help me meal plan when i dont know who is home in advance?

[NormaSmuff]

I have a son and his GF who are home occasionally.
shall i just write them off? as it were
i have a dd who is a veggie,

i am open to suggestions, frugal ones.

I would say that they need to tell you in advance if they will be home for tea. I would also Cooke extra bolagnaise etc and freeze it in portions in the freezer so they can help themselves to that if they want.

One pot cooking is probably the best way forward so stuff like curries, chilli's and stews. Then you can batch cook and freeze left over portions so there's no waste.
Veggie/lentils are cheap.

Ask them to tell you which nights they are going to be home for dinner. If they don't tell you it's DIY beans on toast.

If you stick with this they will soon learn.

I agree, depending on age, with the DIY approach if they've not told you when they're back. I think cooking and planning meals to avoid wastage is such a good skill to have going into adulthood -angrily looking at DP who didn't learn and thwarts my frugal meal planning efforts-

Happens to me sometimes - ds has moved out officially but occasionally just turns up alone or with old friend. Lets me know if gf coming so I can provide something proper. I'm not used to cooking for 3 instead of 6 yet so there's usually enough! Leftovers are everyone's favourite lunch too so nothing's wasted.

Agree with most - get them to let you know as routine (I realise there are sometimes last minute changes in plan).
I make up things like bolognaise, chilli, stew, etc. in full family size batches, and then if someone isn't in it can go in the freezer as a 'ready meal' for when they come in and I've not got anything for them.

Then I keep things in the freezer for ds's gf (who doesn't eat meat but fortunately does eat fish) in individual portions. It is usually easy to stretch the veg or pasta / rice / potatoes, and then quickly do a salmon portion or something to go with it.

Then we've always got the wherewithal to throw together a meal of one sort or another, with store cupboard and freezer ingredients. People know if they turn up without warning, they can't expect a full al a carte menu.

I think you should ask them if they want you to assume they'll be home every day and cook for them unless they tell you otherwise, or assume they won't be in and fend for themselves (buy their own food) unless they tell you otherwise, by a set time each day.