Category: Food

With food prices continuing to rise and the average UK household now spending £72 on their weekly shop, finding affordable meal solutions has become more crucial than ever. Whether you’re a student living on a tight budget, a family trying to stretch every pound, or simply looking to save money without sacrificing nutrition, cooking at home remains one of the most effective ways to cut costs. The good news? You don’t need to survive on instant noodles alone. With a bit of creativity and smart shopping, you can create delicious, filling meals for under £3 per person – and many for even less.

From hearty one-pot wonders to protein-packed comfort food, these budget-friendly recipes prove that eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s explore the top 10 cheapest meals you can cook in 2025, along with practical tips to help you save even more on your grocery bills.

Quick Recipes for Students

1. Beans on Toast with a Twist

Estimated cost per serving: £0.80

The ultimate student classic gets an upgrade. Heat a tin of baked beans (£0.50) with a pinch of paprika and garlic powder, then serve on two slices of wholemeal bread (£0.30). Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese if budget allows. This provides protein, fiber, and complex carbs to fuel your study sessions.

2. Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil (Aglio e Olio)

Estimated cost per serving: £0.60

A classic that costs pennies per serving. Cook 100g of pasta (£0.25), then toss with olive oil (£0.15), minced garlic (£0.10), and chili flakes (£0.05). Add a handful of frozen peas (£0.05) for extra nutrition. Simple, satisfying, and ready in 15 minutes.

3. Egg Fried Rice

Estimated cost per serving: £1.20

Transform leftover rice into a complete meal. Scramble 2 eggs (£0.50) with cooked rice (£0.30), frozen mixed vegetables (£0.30), and soy sauce (£0.10). This one-pan wonder provides protein, carbs, and vegetables in one affordable dish.

Meals Under £5

4. Lentil and Vegetable Curry

Estimated cost per serving: £1.50

Red lentils (£0.40) are nutritional powerhouses and incredibly affordable. Sauté onion (£0.20) and garlic (£0.10) with curry powder (£0.15), add lentils, a tin of chopped tomatoes (£0.40), and any vegetables you have on hand (£0.25). Serve with rice for a complete meal that’s packed with protein and fiber.

5. Cheese and Chili Bean Jacket Potato

Estimated cost per serving: £2.50

Jacket potatoes are an obvious budget-friendly choice. Bake a large potato (£0.60), top with heated baked beans (£0.50), grated cheese (£0.40), and your choice of seasonings. This hearty meal provides complex carbohydrates, protein, and calcium.

6. Chickpea and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Estimated cost per serving: £1.80

A tin of chickpeas (£0.60) becomes the star of this protein-rich meal. Stir-fry with whatever vegetables you have (£0.80) – frozen stir-fry mix works well – and season with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger (£0.40). Serve over rice or noodles for extra substance.

Budget Family Dinners

7. One-Pot Pasta with Vegetables

Estimated cost per family of 4: £4.00

Cook pasta directly in a large pot with chopped vegetables (£2.00), vegetable stock (£0.50), and tinned tomatoes (£0.80). Add herbs and seasoning (£0.20). Everything cooks together, saving on washing up and creating a complete family meal for under £1 per person.

8. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew

Estimated cost per family of 4: £5.50

Dice sweet potatoes (£1.50) and sauté with onions (£0.40). Add black beans (£1.20), tinned tomatoes (£0.80), vegetable stock (£0.60), and spices (£0.30). Top with cheese dumplings made from self-raising flour and grated cheese for extra comfort. This filling stew provides beta-carotene, fiber, and plant-based protein.

9. Chicken and Rice One-Pot

Estimated cost per family of 4: £6.00

Use chicken thighs (£3.00) – they’re cheaper than breasts and more flavorful. Brown them in a large pot, then add rice (£1.00), vegetables (£1.50), and stock (£0.50). Everything cooks together for a complete family meal with minimal effort.

10. Vegetable and Lentil Soup

Estimated cost per family of 4: £3.50

The ultimate budget stretcher. Use whatever vegetables need using up (£1.50), red lentils (£0.80), vegetable stock (£0.60), and herbs (£0.20). This soup improves with time and can be frozen in portions. Serve with crusty bread for a filling, nutritious meal.

Tips to Save Money on Groceries

Smart Shopping Strategies

Shop the Yellow Stickers: Visit supermarkets near closing time for heavily discounted items. Aldi marks down perishable products by either 30% or 75% on their last day of shelf life, while other supermarkets typically discount items from 8pm onwards.

Choose Aldi and Lidl: These discount supermarkets are consistently the cheapest in comparison tests. For a shopping list of 82 branded and own-label groceries, Aldi and Lidl were nearly £50 cheaper than Waitrose in recent comparisons.

Use Loyalty Cards Wisely: Tesco’s Clubcard Prices offer up to 50% off selected items for members, while Sainsbury’s Nectar provides similar benefits. These can save you hundreds of pounds annually on groceries.

Buy Store Brands: Private label products are usually 20-40% cheaper than branded equivalents and often just as good. Focus on bulk ingredients like rice, lentils, and pasta for maximum savings.

Meal Planning and Prep Tips

Plan Your Meals: One of the most effective ways to save money on food is to plan your meals for the week ahead. This prevents food waste and reduces impulse purchases. Use a free meal planner to organize your weekly menu.

Batch Cook and Freeze: Make large quantities of soups, stews, and curries, then freeze portions. This saves time and money while ensuring you always have a home-cooked meal ready.

Shop Your Pantry First: Before writing your shopping list, check what you already have. Base meals around existing ingredients to minimize waste and spending.

Use AI Recipe Generators: If you’re running low on food, type your available ingredients into an AI tool to suggest recipes. This helps stretch your budget and prevents unnecessary trips to the supermarket.

Storage and Waste Reduction

Understand Food Labels: ‘Use by’ dates are about safety and should be followed strictly. ‘Best before’ dates are about quality – food may still be fine to eat after this date, though it might not be at its best.

Freeze Sale Items: When you find meat or other perishables on sale, buy extra and freeze immediately. This extends the sale price and gives you meal options for weeks ahead.

Cut Your Own Vegetables: Pre-cut fruit and vegetables often cost significantly more than whole produce. Buy whole and prep yourself to maximize savings.

Final Money-Saving Tips

The average person spends £42 per week on food (including eating out), but with careful planning, you can reduce this significantly. Stick to meals that rely on starches like rice, pasta, and potatoes as the base, then add whatever vegetables and protein you can afford.

Some of the cheapest proteins include eggs, canned tuna, beans, lentils, and frozen chicken thighs. Pairing grains with legumes (like rice and beans) creates complete proteins for under £1 per serving.

Focus on bulk ingredients and versatile staples that can be used in multiple recipes. Having a few go-to sauces like salsa, tahini, or vinaigrette helps prevent boredom without breaking the budget.

Remember, cooking from scratch is almost always cheaper than buying ready-made alternatives. Even simple substitutions – like making curry from scratch rather than buying jarred sauce – can save hundreds of pounds annually.

With these recipes and tips, eating well on a budget becomes not just possible, but enjoyable. Start with one or two recipes that appeal to you, then gradually expand your repertoire as you discover what works for your taste and budget.

Why Sandwiches Are Perfect for Students

When you’re juggling classes, assignments, part-time jobs, and what little social life your budget allows, sandwiches become your culinary superhero. They’re incredibly affordable – you can create a filling meal for under $2 that would cost $8-12 at any campus café. The beauty lies in their simplicity: most sandwiches require zero cooking skills, minimal prep time, and ingredients that last for days in your dorm fridge. You can make them between classes, pack them for all-day campus marathons, or whip one up at midnight when everything else is closed. Plus, sandwiches are endlessly customizable, so you’ll never get bored even when eating them daily. They’re basically the perfect intersection of cheap, fast, and actually satisfying.

3-Ingredient Sandwiches Anyone Can Make

Recipe 1: Classic Egg Salad Sandwich

Ingredients: 2 hard-boiled eggs, 2 tablespoons mayo, 2 slices of bread Instructions: Mash the eggs with a fork, mix in mayo, season with salt and pepper, and spread on bread. Pro tip: boil a dozen eggs at once and store them in your fridge for quick meals all week. Cost per sandwich: Approximately $1.20

Recipe 2: Peanut Butter Banana Honey Delight

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 banana, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 slices of bread Instructions: Spread peanut butter on both slices, add sliced banana, drizzle with honey. This combo gives you protein, potassium, and natural sweetness to fuel those late-night study sessions. Cost per sandwich: Approximately $1.50

Recipe 3: Simple Caprese-Style Sandwich

Ingredients: 2 slices cheese (cheddar or mozzarella), 1 tomato, lettuce leaves, 2 slices of bread Instructions: Layer cheese, tomato slices, and lettuce between bread. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to make the tomato flavor pop. Best when tomatoes are in season! Cost per sandwich: Approximately $1.80

Healthy Sandwich Options for Busy Days

Tuna Power Sandwich

Mix one can of tuna with a tablespoon of mayo, add diced celery if you have it, and pile onto whole wheat bread with lettuce. This protein-packed option costs about $2 and provides omega-3s to keep your brain sharp during finals week.

Chicken and Avocado Wrap

Use leftover rotisserie chicken (buy one for $5 and use it for multiple meals), half an avocado, and a large tortilla. Add some hot sauce for extra flavor. The healthy fats and protein will keep you full for hours.

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

Spread hummus on pita bread, add cucumber slices, tomato, red onion, and spinach. This vegetarian option is loaded with fiber and vitamins while being incredibly budget-friendly at around $1.75 per serving.

Turkey and Apple Sandwich

Layer sliced deli turkey with thin apple slices and a touch of mustard on whole grain bread. The sweet-savory combo provides lean protein and fiber, perfect for sustained energy during long study sessions.

Weird but Surprisingly Tasty Sandwich Combos

Nutella Strawberry Crunch

Spread Nutella on bread, add sliced strawberries and crushed peanuts or granola. It’s like dessert for lunch, but the nuts add protein and the fruit gives you vitamins. Perfect for when you need a mood boost between classes.

Apple Butter and Cheddar Grilled Cheese

This sounds bizarre but trust the process – the sweet apple butter pairs incredibly well with sharp cheddar when grilled. It’s like autumn in sandwich form and costs less than $2.

Cream Cheese and Cucumber with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Spread cream cheese on a bagel or bread, add thin cucumber slices, and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning. It’s refreshing, crunchy, and surprisingly filling. Great for hot days when heavy food sounds awful.

Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich

Before you judge, this combination has a cult following for good reason. The salty, tangy pickles contrast beautifully with creamy peanut butter. Use bread and butter pickles for the best result. It’s weird, it’s cheap, and it somehow works.

Banana and Mayo Sandwich (Southern Style)

This might sound disgusting, but it’s a beloved Southern comfort food. The mayo adds richness while the banana provides sweetness. Elvis reportedly loved peanut butter, banana, and mayo together. Give it a chance – you might be surprised.

Budget Shopping Tips for Sandwich Success

Buy bread from the day-old bakery section to save 50% or more – it’s perfect for sandwiches and can be frozen if you buy multiple loaves. Purchase deli meat and cheese in bulk when on sale and freeze portions in sandwich-sized amounts. Eggs are one of the cheapest proteins available, so always keep them stocked. Buy seasonal produce for the best prices, and don’t forget that frozen fruits work great in sandwiches too.

Invest in a few versatile condiments like mayo, mustard, and hot sauce – they transform basic ingredients into completely different flavor profiles. Store brands are usually just as good as name brands for sandwich ingredients, so don’t be shy about buying generic mayo, bread, and cheese.

Make-Ahead Sandwich Strategies

Sunday meal prep can be your best friend. Make egg salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad in bulk and store in containers for quick assembly throughout the week. Pre-slice vegetables and store them in the fridge so you’re not doing knife work when you’re rushing between classes.

Some sandwiches freeze well – peanut butter and jelly, for instance, can be made in batches and frozen. Just let them thaw for an hour before eating. Avoid freezing sandwiches with lettuce, tomatoes, or mayo-based salads, as these don’t thaw well.

Final Thoughts

The humble sandwich is truly a student’s best friend – affordable, customizable, and requiring zero culinary expertise. With these recipes and tips, you can eat well without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen. Remember, the best sandwich is the one you’ll actually eat, so don’t be afraid to experiment with whatever ingredients you have on hand.

What’s your go-to broke college student sandwich? Do you have any weird combinations that somehow work perfectly? Drop your favorite budget sandwich hack in the comments – your fellow students will thank you for the inspiration!