A £30 Weekly Meal Plan for Families

Feeding a family feels like feeding an army – and the prices at the till don’t help. I’ve challenged myself to keep a whole week of family meals under £30, and honestly? It’s possible with a bit of planning, a freezer full of yellow-sticker wins, and kids who don’t complain too much.

Here’s a simple 7-day meal plan that keeps bellies full and budgets happy. Tried and tested

Monday

Breakfast: Porridge with banana slices (20p per serving).
Lunch: chicken & salad sandwiches with crisps (95p per lunchbox).
Dinner: Chicken Sausage & veg traybake (about £4 for the whole family).

Tuesday

Breakfast: Toast with jam (15p per serving).
Lunch: DIY lunchable with crackers, cheese, and cucumber sticks (80p).
Dinner: Chicken & rice one-pot with peas (about £4.50).

Wednesday

Breakfast: Cereal with milk (25p per serving).
Lunch: Pasta salad pots (leftover pasta + mayo + veg, ~75p).
Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognese stretched with carrots/lentils (about £5).

Thursday

Breakfast: Eggs on toast (30p per serving).
Lunch: Boiled egg & veg snack box (90p).
Dinner: Jacket potatoes with a mix of toppings (around £3.50 total).

Friday

Breakfast: Smoothies (using frozen fruit & yoghurt, ~40p per glass).
Lunch: Chicken wraps & fruit (95p).
Dinner: Homemade tortilla or pitta pizzas with toppings (about £4).

Saturday

Breakfast: Pancakes (cheap flour, egg, milk – ~25p per serving).
Lunch: Snacky lunchbox (bagel half, popcorn, biscuit bar – 90p).
Dinner: Slow cooker stew with potatoes, carrots & onion (about £5).

Sunday

Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter (20p per serving).
Lunch: Tuna pasta bake (about £4.50 total).
Dinner: Veggie soup & crusty bread (about £3).

Shopping List (approx. £30)

• Bread (2 loaves) – £2

• Cereal – £1.50

• Milk (6 pints) – £2

• Porridge oats – £1.20

• Eggs (12) – £2.20

• Rice (1kg) – £1.50

• Pasta (2 packs) – £1.50

• Tinned chopped tomatoes (4) – £1.60

• Tinned beans (4) – £1.60

• Tinned tuna (2) – £2

• Cheese (400g) – £3

• Chicken Sausages (12 pack) – £3

• Chicken thighs (1kg) – £5

(Prices based on Aldi/Lidl, rounded up for safety).

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