Cheap Meatless Recipes That Taste Like a Treat

How to create delicious meat-free meals for under £2 per serving with store-smart shopping.

Who says budget-friendly meals have to be bland or boring? Going meat-free doesn’t just save money—it opens the door to a world of flavours, textures, and satisfying dishes that can rival any restaurant plate.

The real challenge isn’t taste—it’s price. In the UK, the same ingredients can vary wildly in cost depending on where you buy them. Without realising it, you could be paying 30–50% more than you need to for everyday items.

That’s where Cheapify.app comes in. By comparing prices across UK supermarkets, it helps you find the best deals on all your grocery items—so you can create cheap meatless recipes that taste like a treat, all for under £2 per serving.

Why Meatless Meals Are a Budget Win

Meat and fish are often the most expensive part of any shopping bill. Removing them opens the door to cheaper protein sources like:

• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Black beans
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Nuts and seeds

These aren’t just affordable—they’re nutrient-rich and versatile. Combined with seasonal vegetables, herbs, and spices, they form the backbone of a cost-effective, flavour-packed menu.

But the real secret to staying under £2 per portion? Buy each ingredient from the cheapest store.

How Cheapify.app Saves You Money on Every Meal

The price difference for identical items between UK supermarkets can be surprising:

• Tinned chickpeas (400g) – 39p at Aldi, 75p at Tesco
• Oats (1kg) – £1.20 at Morrisons, £1.65 at Sainsbury’s
• Rice (1kg) – 45p at Lidl, £1.15 at Tesco

Cheapify.app helps you:

1. Add your grocery list – Input everything you need for the week.
2. See instant price comparisons – Across Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, and more.
3. Get the cheapest store combination – Know exactly where to buy each ingredient.
4. Swap for even bigger savings – Cheapify suggests budget-friendly alternatives when available.

Even switching 5–6 items to cheaper options can save you £10–£15 a week—and if you cook smart, that’s 5–7 extra meals for free.

6 Cheap Meatless Recipes Under £2 a Serving

Here are six dishes that prove you don’t have to spend big to eat well. Each is budget-friendly, quick to prepare, and perfect for weekday meals.

1. Creamy Chickpea & Spinach Curry

• Cost: ~£1.30 per portion
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tin chickpeas
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 handfuls spinach (fresh or frozen)
• Optional: coconut milk for extra creaminess

Why It Works: Chickpeas are cheap, filling, and packed with protein. Bulk spices make dozens of meals.

Cheapify Tip: Coconut milk can be 50% cheaper at Aldi than at major supermarkets.

2. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

• Cost: ~£1.80 per portion
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried green lentils
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3–4 potatoes, mashed with a splash of plant milk

Why It Works: Lentils mimic the heartiness of minced meat for a fraction of the cost.

Cheapify Tip: Bulk-buy potatoes when on offer—use extras for soups or mash later in the week.

3. Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chilli

• Cost: ~£1.60 per portion
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tin black beans
• 1 large sweet potato, cubed
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin

Why It Works: Beans and sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense and satisfying.

Cheapify Tip: Frozen sweet potato cubes can be cheaper than fresh when not in season.

4. Mushroom & Spinach Risotto

• Cost: ~£1.90 per portion
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 200g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 3 cups vegetable stock

Why It Works: Mushrooms give a savoury, meaty flavour at a low price.

Cheapify Tip: Lidl’s arborio rice is often 30–40% cheaper than Tesco’s.

5. Peanut Noodle Stir-Fry

• Cost: ~£1.50 per portion
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• Rice noodles
• 1 cup mixed veg (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp lime juice

Why It Works: Peanut butter adds richness and protein at a low cost.

Cheapify Tip: Check the cost per 100g—peanut butter jars vary widely in value.

6. Spaghetti with Lentil Bolognese

• Cost: ~£1.40 per portion
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 200g spaghetti
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp mixed herbs

Why It Works: Red lentils cook quickly and give a hearty texture.

Cheapify Tip: “Value” pasta tastes the same as branded but can cost half as much.

Making Meals Feel Like a Treat

Budget cooking doesn’t have to mean skipping indulgence. Here are a few ways to make your cheap meatless recipes feel special:

• Fresh herbs: A sprinkle of parsley or coriander instantly elevates a dish.
• Toasted seeds or nuts: Adds crunch and depth of flavour.
• Homemade dressings: Simple vinaigrettes can transform basic salads.
• Spices: Keep a variety on hand—paprika, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon all go a long way.

Example: How Cheapify Optimises a Weekly Meal Plan

Let’s take the above 6 recipes as your weekly plan. Shopping at one store (Tesco) might total around £46.90.

Using Cheapify’s cheapest-store mix, you could spend just £29.80—a saving of £17.10 in one week.

Examples:

• Chickpeas: 39p (Aldi) vs 75p (Tesco)
• Arborio rice: £1.15 (Lidl) vs £1.85 (Tesco)
• Peanut butter: £1.39 (Asda) vs £2.20 (Sainsbury’s)
• Potatoes: 89p (Aldi) vs £1.50 (Tesco)

That’s enough savings to cover almost an entire extra week of lunches.

Long-Term Benefits

Switching to meatless meals just 4 days a week could:

• Save £600+ a year on groceries.
• Reduce your environmental footprint.
• Improve your diet with more fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

When paired with Cheapify’s store-smart shopping, you maximise these benefits without sacrificing taste or variety.

Final Thoughts

Eating well on a budget isn’t about deprivation—it’s about strategy. With a mix of affordable ingredients, clever recipes, and price comparison tools like Cheapify.app, you can enjoy cheap meatless recipes that feel like a treat every day.

Why not plan your next week of meals right now? Fire up Cheapify, add your shopping list, and watch your total drop—without losing flavour, variety, or satisfaction.

Start saving today: Visit Cheapify.app to see how much you could save on your next grocery shop.