Budget Friendly Family Meal Ideas & Recipes
Eating tasty food doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Get stuck into some of our favourite budget friendly family meal ideas and recipes and discover our top tips for adding excitement to dinner time that won’t cost a fortune. Whether you’re looking for family meal ideas on a budget or a go-to meal for one in a pinch, take your pick from these cost-effective recipes.
How To Save Money On Food & Grocery Shopping
Reducing spending shouldn’t mean cutting down on taste! Here are a few ways to make your money go that little bit further when it’s time to go grocery shopping.
1. PUT TIME INTO PLANNING AHEAD
Prepping a few meals ahead makes it much easier to shop for what you need. Not only does it cut down on waste, it also lets you concentrate on finding the best possible products or potential price reductions rather than worrying about meal inspiration while shopping.
2. WRITE A SHOPPING LIST
Writing a list means making a time investment at the planning stage for a big saving when you’re shopping. Make a note of ingredients for your chosen recipes and look for crossovers between them to save further, whether it’s cuts of meat that can be cooked once and used again the next day or things that perish quickly once opened, like sour cream. For example, you may want to include more meals that use sour cream in a particular week to use it before it expires.
3. BUY IN BULK WHEN YOU CAN
Buying in bulk is nearly always cheaper than picking up little bits at a time, however, it can mean paying out a little more in one go. Choose one or two items to buy in bulk (rice, tinned tomatoes, etc.) on each shopping trip so you can offset the cost and save in the long run. But, always ensure you only take what you need so there’s enough for everyone.
Kitchen Cupboard Essentials List For Budget Friendly Meals
Here are a few of our favourite bits and pieces to keep in the cupboard, ready to transform budget meals into family favourites.
- A spoonful of salsa goes a long way when it comes to making a sandwich, burger or wrap a bit more exciting. Choose a bottle or jar that will stay fresh in the fridge long enough to cover several meals.
- Stock your spice rack for a quick fix. Chilli flakes, paprika and garlic powder are wonderfully versatile, and our seasoning mixes are ideal when you’re looking for a one-stop solution for chilli, fajitas and much more.
- Soy sauce isn’t only great in Asian-inspired dishes, it’s also a handy all-rounder for adding a burst of salt and flavour when cooking veggies or meat.
- Let your veggies be at their best with the help of some fresh herbs. Coriander is a particularly versatile option, as is parsley and basil, while mint is handy for both sweet and savoury dishes.
- There are a few fresh garnishes and additions that are relatively cheap to buy but pack a punch. Some favourites are sliced spring onions for crunch and lime juice to add some zing to your meal.
Our Best Budget Recipes For Families
From budget family meal ideas to easy recipes for one, we’ve pulled together our top meals ideas that could help you save money in the kitchen starting with our Chicken Fajita Rice Casserole recipe!
Chicken Fajita Rice Casserole
Recipe Name
Chicken Fajita Rice CasseroleTotal Time
1 hour and 45 minutesSpice Level
MildServings
6Ingredients
- Vegetable oil, for greasing
- 200g easy cook long-grain white rice
- 30g butter, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 600g chicken thigh fillets, cut in 2cm pieces
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
- 1 sachet Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Seasoning Mix For Fajitas
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped coriander
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C for fan assisted ovens), gas mark 4. Grease a large rectangular baking dish. Spread the rice evenly in the baking dish. Stir in 500ml water and the butter, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.
- In large bowl, mix the chicken, onion, peppers and seasoning mix. Spoon evenly over the rice mixture in the baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake for 40 minutes then remove from the oven and stir thoroughly. Replace the foil and bake for a further 35-40 minutes or until rice is tender, chicken is cooked through and nearly all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir well then serve garnished with the coriander.
Expert Tips
- Round out your fajita dinner and serve with heated Old El Paso™ Refried Beans.
- Leftovers are great stuffed into Old El Paso™ Tortilla Boats or Pockets.
- If you want to pack more veg into this dish, stir in 100g frozen peas and 1 x 198g can sweetcorn about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time.
Made With...
Budget Friendly Meals With Old El Paso
With these easy budget friendly family meal ideas and tips, cutting down on food and grocery costs is simple! To ensure a smooth transition, be sure to stock up on cupboard essentials and seasonings and plan ahead. Which budget friendly recipes will you work into your routine? Find even more Mexican-inspired recipes here.
