a splash of your favourite tipple, too

Adapt this festive rocky road however you like. It’s great for using up leftover Christmas sweets and biscuits, and you can get kids involved in making them, too