If you’re trying to cut your food budget, these cheap meals for one person are a great place to start.
All of these meals are built from simple, low-cost ingredients you can find in UK supermarkets — and most cost around £1 or less per portion.
They’re not fancy, but they’re practical, filling, and perfect for everyday life when you’re living alone.
For more ideas on how to plan meals on a budget, you may be interested in meal planning for one person in the UK
20 Cheap Meals for One
Quick & Easy Meals
- Beans on toast
- Egg on toast
- Cheese toastie
- Porridge with milk
- Instant noodles with veg
Simple Hot Meals
- Vegetable omelette
- Scrambled eggs on toast
- Fried egg sandwich
- Egg fried rice
- Baked beans with potatoes
Budget Comfort Meals
- Pasta with tomato sauce
- Pasta with butter and cheese
- Jacket potato with beans
- Rice with vegetables
- Simple vegetable soup
Filling Low-Cost Meals
- Lentil stew
- Chickpea curry (basic)
- Rice and beans
- Potato hash
- Vegetable stir fry
How These Meals Stay Under £1
These meals work because they use cheap staple ingredients:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Eggs
- Beans
- Frozen vegetables
Buying these in budget supermarkets keeps costs low.
For even more cheap meals for one, check out these ideas.
Tips to Keep Meals Cheap
Stick to simple ingredients.
Avoid recipes with too many extras.
Cook in batches
Make 2–3 portions at once.
Batch cooking for one may be helpful.
Use frozen or tinned foods.
They last longer and reduce waste.
Example Cheap Shopping List
If you want to recreate most of these meals, you’ll need:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Eggs
- Potatoes
- Tinned tomatoes
- Beans
- Frozen vegetables
These are the same basics used in most budget meal plans.
If you are on a low budget, the £10 grocery list for one person in the UK may be helpful.
Related Posts
£15 Weekly Meal Plan for One
£20 Weekly Meal Plan for One
£25 Meal Plan for One Person
Final Thoughts
Eating cheaply doesn’t have to be complicated.
These meals are about keeping things simple, affordable, and realistic when you’re cooking for one.
Start with a few favourites, rotate them through the week, and you’ll quickly build a routine that saves money without too much effort.