Budget Valentine's Day recipes

Discover how to make traditional spaghetti carbonara. This classic Italian pasta dish combines a silky cheese sauce with crisp pancetta and black pepper.

Cook up this classic sauce in one pan, then toss with spaghetti for a simple midweek meal. It's budget-friendly too, making it a great meal for the family

Blend leeks and butter beans to make this filling winter soup. Top with crispy chorizo and rosemary for a final flourish and serve with crusty bread

Make the family this ragu with celeriac mash and it will soon become part of your repertoire. This easy, budget recipe also counts as three of your 5-a-day

This lemon pepper steak recipe is a real treat for two and won't break the bank. Serve with seasonal celeriac chips and crunchy toasted hazelnuts

This impressive looking salted caramel dessert is fit for a dinner party table, uses storecupboard ingredients and is ready in under half an hour

This easy vegetarian one-pan dish is quick to prepare and will help you to get your 5-a-day. Treat yourself to whole ricotta cheeses and seasonal veg

Ready in no time, this simple budget sundae will satisfy any midweek sweet cravings. If you're looking for a pudding you can whip up in a flash, this is it

Soft, creamy goat's cheese or a deliciously strong blue cheese both work well in this easy veggie supper that's on the table in just 20 minutes

This dreamy dessert is ready in under 10 minutes. Use milk chocolate if you're feeding young children

The slight spice of mild curry powder enhances rather than overpowers the mussels in this pasta dish - great budget treat for two

Need to make a celebration cake at short notice? This foolproof, showstopping caramel cake uses storecupboard ingredients and is quick to whip up

Bake this super easy chocolate cake with just a handful of storecupboard ingredients. Use marmalade (or jam if you prefer) to keep it moist and fruity

A handful of basic ingredients combined with storecupboard artichokes and you've got a speedy supper with a touch of lux

This thrifty dinner party leek and potato soup recipe has an attractive pale colour from using the bottom end of the allium and a bouquet garni

Bake our easy jam tarts and they'll instantly become a family favourite – plus, you can make them in less than half-an-hour if you use ready-made pastry.

American-style pancakes make a special weekend breakfast. You can even make the batter the night before

British mussels are cheap, sustainable and surprisingly simple to cook. Follow Mary Cadogan’s step-by-step guide to preparing this version of moules marinière.