Easy budget meals for two

Three bowls of pesto pasta with broccoli

Your shopping list:

Fruit & veg:

2 red onions
1 aubergine
1 garlic bulb
2 broccoli
500g new potatoes
4 lemons
large bunch of parsley
small bunch of basil
small bunch of mint
150g rocket
150g mixed salad
500g frozen peas

Eggs & dairy:

6 eggs
500g natural yogurt
1 litre whole milk
200g vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese, or parmesan

Meat & fish:

4 boneless and skinless chicken thighs
2 salmon fillets
250g fillet steak

Other:

400g can cherry tomatoes
250g pouch microwave mixed grains
250g pouch microwave spicy Mexican rice
500g pasta shells
1 loaf crusty bread
1 jar roasted red peppers
1 pack stuffed green olives
1 sachet fajita seasoning
1 small jar capers
1 small bag toasted pine nuts
200g ground almonds
1 jar tartare sauce

From your kitchen:

olive oil
butter
plain flour
malt vinegar
oregano
garam masala
salt and pepper

Check out our week of easy meals:

Easy caponata

After a long day at work, this rich and flavoursome Sicilian veggie stew is a welcome culinary comfort which you can have on the table in under 30 minutes. With smoky aubergines, sweet tomatoes, punchy capers and fragrant herbs, this simple dish truly maximises on taste. Serve with warmed crusty bread.Easy caponata

Pea & pasta frittata

Make the most of leftovers in our easy pea and pasta shell frittata, flavoured with fresh mint and parmesan. Ready in only 20 minutes, this is a reliable and cheap midweek meal you'll return to again and again. It also keeps well and makes a tasty lunchbox meal for the next day.Pea & pasta frittata

Fish, mash & peas

Want something different to battered cod from the local chippie? Try coating salmon in a tasty breadcrumb, garlic and parsley crust, served on a dollop of mash and peas. This is ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. Fish, mash & peas

Steak burrito bowl

Short on time? Stir up this spicy steak and rice burrito bowl in just 10 minutes. Use a sachet of fajita seasoning for an easy flavour boost.Steak burrito bowl

Crispy broccoli salad

Try a new way with broccoli by coating it in spiced ground almonds and roasting for a wonderfully crispy texture. Serve in a fresh salad with mixed grains, mint and rocket.Crispy broccoli salad

Broccoli pasta shells

Elevate a typical pasta and pesto dish by making our healthier version with homemade lemony pesto and broccoli. Whipping up your own delicious pesto is suprisingly easy – it's also lower in salt than most shop-bought jars. This recipe serves four people, but is freezable so you can keep leftovers for another day.Broccoli pasta shells

Chicken & crispy capers with new potatoes

Get out the frying pan and stir up a super-satisfying and substantial meal that won't break the bank. The winning combination of crispy capers, chicken thighs, new potatoes and stuffed olives will leave you wanting seconds. Finish off with a sprinkling of zingy lemon zest and fragrant parsley.

Chicken & crispy capers with new potatoes