A few months ago, I was honest about the fact that I’d lost my way a little bit with meal planning.
I’ve always been a huge fan of meal planning as it saves time and money with every meal that you serve but I lost my focus on meal planning for a good while (when I was diagnosed as diabetic) and I found our weekly shopping costs increasing along with the time we spent trying to figure out what to eat every night.
This meant that we were spending more time at the shops buying food for our meals and we ate out more than we should have as it was a quick and easy option.
When we decided that moving house was on the cards, meal planning became a priority again as the extra money we were spending would really help us in other areas of our budget so I really focused on it and I’m feel so much better (as does our bank account).
And it’s not just about planning what we’ll eat, it’s about shopping wisely, batch cooking and being clever about how we use up leftovers.
So… we’re back on the meal planning wagon but better than that, we’re really thinking about what we’re eating to save us money but more importantly, we’re eating well and building up a bigger bank of meals that we rotate through our meal plan to stop us getting bored with what we’re eating and being tempted to pop to the shops for an alternative or even more damaging to our budget, ordering in or eating out.
I’ve got a list of low-cost family meals that’ll be featuring on our meal plan throughout this winter that are easy to cook, great to batch cook, kind to our budget and most importantly – taste amazing!
1. Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie is a classic for a reason! Minced beef or turkey, mixed vegetables, and a layer of creamy mash on top – it’s pure comfort in a dish. You can bulk it out with lentils or extra veg to make it stretch further, and it freezes really well for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking from scratch.
I have often cooked a double batch of mince and onions to specifically make cottage pie with the extra portions.
2. Slow Cooker Stew
Your slow cooker is your best friend in winter. Throw in some diced beef or chicken, root veg, stock, and herbs, and let it cook all day while you’re busy. By dinner time, your kitchen will smell amazing and you’ll have a thick, rich stew that everyone can dig into.
I serve this with a big pile of mash or if I have one in, a crusty baguette.
3. Sausage and Bean Casserole
Sausage and bean casserole used to be a huge favourite in our house but I haven’t made it in years now. It’s a classic dump recipe in that you literally just dump some ingredients in the slow cooker on a morning and it’s an amazing meal by teatime. You can even swap the sausages for veggie ones if you’re cutting down on meat.
Excuse this photo, the only one I have of my version of this is from 2014. 😁
4. Chicken and Leek Pie
Pies always feel like a treat, but they’re actually really easy to make on a budget. Use leftover roast chicken, a tin of soup or white sauce, and some frozen leeks (or even just peas), then top with puff pastry or even mash. It’s hearty, creamy, and the perfect way to use up leftovers.
You can use some mince and onions, some corned beef mixed with mash, or pretty much any casserole or stew leftovers as your filling too.
And don’t tell anyone but I often have some ready made pastry in the freezer to make this a real easy make.
5. Bolognaise
A big batch of slow cooker bolognaise is a brilliant meal planning triumph. 😁
I make mine quite simply and then serve usually on day 1 with pasta or spaghetti and then I add some extra bits the next day to turn it into a chilli to serve with rice or on jacket potatoes. There’s often enough to freeze a batch too.
6. Mince and Dumplings
Slow cooker mince and onions is genuinely one of my most cooked meals. Minced beef or turkey cooked with onions and gravy, topped with fluffy suet dumplings. It’s proper comfort food and tastes even better the next day. You can also sneak in some carrots or peas to get a few extra veggies in.
7. Pasta Bake
Pasta is a budget lifesaver. Mix cooked pasta with a simple tomato sauce, a bit of cheese, and whatever veg or leftover meat you have. Pop it in the oven until it’s golden and bubbling – easy, filling, and guaranteed to please even the fussiest eaters.
8. Creamy Mushroom Risotto
This feels fancy but is actually really cheap to make. All you need is rice, stock, onions, and a handful of mushrooms. Stir in a bit of soft cheese at the end for creaminess. It’s great for a meat-free Monday and super comforting on cold nights and if it helps, I have a slow cooker version that I think you might enjoy.
9. Jacket Potatoes with Toppings
Jacket potatoes are an absolute classic winter meal. Cheap, easy, and filling. Stick them in the oven or air fryer, then top with beans and cheese, tuna mayo, leftover chilli, or even coleslaw. Everyone can choose their own toppings, so it’s a win for families.
10. Budget-Friendly Curry
Make your own curry with tins of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a spoonful of curry paste or powder. Add chickpeas, lentils, or leftover meat and serve with rice or naan. It’s warming, full of flavour, and much cheaper than a takeaway and again, I have a great slow cooker version that I think you will like.
Dark nights call for comfort, not complicated cooking. These low-cost family meals are all about warmth, flavour, and simplicity – the kind of dishes that make you feel cosy as soon as you sit down.
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