Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas

Are you struggling to keep up with affordable, healthy meals amidst a busy schedule and rising grocery prices? You are not alone! Our MWU App is here to assist you in creating cheap and easy weeknight dinners that will keep you satisfied and on track with your goals! 

You can discover hundreds of quick and easy recipes on the MWU App that are cheap and easy today! Enjoy a sneak-peak of our top 5 favourite meals below for free!

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Noodles

Ingredients
(serves 2)

• 300g Chicken Thigh (Raw)
• 100g 2 Minute Noodles (wholegrain)
• 10g Honey
• 160g Broccoli
• 10g Cornflour
• 20ml Teriyaki Sauce
• 1tsp Sriracha
• 2 tsp Tamari
• 1 cup Chicken stock

Directions

1. Mix corn flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water in small bowl and set aside.
2. To slow cooker add chicken to bottom. Top with soy, honey, teriyaki, sriracha, tamari, corn flour water and chicken stock.
3. Mix until combined. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
4. In the meantime, cut broccoli into small florets and set aside.
5. Once chicken is cooked, break apart using tongs. Add broccoli to slow cooker and cover to cook for 10 minutes. Add uncooked noodles to slow cooker and press down to submerge in liquid. Additional stock can be added if required to ensure noodles cook. Cover and cook for a further 10 minutes.
6. Using tongs mix noodles with chicken and broccoli before serving.

One Pot Pesto Pasta

Ingredients
(Serves 4)

• 280g Pasta (Raw)
• 160g Basil Pesto
• 520g Chicken Breast (Raw)
• 280g Broccoli

Directions

1. Heat pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through. Using two forks shred chicken and set aside.
2. Replace water and bring to a boil. Add pasta to pot.
3. Cut broccoli into small florets. Place wire rack over pot of pasta and add broccoli florets on top to steam. Place lid on top and steam broccoli for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
4. Drain pasta water and add pesto, chicken and broccoli to pot. Stir to combine.

Pulled Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

• 3x Corn Tortillas
• 100g Chicken Breast (Raw)
• 80g Capsicum
• 100g Diced Tomatoes
• 35g Cheddar Cheese (Light)
• 4g Olive Oil
• 2 tsp Fajita Seasoning
• Red Onion, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare ingredients: slice capsicum and onion in thin strips. Slice chicken breast into 0.5 inch strips.
2. In mixing bowl add chicken, capsicum and onion. Add fajita seasoning and mix to combine.
3. Heat pan over medium heat and add oil. Add chicken to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes each side, until cooked through. Remove chicken and using two forks shred, set aside.
4. To pan add capsicum and onion. Fry off for 3-4 minutes. Add diced tomatoes to pan with shredded chicken, mix to combine.
5. Gently press each side of corn tortillas on top of mixture to coat.
6. Heat a separate pan over medium heat and add corn tortilla. Top one side of corn tortilla with cheese and chicken mixture. Fold tortilla over and press. Cook for 1-2 minute each side.

*This meal can be stored in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Crispy Salmon Bowl

Ingredients

• 100g Salmon (Skin Off) (Raw)
• 8g Honey
• 125g Microwave Rice (Basmati, Jasmine, Long Grain)
• 50g Avocado
• 70g Cucumber
• 8g Kewpie Sriracha Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Soy Sauce
• 1 tsp Chilli Flakes (optional)
• Scallions, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare vegetables: roughly chop scallions, slice avocado and slice cucumber.
2. Prepare salmon, cut salmon into cubes.
3. Add salmon to bowl and top with honey, soy sauce, chilli flakes and paprika. Mix to combine.
4. Transfer salmon to air fryer basket and cook at 180c degrees for 10-12 minutes.
5. Microwave rice as per packet instructions.
6. Prepare bowl: Add rice to bottom of bowl and top with salmon, cucumber, avocado, scallions and sriracha mayonnaise.

*This meal can be stored in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge for 2-3 days

Budget Fried Rice

Ingredients
(Serves 4)

• 400g Bacon Rasher (Raw)
• 500g Microwave Rice (Basmati, Jasmine, Long Grain)
• 400g Mixed Vegetables (Frozen)
• 8 tsp Soy Sauce

Directions

1. Microwave rice as per packet instructions.
2. Finely dice bacon.
3. Heat pan over medium heat apply a light spray of oil, if required. Cook bacon for 3-4 minutes. Add frozen vegetables to pan and cook with bacon for 2-3 minutes. Add rice to pan with soy sauce and stir to combine.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes and enjoy!

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