7 winter hearty meals for under £1 per person

​Chances are you’ve stumbled on this blog post because, just like us, you need a little bit of inspiration for some new hearty meals you can try this winter without breaking the bank. 

Whether whipping up a delicious dish from scratch is your ideal way to wind down after a long day, or you love nothing more than putting on the slow cooker while sipping your morning coffee, we’ve got something for everyone. From sticky sausage stew to slow cooker vegetable lasagne, these recipes are easy, nutritious, and - even better-budget-friendly at just £1 or less per person.

Disclaimer: unfortunately, we can’t take credit for coming up with these yummy recipes ourselves. But what we can say is our team has dedicated a lot of time researching these meals and even tried and tested some of their favourites at home (not a bad job, is it?) before bringing them to your plate. We hope you enjoy!

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1. Homemade gnocchi bake (VE)

Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

Ever fancied making your own potato gnocchi from scratch? Well, now’s your chance. This recipe combines homemade potato gnocchi with a delicious tomato sauce, spinach, and mozzarella to finish.

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: make the gnocchi ahead of time so it’s ready whenever you need it. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

2. Slow cooker chilli con carne

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4-6 hours

This super simple recipe makes the ideal dish for a chilly day (excuse the pun) and can be adapted to your preferred level of spice. It still works great if you don’t have a slow cooker, too.

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: roll a rolling pin along the length of a tube of tomato puree to get what is left in the tube out. Every little helps!

3. Sticky sausage stew

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes

We’re pretty sure this yummy sticky sausage stew could be your new family favourite. Prefer chipolatas? No problem. 

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: put leftovers to good use and save a portion of your dinner for lunch the next day.

4. Vegan mac ‘n’ cheese (VG)

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes

When you’re craving comfort food, nothing hits the spot better than mac ‘n’ cheese, and this one is just like the real thing.

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: know the difference between best-before and use-by dates. Use-by dates indicate when food is no longer safe to eat. Best-before dates suggest the optimum quality of an ingredient, and the items are still safe to consume past this date but might not be in tip-top condition.

5. One pot smoky tomato rice with chicken

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes

Bang it all in, and hope for the best. This one-pot smoky rice dish is delicious and full of nutritional vegetables. Chicken thighs optional.

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: cooked veg rarely resembles the whole vegetable you picked up in the supermarket. Pick wonky veg instead for extra savings.

6. Sweet potato and chickpea curry (VG)

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

The perfect mid-week treat and ready in just 30 minutes. The fragrant blend of different spices in this recipe packs a punch of flavour. We promise you won’t be disappointed!

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: cut herbs are expensive, so store the stems submerged in water in the fridge, and you won’t waste a leaf.  

7. Slow cooker vegetable lasagne (VE)

Serves: 4
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2hrs and 30 minutes

Layered with pasta, ratatouille and sliced aubergine, this veggie lasagne includes your five-a-day, and if you’re looking for a healthier option, it’s a lighter alternative to the traditional bake. 

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: planning your meals over a week or more instead of focusing on a single recipe helps with budgeting. That way, if you splash out on a particular ingredient, you can make sure you use the rest in a different recipe and reduce any food waste.

Bonus recipe

8. Cheese, leek, and potato puff pie

Serves: 6
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Because who doesn’t love pie? PS: This recipe is for six people, so if you’re not feeding guests or extra little ones, that’s more pie for you. You’re welcome.

Click here for the full recipe and list of ingredients

Top tip: check what ingredients are lurking in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards before writing your weekly shopping list.