veggie
Vegetarian meal plan UK (family of 4, full week)
Going veggie as a family doesn't have to mean rabbit-food dinners or a hundred quid on fancy ingredients. This plan is built for actual UK families, with meals the kids will eat and a shop that comes in well under sixty quid.
Every dinner here hits a proper amount of protein from beans, lentils, eggs or cheese. Nobody's leaving the table hungry.
A week of meals
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Monday
Veggie shepherd's pie
Green lentils, mushrooms, carrots and onion under a mash topping. The Monday dinner the kids actually request.
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Tuesday
Halloumi traybake
Halloumi, peppers, courgette, red onion, olive oil, oregano. 25 minutes in the oven.
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Wednesday
Chickpea and spinach curry
Two tins of chickpeas, a tin of tomatoes, curry paste, a bag of spinach. Served with rice.
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Thursday
Spaghetti aglio e olio
Pasta, garlic, olive oil, chilli flakes, a handful of parsley, plenty of parmesan. Fancy-sounding but takes 10 minutes.
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Friday
Cheese and veggie quesadillas
Wraps, grated cheese, tin of refried beans (or mashed kidney beans), grilled in a dry pan.
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Saturday
Mushroom risotto
Risotto rice, mushrooms, onion, white wine (or stock), parmesan. Worth the 25 minutes of stirring.
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Sunday
Veggie roast with nut roast
A shop-bought nut roast, roasties, all the trimmings, proper veggie gravy. Sunday tradition, no meat needed.
Your shopping list
Grouped by aisle so you walk the shop once. Prices reflect a typical UK supermarket basic range.
Chilled & meat alt
- Halloumi 250g £2.50
- Nut roast £3.50
- Mature cheddar 500g £3.80
- Parmesan 100g £2.20
- Mozzarella 125g £1.10
Fresh fruit & veg
- Potatoes 2kg £1.80
- Onions 1kg £0.95
- Garlic 3-bulb £0.59
- Carrots 1kg £0.65
- Peppers 3-pack £1.50
- Courgette £0.80
- Red onion £0.40
- Mushrooms 500g £1.80
- Spinach 200g £1.20
- Fresh parsley £0.85
- Lemon £0.30
Cupboard staples
- Green lentils 500g £1.50
- Tinned chickpeas 2 £1.10
- Tinned tomatoes 2 £0.90
- Curry paste £1.80
- Long-grain rice 1kg £2.20
- Risotto rice 500g £2.20
- Pasta 1kg £1.10
- Spaghetti 500g £0.75
- Olive oil £4.00
- Chilli flakes £0.85
- Oregano £0.85
- Veggie stock cubes £0.95
- Refried beans 1 tin £1.10
- Gravy granules £1.20
Bakery
- Tortilla wraps 8 £1.20
Dairy & eggs
- Eggs 12 £2.50
- Butter 250g £1.80
- Milk 4 pints £1.95
Prices are guides and may vary by store and region.
A few tips
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1
Green lentils mimic mince really well in shepherd's pie. Most kids genuinely can't tell.
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2
Halloumi is a veggie family's secret weapon. It's filling, the kids love it, and a 250g block feeds four people on traybake night.
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3
Buy a wedge of real parmesan once and grate it as you go. Lasts six weeks in the fridge and ruins the pre-grated stuff for you forever.
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.
No card needed. Cancel any time.
More plans: Toddler-friendly weeknight dinners (one tea, whole family eats), Budget meal plan for one (UK, a week of dinners under £30), Budget meal plan for two (UK, a week of dinners for about £35), Student meal plan UK (a week of dinners for about £20)