The idea that cooking from scratch is expensive is one of the most persistent food myths around. In reality, simple home-cooked meals cost a fraction of ready meals, takeaways, or recipe boxes.
Here are five weeknight dinners that are genuinely quick, taste great, and cost less than £2 per serving. All prices based on typical UK supermarket costs, serving 4.
1. Pasta Aglio e Olio
Cost: approximately £3.20 total (80p per serving) Time: 15 minutes
This Roman classic proves that less is more. Spaghetti tossed with garlic-infused olive oil, a kick of chilli, and fresh parsley. That's it. No fancy ingredients, no lengthy prep—just simple, deeply satisfying pasta.
The technique is key: cook the garlic low and slow in good olive oil until fragrant but not browned, toss with just-cooked pasta and a splash of cooking water, finish with parsley and parmesan.
Restaurant-quality dinner for less than a quid a head.
2. Vegetable Fried Rice
Cost: approximately £4.50 total (£1.12 per serving) Time: 20 minutes
The secret to great fried rice is using cold, day-old rice—so this is perfect for using up last night's leftovers. Fry eggs, set aside, then stir-fry whatever vegetables you have (frozen peas and sweetcorn work brilliantly) with the rice, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil.
Add the eggs back in, top with spring onions, done. Endlessly customisable, nearly impossible to get wrong.
3. Bean and Tomato Stew with Crusty Bread
Cost: approximately £5.00 total (£1.25 per serving) Time: 25 minutes
Tinned beans are criminally underrated. Sauté onion, garlic, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Add tinned tomatoes and a couple of tins of cannellini or butter beans. Simmer until everything melds together, season well, serve with crusty bread for dunking.
Vegetarian, high in protein and fibre, satisfying in a way that belies its simplicity. Add a fried egg on top if you want to be fancy.
4. Chicken Stir-Fry
Cost: approximately £7.00 total (£1.75 per serving) Time: 20 minutes
The key to a good stir-fry at home is high heat and not overcrowding the pan. Slice chicken thighs thin, sear quickly, set aside. Stir-fry vegetables (peppers, broccoli, mange tout—whatever's in the fridge), add chicken back with a simple sauce of soy sauce, honey, and garlic.
Serve over rice. The whole thing takes less time than waiting for a takeaway delivery—and costs about a quarter of the price.
5. Shakshuka
Cost: approximately £4.80 total (£1.20 per serving) Time: 25 minutes
Eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce—North African comfort food at its finest. Sauté onion and peppers, add garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, then pour in tinned tomatoes. Simmer until slightly thickened, make wells, crack in eggs, cover and cook until the whites are set.