Budget meal planning inspo please??

[StormInATeaCup2]

Trying to get on top of finances once for all and stop living hand to mouth. Have tried before and really got into it but have got out the habit!! Would really like to get my food bill as low as possible....some details,

Just me and DD 8
Don't need to do lunches for either of us.
I don't really eat breakfast.
Like to eat healthy ish.
Don't want all meals to be carb based if poss (I know that makes them cheaper
I'm a reasonable cook and can cook from scratch
Very time poor so slow cooker stuff, stuff that can be batch cooked is ideal.
Need to do mid morning snack for DD and snacks after school before sports club most evenings (healthy).
Have an Aldi 5 miles away, Iceland 1 mile away, Asda 5 miles away.
Have local pound shop for cleaning/household products etc.

Please throw ideas at me!! Would be appreciated!

Veggie meals tend to be cheaper than meat. This
sweet potato and lentil curry is lovely.
Mixed bean chilli
Root vegetable stew
Veggie sausage casserole
Fritata
Stirfry with omelette strips and noodles
Jack Monroe carrot and kidney bean burgers are really cheap and freeze well.

If there’s just the 2of you frozen veg could be really handy. Saves time and waste. Things like frozen chopped red onion, soffitto or the casserole veg mixes are so helpful.

If she will eat them baked chickpeas with paprika are a really cheap and pretty healthy snack. Just spread on a tray sprinkle with paprika and spray with oil, then put in a hot oven.

I add lentils to meals like chilli, bolognaise, pasta sauces etc to really bulk them out cheaply without carbs. 60p for a tin which makes a big difference.

Peanut butter and banana could be a good snack for your DD - or yoghurt with honey swirled in or help her make a smoothie with frozen berriesin

Once you've got a list of ideas, then I really recommend writing a meal plan for the week and writing a shopping list - and sticking to it! It made such a difference to my bills

I no you don't fancy breakie.but a small toast or bowl of cereal might simply help by not craving or wanting more later and also a good boost for the day when you've slept your blood sugars have dropped so even a nibble to boost your way to the day is a good idea.

my supermarket website has a price alert function If you log in which might help.things you get often.butter,yoghurts etc it will then send you an email if they ever come on special offer.great for asda who often have offers.
do you have time first thing,or even the night before. to prep a few bits.like roasted peppers and veggie couscous.then its in the fridge waiting for you.making a couple of pasta bakes one could have tuna and sweetcorn one could have bacon,tomatos,brocoli in etc.then you are bulk making a cheese sauce and pasta and just switching it up to assemble.you could then freeze one. make larger so you can have leftovers for lunch or next night.
if you make a batch of mince.you could have it the next day.add some chilli for chilli,put with spaghetti.top with potatos.in wraps etc.

when you make things bulk out with cheaper veg.so chicken fagitas could have loads of peppers and tomatos in it.
or if chicken is on offer by it.then split and freeze some in portions you can take out and use. or one night use for a pie and one night for a stiry fry.
every few days take a look at ur fridge contents.what needs using and what could you make.have fun with it. if you are a good cook you will generaly make something lovely because you no flavour combos that work.

does you dd need a mealish snack or snack snack lol.thing like pitta pockets.cheese on toast cut into squares.ot toast then wrapped in foil. if you oven cook wraps they make great tortilla chip type things.
veggie battons.
some plain yoghurt and granola or cereal on top and a swirl of fruit
if you have some leftover bread make croutons
and also slightly buttered bread in the oven with some cinnamon and sugar mix sprinkled on make great accompinment to fruit,great in tupperwares for a snack.
garlic bread battons instead of pie crust is a great switch up.

rice one pots.
bulk things out with lentils.

Tinned tuna, tinned beans in mild chilli sauce and eggs are my staples! Cheap and quick-to-prepare sources of protein.