9 Delicious Recipes for Two Under £5 Each

Eating well doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank! With a bit of creativity and smart shopping, you can enjoy delicious, homemade meals that cost around £5 to make for two people. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a partner, these simple and satisfying dinner recipes prove that good food can come at a low price. From hearty soups to easy stir-fries, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or when you're looking to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.

• Ingredients: Potatoes, baked beans, cheese, butter.

• Cost breakdown: Potatoes (£1.00), beans (£0.50), cheese (£1.00), butter (£0.30).

• Method: Bake potatoes, warm up beans, and top with cheese and butter.

Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

Vegetable Stir-fry with Noodles

Homemade Pizza

• Ingredients: Mixed frozen veggies, soy sauce, noodles, garlic, oil, sesame seeds.

• Cost breakdown: Frozen veggies (£1.00), noodles (£0.50), soy sauce (£0.20), garlic (£0.10), sesame seeds (£0.20).

• Method: Stir-fry garlic and veggies, add cooked noodles and soy sauce.

• Ingredients: Pizza dough (or flatbread), tinned tomatoes, cheese, mixed veggies or pepperoni.

• Cost breakdown: Dough (£1.00), tomatoes (£0.60), cheese (£1.00), veggies/pepperoni (£1.00).

• Method: Spread tomatoes on dough, add cheese and toppings, bake until crispy.

• Ingredients: Spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, parmesan (optional).

• Cost breakdown: Spaghetti (£0.50), garlic (£0.10), olive oil (£0.40), chili flakes (£0.10), parmesan (£1.00).

• Method: Cook spaghetti, toss in sautéed garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes.

• Ingredients: Rice, eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, soy sauce, garlic.

• Cost breakdown: Rice (£0.40), eggs (£1.00), frozen veggies (£1.00), soy sauce (£0.20), garlic (£0.10).

• Method: Cook rice, scramble eggs, stir-fry with veggies and soy sauce.

• Ingredients: Tortillas, mixed veggies (bell peppers, onions), fajita seasoning, salsa, sour cream.

• Cost breakdown: Tortillas (£1.00), veggies (£1.50), seasoning (£0.20), salsa (£0.50), sour cream (£0.80).

• Method: Stir-fry veggies with seasoning, serve in tortillas with salsa and sour cream.

Tomato and Lentil Soup

Chickpea Curry

Omelette with Salad

Baked Potatoes with Beans and Cheese

Veggie Fajitas

Fried Rice

• Ingredients: Tinned tomatoes, red lentils, onion, garlic, vegetable stock cube, spices (paprika, cumin).

• Cost breakdown: Lentils (£0.80), tomatoes (£0.60), onion (£0.20), garlic (£0.10), stock cube (£0.10), spices (£0.10).

• Method: Sauté onions and garlic, add tomatoes, lentils, and stock. Simmer for 20-30 minutes

• Ingredients: Tinned chickpeas, curry paste, onion, garlic, tinned tomatoes, rice.

• Cost breakdown: Chickpeas (£0.50), curry paste (£0.80), onion (£0.20), garlic (£0.10), tomatoes (£0.60), rice (£0.40).

• Method: Sauté onions, add curry paste and tomatoes, then stir in chickpeas. Serve with rice.

• Ingredients: Eggs, cheese, onion, tomato, lettuce, olive oil.

• Cost breakdown: Eggs (£1.00), cheese (£1.00), onion (£0.20), tomato (£0.30), lettuce (£0.50), oil (£0.10).

• Method: Beat eggs, add chopped veggies and cheese, cook until golden brown, serve with salad.

Cooking on a budget doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right ingredients and a little planning, you can enjoy healthy, tasty meals without overspending. These recipes are just a starting point—feel free to add your favourite spices or veggies, or substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand.

Remember, the key to saving money is being resourceful and versatile in the kitchen. So, why not give these recipes a try and see how much you can save while still enjoying delicious homemade meals?

Let me know in the comments which recipe you’re excited to try first or share your own budget-friendly ideas!