Times are hard, the cost of living is rising, and so, like many people, I'm trying to cook cheaper meals for the family. I recently did the Piri-piri chicken wing, wedges and corn traybake from BBC Food.
Wings are cheap, potatoes are cheap, and corn isn't crazy expensive. The limes were probably the most extravagent ingredient. Total price, probably £2-£3 per person.
It was great, and the family all enjoyed it. To the point where it would go on the regular rotation even if we had suitcases full of cash stashed around the place!
What are your best economical recipes that aren't just beans, chickpeas, and rice? Meals you actively looks forward to, rather than just a budget way of getting calories inside you?
Not particularly cheap but not very expensive either and goes a long way pasta salad
1 family pack of buittoni cheese tortellini
Italian sausage (ground or whole)
1 jar pesto
Cherry tomatoes
Red onion
Bell pepper
Artichoke hearts (jar, marinated)
Feta
Boil pasta, drain
Cook sausage, cut to bit sized if using whole links
Cut veggies to desired bite sizes
Add pasta, sausage veggies and pesto to bowl, mix, salt and pepper to taste
refrigerate, serve chilled with a sprinkle of feta
Tends to make about 8-10 servings for 20-30ish dollars, cooks in less than an hour, makes a full meal, great to pack to work and eat cold