10 Economical Meals for Your Family: Speedy, Budget-Friendly Dinners With a Whole Lot of Flavour

Ever find yourself juggling your grocery budget while still trying to create economical meals for the family that everyone will actually enjoy? We get it—between after-school pickups, weekend sports, and that never-ending to-do list, it’s easy to feel like cooking is just another chore. Luckily, there’s a tastier way to stay on track without sacrificing flavour or nutrition.

At Nourish’d, we know how important it is to keep things both healthy and hassle-free—so we’ve crafted fresh, chef-made dishes that deliver maximum taste with minimal stress. Think hearty options that are easy on your wallet and your schedule, featuring wholesome ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers. If you’re looking for plant-based affordability, our Vegetarian Meals Delivered offer delicious veggie-packed solutions you can count on.

Ready to discover a simpler path to convenient, wallet-friendly feasts? Let’s dive in and explore how you can turn budget cooking into a source of joy rather than a burden.

10 Economical Meals for Families

1. Cheesy Lentil & Vegetable Bake

This hearty vegetarian bake uses lentil as the protein base, combined with colourful veg. A cheesy bake topping of pizza cheese adds a flavour bomb the kids love. It’s an easy dinner to make when you’re craving a flavourful dish that still keeps your grocery budget in check.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • Lentils are inexpensive and pack protein.
  • Tinned tomato paste brings richness and depth of flavour.
  • Minimal extras required, so it’s perfect for a tight monthly grocery plan.
• Quick Tips
  • Swap fresh veg for frozen if you like.
  • Prep ahead by making the sauce early.
  • If you’re leaning vegetarian, see our Vegetarian meals delivered for more ideas.

2. One-Pot Chicken Pasta

Pasta is one of the ultimate budget-friendly staples. This one-pot chicken pasta combines pesto, chicken thigh fillets, and fusilli (or your favourite noodle shape) to create a delicious chicken pasta. It’s perfect for busy families because it saves you from washing multiple pans.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • One-pot meals limit cleanup time and extra ingredients.
  • A single jar of pesto pasta sauce can impart a big flavour bomb with minimal effort.
• Quick Tips
  • Thicken your sauce by adding a splash of sour cream or grated cheese.
  • Use-it-up strategy: toss in leftover veg to keep it colourful.
• Try Our Product
  • For a similar fix, check out our Chicken Pesto Penne.

3. Hearty Sausage and Mash

Sausage and mash offers a cheap family favourite that’s perfect as a midweek meal. If you’re after a curry spin, opt for a mild gravy to boost richness. One tray of sausages can feed your family for minimal cost.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • Sausages are often cheaper per serve than other proteins.
  • Mash only requires basic key ingredients like potatoes and butter.
• Quick Tips
  • Brown your sausages first to lock in a savoury umami note.
  • For a curried twist, try our Curried Sausage with White Potato Mash.

4. Speedy White Bean Curry

A speedy curry with white bean is a great budget-friendly option. Using canned beans, tomato, and fragrant spices brings plenty of flavourful depth without blowing your grocery budget. This easy midweek recipe is ideal if you’re short on time.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • White beans are low-cost and filling.
  • Frozen veg can turn it into a nutritious one-pan meal.
• Quick Tips
  • Swap in 2-minute noodles on the side if you need extra carbs.
  • For more vegetarian inspiration, see our Vegetarian Meals Delivered.

5. Mexican Beef Rice Bake

Mexican flavors shine in this hearty beef and rice bake—an easy, budget-friendly meal the whole family will love. Simply layer seasoned beef, tomato paste, bell peppers, and any leftover veggies for a flavorful, oven-baked dish that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.

Why It’s Budget-Friendly

• Ground beef and rice are affordable staples that go a long way.
• Adding beans stretches the meal even further, making it extra hearty.

Quick Tips

• Sprinkle with pizza cheese for a melty, cheesy topping.
• Short on time? Try our ready-made Burrito Bowl for a quick, delicious alternative.

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6. Savoury Mince Stroganoff

A savoury mince recipe like this stroganoff helps you whip up cheap meals the whole family will love. Beef mince adds hearty flavour, while a creamy sauce ties it together.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • Beef mince costs less than pricier cuts of beef.
  • You can thicken the sauce with stock and basic pantry items.
• Quick Tips
  • Boost the veg by adding mushrooms.
  • For a time-saver, see our Beef Stroganoff.

7. Italian Sausage Gnocchi

This flavourful dish pairs gnocchi with sausage in a tomato-based sauce. It’s a budget-friendly dinner that is perfect for a quick stove-top fix. Adding spinach or mushrooms can stretch your grocery stash further.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • Gnocchi is often cheaper than many pasta shapes.
  • A single pack of sausages works wonders.
• Quick Tips
  • Thicken the sauce with a bit of cream or grated cheese.
  • Try our Italian Sausage Gnocchi for a fuss-free alternative

8. Quick Zucchini Fritters with Tomato-Lentil Salad

Zucchini fritters are an easy-to-make meal that pairs well with a fresh tomato-lentil side dish. This combo is cheap and easy when you want to keep costs down.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • Zucchini and lentils are low-priced key ingredients.
  • Fritters can be made with leftover veg.
• Quick Tips
  • Prep ahead by making the fritter batter in advance.

9. Stir-fry with Chicken Singapore Noodles

A stir-fry is a handy option if you need a quick fix for dinner. Using Chicken Singapore Noodles cuts down on cooking time while giving you a flavourful result. Kids love how versatile this noodle dish can be.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • One pack of noodles plus leftover veg can feed your family fast.
  • Chicken pieces or rissoles on the side can add extra protein.
• Quick Tips
  • Add a dash of satay chicken sauce or soy for extra taste.
  • Check out our Chicken Singapore Noodles if you want a ready-to-heat option

10. Chilli Con Carne

Chilli con carne is a classic mince recipe that’s a cinch to whip up. It’s also a cheap family winner when you load it with beans and tomatoes. Serve with rice, cornbread, or a side salad to round out your meal.

• Why It’s Budget-Friendly
  • You can use beef mince or a mix of legumes to make it go further.
  • Leftovers are great for easy dinner tacos.
• Quick Tips
  • Add butter chicken spice or an extra pinch of chilli for a flavourful twist.
  • See our Chilli Con Carne for a ready-made solution.

Your Next Step to Easier Mealtimes

Thank you for exploring our 10 economical meals designed to help busy families stay on track without stretching the grocery budget. At Nourish’d, we believe every family dinner can be a moment of connection rather than a source of stress. That’s why our chef-crafted, nutritionist-approved meals are all about making your day a little simpler—and a lot tastier.

Ready to free up more time for what matters most? Explore our Nourish’d Menu and discover how our fresh, convenient offerings can turn even the busiest midweek meal into a relaxing, nutritious treat. We’re grateful to be part of your journey toward healthier, happier mealtimes. Here’s to more flavour, less hassle, and a future filled with delicious possibilities.