20 quick, cheap and healthy midweek dinners
Healthy, budget-friendly and quick — these 20 dinner ideas make midweek cooking effortless, nutritious and flavoursome, including curries, pasta and stir-fries
Busy weeknights call for speedy, cost-effective meals that don't compromise on nutrition. These 20 midweek saviours tick all the right boxes – they're wholesome, affordable and ready in a flash, making them ideal for after-work cooking.
Never wonder what to make for dinner again. These recipes will expand your repertoire, helping you enjoy a variety of flavours while supporting your health goals. Many contribute to the recommended 30 plant foods a week and are easily adaptable — swap the protein, throw in any leftover veggies and make them your own.
For even more inspiration, explore our 30 dinners to add to your weekly rotation. You'll also love our collection of budget-friendly, nutritious meals, including 20 egg recipes for dinner, 10 filling bowl recipes to try tonight and healthy freezable family meals.
With these fuss-free, flavour-packed dishes, you can enjoy nourishing, stress-free dinners every night of the week.
1. Fajita chicken rice bowl with burnt lime
Whip up crowd-pleasing fajitas with little effort using this nutritious one-tray recipe. You can have dinner ready in just 25 minutes, and this is fast food that's low in fat and calories as well as being naturally gluten-, nut- and dairy-free.
2. Roasted red pepper soup with crispy croutons
Cook our roasted red pepper soup in under 30 minutes for a bowlful of comfort — ideal for chilly, grey days or when you need a little boost. The bold flavours of harissa and chilli are sure to lift your spirits. Finish with homemade crispy croutons, a great way to use up stale bread while adding a satisfying crunch.
3. Red lentil & squash dhal
Try this hearty, budget-friendly meal with storecupboard staples like red lentils, butternut squash and canned chopped tomatoes. Warming spices such as coriander, cumin and turmeric enhance the flavour and are ingredients you're likely to have on hand. Serve with either naan or fragrant pilau rice for a satisfying and wholesome dish.
4. Sardine pasta with crunchy parsley crumbs
Make the most of low-cost canned sardines in this simple 10-ingredient pasta, an excellent way to add omega-rich oily fish to your diet without breaking the bank. Top it off with a parmesan and breadcrumb mixture for a deliciously crunchy texture and a savoury depth of flavour.
5. Bhaji frittata
Prepare a fragrant Indian-style frittata with peas, potatoes and fresh coriander for a satisfying meat-free meal. Serve it warm for dinner, then enjoy any leftovers as a flavourful lunchbox option the next day.
6. Chole with cumin rice & raita
Serve a cheap and delicious chickpea curry with a cooling raita for a satisfying family meal. Chickpeas are an excellent, affordable source of fibre, calcium and magnesium, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. Explore our guide on ways to cook with chickpeas for more creative and exciting ideas.
7. One-pan pasta
Save on washing-up with our quick and easy spaghetti and meatballs, all cooked in one pan. This dish is not only healthy and low in calories, it's also easy on your pocket. Meatballs are a versatile and affordable source of protein, and you can use any mince to suit your budget.
8. Smoky sweet potato & bean cakes with citrus salad
These budget-friendly chipotle patties are economical and nutritious, providing four of your five-a-day. Serve them with a refreshing salad of Little Gem lettuce, cucumber and carrot, dressed with zesty lime for a vibrant and well-balanced meal.
9. Miso mushroom & tofu noodle soup
Try our umami-rich noodle soup with tofu for a simple yet tasty dinner that is both healthy and low in calories. Tofu is a staple in Asian cuisine and offers a great source of plant-based protein. For more inspiration, explore our collection of tofu recipes and discover the many health benefits of this versatile ingredient.
10. Hot pasta salad
Requiring fewer than 10 ingredients, this bowl of pasta makes a simple yet nutritious dinner packed with vitamin C. It is easily adjustable for any occasion and can be halved for a quick solo meal or doubled to serve a crowd.
11. Carrot pilaf with coriander chutney
Create a vegetarian pilaf using affordable carrots and crunchy cashew nuts for a subtle nutty flavour. This quick midweek meal is sure to become a family favourite. Finish with homemade coriander chutney and crispy fried onions for a touch of sweetness and extra texture.
12. Creamy pesto & kale pasta
Using wholemeal pasta helps to keep you fuller for longer, as it releases energy more slowly than refined pasta. Kale is rich in vitamins C and E, selenium and beta-carotene, all of which help to support immunity. It is also a valuable plant-based source of calcium, contributing to bone health. Read more about the health benefits of kale and check out more kale recipes for further inspiration.
13. Tomato & pasta soup
Look no further than this pasta soup for a comforting, budget-friendly meal bursting with flavour. Quick to prepare and deeply satisfying, it's finished with a drizzle of basil pesto, adding a fragrant, garlicky touch to every spoonful.
14. Chipotle chickpeas with aubergine & pitta
A little chipotle paste gives chickpeas and aubergine a bold, smoky flavour. Serve atop warm pittas, drizzled with tahini and crème fraîche, and finish with fresh lime wedges and coriander. Any leftovers make a vibrant lunch for the next day — far more exciting than a cheese and pickle sandwich!
15. Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu
Add a meat-free dinner to your repertoire like our vegan stir-fry that's bulked out with noodles, tofu, green beans and spring onions. With a five-star rating, this dish proves that plant-based meals can be just as flavoursome and satisfying as meat-based ones.
16. Spinach falafel & hummus bowl
Save money and make your own falafels and hummus – it's easier than you think. Adding spinach to your falafels is an excellent way of getting extra vitamins A, C and K, as well as iron, magnesium and folate. Discover more of the benefits of adding spinach to your diet in our helpful guide on the health benefits of spinach.
17. Chicken & tzatziki wraps
For a light dinner, these Greek-style wraps are delicious on their own but can also form part of a bigger barbecue spread. Try serving them with our epic summer salad, buttery baked corn on the cob and other easy barbecue recipes.
18. Super smoky bacon & tomato spaghetti
Make an easy, comforting pasta recipe that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. Bacon and paprika add a lovely smokiness to the tomato-based sauce, and any leftover bacon in the fridge can be enjoyed the next day for breakfast.
19. Greek-style beans
This one-pan butter bean stew is a hearty, low-calorie vegetarian dinner that comes together in two simple steps, then sprinkled with feta for a lightly salty tang. Enjoy with crusty bread to mop up all the juices.
20. Spaghetti with leeks, peas & pesto
Enhance your pasta with pesto by incorporating vibrant seasonal greens. We opted for leeks and frozen peas, but you could use spring onions and other leftover herbs to add flavour and minimise food waste.
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