Delicious budget lunch recipes that are easy on your wallet and packed full of flavour.
Cavolo nero is sweeter and more tender than kale, making it the perfect addition to this hearty pasta bake
A filling, hearty meal on a budget. Chunky kidney and butterbeans add texture, with the chilli powder adding some spice (experiment with the amount if you prefer a little more heat) and the cheesy garlic baguette is perfect for dunking.
Jamie says: "Savoury bread and butter pudding meets a ploughman’s in this tasty number that heroes Tesco Finest 9 Mini Hot Cross Buns. Stuffed with oozy Cheddar cheese and tangy sandwich pickle, then baked until puffed up and golden, this is a great get-ahead option. Simply assemble the night before and stash in the fridge, they’ll be ready to bake when needed. "
Everyone will be talking about Dina Begum's recipe at your next BBQ! Inspired by South Asian flavours, the chicken is marinated with saffron and Kashmiri chilli flakes and served with a chilli chutney for plenty of spice. These are definitely worth the wait!
Jamie says: "This budget-friendly, colourful, veg-packed salad is all about the creamy, minty yogurt dressing. It’s super-easy to make and absolutely delicious. I rehydrate the couscous in the same pan as the veg, so it soaks up all their lovely flavour."
Jamie says: "For a cool twist on your stir-fry, I’m heroing wholegrain microwave rice and shop-bought kimchi. Kimchi fried rice is usually made with leftover cooked rice, but I’ve used a wholegrain rice pouch as a convenient shortcut and an easy way to add more fibre into your meals. Crunchy veg and a crispy fried egg complete this healthy dinner."
Jamie says: "This gorgeous one-pot is a celebration of spring. Inspired by the Italian dish ‘vignole’, I’m putting seasonal veg front and centre in this special centrepiece. New potatoes, asparagus and leeks are elevated with a twist of lemon and a grating of Parmesan, and served with crusty bread for dunking."
Jamies says: "Celebrating a bunch of delicious Greek-inspired flavours, this fresh, vibrant no-cook salad is just the ticket for a sunshine lunch or colourful barbecue side. Humble cucumber gives double bang for your buck: it stars in the salad and adds texture to a tangy feta dressing. This is sure to become an easy summer favourite."
Jamie says: "I’m celebrating the nostalgic flavours of a Niçoise salad with these juicy tuna burgers, perfect for summer and just in time for National Burger Day! Heroing storecupboard favourites and summer veg, they’re a joy to make and eat."
Jamie says: "Beans on toast just got a summer makeover with my elevated take on a lunchtime staple. Using creamy butter beans, fresh spinach, shop-bought pesto and a squeeze of fresh lemon is a quick and clever way to turn something humble into a memorable meal."
Jamie says: "A brilliant dish for sharing this summer, these smash burger quesadillas give you that much-loved burger vibe with way less effort. Yes, please!"
Making this soup is a great way of using up gammon steaks, as well as being a gorgeous warming soup for winter days. The lentils add extra depth and are a lovely foil to the gammon. Elevate it with a small dollop of crème fraîche.
A luxury sandwich for the home worker to brighten up the day, here griddled lamb steaks sprinkled with paprika are stuffed in a warm ciabatta with softened red onion and a homemade mint sauce: A steak sarnie with a difference.
Make the most of glorious spring asparagus and peas alongside peppery watercress, rocket, spinach and creamy mozzarella. Just blanch the asparagus and peas, add the salad and mozzarella and finish with fresh mint and a glug of olive oil and it's ready.
A limp assembly of lettuce and tomatoes simply won't cut it after you've tried this warm bulgar wheat, roast squash and ricotta salad. There's a fair amount of effort involved in de-seeding, peeling and cubing the butternut squash but those caramelised chunks are more than worth it.
The batter for these fluffy Russian buttermilk blinis can be made in advance, so come morning all you have to do is fry them up with the eggs and bacon. Think of them as mini savoury pancakes, a breakfast of champions to get the weekend off to a great start.
Aromatic and crunchy, this prawn noodle salad is packed with zest and spice. Only the noodles require cooking for this easy treat of a dish, however it is best made a day in advance if you prefer raw vegetables to be on the softer side.
Irresistible chilli and red pepper chicken burger served with tortilla chips
Enjoy the delicious surf and turf flavours of paella, but in frittata form. The piquant chorizo, juicy prawns, sweet peppers and spices are a natural flavour match with chicken. Serve with a simple green salad.
Family and friends will love the delicious, sweet flavour of the beetroot
Italy on a plate, this marinated fig salad oozes with the flavours of a mediterranean hot summer's day: sliced, ripe, figs, fragrant lemon, moreish cured Spanish ham, and creamy mozzarella. A honey and mustard shallot dressing perfectly balances the sweetness of the summer fruit in this salad.
A British classic made even simpler by using trout fillets. Full of flavour, the almonds add crunch and the vegetables add colour to this light and easy dish. Serve with boiled or steamed new potatoes.
This warming bowl of organic chicken stir-fry is a quick and super simple midweek meal. Experiment with the Asian flavours depending on what's in the storecupboard: swap the soy for sweet chilli sauce for added kick or for oyster sauce for depth of flavour
10 minutes is all it takes to put together this warm butterbean and chorizo salad. Containing as little as five relatively inexpensive ingredients, this speedy lunch will prove that convenience doesn't always mean sacrificing on quality.
A quick and easy way to get in your pizza fix, this rosemary, olive and pesto pizza recipe takes just 40 minutes from start to finish. The homemade pizza base fares especially well under its coating of wafer-thin Parmesan slices and brackish green olives.
A simple pizza recipe with the classic combination of ham and cheese, jazzed up with plump mushrooms and black olives. Try it for your next night in with family or friends. Just add a crispy salad and you're good to go.
With our step-by-step instructions making pizzas from scratch is a breeze
Fancy a roast with a difference? Tart rhubarb matches the rich, sweet taste of this roast pork fillet perfectly, making it a surprising and delicious combination. Great served with roasted potatoes and shallots if you like.
Slow cooked for maximum flavour, this hearty, flavoursome casserole is sure to soon become a family favourite. The selection of greens provide your five-a-day in one dish and it can be frozen, so do the work at the weekend for a quick freezer hit during the week.
For a spicy twist on the humble chicken breast, try this healthy Moroccan-inspired dish. Harissa and cumin provide the depth of flavour, while the prep means that by the time you come to cook, it'll be on the table in 15 minutes.
An oven-baked one-pot chicken dish. Here succulent chicken breast is coated with herby cream cheese and breadcrumbs before being roasted in the oven with cherry tomatoes. Top tip: finish under the grill to crisp up the chicken skin.
Celebrity chef Ken Hom shares a delicious recipe, perfect for a traditional Chinese banquet
A delicious side dish to have with homemade Thai dinners – or other Asian-influenced meals. Full of heat and flavour, it only takes ten minutes to make and is healthy, too. If you like it hot, add slightly more chilli.