Low-cost but pleasing meal ideas!

[TulipWoodpecker]

We have visitors coming (first ones in two years!) and I want to cook ahead. What meals can I make that are a bit more special than usual but don't cost the Earth?
I also want minimal cooking and faffing around dinner time while they are here.
My only idea so far is chicken drumsticks baked with olives and tomatoes etc.
Any tried and tested ideas welcome!

I often do John Waite’s five-hour slow roast lamb shoulder with potato gratin, using mutton instead of lamb because it’s both tastier and cheaper: www.eatyourbooks.com/library/recipes/1724805/five-hour-lamb-with-potato

Or, this vegetarian moussaka which is better than any meat moussaka I’ve had: www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25311/vegetarian-moussaka/

Nadiya Hussein’s teriyaki chicken and noodles recipe is also amazing: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/teriyaki_chicken_noodles_03220/amp

All served with green vegetables

Thanks!

Bumping for any more ideas

@TulipWoodpecker

We have visitors coming (first ones in two years!) and I want to cook ahead. What meals can I make that are a bit more special than usual but don't cost the Earth? I also want minimal cooking and faffing around dinner time while they are here. My only idea so far is chicken drumsticks baked with olives and tomatoes etc. Any tried and tested ideas welcome!

That sounds great with good bread and salad. Perhaps something with potatoes if there are big eaters.

It's delicious, but only one meal...I need four!

I love a good curry with lots of lentils and chickpeas in it.

Yes, even dhal and rice is delicious, costs pennies and can be made ahead.

If you're not adverse to ready made food, M&S do an Italian meal deal for 4 for £15 and you could get pizzas, salad and olives/mozarella sticks.

Biryani - a bit of prep required but then cooks in the oven. I like this prawn one but appreciate prawns aren't that cheap! www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/prawn_saffron_biryani_82760

Pulled pork made with a large pork shoulder joint (about £7 or 8) in the slow cooker, brioche rolls, bbq sauce, salad. Sweet potato wedges maybe.

A pie - the filling could be made in advance and then cooked with pastry on top on the night.

Truffle mac n cheese - the truffle oil costs £2 something from Tesco. www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegetarian-recipes/easy-truffle-mac-n-cheese

These are my favourite low cost drumstick traybakes realfood.tesco.com/recipes/chicken-and-sweet-potato-traybake.html
And realfood.tesco.com/recipes/chicken-tagine-traybake.html

Spinach and ricotta filo pie www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/healthy/spinach-and-ricotta-filo-pie/ (can be frozen). I serve it with roasted red peppers

Lots of ideas - thank you all! Curry is a great idea!

www.thetastiestbook.com/chicken-with-miso-ginger-and-lime/ This is gorgeous and can be prepared ahead with chicken legs (or just thighs). Also as we found recently, it's very forgiving as long as you don't singe the top. Ours ended up being served three hours later than expected. A huge back of chicken legs was £3.50 the other day (which is obscene really, but.....

Lasagne meat or with lentils instead of meat
Can make ahead and serve with garlic bread and salad

Pesto pasta again with salad is nice and easy make your own pesto if you cba

Big chilli add extra beans
Rice
Tortilla chips
Cheese
Lettuce
Tinned sweetcorn
Etc

Sorry just read you want it to be a bit special