My Go-To Budget Recipes: Real Meals for Real Weeks
Let’s be honest – trying to figure out what’s for dinner at 5:00 PM when you’re already exhausted is the worst. Add in the way grocery prices are looking in Australia lately, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel completely overwhelmed before we’ve even turned the stove on.
I’m often asked for recipe inspiration that’s actually doable – meals that don’t require a big grocery budget or three hours of prep time. So, I’ve put together this list of my personal favourites. These are the meals I actually cook in my own kitchen; the ones that help me stick to my budget and keep some healthy rotation and variety of meals.
You’ll find a bit of everything here: quick midweek dinners, lunches that actually hold up in a container the next day, and some traditional Swedish recipes from my childhood that are surprisingly cheap and comforting. I’ve also included some simple bread and snack ideas because sometimes the best way to save money is just to make it yourself. Most of these meals meal prep very well (lasts 2-3 days in your fridge, and up to 3 months in your freezer).
Some of these are my own recipes, and others are from creators I’ve followed for years. Every single one has been tried, tested, and given the “yes” in our house.
How to use this list: Before you head to the shops, have a quick look through your fridge and pantry first. See what you already have on hand, then pick a few recipes from this list that use those ingredients. It’s the easiest way to keep your bill down and your food waste low.
Dinner & lunch recipe ideas:
- Keema Curry (ground beef): Easy and delicious ground beef recipe from Brian Lagerstrom that comes together quickly, served over rice.
- Chicken peanut noodle: This is a quick and easy recipe from Recipe Tin eats. Using chicken mince and noodles of your choice (I use rice noodles), this recipe is so tasty (think budget version of chicken satay) and comes together in less than 15 minutes!
- Zucchini and Herb Egg Bake: This recipe from Sweet Peas & Saffron is one of my favourites to lunch prep. I often use frozen spinach instead of kale, and add a large can of tuna for extra protein. It’s also a great way to use up any other veggies (mushroom, capsicum) that are hiding in your fridge.
- Taco casserole: Family friendly, inexpensive and a different twist on tacos. You can use any mince for this recipe, I often use turkey mince because it’s so lean and budget friendly. Add your favourite taco toppings to take it to the next level!
- Roast chicken + homemade chicken stock: Roasting a whole chicken is both cheap and tasty and provides a base protein to serve with salads (see some of my favourite salads below), rice or potato bakes or plain roasted vegetables. Roasting a whole chicken also helps you make free bone broth from the carcass/bones (I often freeze the chicken stock to use later as well).
- Turkey taco meal prep bowls: A lean, budget and meal prep friendly recipe from Sweet Peas & Saffron to set you up with healthy lunches for the week.
- Mini meatloaf with veggies & mozzarella: This recipe from Julia’s blog is a one sheet pan meal that is great for weeknight dinner as well as hosting. Mozzarella works best, but I have tried this recipes with other cheese (cheddar, tasty cheese) in a pinch.
- Eggs & ham brunch recipe: This recipe from my own recipe book is easy, camping friendly and great for lunch or brunch.
- Chicken pot pie skillet: Such a comforting meal from Christine’s Notebook where you can use fresh or frozen vegetables. The flavours are perfectly balanced in this one, and it’s very easy to make. It also stores perfectly in the fridge for a few days, yay for leftovers!
- Oven baked tofu: Tofu is such a versatile and inexpensive protein! I used to have a bit of a texture problem with tofu, but when I found this oven roasted tofu recipe, it really changed my mind. I often pair this with salad, stir fry or fried rice! Once cooked it lasts well in the fridge for a few days, and you can reheat briefly in your microwave before serving.
Soup recipes:
- Chicken, bean and rice soup: Nourishing and budget friendly + freezes very well. Serve with some easy homemade bread (see a few bread recipes below).
- Easy soup/stew: This soup/stew is my go to when it comes to using up veggies in my fridge. The base is mince of some type (beef, pork, chicken, turkey) plus diced tomatoes. I often add lentils to bulk out with extra protein and fibre.
- Pumpkin soup: This is an autumn and winter staple in my house. Packed with flavour and comes together fast in the InstantPot.
- Chicken tortilla soup: Delicious, hearty soup with lots of veggies from Christine’s Notebook. I often use left over roast chicken for this one. It’s budget friendly, comes together quickly and freezes very well. Top with your favourite taco toppings (cheese, avocado, sour cream).
Salads & sides:
- Potato Salad: This potato salad is a great one to bring to parties or have as a side to your favourite protein. I prefer to make this with yoghurt (greek style or pot set) instead of mayonnaise.
- Quinoa Salad: My favourite meal prep salad from Sweet Peas & Saffron, and the dressing is so simple and makes sure the salad lasts well in the fridge for 3 days. You can mix this up with black beans, chickpeas or serve with some chicken, egg, cottage cheese or other protein of your choice.
- Potato gratin / scallop potatoes: Budget friendly oven bake to accompany any protein of your choice. I sometimes add ham straight to the dish for a ‘all in one’ meal that you can cook up in the oven.
Desserts:
- 4 ingredient coconut cake: Naturally gluten free and easy to throw together. Pair with cream, yoghurt or ice-cream and berries of your choice.
- Swedish chocolate cake: This sticky chocolate cake (known in Sweden as “kladdkaka”) is easy to make as a cake or individual muffins. Simply swap regular flour for all purpose gluten free flour to make this GF.
- Apple crumble: This apple crumble is SO good and I just swap oats for quinoa flakes to make it gluten free. Serve with cream, yoghurt or ice cream and enjoy.
Breakfast
- High-protein overnight oats with chia seeds: One of my favourite breakfasts or snacks and so easy to make. Five minutes the night before, and it’s ready and waiting in the fridge when I wake up.
Bread, dips & other things:
- Doctor’s Daily Bread: A new favourite in our house from The Doctors Kitchen and it’s so good for you! I make this gluten free by substituting the oats for quinoa flakes.
- Easy crusty bread: The easiest bread recipe to start with (especially if you’ve never baked before). Only 4 ingredients and very inexpensive to make.
- Oat bread: Beginner friendly bread that you can make with (or without) a stand mixer. I personally prefer this to the store bought sandwich bread! If you allow the bread to fully cool and then slice it, you can also freeze it and take out slices as needed to avoid it going bad.
- Homemade hummus: Easy recipe from Sweet Peas & Saffron and a great snack and/or dressing to go with salads, sandwiches or just some carrot sticks and crackers. Using canned chickpeas makes this a very budget friendly snack for the whole family.
- Homemade Salsa: A budget friendly option to make your own salsa to go with snacks or taco related dishes.
- Easy salad dressing: Whilst dressing from the shops are not expensive, we don’t always know what’s in them. This simple dressing is made with pantry and fridge staples and lasts in the fridge for up to a week.
- Make your own yoghurt: A great way to save and make yoghurt from milk powder for as little as $2 per 1 kg.
Swedish recipes:
- Swedish Meatballs: Much better (and cheaper) than IKEA! This is my version of our family recipe and the meatballs freeze really (once cooked) for easy dinners later. Pair with a side of frozen veggies and mashed or boiled potatoes.
- Swedish Sandwich Cake: A rich, but delicious savoury ‘cake’ that’s perfect for summer parties. You can vary it up with fish, prawn, egg, pate, ham, fruit or anything else you fancy. I make this with white gluten free bread to make this GF.
Want to get even more organised?
- Get access to The Smart Kitchen System to Simplify Meal Planning, Save Money & Stop Wasting Food. The Smart Kitchen System is a simple, self-paced course for busy households who are ready for things to flow better.
- You can grab my Free Meal Planning & Grocery Budget Template. It’s the exact system I use to map out my week and stay on track.