Last Updated on: 11th November 2025, 09:49 pm
If your weekends are anything like mine, they start with big plans for relaxation and family time… and end with me standing in the kitchen at 6 pm wondering what on earth to make for dinner. Meal planning has been my secret weapon for years now — it saves money, reduces waste, and stops that Sunday evening panic. And yes, you really can feed a family for the weekend on around £50 (or less!) if you plan it right.
Step 1: Choose Simple, Overlapping Meals
The trick to staying on budget is choosing recipes that share ingredients. For example, a roast chicken dinner on Saturday can stretch to chicken sandwiches for lunch on Sunday, and maybe even a soup made with the leftover bones.
Here’s a simple £50 weekend plan that feeds four comfortably:
Friday Dinner: Homemade pizzas using shop-bought bases, tomato passata, mozzarella, and any leftover veg or cooked meat lurking in the fridge.
Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes (flour, eggs, milk — cheap and cheerful).
Saturday Lunch: Ham and cheese toasties with fruit on the side.
Saturday Dinner: Roast chicken, potatoes, seasonal veg, and gravy.
Sunday Breakfast: Cereal, toast, or scrambled eggs.
Sunday Lunch: Chicken and veg soup using Saturday’s leftovers, served with crusty bread.
Sunday Dinner: Pasta with tomato and basil sauce and a sprinkle of cheese.
Step 2: Make a Shopping List (and Stick to It)
Before heading to the supermarket, write out everything you need — and check what’s already in your cupboards. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve come home with a third bottle of olive oil “just in case.”
Look out for supermarket own brands, multi-buy offers (as long as you’ll genuinely use them), and yellow-sticker bargains. Buying loose fruit and veg often works out cheaper too — don’t be tempted by plastic-wrapped “meal deals” that cost double.
Step 3: Batch Cook and Use Your Freezer
Cooking once and eating twice is the definition of smart budgeting. For instance, if you’re making pasta sauce on Sunday night, double it up and freeze half for a midweek meal.
Soups, curries, and casseroles all freeze beautifully, and having a few homemade meals ready to go means you’re far less likely to cave and order a takeaway when you’re tired.
Step 4: Keep It Flexible
Meal planning isn’t about sticking rigidly to a schedule — it’s about having a framework that makes life easier. If your plans change, swap meals around or move something to the freezer for next week.
Sometimes, I’ll do a “use-it-up” Sunday where we just raid the fridge for random leftovers and make a little buffet. It’s oddly satisfying and saves food from going to waste.
Step 5: Get Everyone Involved
If you’ve got kids, give them a say in what goes on the plan (within reason!). They’re much more likely to eat something they’ve “chosen,” and it becomes a fun little family ritual. My two love coming up with silly pizza topping combinations — and some of them are actually quite good!
Final Thoughts
Meal planning for the weekend doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a bit of structure and creativity, £50 can stretch surprisingly far — and you’ll reclaim your evenings for more important things, like a glass of wine and a film.
