10 Freezer Meals Under £1.50 per Serving (UK Supermarket Prices)

Discover 10 budget-friendly freezer meals under £1.50 per serving from UK supermarkets.

Introduction

Cooking ahead and freezing meals can save you time, money, and reduce food waste. With a well-planned menu and smart shopping, you can create delicious, budget-friendly freezer meals under £1.50 per serving. In this guide, we'll explore 10 tasty recipes sourced from UK supermarkets, along with practical tips for meal planning, storage, and avoiding waste. So, let's dive into preparing your freezer for a stress-free cooking experience.

Planning Your Freezer Meals

Step 1: Assess Your Freezer Space

Before embarking on your meal planning journey, evaluate the size of your freezer. A standard UK freezer has around 180-250 litres of storage space. This guide assumes a medium-sized freezer, allowing for 180 litres. If you have a larger space, you can adjust the meal quantities accordingly.

Step 2: Estimate Your Weekly Meal Needs

Consider your family size, lifestyle, and dietary preferences when estimating your weekly meal requirements. A typical family of four would require around 4-6 meals per week. Adjust this number to suit your household size.

Step 3: Create a Meal Plan

With your family size and weekly meal estimates in mind, create a meal plan using the recipes provided. Consider incorporating a variety of cuisines and meal types, such as curries, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes. This will ensure a diverse range of meals to suit your preferences.

Step 4: Shop for Ingredients

Now that you have your meal plan, create a shopping list. Visit your local UK supermarkets, such as Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, or Asda, and gather the necessary ingredients for your planned meals. Remember to prioritize buying ingredients in their best before or use-by dates to ensure freshness.

Freezer Meal Recipes Under £1.50 per Serving

Recipe 1: Beef Stroganoff (£1.25 per serving)

#### Ingredients:

#### Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cut the beef into small pieces and place in a large pot or Dutch oven.
3. Peel and chop the onions, carrots, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
4. Melt the butter in the pot and sauté the onions until they are translucent.
5. Add the beef pieces, carrots, and potatoes to the pot, stirring well.
6. Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softened (around 20-30 minutes).
7. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer for 30 minutes.
9. In a separate pot, boil the potatoes for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
10. Drain the potatoes and mash them with the butter, salt, pepper, and eggs. Mix in flour until combined.
11. Pour the beef mixture into a separate container, leaving enough space for expansion during freezing.
12. Allow the beef mixture to cool to room temperature before dividing into portions.
13. Pack each portion into a freezer-safe container and label them with the name of the dish and the date prepared.
14. Freeze the portions for up to 3 months.
15. To serve, thaw the meal in the fridge overnight or use the microwave defrosting method (see UK microwave instructions).
16. Heat the meal in a pot or microwave, adjusting cooking times accordingly.

Recipe 1: Beef Stroganoff (£1.20 per serving)

#### Ingredients (serves 4):

The beef stroganoff recipe costs approximately £1.20 per serving.

#### Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large pot, sauté the onions until soft, then add the beef and cook until browned.
3. Add the carrots and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Peel and cut the potatoes into cubes, then add to the pot.
5. Chop the mushrooms and add them to the pot.
6. Add the tomato sauce and stir well.
7. Melt the butter, then add the salt, pepper, and eggs (whisked) into the pot.
8. Stir in the flour until smooth and bubbly.
9. Divide the mixture into four portions, ensuring each portion is around 500g (1.1 lb) per serving.
10. Label each portion with the dish name and the date prepared.
11. Allow the portions to cool before placing them in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags.
12. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
13. When ready to eat, thaw the portion in the fridge overnight or use the microwave to thaw.
14. Heat the stroganoff in the pot or microwave, stirring frequently.
15. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe 2: Shepherd's Pie (£1.30 per serving)

#### Ingredients (serves 4):

#### Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large pot, sauté the onions until translucent before adding the beef.
3. Cook until browned.
4. Slowly add the carrots and potatoes, cooking for 10-15 minutes.
5. In a separate pot, melt the butter and add the flour, stirring until thickened.
6. Add the stock cube, stirring well.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and flour.
8. Line a baking dish with shortcrust pastry.
9. Add the cooked beef mixture, spreading evenly.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
11. Cool before storing in airtight containers or freezer bags, labelling with the dish name and date prepared.
12. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave defrosting.
13. Heat up and enjoy!

Tip: Meal Prep Tips and Tricks

Tip 1: Freeze Meals in Suitable Containers

Tip 2: Label and Date Your Freezer Meals Tip 3: Cooking for a Crowd or Leftovers

Tip: Freezer-Friendly Recipes

Tip: Budget-Friendly Recipes

Meal Planning and Storage

Tip: Dinner for Two or More

Tip: Cost-Friendly Recipes

Tip: Freezer-Friendly Recipes

Tip: Budget-Friendly Recipes