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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASAIt's possible to make a delicious and filling meal for a large family without breaking the bank
Managing the expense of family meals presents a challenge for any household, but it becomes particularly daunting when catering for a large brood. Through circumstances beyond my control, I share a compact home with nine individuals. Excluding two fussy eaters, we generally eat the same meals, though they are typically either costly or low in nutritional value.
For our monthly grocery run, we normally choose Asda, Iceland or Lidl, though I've noticed we most often frequent Sainsbury's for evening meals when the fridge is bare (since it's the nearest shop to where we live). Sainsbury's isn't recognised as a budget retailer, but with a keen eye for bargains and the proper recipe, reducing expenditure is surprisingly straightforward.
How I cut costsThe first step was simply discovering a meal that's tasty, satisfying and wholesome. Throughout this experiment, I didn't want to settle for something basic and uninspiring, like a spag bol or bangers and mash. I opted for something slightly more elaborate yet straightforward to prepare and portion out: lasagne.
Lasagne, the beloved Italian oven-baked pasta, and it's more affordable to prepare than you'd imagine. The priciest ingredient required for this dish is the minced beef.
I visited a neighbourhood branch, rather than a bigger supermarket, so the range was restricted. I purchased three packs of Sainsbury's 5% Fat Beef Mince 500g for £5.19 (£15.57 altogether).
Ordinarily, I'd pick up two 750g packs at £7.15 apiece (£14.30 altogether), but they were out of stock in store. For the remaining items, I opted for the most budget-friendly choices or appropriate substitutes to minimise expenditure.
Rather than purchasing a ready-made pasta sauce, I selected two tins of plum tomatoes at 47p each to prepare the meat sauce from scratch. I prefer making my own sauce to give the lasagna a richer flavour and make it that bit healthier; however, a jar of tomato and herb sauce, 500g at Sainsbury's, is available for 69p.
One pre-prepared product I did stick with was a jar of cheese/white sauce. This particular ingredient can be on the pricier side, yet I managed to find a jar of mac and cheese sauce for just 69p.
I then grabbed a box of dried lasagna sheets for 75p and the most affordable packet of grated cheese for £2.80. All told, the core ingredients for the lasagna came to £20.75.
To enhance the flavour of the dish, I also bought a pack of four garlic bulbs (87p), fresh basil (90p), a pack of three large brown onions (95p), and dried Italian and herb seasoning (£1.25).
Finally, to incorporate some additional greens as a side, I chose two bags of sweet leaf salad at 78p each. For an extra accompaniment, I'd suggest Sainsbury's frozen garlic bread, where two baguettes cost just 85p — the ideal finishing touch to a hearty family dinner.
Excluding the 40p for a carrier bag, the grand total came to £26.28, working out at £3.75 per head for a family of seven.
How to make lasagnaThis portion size caters for a household of seven, but can be adjusted for fewer people.
Ingredients:To serve:
Start by heating oil in a pan and frying your chopped onions. Once they've browned, introduce your mince and season with salt, pepper, and garlic.
From my cupboard, I had paprika and all-purpose seasoning available, which I incorporate for additional flavour, though this is optional. After cooking, stir in your tinned tomatoes.
When using plum varieties, ensure they're chopped and broken down to a sauce-like texture, avoiding any chunks. Then introduce your fresh basil, Italian herb seasoning, and a touch more salt and pepper to taste.
Allow this to bubble gently on a low to medium heat for several minutes while the flavours meld together, then take off the heat. Following this, take a deep baking tray and spread your initial layer of mince.
On top, layer lasagne sheets. Then add the mince, white sauce, and lasagne sheets, repeating the process until your ingredients are used up. Finish with a layer of mince and white sauce before covering with cheese.
Place this in the oven for approximately 25 to 30 minutes at 180°C. When ready, the surface should appear golden brown and crispy. Accompany with fresh salad and garlic bread.