Make your weekly food shop go the distance with these budget dinner ideas that don't compromise on flavour. Explore our budget meals and recipes, budget recipes for family and healthy meals on a budget for lots more inspo. Need speedy budget dinner recipes? Check out our air-fryer recipes for ideas.
This dish is inspired by the comforting family recipe Fred Sirieix grew up with in France – classic, deeply traditional and rooted in the kind of slow-cooked warmth that fills a home. Recreated with Tesco ingredients, it’s the version Fred cooked for Seema and Greg when he joined them in The Kitchen, bringing a taste of his childhood. Rich, rustic and full of soul, it’s exactly the kind of French home cooking that turns a cold day into something special.
Paella is said to have originated in Valencia, on Spain’s eastern coastline, where it’s traditionally made with meat and cooked on an open fire.
This twist on a classic spaghetti recipe perfectly captures Sicilian cuisine, combining rich sardines with sweet raisins and buttery pine nuts, finished with fresh herbs and zingy lemon zest. Better still, this tasty bowl of Mediterranean goodness is ready in just 15 minutes.
Dive into this beautiful dish, filled with aromatic garlic potatoes, zesty chilli salsa and flaky basa fillets. High in protein and vitamin C, how can you not love this wholesome meal?
Fresh and vibrant, this speedy poke bowl recipe is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner. Charred corn adds sweet and smoky flavours which complement the salty tuna and soy dressing. You can add in whatever veg you fancy, like cucumber, radishes or edamame.
Packed with big flavours, this curry marries succulent chicken breast and fresh herbs with a fragrant tikka masala sauce
Meera Sodha brought one of her classic recipes to The Kitchen, cooking it with Greg and Seema. The rich, spiced lentil curry is simmered with coconut milk, tamarind and warming aromatics, while the quick “cheat’s” parathas make it perfectly approachable for a midweek meal. Comforting, fragrant and full of flavour, it’s a dish that showcases Meera’s knack for turning traditional Indian recipes into something simple and utterly delicious.
This cosy, wholesome vegan stew is just the thing for chilly evenings. It's packed with 3 of you 5-a-day and comes together quickly - we've used frozen butternut squash to save you time chopping! Ladle it over rice or serve with crusty bread for dipping. Make-and-freeze ahead for nutritious midweek meals when you need them.
This pea and potato frittata mean works great warm with a salad or eaten cold for lunch the next day
Nothing beats digging into this chicken and chorizo filo pie. Juicy chicken, spicy chorizo and a creamy, cheesy sauce wrapped in crisp, buttery filo, finished with a drizzle of Tesco Finest Acacia Honey and a sprinkle of thyme, it’s a dinner that’s indulgent, full of flavour and perfect for scoffing straight from the dish.
This coconut chicken soup is proper tasty and super easy to throw together. Creamy, a bit spicy and packed with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime, it’s the kind of bowl you just want to dive into. Serve it over rice, pile on the beansprouts and herbs, and you’ve got yourself a quick, flavour-packed dinner that hits all the right notes.
This creamy leek pasta is all about cosy vibes and cheesy goodness. Tesco Finest Gruyère makes it super melty and indulgent, while a sprinkle of Tesco Finest Parmigiano Reggiano adds that perfect salty, nutty hit.
Crispy caramelised sprouts add a sweet crunch and festive twist to this carbonara.
Roasted squash and grapes add warmth to this winter salad that's packed with flavour and crunch.
Creamy brie and tangy cranberries give these Italian-inspired meatballs a festive flavour twist for Christmas
We’ve taken inspiration from the classic porchetta recipe to bring you this delicious Italian-inspired roast. Serve alongside oregano roasties, plus balsamic and Parmesan broccoli. Use the leftovers to make this gorgeous pork ragu with tagliatelle to enjoy later in the week.
Lasagne, but not as you know it! This tasty alternative is made with succulent chicken thighs, cooked in oregano and chilli and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Layered with fresh pasta and creamy cheese sauce, this easy chicken lasagne recipe serves two and can be ready in under an hour. Tuck in!
This is the ultimate umami-packed dinner, made even easier (and tastier) with Tesco Finest exotic mushrooms. Crispy, golden rice topped with glossy miso-coated mushrooms gives you all the rich, savoury flavours you want without any fuss. Perfect for a cosy weeknight or impressing friends without spending hours in the kitchen!
This skillet mushroom lasagne is all about big, comforting flavours without the fuss. Packed with fresh and rehydrated mushrooms, rich tomato ragu and layers of creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella, it’s indulgent, cosy and perfect for sharing straight from the pan.
This vibrant roasted chickpea and Brussels sprout salad is a celebration of seasonal winter flavours. Crunchy, golden chickpeas contrast beautifully with tender, caramelised sprouts and hearty kale, while the citrusy, slightly smoky dressing adds brightness and depth. Toasted pine nuts bring a nutty crunch, for a winter salad you’ll keep coming back to!
Bring some Thai-inspired sizzle to the dinner table with this easy chicken noodle recipe. Tender chicken and crunchy veg take on tons of flavour from fresh chillies and fresh, fragrant basil for a spicy stir-fry in under half an hour.
Traybakes such as this veggie sausage version are perfect for a stress-free, tasty dinner
Cooking your chicken in a slow-cooker is an easy, hands-off method that guarantees a juicy result. We've rubbed a piri piri-inspired spice blend on the chicken before cooking alongside corn on the cob. Serve with chips and slaw for a delicious feast.
Beans have been cool for a while now; they’re budget-friendly, uber-versatile and good for you too. Try our hearty, warming recipe that’s perfect for cooking in bulk to see you through the week.
These cosy loaded jackets are stuffed with mozzarella, cabbage and ham and baked until golden and melty. They're easy on the purse strings and you could use up any cheese, veg or cold meats you might have in the fridge!
We love a hands-off traybake recipe and this one is no exception. It's packed with veggies and the black olives give a tangy, savoury hit. We've served it over rice but it would be delicious with potatoes or pasta!
Blitzing veg into homemade pesto is an easy way to eat your greens. Toss through your favourite pasta and serve with grated pecorino for a super-speedy and delicious dinner!
This warming parsnip and carrot soup is spiced with ginger and curry powder, and finished with lemon for a zingy hit. Served with naans for dipping, this makes a hearty, warming family meal.
Chicken dippers are a clever shortcut here in these tasty katsu chicken burritos. The homemade sauce is easy to make and packs in some hidden veg, it freezes well too. The whole family will love these!
You can't beat a sausage traybake for tea and this recipe is topped with greens and served with potato wedges for a hearty meal. We've used tasty reduced-fat sausages, teamed with smoked paprika and baked beans for smoky-sweet flavours. It's a family meal you'll be making on repeat!
Enjoy all the crispiness of a schnitzel but without the frying, thanks to your air-fryer! If you prefer, you can swap the pork for chicken breasts or roasted aubergine slices. Serve with a zingy slaw for freshness.
You might use your microwave for reheating all the time, but it's also brilliant for cooking from scratch. This risotto recipe takes flavour inspiration from the classic Italian Caprese salad – the mozzarella goes all lovely and gooey. Ready in half an hour, this is a deliciously easy dinner for two.
Make a batch of these masala-spiced beans; they freeze well, count towards 2 of your 5-a-day and they're both a source of protein and fibre! Serve on toast, jacket potatoes or enjoy on their own.