5 nights of family suppers
Feel stuck in a rut with weekday family meals? We've worked out a five-night plan of satisfying, child-friendly food that everyone can enjoy together – and on a budget too.
When it comes to cooking on a budget, planning your meals in advance means you can maximise the use of your ingredients and minimise waste. Cooking separate meals for different members of the family not only creates a lot of work, but can easily rack up the expense of your weekly shop. We've chosen these recipes for their taste, simplicty and family-friendly qualities. Simply scroll down to view our handy weekly shopping list, as well as things to check your store cupboard for.
MONDAY
Turkey burgers with sweet potato chips
Welcome the kids home from school with scrumptious homemade burgers, and you are sure to be popular. Turkey thigh mince is a lean but flavoursome meat, simply shape into patties with cheese and spring onions, and serve in healthier wholemeal buns. This hearty meal will count as one of your five-a-day and is high in fibre, iron and vitamin C. We're betting on clean plates all round.
Turkey burgers with sweet potato chips
TUESDAY
Smoked haddock & sweetcorn chowder with herby garlic bread
A creamy, wholesome soup that is a great way of getting fussy eaters to eat fish. Serve with buttery homemade garlic baguette and plenty of parsley for the ultimate warming supper.
Smoked haddock & sweetcorn chowder with herby garlic bread
WEDNESDAY
Cauliflower & bacon pasta
What do you get if you add cauliflower cheese to pasta and bacon? Comfort food heaven. This creamy gratin will have everyone round the table in no time. And it's one of your five-a-day, high in calcium, folate and vitamin C.
THURSDAY
Oven-baked ratatouille & sausages
Pack in two of your five-a-day with sweet roast onions, courgettes and red peppers, then serve in a tomato sauce alongside sizzling pork sausages. A seriously tasty Thursday night supper.
Oven-baked ratatouille & sausage
FRIDAY
Chicken & sweet potato curry
Nothing says Friday night like a beautiful homemade curry, and this one will kick a takeaway to the curb. It's flavour-packed but mild enough for kids. It takes just ten minutes of preparation - so plenty of time to enjoy the beginning of the weekend with the family.
Shopping list
Fruit & veg2 spring onions
1.5kg / 3lb 5oz sweet potatoes
1/4 x cucumber (or 1 small Lebanese cucumber)
2 x salad to serve with Turkey burgers and Cauliflower & bacon pasta (optional)
3 onions and 8 garlic cloves
small pack flat-leaf parsley
1 cauliflower
3 courgettes
1 red pepper
100g bag baby spinach
Meat, fish and dairy500g / 1Ib 2oz turkey thigh mince
225g / 8oz cheddar
300g / 11oz streaky bacon
300g / 11oz smoked haddock
8 large pork sausages
450g / 1Ib boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Dry goods and bakery5 soft wholemeal rolls
325g can sweetcorn
1 baguette
300g / 11oz dried pasta shapes
2 x 400g cans tomatoes
165g jar korma paste
Check your storecupboard and fridge7 tbsp olive oil
tomato ketchup
400ml / 14 fl oz chicken stock
200g / 7oz potatoes
25g plain flour, plus 2 tbsp
900ml / 1.5pts milk
about 165g / 6oz butter
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp sunflower oil
basmati rice
Did you try our meal plan? We'd would love to hear how you got on. Or do you have any tips for eating on a budget?
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Comments, questions and tips (7)
mrsajdj
@ Lily Barclay: As a "senior food writer", you really ought to know how to spell 'separately and 'preparation'.
toothfairy79
When buying fresh herbs I often buy them and freeze them in zip lock bags or mixed into butter in ice cube trays. As I find I use very little of a packet or plant before they go bad. Adding them from frozen when cooking works well. They can be expensive to buy when on a budget.
I also freeze meat…
coopercarol
Could we have some vegetarian suggestions too. There are quite a lot of us you know!
emvicoo
Great idea. I would appreciate more weekly menus.
roseypinky
Love this. It would be. Great if you could sign up for these meal planners specifically. The shopping list is ace too as well as the recipes
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