Money Saving Meals {Week 1 Budget Meal Plan} (2024)

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Here is the VERY FIRST of my Money Saving Meals series, where we’re bringing you a month of detailed budget meal plans so you don’t have to do the thinking of ‘what’s for dinner’ every evening.

You will find everything you need to follow for an easy, flavour-packed and healthy ease into the New Year – including a full FREE shopping list, additional notes and a breakdown of cost.

After the season of indulgence, there’s one thing we need in January, and that is nutritious, hearty and delicious home cooked food.

It’s also time for a little restoration and a LOT of budgeting after all the exuberance and excess.

We are here for you, my friends!

This is the VERY FIRST budget meal plan in our Money Saving Meals series, where we bring 4 weeks of family friendly midweek dinners that tick all the boxes.

About this budget meal plan

We have concentrated here on bringing you a collection of recipes that strike a balance of prioritising price and value, while also making sure you get:

⭐️ A full meal for 4 people

⭐️ A balanced plate of carbs, protein and vegetables

⭐️ A variety of ingredients and dishes

Things to note

➡️ You may want to add some side dishes to some of these recipes, which I explain in the notes below.

➡️ Please be aware that any suggested sides have been added to the shopping list to help you get organised but are NOT included in the costings breakdown per recipe, in case you want to swap them out.

➡️ I’ll be sharing this meal plan on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, so watch out for the videos so you can cook along.

For reference, I shopped for this Meal Plan in December 2023 at Aldi and it cost £27.92.

Why use a budget meal plan?

⭐️ Knowing exactly what food to buy for avoids food waste, saving you money

⭐️ Having a plan for dinner avoids the mental load of “what’s for dinner?” question every night

Click Here for PRINTABLE SHOPPING LIST

You can find more Meal Plans here:

Meal Plan 26 – Slow Cooker Saviours

Meal Plan 25 – Easy Midweek Winners

Meal Plan 24 – 5 Brand New Recipes

Some tips for using a budget meal plan:

➡️ Check for any items on the shopping list that you already have in your cupboard

➡️ Maybe think about doubling up and freezing a recipe or two where the recipes are suitable, so save cooking another day or for the weekend

➡️ Remove ingredients for any meals that you don’t want to cook

➡️ The shopping list includes the cheapest version of each ingredient. Obviously if you want to buy lower fat mince or free range etc, that’s personal choice

➡️ All of the recipes are to serve 4, so if you’re cooking for 2, simply halve the ingredients

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Budget Meal Plan: The recipes:

Dinner 1

⭐️ Cost: £1.68 per portion

⭐️ Our new and improved recipe

⭐️ All in one meal – no need for extra sides

See Also

The 6 Best Budget and Money Management Apps of 20248 Best Money Saving Apps Of 2024 | Bankrate

4.88 from 49 votes

Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake {SO EASY!}

This easy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake recipe is adelicious and healthy dinner for all the family. The simple creamy sauce is packed with vegetables and bacon and topped with cheese.

View Recipe

Dinner 2

⭐️ Cost: 72p per portion

⭐️ Annoyingly, Aldi doesn’t stock orzo (which is where we did our shopping for this), but you can find it in most other major supermarkets

⭐️ All in one vegetarian meal – no need for extra sides

5 from 63 votes

Broccoli Orzo Bake

This Broccoli Orzo Bake is a delicious vegetarian pasta recipe that’s so easy to make and is all thrown together in one pan.

View Recipe

Dinner 3

⭐️ Cost: 77p per portion

⭐️ Serving suggestion: Mash or roast potatoes and peas. These have been added to the shopping list

⭐️ This would also be great with Onion Gravy. This isn’t on the shopping list but it’d be a nice addition to the meal

5 from 217 votes

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!}

The comforting classic is pure perfection when the day calls for it – the best Toad in the Hole recipe is all we need to please everyone.

View Recipe

Dinner 4

⭐️ Cost: £1.16 per portion

⭐️ Serving suggestion: Rice, which is on the shopping list

⭐️ Please note, Aldi doesn’t sell curry paste. You can either use some for your cupboard if you have any, or substitute it for 2-3tbsp of medium curry powder (or to your own spicy tastes!)

⭐️ Aldi also doesn’t sell paneer, so we’ve swapped it for halloumi in the shopping list

5 from 143 votes

Red Lentil Dahl {Slow Cooker Fakeaways}

This Red Lentil Slow Cooker Dahl is a perfect weekend fakeaway. It’s simple, healthy, is packed with flavour and is an ideal vegetarian curry.

View Recipe

Dinner 5

⭐️ Cost: £1.35 per portion

⭐️ We have chosen the cheapest mince to keep costs down here, but you can buy what you prefer

⭐️ All in one meal – no need for extra sides

4.99 from 79 votes

Dirty Rice {Cajun Style Beef One Pot}

This is a tasty, easy and quick one potrecipe that's full of flavour from the Cajun style beef and packed with filling veggies.

View Recipe

Quick reminder, the printable shopping list can be found here.

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Please remember, all prices included in this meal plan are correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change.

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Sarah. I help busy people decide 'What's for Dinner?' Find hundreds of recipes here, and also in my bestselling recipe book. Hope my recipes make your life easier ❤️

More About Me

As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in the article.

Budget Meal Plans:

A budget meal plan is a strategy for meal preparation that focuses on cost-effective ingredients and recipes. It helps individuals or families save money on groceries while still enjoying nutritious and delicious meals. By planning meals in advance, you can avoid food waste and reduce the mental load of deciding what to cook each day. Budget meal plans typically include a variety of recipes that provide balanced nutrition and are suitable for the whole family. They often include a shopping list to make grocery shopping easier and more organized.

Meal Planning Tips:

The article provides some tips for using a budget meal plan:

1. Check your pantry: Before shopping, check your pantry for any ingredients you already have. This can help you avoid buying duplicates and save money.

2. Freeze leftovers: Consider doubling up on recipes and freezing the leftovers for future meals. This can save you time and effort on busy days.

3. Customize the plan: If there are meals in the plan that you don't want to cook, you can remove those ingredients from the shopping list.

4. Personalize ingredient choices: The shopping list includes the cheapest version of each ingredient. However, you can choose to buy different variations based on your preferences, such as lower-fat options or free-range products.

5. Adjust portion sizes: All the recipes in the meal plan are designed to serve four people. If you're cooking for a smaller household, you can simply halve the ingredients.

Dinner Recipes:

The article provides five dinner recipes as part of the budget meal plan. Here's a brief overview of each recipe:

1. Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake: This recipe is a creamy and flavorful pasta bake made with chicken, bacon, vegetables, and cheese. It's a one-pot meal that doesn't require any additional sides.

2. Broccoli Orzo Bake: This vegetarian pasta recipe features orzo pasta, broccoli, and cheese, all baked together in one pan. It's a complete meal on its own.

3. Toad in the Hole: This classic British dish consists of sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. It can be served with mashed or roast potatoes and peas for a complete meal.

4. Red Lentil Dahl: This slow cooker recipe is a flavorful and healthy vegetarian curry made with red lentils. It can be served with rice for a satisfying meal.

5. Dirty Rice: This one-pot recipe is a Cajun-style beef and vegetable dish served with rice. It's a quick and flavorful meal that doesn't require any additional sides.

Please note that the cost per portion is provided for each recipe, and the shopping list includes the#### About Me I am an expert and enthusiast assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide detailed insights on various topics. I can help with answering questions, providing explanations, and engaging in discussions on numerous subjects. My responses are based on search result snippets, ensuring that the information I provide is accurate and up-to-date.

Money Saving Meals Series

The Money Saving Meals series aims to provide a month of detailed budget meal plans, offering easy, flavorful, and healthy options for families. The meal plans include a full free shopping list, additional notes, and a breakdown of costs. The focus is on nutritious, hearty, and delicious home-cooked food, which is particularly beneficial after a season of indulgence. The series emphasizes the importance of budgeting and avoiding food waste while providing a variety of ingredients and dishes.

Budget Meal Plan Concepts

The concepts used in the article include:

1. Budget Meal Plan Purpose: The purpose of a budget meal plan is to avoid food waste, save money, and eliminate the mental load of deciding "what's for dinner" every night.
2. Tips for Using a Budget Meal Plan: The article provides tips such as checking for items already in the cupboard, doubling up and freezing recipes, removing unwanted ingredients, and adjusting portion sizes based on the number of servings needed.
3. Meal Plan Details: The meal plan includes five dinner recipes, each with a cost per portion, serving suggestions, and additional notes. The recipes are designed to serve four people and are balanced in terms of carbs, protein, and vegetables.
4. Shopping List: The article offers a printable shopping list and suggests checking for the cheapest version of each ingredient. It also advises on potential substitutions based on personal preferences.

If you have any specific questions about the concepts or need further details, feel free to ask!