Since the cost-of-living has skyrocketed, we’ve compiled a short list of easy dinners that are cost and time-effective. Take a look!
There’s no denying that student living is hard, and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK isn’t making it any easier. In the last 12 months, the consumer price index has increased by 3.3% in the UK. This includes everything from food to public transport, alcohol and cigarettes.
Food shopping has become a stressful process for the average adult. And for the younger generation who are studying or living away from home, there are limitations on how to get substantial meals at an affordable price.
Now that spring has sprung, we’ve compiled a short list of light, tasty dishes to make at home. All meals are priced according to Sainsbury’s stock. If you don’t have a Nectar card, it’s about time you got one!
Chilli Cheese Burritos
Who doesn’t love Mexican night? Chilli cheese burritos are an easy dish that requires very little ingrediants, and makes for a delicate dinner. It’s pretty easy to make this, vegetarian or vegan, by simply swapping out the meat and cheese for plant-based alternatives.
Disclaimer: Some of the items on the recipe are added extras that you can make without, which is why we’ve put only the essentials in the ingredients list. However, we strongly advise cooking all meals with onion, garlic and a dash of salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning for a base level of flavour.
Ingredients:
Mince: £2.45 – £9.25
OR Vegetarian/Vegan Mince: £2.65 – £4.00
1 Onion: 99p
Chopped Tomatoes: 47p (Sainsburys branding) or Tomato Paste: £1
Refined Beans: £1.45 – £2.45
Rice: 0.49p – £5.00
Cheddar Cheese: £1.39 – 4.25
Vegan Cheddar Cheese: £2.50 – £3.80
Wraps: 99p – £3.80
Optional extras:
Sweetcorn: 49p – £1.00
Avocado: 75p per avo / £2.60 for 4-pack
Lowest Cost: £8.25
Lowest Plant-based Cost: £9.05
Recipe: https://numstheword.com/chili-cheese-burrito/
Shrimp Rice Bowls
Rice bowls are always a good shout for a lunchtime meal. Though when it comes to buying your daily meal deals, they typically cost around £8 – 10. Which isn’t ideal. Since you can make a batch for the same price and meal prep for the entire week.
Disclaimer: Some of the items on the recipe are added extras that you can make without, which is why we’ve put only the essentials in the ingredients list. However, we strongly advise cooking all meals with onion, garlic and a dash of salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning for a base level of flavour.
Ingredients:
Prawns: £2.32 – £15
Rice: 0.49p – £5.00
Edamame: £2.00
Avocado: 0.75p – £2.60
Cucumber: 0.70p – £1.10
Kewpie mayonnaise: £4.00
Lowest Cost: £10.26
Recipe: https://eightforestlane.com/spicy-prawn-rice-bowls/
Potato Salad & Garlic Bread
Sounds boring at first, but with the right amount of salad dressing and side dishes, it’s a super easy and tasty dinner. Plus, it’s a meal that’s easy to pair with other dishes. You can easily add ingredients like pasta or rice to bulk it up at a low expense.
Disclaimer: Some of the items on the recipe are added extras that you can make without, which is why we’ve put only the essentials in the ingredients list. However, we strongly advise cooking all meals with onion, garlic and a dash of salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning for a base level of flavour.
Recipe:
Baby potatoes: 80p – £4.75
Parsley: 55p – £1.60
Pepper: 70p – £2.95
Mayonnaise: 89p – £3.95
Vegan Mayonnaise: £2.80 – £4.75
Grated Cheese: £1.30 – £4.60
Vegan Grated Cheese: £2.60 – £2.65
Garlic Bread: 85p – £5.50
Lowest Price: £5.09
Lowest Plant-based Price: £9.19
Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/classic-potato-salad
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Any pasta dish is essential for winter, summer or spring. The key is mastering how much sauce you’re laying onto it. That’s the real dealbreaker! This creamy mushroom pasta dish can be as light as you need it to be, to enjoy it in the spring, or packed with double cream, if you need a heart dish to fill you up in the colder months. Either way, a pasta dish always goes a long way!
Disclaimer: Some of the items on the recipe are added extras that you can make without, which is why we’ve put only the essentials in the ingredients list. However, we strongly advise cooking all meals with onion, garlic and a dash of salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning for a base level of flavour.
Recipe:
Tagliatelle pasta: 70p – £3.00
Mushrooms: £1.05 – £2.70
Basil: 55p – £1.60
Soft Chesse: 95p – £3.25
Vegan Soft Cheese: £2.75
Vegetable stock: £1.00 – £2.80
Small White Wine: £1.80 – £3.25
Grated Cheese: £1.30 – £4.60
Vegan Grated Cheese: £2.60 – £2.65
Lowest Cost: £7.35
Lowest Plant-based Cost: £10.45
Recipe: https://www.recipetineats.com/creamy-mushroom-pasta/
Photo Credit: Jean-claude Attipoe on Unsplash
Chicken and Couscous
Couscous is a dish that’s often underrated, even though it’s super healthy, super filling, and can go with almost everything. For this dish, we’ve got you sorted for an easy, one-pot number that costs under £6 to batch make. Thank us later!
Disclaimer: Some of the items on the recipe are added extras that you can make without, which is why we’ve put only the essentials in the ingredients list. However, we strongly advise cooking all meals with onion, garlic and a dash of salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning for a base level of flavour.
Ingredients:
Chicken: £2.34 – £9.37
Vegan Chicken: £3.10 £3.50
Cous Cous: 70p – £2.40
Carrots: 55p – £1.85
Basil: 55p – £1.60
Lemon: 35p – £1.90
Lowest Cost: £4.49
Lowest Plant-based Cost: £5.25
Recipe: https://somethingnutritiousblog.com/one-pan-chicken-and-couscous/
It goes without saying that you don’t have to be a student to abide by these meal plans. Some of these steals are saving single mums, young adults living alone, university students, and adults working full-time jobs.
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Laviea Thomas is a journalist at Inside Success who writes about film, music and politics.
Outside of that, she is an experienced freelance journalist with bylines in NME, The Quietus, Metal Hammer and more.
Over the years, Laviea has been an active panellist discussing fundamental conversations in the music industry, such as diversity and inclusion, and the importance of grassroots venues. She has been a panel guest for Kerrang! Focus Wales Festival, Future Yard and more.
