cheap family recipes 

feed a family of 4 for less than £200 a month

The planners are designed for a family of four – two adults and two teenage children – but can be easily adapted to suit any situation. Whether you are a single or have a larger brood, please don’t feel daunted or think it can’t be done unless you’re cooking for exactly four. It most certainly can and our testers have proved it!

Read on for our tips on how to make life easier, however many you’re catering for…

When starting the planner as a single, simply dividing the shopping list by four will give odd amounts so round up to nearest size. This will leave things over but they can be used next month. The first month’s shop will be slightly more than £25 but will average out over time, if you continue the planner for longer.

If following planner one, a single person will need approx 1-2 pints of milk per week – this will vary somewhat, as it’s used in some recipes and also depends on how much you like in your tea. This is not a concern for those following planner 2, as it is vegan so contains no milk or dairy.

You’ll need two loaves of homemade bread per week as a single person following the plan to the letter, including all breakfasts and lunches – which is half a batch of your bread recipe. Simply halve all the ingredients stated except the yeast, which you must always use at least 10g of, however small a batch you’re making of any of the recipes it is used in.

Why Not Try....?

Calzone

Calzone

cheap family recipes feed a family of 4 for (just over) £100 a monthCalzoneThis calzone recipe can hold all sorts of bits and pieces from the fridge as well as the suggested contents. The full recipe makes 4 large calzone   Calzone pizza is a real classic!  ...

Butternut Squash Tart

Butternut Squash Tart

cheap family recipes feed a family of 4 for less than £200 a monthButternut Squash TartThis is a sweet tart made with a filling of butternut squash spiced with garam masala. Makes 8 portions, although as this sweet butternut squash tart is served as an extra in...

Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Risotto

cheap family recipes feed a family of 4 for less than £200 a monthButternut Squash RisottoButternut squash risotto is made in week 3 of monthly meal plan 1 What do I need to make butternut squash risotto For 4 servings ▢ 160 g butternut squash▢ 500 g rice▢ 80 ml oil▢...

Take care of your family and your budget

Before putting together our meal planners we surveyed over 600 people to ask when faced with a tighter budget, which things they would struggle to give up.

Want to know more about how to feed yourself fantastically frugal food?