kids
Toddler-friendly weeknight dinners (one tea, whole family eats)
The hardest part of feeding a toddler is the bit where you end up cooking two teas — chicken nuggets for them at 5pm, something "proper" for the grown-ups at 8pm. This plan kills that.
Every dinner here is mild, easy to chew, packed with hidden veg, and still tasty enough for grown-up plates. The whole family eats the same thing, at the same time, in the same kitchen. Reclaim your evening.
Total weekly shop: £48 to £52
the plan
A week of meals
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Monday
Hidden-veg bolognese
Beef mince, blitzed carrot and courgette, tinned tomatoes, pasta. Toddler eats more veg than they think.
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Tuesday
Mild chicken korma
Diced chicken, korma paste, coconut milk, served with rice. No heat, just creamy.
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Wednesday
Fish pie
White fish chunks in a creamy sauce with peas, mash on top, browned in the oven.
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Thursday
Sweet potato wedges with chicken goujons
Homemade goujons (chicken breast in breadcrumbs), oven wedges, peas. Posh nuggets and chips, basically.
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Friday
Pesto pasta with peas
A small toddler-sized portion is fine, grown-ups load up with parmesan and chilli flakes.
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Saturday
Sausage and mash with hidden veg gravy
Mash with grated carrot stirred in, sausages, an onion gravy with extra blitzed veg in.
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Sunday
Mild chicken roast
A proper roast — half goes into Monday's bolognese as extra protein for the toddler.
the trolley
Your shopping list
Grouped by aisle so you walk the shop once. Prices reflect a typical UK supermarket basic range.
Meat & fish
- Whole chicken 1.5kg £4.50
- Beef mince 500g £3.20
- Chicken breast 500g £4.50
- Sausages 8-pack £2.00
- White fish fillets 400g £4.50
Fresh fruit & veg
- Potatoes 2kg £1.80
- Sweet potato 1kg £1.50
- Carrots 1kg £0.65
- Onions 1kg £0.95
- Courgette £0.80
- Frozen peas 1kg £1.40
Cupboard staples
- Pasta 1kg £1.10
- Long-grain rice 1kg £2.20
- Chopped tomatoes 2 £0.90
- Korma paste £1.80
- Coconut milk 1 tin £1.20
- Breadcrumbs £0.80
- Plain flour 1kg £0.65
- Jar of pesto £1.80
- Gravy granules £1.20
Dairy & eggs
- Cheddar 500g £3.80
- Milk 4 pints £1.95
- Butter 250g £1.80
- Eggs 12 £2.50
- Double cream 300ml £1.10
Prices are guides and may vary by store and region.
good to know
A few tips
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1
Blitz carrot, onion and courgette in a food processor before they go in the pan. Toddlers spot whole pieces; they don't spot a smooth sauce.
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2
Goujons are just chicken breast strips dunked in flour, beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. Cheaper than the freezer version and the kids love helping make them.
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3
Always leave one meal a week where toddler portion = small grown-up portion (pasta nights are easiest). Saves you cooking twice on at least one knackered day.
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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