Instead of turning to a jar when cooking, check out these budget recipes which are easy to cook, purse friendly and can be made from scratch in no time.
I was a little surprised to read the other day that one in six British adults have never cooked a meal from scratch. Now before having a family I never used to be a pro in the kitchen. I could do the odd thing to keep me alive and could probably rustle up a meal if I had to impress someone, but this figure really surprises me.
Co-operative Food carried out this research last year on 2,000 people and found that they are turning to packets or jars to finish off their meal in the evening at least four nights a week, instead of using store cupboard basics. Plus, two thirds are using ready made food instead of using their owns spices and fresh ingredients.
Top 20 Cheat Meals
Skint Mum was talking to a few of her colleagues at work about our simple Bolognese recipe and a few of them said that they had always used a jar to make it – how else was it done?! She gave them a quick overview of the recipe, which they tried, then had feedback that it went well and that they would be using it again.
The study also uncovered the top 20 meals that us British don’t give a second thought to cheating at.
We eat at lot of the top 20 cheat meals – but made from scratch – over the course of a month and many of them are firm family favourites. In fact, I wouldn’t even think of getting a jar or packet of sauce to make even one of these dishes.
Some families may not have all the ingredients to hand straight away but by adding a few basic food products to the weekly shopping basket, it’s easy to fill the cupboard with real food, that is easy and can be quick to cook with and what will save you a packet! (excuse the pun).
Budget recipes
Instead of cheating, take a look at the easy and family friendly, budget recipes below so you can make them from scratch yourself:
- Fajitas
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Lasagne
- Chicken curry
- Stir fry
- Chilli con carne
- Enchiladas
- Pasta bake
- Pizza
- Sausage casserole
- Chicken casserole
- Spaghetti carbonara
- Cottage pie
- Shepherd’s pie
- Burritos
- Coq au vin
- Meatballs and tagliatelle
- Macaroni cheese
- Beef stew
- Beef stroganoff
Cooking from scratch
Some of the other things that came out of the survey are:
- 43% of people are more concerned that the meal tastes good than how healthy, how cheap or how filling it is
- 24 minutes is the average time to prepare an evening meal
- 44% of people cheat when having people over at weekends – then say they did it all themselves and to make the cheat more realistic, they’ll sprinkle herbs on worktops and have a tea towel over their shoulder when greeting guests – great tip if you need it!
Rather than giving more tips to help you cheat yourself to a more expensive and unhealthy dinner, I’m going share with you how I make some of the top cheat meals from the list above.
My recipes are easy to do, don’t take too much preparation, are from store cupboard basics and don’t cost the earth.
Looking for more inspiration to cook meals that don’t break the bank. There are loads of budget-friendly recipes over on Skint Chef.
If you’re getting peckish and what to try out some other budget recipes, check out my fakeaways here.
Ricky Willis is the original Skint Dad. A money-making enthusiast, father, and husband to Naomi. He is always looking for unique ways to earn a little extra.
I’m a big fat cheat and struggle to corall ingrediants into a coherant meal but even I can cook Tex-Mex, curry and stir-fri! As for the other things I wouldn’t have a clue. *blushes with shame* So great idea, thanks!
I was never the greatest cook and really learnt as money (or lack of) forced me to. I suppose what used to put me off is not knowing how to cook and worrying that it will take too long. Once I started to get the hang of a new recipe it really does start to come naturally.
I think I’m using the money thing as an excuse as I don’t want to spend a chunk of it on a big meal (that I’d freeze in portions) to accidentally arse it up & have to throw it away. But like you say, if I get good at one, then that’s probably quite a few lessons learnt which will intuativley help me with other similar dishes.
I would say I cheat at pretty much all those and use jar or packets mixes *blush*. For me I think its the fact that if I was to try something myself and it tasted nowhere near like the packets then no one would eat it and it would be a big waste instead! I tried beef stew with just gravy like my in laws make (which I love) and it tasted nothing alike! Shall eagerly await these recipes from you as I have tried a few of the fakeaways :o)
Also just because I am nosey! I get that you do the fakeaway at the weekend but I wondered what foods you eat the rest of the time? Basic stuff or just the above or beans on toast etc? We are a family of 5 and I NEED to reduce the grocery spend and so was just wondering if you would share a basic weekly meal plan that you might have (I am currently putting together a monthly meal plan starting next wednesday – pay day)
Hi Mummygems
Glad you like my fakeaways. They are great treat at the weekend when we have more time but in the week we do cook meals from scratch each day.
We do have more normal things in the week, like the top 20 or meat and two veg and few other recipes we’ve grown to love.
As much as possible, the ingredients we use are the store’s own brand. Some people have turned their noses up at it in the past but it’s just the same really, and you get the same end result – for a much better price.
We try to use the slow cooker a few times a week, batch cook and freeze portions which is a real time saver as well.
We normally plan a two shop and meal plan with small tops ups for fresh stuff mid week. A meal plan is in the pipeline soon so keep an eye out.
Thank you for your reply. Im making your Lasagne tomorrow :o)
We use lots of own brand stuff anyways (usually Basics) and I try and buy yellow sticker stuff too. Trying to get the fruit & veg cost down at the moment so might re-visit the local farm shop and Aldi/Lidl.
I look forward to seeing your meal plan.
Your fakeaway series is fantastic! I’m going to be trying a few of those recipes. I lived in England for a year (husband’s from there), and it didn’t seem like the people I met were very adventurous in the kitchen — my husband’s family would not dream of making many of the items on that list. Of course there are plenty of Americans who use convenience products as well (which couponing encourages). I think scratch cooking is the way to go. I’ve been doing much more of it in recent years, and it’s nice to see that some people across the pond like to cook, too.
I don’t understand why more people don’t cook from scratch. It’s not like we’re short of cookery programmes on the TV to give us inspiration, is it? And it’s such a lot of fun too. Thanks for the recipes. I’ll definitely be trying some of them out.
I struggle making things “tasty” as have no real idea about herbs/spices and sauces for example so would cheat as above. My gravy for example is a lovely colour, not lumpy but tastes bland *sigh. Only confident with a recipe as can’t work out how to adapt it for myself. Yes I had some cookery lessons, far better than today’s lessons, but mum did meat and veg dishes only so had to learn from scratch. But yes I often turn to tins/jars/packets to help out and provide some guaranteed flavour. But a combination of spiralling food costs, fixed income and having to lower my salt/sugar intake for health reasons then I need to change! Just signed up to newsletter so looking forward to help all round!
I’m a lousy cook but being a single mum, holding down 2 jobs these recipes are are great and quick to make and freeze too. love them.