Family meal ideas on a budget: 6 delicious recipes

Feeding the whole family doesn’t have to mean stretching your budget or your patience. Whether it’s midweek madness or Sunday dinner time, these wallet-friendly recipes prove you can keep things simple and delicious.

We’ve rounded up six flavour-packed meals that deliver maximum impact with minimal spending, so you can spend less time planning and more time digging in. Explore this week’s Gousto menu for even more inspiration, from 10-Minute Meals to Everyday Favourites.

6 cheap & easy family meal ideas to try this week

Raiding the Gousto Cookbook has led us to these six tasty, wallet-friendly recipes that are perfect for busy families. From one-pot wonders to veggie-packed favourites, there’s something here for every table.

1. 3 Cheese Veg-Packed Pasta Bake

Midweek dinner just found its cheesy soulmate. This bubbling baked pasta dish is packed with roasted veg, coated in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with a golden trio of cheeses for that ultimate comfort hit. It’s warm, cosy, and feels like a treat without stretching your budget.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Pantry staples like dried pasta and tinned tomatoes are low-cost but big yield
• Roasted seasonal veg can be swapped depending on what’s in the fridge
• Feeds a crowd (and tomorrow’s lunchbox)

Why this recipe works for families

• Melty cheese and familiar pasta is a guaranteed win with the little ones
• Veg is soft, roasted, and can be chopped fine for fussy eaters
• Packed with healthy goodness without being boring

2. Creamy Chicken Potato-Topped Pie

Comfort food doesn’t get much better than this. Think tender chicken and sweet onions, wrapped in a creamy sauce and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. It’s hearty, homely, and ideal for large families.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Chicken thighs are cheaper and more flavourful than breasts
• Great way to use up Sunday roast leftovers
• Easy to bulk for more portions with increased veg or potatoes

Why this recipe works for families

• Soft, creamy filling with no weird textures
• Mashed potato topping is peak comfort food

3. Spiced Sweet Potato & Chickpea Stew With Sultana Couscous

Warming, colourful, and loaded with good stuff, this stew is a veggie-friendly winner that’s big on flavour. With sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and gentle spice, it’s comfort food you’ll want to repeat each week—even the kids will go back for seconds.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Chickpeas, couscous, and tinned tomatoes are store cupboard heroes
• Batch cook now and freeze for later
• Use what’s already in your pantry for minimal waste

Why this recipe works for families

• Chickpeas are soft and fun to mash with a fork
• Sweet potato adds natural sweetness for younger palates
• Spice levels can be easily toned down or amped up

4. Oven Baked Pea, Leek & Bacon Risotto

Creamy, comforting, and full of savoury goodness, this risotto is perfect for chilly evenings or nights when you just want something simple but satisfying. With crispy bacon, sweet peas, and mellow leeks stirred through silky rice, it’s fuss-free and full of flavour.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Rice is low-cost and filling
• Bacon and leeks go a long way in flavour and quantity
• Bake once, enjoy twice—ideal for leftovers

Why this recipe works for families

• Creamy, comforting, and no stirring drama
• Bacon keeps it interesting for grown-ups
• Mild flavours and soft texture to win over picky eaters

5. Battered Basa With Chorizo Patatas Bravas and Garlic Aioli

This one’s got tapas night energy without the price tag. Mild, flaky basa is baked in smokey batter until tender, then served with crispy paprika potatoes and a tangy tomato sauce. Fancy enough to impress but easy enough to make midweek.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Basa is one of the most affordable fish options
• Uses affordable staples like spuds and tinned tomatoes
• Optional extras like chorizo can be swapped out to save more

Why this recipe works for families

• Crispy spuds and dip-friendly sauce is interactive dinner fun
• Basa is soft, subtle, and easy to love by all
• Tapas-style serving means everyone gets what they like

6. Homemade Chicken Goujons & Cheesy Beans

A proper homemade classic—crispy chicken strips, chunky oven chips, and a side of cheesy beans perfect for dunking. It’s comfort food the whole family will recognise, with fresher ingredients and a whole lot more flavour than the freezer aisle.

What makes this recipe budget-friendly?

• Bulk-buy chicken breasts for better value across the week
• Breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasoning are likely already in the kitchen
• Skip the frozen aisle and save with homemade

Why this recipe works for families

• Finger food fun and engaging
• Familiar flavours, but fresher and crispier
• A dinner that says “treat” without the takeaway price

Cheap family meal idea FAQs

Finding cheap family meals while on a budget can be difficult, but we have taken the hard work of searching for you. Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about family meal ideas on a budget.

What are the cheapest family meals?

Some of the cheapest family meals are made up of readily available ingredients such as pasta, rice, and a tin of chopped tomatoes. With a few simple ingredients and plenty of seasoning, you can make cheap family meals, such as Everyday Favourites like our Extra Special Bangers ‘N’ Mash, without breaking the bank.

Can I feed a family for under £5?

You likely have a lot of ingredients to make tasty dishes for the family in your store cupboard or pantry already, but they just need a few things added to them.

To keep feeding a family under £5, make sure to pick up cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thighs or check out the reduced veg section and store your finds properly to keep them fresher for longer. Toss it all in a pot, let the oven work its magic and dish up something delicious like our One-Pot Thai Red Chicken Thigh Noodle Soup.

What is a good lazy dinner?

Dig into dishes packed full of flavour but that take no time at all. Our 10-Minute Meals are perfect for busy days when you just don’t feel like cooking. Try our Nutty Bang Bang King Prawn Stir-Fry if you like to turn up the heat, or fall in love with the big flavours of our Garlic Mushroom & Sage Gnocchi.

Make family dinners easy with a Gousto recipe box

With recipes starting from just £3.29 a portion (excluding delivery), Gousto helps you serve up flavour-packed dinners that suit your budget. Choose from 150+ recipes each week, all delivered with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow cards.

Find out what’s on this week’s menu today and make dinnertime simpler, tastier, and stress-free.