The best budget cookbooks to help you save on dinner

Looking for ways to cook satisfying meals without spending a lot on groceries? These budget-friendly cookbooks have got you covered.

Read on to learn about five fantastic options that will help you create tasty dishes without breaking the bank.

The best budget cookbooks

$10 Meals with Chelsea by Chelsea Goodwin

Chelsea Goodwin's cookbook is perfect for anyone looking to feed a family of four for $10 or less per meal. In the book, Goodwin breaks down the cost per serving, making it easy to plan your grocery budget. You'll find a variety of recipes, from casseroles to stir-fries, all designed to be both affordable and delicious.

5 Ingredients by Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver's 5 Ingredients is all about simplicity. Each recipe uses just five ingredients, which not only saves you money but also time on shopping and prep. This book is great for turning simple ingredients into impressive meals, whether you're cooking a quick weeknight dinner or preparing something special for the weekend.

One by Jamie Oliver

Another gem from Jamie Oliver, One focuses on one-pot cooking. Every recipe can be made in a pan, pot or dish. This approach not only simplifies cleanup but also helps reduce food waste and energy consumption. You'll find a mix of comfort foods and global flavours, all designed to be budget-friendly and easy to make.

The Quick Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer

Rukmini Iyer's The Quick Roasting Tin is all about convenience. The concept is simple: put everything in a roasting tin, pop it in the oven, and you're done. These one-tin meals are both budget-friendly and time-efficient. The book is organised by cooking time, making it easy to choose a recipe that fits your schedule. Best of all, most of the recipes inside use common ingredients you likely already have at home – no need to spend heaps on fancy spices or seasonings.

5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

In this book, Jamie Oliver applies his five-ingredient concept to Mediterranean cuisine. You'll find recipes for dishes from various Mediterranean countries, all using just five ingredients each. This book is great for exploring new flavours without having to dish out your hard-earned cash on several ingredients.

Try the recipes

Want to put these cookbooks to the test?

Choose one recipe from each book and create a budget-friendly weekly meal plan.

Remember, cooking on a budget doesn't mean sacrificing taste or nutrition. These cookbooks prove that with a little creativity, you can make delicious meals that won't empty your wallet.

Happy cooking!

Recipes to try

• Spinach and Potato Curry from $10 meals with Chelsea
• Crazy good pork burger from 5 Ingredients
• Smoked salmon pasta from One
• Quick meatball pizza with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella from The Quick Roasting Tin
•  Rogue ratatouille risotto from 5 Ingredients Mediterranean