Cheap meal ideas for parents

We’re living in a time where you’re told UPF is bad. But UPF is also cheap, convenient and quick.

We’re also living in a time where we’re trying to hold down a job, remember King for the day (or another random day of the year invented to make parents feel inadequate). We’re trying to exercise, drink enough water, socialise, save, buy a car, walk the dog… honestly the mental load is a killer.

Add into all that “What should I cook?” And “how can I save money on cheap meal ideas” and you’ve got yourself a headache, a bag of crisps, and someone’s half eaten roll.

So what should you be cooking? What are some cheap meal ideas for parents that we love each week.

Cheap meal ideas for parents

I’m not Gordon Ramsey. I’m just Becky. Becky who loves cooking and loves saving money.

I’m not going to suggest your kids will love these meals too, because let’s be honest, if they’re like mine, they’ll want plain pasta and bread. And once you’ve made them that they’ll toss it aside and say they wanted a ham sandwich.

Hopefully these cheap meal ideas for parents will give you some ideas for speedy and less spenny dinners.

Pasta and creamy mushroom sauce

This is a HelloFresh recipe. I tend not to add the parsley now, which knocks off a £1! They do it with gnocchi which is great, but pasta works just as well.
https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/creamy-gnocchi-591f2eabd56afa1fd433c963

Tomato pasta with pine nuts and goats cheese if you’re feeling flush

Tomato lentil dhal

A gusto recipe for a curry but I add lentils and the rest of the crème fraîche from the mushroom pasta. It’s even better the next day!

Frittata and salad

Anna Jones’ cookbook has loads of ideas for what to add. I tend to do 6 eggs, then any leftovers from the fridge, feta/broccoli/cheddar/kale/spinach then a tea spoon of paprika.

Rice with veggies and a dressing

Rice with a quick dressing. I usually add any veg I have in the fridge. Try a dressing of 2 parts soy, 1 part honey and 1 part lemon. Little orange is great in this too. Add a sprinkle of seeds for a crunch!

Eggs, toast and kale salad

poached eggs with toast (homemade if possible!) and a kale salad dressed in a olive oil vinegarette. It’s simple, cheap and delicious.

Shopping list for cheap meal ideas for parents

Mushrooms (£1)
Garlic bulb (30p)
Crème fraîche (80p)
Veggie stock cube (£1 per pack)
Pasta (£1)
Tinned tomatoes (50p)
Fresh ginger (£1, you can freeze it!)
Curry powder (£1 lots of uses!)
Lentils (£1.50)
Coriander (80p and you can freeze it)
Carrots or peas (£1)
Eggs (£3)
Feta (£1-2)
Spinach (£1)
Soy sauce (£1)
Lemons (£1)
Honey (£2)
Rice (£2)
Seed mix (£1)
Bread flour (£1)
Kale (£1)

Recipe books to buy

Recipe books that include cheap meal ideas for parents

I have recipe books calling for the most random ingredient that you have to hunt out, only to use once.

I rarely use these. I like a recipe book that calls for a few staple ingredients that you’ll use again and again. The initial cost might be a little higher, but when you can use the spices each week, price per meal is much lower.

Here’s the recipe books use for cheap meal ideas for parents