for two
Budget meal plan for two (UK, a week of dinners for about £35)
Cooking for two sits in an awkward spot. Family packs are too big, single portions cost more per gram, and it is easy to end up with half a bag of peppers and a packet of wraps going stale.
This plan uses each pack across two or three dinners. One bag of chicken thighs covers the fajitas and the curry, the wraps come back on Friday as pizza bases, and the bolognese is cooked as a double batch so two portions go straight in the freezer for next week.
The shop below comes to about £35 for seven dinners. Rice, spices and the frozen bolognese carry over, so next week starts cheaper.
A week of meals
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Monday
Chicken thigh fajitas
Half the chicken thighs sliced with peppers and onion, fajita seasoning, wraps and a spoon of soured cream.
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Tuesday
Spaghetti bolognese
500g beef mince, onion, garlic and two tins of tomatoes. Makes four portions: two for tonight, two for the freezer.
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Wednesday
Salmon with new potatoes and green beans
Two salmon fillets roasted with lemon, new potatoes and green beans. Twenty minutes, one tray.
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Thursday
Chicken and chickpea curry with rice
The rest of the chicken thighs with a tin of chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, curry paste and a bag of spinach wilted in at the end.
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Friday
Wrap pizzas
The leftover wraps as thin bases, tomato purée, mozzarella and the last pepper. Ten minutes in a hot oven.
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Saturday
Sausage and bean casserole
Pork sausages browned, then simmered with mixed beans, chopped tomatoes and onion. Bread on the side for the sauce.
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Sunday
Shakshuka with crusty bread
Eggs baked in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce, with the rest of the crusty bread for dipping.
Your shopping list
Grouped by aisle so you walk the shop once. Prices reflect a typical UK supermarket basic range.
Meat & fish
- Chicken thighs 1kg £3.00
- Beef mince 500g £3.20
- Salmon fillets x2 £3.50
- Pork sausages 6-pack £1.80
Fresh fruit & veg
- Onions 1kg £0.95
- Peppers 3-pack £1.10
- Garlic bulb £0.40
- New potatoes 750g £1.10
- Green beans 200g £0.90
- Spinach 240g £1.00
- Lemon £0.30
Dairy & eggs
- Eggs 6 £1.40
- Mozzarella 125g £0.60
- Soured cream 150ml £0.75
- Mature cheddar 400g £2.90
- Semi-skimmed milk 2 pints £1.25
Bakery
- Tortilla wraps 8-pack £0.90
- Crusty bread £0.85
Cupboard staples
- Spaghetti 500g £0.60
- Long-grain rice 1kg £1.00
- Chopped tomatoes 4 tins £1.80
- Chickpeas 1 tin £0.50
- Mixed beans 1 tin £0.55
- Tomato purée £0.45
- Curry paste £1.20
- Fajita seasoning £0.70
Prices are guides and may vary by store and region.
A few tips
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1
Freeze the spare bolognese in a flat freezer bag. It defrosts in the fridge overnight and makes next Tuesday a five-minute job.
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2
Split the chicken thighs into two bags as soon as you get home, so the second half is ready to go on Thursday.
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3
Buy loose peppers and potatoes where your supermarket sells them. Two of something costs less than wasting most of a bag.
Your own plan
Want a plan built for your family?
These ready-made plans are a great starting point. For a plan that fits your exact budget, your dietary needs and the kids' fussy bits, make your own in about five minutes.
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More plans: Student meal plan UK (a week of dinners for about £20), High-protein budget meal plan UK (a week for one, about £35), Tesco meal plan for a family of 4 (about £55 a week), Cheap weekly meal plan UK (under £50 for a family of 4)