With the average household spending £57.60 a week on food alone, your weekly food shop may be one of your largest expenses and eating well can be difficult to do on a tight budget. We asked chefs and food bloggers to share their favourite meals that will feed four people and can be made for just a fiver. Feeding your family doesn’t have to be expensive, or complicated.
Here are three simple recipes you can try to feed your family for around £5.
Baked potato soup
This soup recipe comes from the owner of Americulinariska, Kendra Valentine. She created the site to show people how easy it is to make wholesome, American staples when she moved to Sweden. Kendra says, ‘I make this recipe almost monthly: It’s fast, easy, healthy yet indulgent AND a little goes a long way! Very filling and comforting!’
To make it you will need:
- 4 large baking potatoes (approx. £0.95)
- 1 small onion (approx. £0.20)
- 500ml cream (approx. £1.60)
- 900ml milk (approx. £0.75)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1tsp thyme
- 6-8 rashers bacon (approx. £0.95)
- 8 tbsp cheddar cheese, grated (approx. £0.50)
- 3 spring onions, chopped (approx. £0.45)
- Salt & pepper
Total: £5.40
Method:
- Peel the potatoes and keep the peels. Toss these with salt & pepper and roast in the oven for 10 minutes. You can also bake your bacon in the oven at this time. Once crispy, remove from the oven and crumble. Slice the potato peels thinly
- Cube the potatoes. Make half small and half medium cubes. This will add some nice chunks to the soup
- Dice the onion and place it with the butter in a pan. Add the thyme and ¼ cube of vegetable stock for flavour
- Add the sliced potato peels and potatoes. Pour in the cream and just enough milk to cover the potatoes. Let this simmer for 20 minutes
- Once softened, stir the soup and mash the potatoes with a masher. For a smoother soup, use a hand blender
- Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with cheese, spring onions and bacon before serving
To make this a vegetarian option, simply leave out the bacon! This wholesome, tasty dish is quick to make and will feed a family of 4.
Related: Best Ways To Control Your Weekly Shopping Budget
Omelette and greens
Nutritionist Diarmuid Morley suggests, ‘omelettes all the way, with a side of steamed greens’ as the perfect meal for under £5. We love this From-the-fridge omelette recipe from BBC Good Food.
To make it you will need:
- 1 courgette (approx. £0.57)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 eggs (approx. £0.85)
- Half a teacup frozen peas (approx. £0.70 for whole bag)
- Handful grated cheese (cheddar, feta and goat’s cheese work well) (approx. £0.50)
- Whatever other veg you have in the fridge
Total: £2.62
Method:
- Slice the courgette into slices about the width of a £1 coin. Slice the other veg to a similar size. Heat the oil in a small, non-stick frying pan and cook the veg for a couple of minutes
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat with a fork. Add some salt and pepper if you like
- Add the peas to the pan and pour in the egg. Sprinkle over the cheese
- Turn the heat low and cook for about 10 minutes until the egg is nearly set. Put the grill on high and place the omelette under for a few minutes until the top is set
- Place a plate over the pan and flip over. The omelette should fall out. Cut it into wedges and serve with steamed vegetables
This meal is super healthy and so simple to make. If you want to add some extra protein or bulk it out a bit, why not throw in some chopped ham or leftover chicken from your Sunday roast?
Read more: Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget
Creamy Butternut Pasta
Parenting blogger and Born Again Lioness Carly Brown has suggested this healthy family meal. It’s ideal if you’re cooking for people with food intolerances like Carly, and it’s also vegan! Carly says this is her favourite dish to cook for under £5.
To make it you will need:
- One whole Butternut squash (approx. £0.90)
- One can of coconut milk (approx. £0.95)
- 2 kale leaves, torn (approx. £0.10)
- 300g fusilli pasta (approx. £0.35)
Total: £2.30
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Place squash whole and unpeeled in a roasting tin and cook on the middle shelf for approx. 40 mins until golden brown and a knife goes through easily
- Cook the pasta for around 4 mins in boiling water then drain
- Cut the squash in half, scoop out and reserve the seeds. Scoop the flesh out of one-half and add to the pasta
- Add the coconut milk and torn kale, return to a low heat and cover, simmering gently for around 10 mins until the sauce is thickened. Season to taste
- Serve immediately or cool and keep in the fridge for up to 5 days
You could easily add meat to this dish, or serve smaller portions of it with some steamed fish on the side. Any leftovers can be taken into work for lunch the next day!
*All prices were found using mySupermarket.com
What are your favourite meals to make for £5? Let us know in the comments!
