20 budget storecupboard meals
Transform a few ingredients, such as canned tuna, chickpeas, lentils or sardines, into a delicious meal with our cheap and cheerful recipes.
If you're looking for money-saving meals, you need look no further than your kitchen cupboards. There are plenty of dishes you can create using lentils, canned tuna, chickpeas, jars of pesto and passata.
Below, you'll find recipes that make the most of ingredients you may already have in the cupboard, from sardine spaghetti and chickpea burgers, to fragrant dhal and chipotle baked eggs. There even a few sweet treats you can throw together in minutes.
For more affordable inspiration, check out our budget meals for large families, budget healthy recipes and budget-friendly baking recipes. Plus, have a look at our speedy family budget meal plan.
1. Spaghetti puttanesca
Cook up this classic sauce in one pan using canned tomatoes, chilli flakes, olives, capers and anchovies, then toss with spaghetti for a simple midweek meal. Top with parsley, if you have some.
2. Budget kedgeree
Turn canned sardines into an inexpensive yet nourishing meal that's packed with omega-3 fatty acids. It's not only filling and good for you, but budget-friendly, too.
3. Pearl barley, bacon & leek casserole
This storecupboard grain makes a great alternative to rice or couscous. Add it to soups or salads, or team with bacon and veg in this risotto-like stew.
4. Lentil & tomato salad
Lentils are a substantial and healthy base of this fresh salad with onion, mango chutney, coriander, greens and tomatoes. Serve with cooked meat, halloumi and baked feta or a few tablespoons of hummus.
5. Posh egg, chips & beans
Baked beans are a storecupboard classic. Whip up healthier egg and chips with homemade smoky beans for an easy dinner or weekend brunch. This meal is high in fibre and low-calorie.
6. Curried spinach, eggs & chickpeas
Pack in the nutrients with this veggie supper made from spinach, eggs and canned chickpeas. It's healthy, low in calories and full of flavour, and delivers four of your five-a-day.
7. Yummy golden syrup flapjacks
Turn porridge oats into a quick, tasty bake with these four-ingredient flapjacks. They're easy to make and ready in half an hour. Add desiccated coconut or sultanas, if you have them in the cupboard.
8. Chickpea & coriander burgers
Who needs meat, when you can make these wholesome veggie burgers using canned chickpeas and ground cumin? High in fibre, low in fat and providing two of your five-a-day, these deliver on every level.
9. Sardine pasta with crunchy parsley crumbs
An affordable way to include oily fish in your diet, canned sardines are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Here, they're combined with olives and passata to make a flavoursome pasta dish, which is topped with crunchy rosemary breadcrumbs.
10. Chipotle bean chilli with baked eggs
Black beans make a great foundation for these smoky baked eggs, while chipotle paste adds punchy flavour. Nestle eggs in the sauce before baking to create a simple lunch or brunch dish.
11. Creamy pesto & kale pasta
Enjoy our creamy pesto and kale pasta as a tasty and nutritious supper. Make it with just a handful of ingredients and storecupboard staples, including a jar of pesto and whatever wholemeal pasta you have to hand.
12. Chorizo & rosemary pearl barley risotto
Keep pearl barley in the cupboard so you can throw together this quick, comforting risotto-style dish. Spicy chorizo provides rich flavour and vibrant colour.
13. Saucy bean baked eggs
Make these five-ingredient baked eggs with tomatoes and beans using storecupboard staples. It's a quick, easy, tasty and gluten-free dish. If you have thinly sliced smoked ham in the fridge, add that to the pan as well.
14. Storecupboard pasta salad
Everybody needs a fail-safe pasta salad recipe in their repertoire. This makes a quick and healthy lunch using capers, pesto, leftover pasta and canned tuna. It's also a great one for lunchboxes.
15. Indian sweet potato & dhal pies
Make a speedy red lentil dhal, then top with spiced sweet potato mash and divide between two mini pie dishes. This recipe is a great option for healthy weeknight dinners – you could even save the other pie for later in the week.
16. One-pan coconut dhal
Rustle up a versatile coconut dhal. It’s the most comforting vegan meal, all made in one pan, and can be frozen for another day. You could also use it as the base for other delicious curries.
17. Kidney bean curry
A saviour recipe when there's nothing in the fridge or you fancy something cheap. This curry is delicious and filling, but also healthy and vegan-friendly.
18. 5-ingredient falafel
Did you know you can throw together flavoursome falafel with just a handful of storecupboard ingredients? To give the falafels a better texture, we recommend using dried chickpeas rather than canned.
19. Chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits
Craving something sweet? Turn storecupboard ingredients into these moreish chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits to satisfy your sugar craving. They make the perfect partner to coffee as an afternoon treat.
20. Corned beef hash
A traditional storecupboard supper of fried potatoes with thrifty corned beef. Serve with baked beans for a simple brunch, or salad for a hearty lunch.
Looking for more recipes and ideas? Try these:
Budget meals for large families
Summer storecupboard recipes
5 storecupboared superfoods
A guide to cheap and healthy cooking
All our storecupboard recipes
Top 10 healthy storecupboard recipes