If you’re looking for cheap meals on a budget in the UK, one of the best ways to save money is understanding what your meals actually cost per portion.
A lot of “budget meal” advice isn’t realistic — so in this post, I’ve broken down real meal costs using typical UK supermarket prices.
I try to shop at cheaper supermarkets to save money, but I don’t always choose the absolute cheapest own-brand options because I still prioritise food quality.
These meals are simple, filling, and based on real-life cooking — not ideal situations.
👉 This is also how I manage my food budget as part of my £1,000 savings challenge UK.
Why cost per portion matters
Looking at cost per portion helps you:
- See what meals actually cost
- Compare options properly
- Plan weekly budgets more accurately
- Avoid overspending on food
👉 Many meals cost far less than expected when spread over multiple portions.
1. Spaghetti Bolognese
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Pasta
- Minced beef or Quorn mince
- Jar of bolognaise sauce
- Onion
Budget Tip: Make extra and freeze – great value.
2. Jacket Potato with Beans & Cheese
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Baked beans
- Cheese: Cheddar
- Alternatives for variety: coleslaw, salad tuna, and sweetcorn
Budget Tip: Very filling and super cheap.
3. Vegetable Risotto
Cost: £1.50 – £2.00
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Broccoli (or alternate veg of your choosing)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Stock
- For extra flavouring add a little white wine and cream (optional). Small bottles of wine will do several servings.
Budget Tip: Healthy and filling make enough to freeze.
4. Pasta
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Pasta
- Jar pasta sauce or homemade cheese sauce
- Broccoli
- Tuna (optional)
- Cheese for sprinkling on top
Budget Tip: Cheap healthy meal
5. Red Pepper and Courgette Homemade Soup
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Red peppers
- Courgettes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Stock
- Cream (dash of cream if you like it creamy)
Budget Tip: Good hearty ‘5 a day’ meal
6. Sausage and Mash with Onion Gravy
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Sausages or Quorn sausage
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Gravy
Budget Tip: Classic UK budget meal
7. Curry
Cost: £1.00 – £1.50
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Jar curry sauce
- Vegetables
- Chicken if desired
Budget Tip: Good tasty cheap meal
What These Cheap UK Meals Show About Budget Cooking
When you break meals down properly:
- Many meals cost £1.00 –£1.50 per portion
- Batch cooking saves a lot of money, plus time (freeze leftovers)
- “Expensive” meals can still be cheap per serving, such as the risotto or roast
👉 This is key for managing a low-income budget.
The NHS Eatwell Guide also provides simple advice on how to eat a balanced diet while keeping your food costs as low as possible in the UK.
Final thoughts
Saving money on food doesn’t mean cutting everything — it’s about making smarter, simple choices.
👉 These cheap meals in the UK show that you can eat well while still staying on budget.
New to Simple Budget UK?
💷If you are looking for the best place to start your money-saving journey, check out our complete Start Here: Simple UK Budgeting Guide. It is packed with free, actionable steps to help you take control of your cash right now!
Further Reading: More Ways to Save in the UK
- How to Spend Only £50 a Week on Food (UK Budget Plan)
- Best Cheap Supermarkets UK (2026 Budget Shopping Guide)
- 10 Easy, Low-Cost Packed Lunch Ideas for Cheap UK Days Out
- My Real Monthly Budget Breakdown (Low Income UK 2026 Example)