When I go shopping, I like to pick up a few items that can be used to make a couple of meals, both so that I’m sorted for a few days and so that I cut down on as much food waste as possible from half-used packets of things.
Here are some easy meal formulas that I hope will give you a few ideas of which recipes you can shop for all in one go. Take One Recipe contains suggestions for how leftovers from one meal can be reused in others, my formulas for Using Everything Up should help you cut down on waste, while Storecupboard Meals suggest dishes you can make when you have not had time to go shopping.
There are also ideas for casual meals in Food for Friends and some memorable menus in Special Occasions. Lastly, Three Meals for under £10 hopes to give you a little bit of inspiration for those times when your money has almost run out!
TAKE ONE RECIPE
1 Chorizo Baked Beans (here) on toast = Baked Egg & Homemade Baked Bean Pots (here) + a fantastic side for a full English breakfast
STORECUPBOARD
dried oregano
Worcestershire sauce
Dijon mustard
balsamic vinegar
golden caster sugar
light oil
½ chicken stock cube
1 small onion
2 large garlic cloves
2 × 400g tins chopped tomatoes
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
8cm eating chorizo
2 × 400g tins cannellini beans
6 large eggs
bread, for toasting
sausages
bacon
tomatoes
2 Chicken Fajitas (here) = Leftover Fajita Burritos (here) + California Scrambled Eggs (here)
STORECUPBOARD
3 white onions
1 red onion
brown rice
dried oregano
light oil
chilli powder
ground cumin
sea salt
FRESH
2 limes
sweet smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
2 large chicken breasts
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
tequila
10 tortilla wraps
2 large tomatoes
1 jalapeño pepper
1 large pack fresh coriander
3 large ripe avocados
1 medium pot soured cream
5 large eggs
bread, for toasting
unsalted butter
OR
A Loaded Fajita Salad (here) + Hangover-Cure Mexican Chilaquiles (here)
STORECUPBOARD
3 white onions
1 red onion
dried oregano
light oil
chilli powder
ground cumin
sea salt
FRESH
3 limes
sweet smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
2 large chicken breasts
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
tequila
10 tortilla wraps
2 large tomatoes
1 jalapeño pepper
1 large pack fresh coriander
3 large ripe avocados
1 medium pot soured cream
1 large radish
1 × 400g tin kidney beans
1 × 400g tin black beans
1 large egg
1 small pack salad leaves
3 Easy Lemon & Thyme Roast Chicken with Za’atar Potatoes (here) + a salad or vegetables = Leftover Roast Chicken Pie (here)
STORECUPBOARD
plain flour
1 chicken stock cube
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large chicken
unsalted butter
1 small pack fresh thyme
1 lemon
1 × 500g pack new potatoes
za’atar
salad or vegetables
2 leeks
1 pack mushrooms
1 pack bacon
1 × 150ml pot single cream
1 × 375g block puff pastry
milk
OR
Warm Leftover Roast Chicken Honey Mustard Pasta Salad (here) + Leftover Roast Chicken, Pesto Mayo & Tomato Sandwich (here)
STORECUPBOARD
light oil
light mayonnaise
pesto
1 pack pasta shapes
wholegrain mustard
runny honey
extra virgin olive oil
white wine vinegar
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large chicken
unsalted butter
1 small pack fresh thyme
1 lemon
1 × 500g pack new potatoes
za’atar
salad or vegetables
1 small pack cherry tomatoes
1 small pack rocket
1 large tomato
bread, for slicing
4 Spiced Lamb Patties with Light Tzatziki & Pitta Bread (here) = Light Tzatziki with Home-Baked Pitta Chips (here) + Fattoush (here)
STORECUPBOARD
2 red onions
1 garlic clove
extra virgin olive oil
ground cumin
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 × 500g pack lamb mince
1 small pack fresh mint
1 lemon
2 packs pittas
1 small pack salad
2 cucumbers
1 small pack fresh dill
1 × 500g tub light Greek yoghurt
sumac or za’atar
6 radishes
1 large pack cherry tomatoes
1 Little Gem lettuce
1 small pack fresh parsley
5 Sausage Bolognese (here) = Frying-Pan Lasagne (here) + cheesy twice-cooked bolognese baked potato (here)
STORECUPBOARD
1 white onion
2 garlic cloves
1 × 400g tin chopped tomatoes
dried oregano
golden caster sugar
1 chicken or beef stock cube
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large carrot
1 celery stick
1 × 450g pack sausage meat
1 bottle red wine
tomato purée
6 dried lasagne sheets
2 mozzarella balls
1 baking potato
grated cheese
USING EVERYTHING UP
1 1 pot buttermilk = Overnight Buttermilk Pancakes (here) + a BLTA Chopped Salad with Skinny Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (here) + a Bacon & Avocado Wraps with Skinny Buttermilk Ranch Dressing (here)
STORECUPBOARD
golden caster sugar
bicarbonate of soda
plain flour
light oil
light mayonnaise
1 garlic clove
sea salt
FRESH
1 pot buttermilk
1 large egg
1 pack streaky bacon
2 Little Gem lettuces
2 small ripe avocados
1 bunch spring onions
1 small pack cherry tomatoes
1 small pot Greek yoghurt
1 small pack fresh chives
1 pack tortilla wraps
2 1 packet smoked salmon = Smoked Salmon Bagel Breakfast Casserole (here) + Smoked Salmon Latkes (here) + a round of smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches
STORECUPBOARD
1 red onion
1 white onion
1 garlic clove
nonpareille capers
light oil
plain flour
baking powder
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large pack smoked salmon
unsalted butter
1 pack bagels
1 lemon
1 pack cream cheese
1 small tub crème fraîche
4 large eggs
1 pint milk
1 large baking potato
bread, for slicing
1 cucumber
3 1 loaf of bread = Devilled Egg Sandwich (here) + Leftover Bread Panzanella (here) + Classic Savoury Eggy Bread (here)
STORECUPBOARD
1 red onion
Worcestershire sauce
light oil
extra virgin olive oil
light mayonnaise
Dijon mustard
Tabasco
nonpareille capers
red wine vinegar
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large loaf fresh bread
3 large eggs
1 pint milk
1 bunch spring onions
1 small pack fresh parsley
1 small pack fresh basil
1 small pack cherry tomatoes
1 small pack salad leaves
4 1 tin coconut milk = Easy Root Vegetable Curry (here) + Quick & Creamy Pumpkin & Coconut Soup (here) + Coconut Hot Chocolate (here)
STORECUPBOARD
4 large garlic cloves
3 white onions
light oil
2 vegetable stock cubes
ground cumin
dried chilli flakes
runny honey
cocoa powder
golden caster sugar
vanilla extract
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 tin coconut milk
1 sweet potato
1 medium cooking pumpkin
1 large baking potato
1 small pack fresh coriander
ground turmeric
ground coriander
tomato purée
fresh ginger
STORECUPBOARD MEALS
Dried pasta + a tin of tuna + a tin of tomatoes + a few capers from the jar = Pasta in Tomato, Tuna & Caper Sauce (here)
Dried apricots + a squidge of honey + a few cardamom pods + an orange = Honeyed Cardamom-Soaked Apricots (here)
2 slices of bread + a tin of pilchards in tomato sauce = Pilchards on Toast (here)
A few spoonfuls of pesto + a tin of tuna + a pack of brown rice = Tuna & Pesto Rice (here)
A tub of chocolate ice cream + a few digestive biscuits + a couple of handfuls of sultanas, glacé cherries and mini marshmallows = Rocky Road Ice Cream Terrine (here)
FOOD FOR FRIENDS
1 Sausage Bolognese (here) + One-Bowl Chocolate Cake (here) + a good bottle of red wine
STORECUPBOARD
1 white onion
2 garlic cloves
dried oregano
golden caster sugar
1 chicken or beef stock cube
1 × 400g tin tomatoes
light oil
vanilla extract
baking powder
plain flour
cocoa powder
plain cooking chocolate
runny honey
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large carrot
1 celery stick
1 × 450g pack sausage meat
1 bottle red wine
tomato purée
margarine
3 eggs
1 × 100g pot natural yogurt
2 Easy Root Vegetable Curry (here) + naan bread + brown rice cooked in water and the leftover coconut milk with a cinnamon stick and star anise
STORECUPBOARD
2 large garlic cloves
2 white onions
1 vegetable stock cube
light oil
ground cumin
dried chilli flakes
brown rice
sea salt
FRESH
1 large baking potato
1 sweet potato
1 small butternut squash
ground turmeric
ground coriander
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
tomato purée
1 × 400ml tin coconut milk
fresh ginger
naan bread
3 Chicken Fajitas (here) + Lime Cheesecake Cups (here) + beer margaritas (here)
STORECUPBOARD
3 white onions
1 red onion
dried oregano
chilli powder
ground cumin
light oil
sea salt
FRESH
6 limes
sweet smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
2 large chicken breasts
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
8 tortilla wraps
2 large tomatoes
1 jalapeño pepper
1 small pack fresh coriander
2 large ripe avocados
1 small pot soured cream
unsalted butter
1 small pack digestive biscuits
1 × 250g tub light mascarpone
icing sugar
tequila
triple sec
2 × 330ml bottles light Mexican beer
4 Super-Easy Meat-Free Mixed Bean Chilli (here) + Boozy Guacamole (here) + Easy Nutella Cheesecake Cups (here)
STORECUPBOARD
2 white onions
1 red onion
1 × 400g tin tomatoes
ground cumin
cocoa powder
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 yellow pepper
1 × 400g tin red kidney beans
1 × 400g tin black beans
Cajun spice mix
1 pack red split lentils
2 large ripe avocados
tequila
1 lime
1 small pot soured cream
1 small pack digestive biscuits
unsalted butter
1 × 250g tub light mascarpone
jar of Nutella
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
1 DINNER FOR TWO = Sharing Steak with Thyme-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes (here) + White Wine-Soaked Strawberries (here) + the rest of the bottle of wine
STORECUPBOARD
golden caster sugar
balsamic vinegar
extra virgin olive oil
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large pack cherry tomatoes
1 punnet strawberries
1 small pack fresh thyme
1 large steak
1 bottle white wine
2 SUNDAY LUNCH FOR TWO = One-Pan Chicken Roast with Root Vegetables (here) + Lemon Posset (here) + a bottle of white wine or Prosecco
STORECUPBOARD
2 red onions
4 garlic cloves
light oil
golden caster sugar
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 butternut squash
1 sweet potato
2 parsnips
2 carrots
4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
1 × 300ml pot double cream
1 lemon
1 lime
1 bottle white wine or Prosecco
3 SUNDAY LUNCH FOR A CROWD = Easy Lemon & Thyme Roast Chicken with Za’atar Potatoes (here) + green salad + Dark Chocolate & Brown Bread & Butter Pudding (here)
STORECUPBOARD
vanilla extract
golden caster sugar
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 large chicken
unsalted butter
1 small pack fresh thyme
1 lemon
1 × 500g pack new potatoes
za’atar
2 large bags salad leaves
sliced granary bread
dark chocolate chips
marmalade
3 large eggs
1 pint milk
demerara sugar
4 GRADUATION BRUNCH = Full English Breakfast Quiche (here) + a green salad + Cheat’s Vegetable Juice Bloody Mary (here)
STORECUPBOARD
Tabasco
Worcestershire sauce
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
1 pack sausages
1 pack streaky bacon
1 pack chestnut mushrooms
4 large eggs
1 × 150ml tub single cream
1 pint milk
unsalted butter
1 large pack cherry tomatoes
1 lemon
1 × 320g shortcrust pastry sheet
2 cartons vegetable juice
vodka
1 large bag salad leaves
1 pack leafy celery
THREE MEALS FOR UNDER £10
1 Dippy Eggs with Anchovy Butter Soldiers (here) + Easy Smoked Mackerel Pâté (here) + Grated Courgette Pasta (here)
STORECUPBOARD
anchovy fillets in olive oil
nonpareille capers
1 pack pasta shapes
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
2 large eggs
bread, for toasting
unsalted butter
1 × small tub light Greek yoghurt
1 lemon
1 red chilli (fresh or dried)
1 courgette
1 tin smoked mackerel
2 Chicken Livers & Onions on Toast (here) + Israeli Chopped Mixed Bean Salad (here) + Tuna & Pesto Rice (here)
STORECUPBOARD
1 large white onion
brown rice
pesto
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
unsalted butter
1 pack chicken livers
bread, for toasting
1 cucumber
1 bunch spring onions
2 large tomatoes
1 small pack flat-leaf parsley
1 lemon
za’atar
1 tin tuna
1 × 400g tin mixed beans
3 Ten-Minute Mushrooms & Bacon on Toast (here) + Devilled Egg Sandwich (here) + inned Tomato Pasta Sauce (here)
STORECUPBOARD
dried oregano
light mayonnaise
Dijon mustard
Tabasco
1 × 400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 pack pasta shapes
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
bread, for slicing
unsalted butter
2 large eggs
1 bunch spring onions
1 pack chestnut mushrooms
1 pack streaky bacon
1 small pack fresh parsley
1 small pack salad leaves
soft light brown sugar
4 Honeyed Cardamom-Soaked Apricots with Pistachios & Greek Yoghurt (here) + Roast Bone Marrow with Gremolata (here) + Indian Spiced Potatoes (here) with yoghurt and chutney
STORECUPBOARD
runny honey
ground cumin
chilli powder
1 garlic clove
light oil
sea salt and black pepper
FRESH
dried apricots
green cardamom pods
1 orange
1 lemon
1 large baking potato
1 large pot Greek yoghurt
mango chutney
ground coriander
ground turmeric
shelled pistachios
1 piece of bonemarrow, halved lengthways
bread, for slicing
1 small pack fresh parsley