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23 budget-friendly meals perfect for weeknight dinner

spring lamb salad

Overhaul your weekly go-tos with fresh and affordable recipes that celebrate the new season

As the weather heats up and days get longer, it’s time to swap out hearty soups and stews for lighter dishes that make the most of fresh produce, such as crisp asparagus and juicy mangoes, and highlight seasonal flavours. We collated the ultimate list of spring recipes, which all come under $5 per serve* – with some even nutritionally approved by our nutritionist! Take advantage of everything the new season has to offer and we guarantee these recipes won’t break the bank.

Chicken and rocket salad

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Chicken and rocket salad

Whip up this speedy, budget-friendly chicken and rocket salad to make mealtime a breeze. With just five ingredients and two steps, this simple salad will be your new favourite for work lunches and light dinners.

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Spring salad

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Spring lamb salad

This recipe will become your favourite for spring entertaining and family meals. Serving eight people, it’s great for dinner parties or you can pair it with leftovers during the week. Packed with seasonal flavours, this delicious lamb salad will satisfy everyone and nothing will go to waste!

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Healthier zucchini and asparagus pizza

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Healthier zucchini and asparagus pizza

Reinvent pizza night with a zucchini-and-wholemeal flour pizza base topped with zucchini ribbons, asparagus, radish, red onion, tasty cheese and chilli flakes. Affordable, flavoursome and filling, this nutritionally approved and vegetarian-friendly recipe will wow any crowd.

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Healthier pumpkin buddha bowl

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Healthier pumpkin buddha bowl

Build the ultimate buddha bowl loaded with colourful veggies, Cajun-spiced chickpeas, fluffy brown rice and a dollop of Greek-style natural yoghurt for a simple yet delicious family meal. This healthier recipe is perfect as a quick midweek dinner or packable lunch the following day.

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Sticky teriyaki wings

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Sticky teriyaki chicken wings

Six ingredients is all you need to whip up these great value sticky teriyaki chicken wings. They are so affordable and filling, you'll want to make them again and again. Whip up this budget-friendly meal during the week for an easy dinner.

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falafel and pumpkin salad

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Falafel and pumpkin salad

This wallet-friendly falafel and pumpkin salad is so easy to make and packed with flavour. Although it has low ingredients, it’s super filling and you’ll definitely be satisfied with this hearty salad.

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Healthier chicken schnitzel

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Healthier chicken schnitzel

This healthier twist on a family favourite is sure to become a mainstay in your kitchen. With four easy-to-follow steps, you'll be serving up tender chicken breast fillets in a crunchy almond and parmesan crumb with a side of zingy coleslaw in no time.

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Italian tuna and bean salad

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Italian tuna and bean salad

Light, refreshing and filling, this Italian-style tuna and bean salad will always hit the spot. Affordable canned tuna makes this speedy salad great value and easy to pack for work lunches so you can avoid eating out.

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Beetroot and lentil burger

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Beetroot and lentil burger

Burger night just got better with this deliciously good beetroot and lentil recipe. Make the most of affordable pantry ingredients with a great value option for meat-free Monday. It’ll be a hit with the whole family.

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Tofu pumpkin and mixed seed salad

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Tofu, pumpkin and mixed seeds salad

Shake up your mealtime routine with this hearty tofu, pumpkin and mixed seed salad. It’s vegetarian, budget-friendly and big on crunch and flavour.

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Healthier spinach pie

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Healthier spinach pie

With a perfect flaky crust on the outside and a creamy ricotta and spinach filling on the inside, this nutritionally approved spinach pie will impress on any dinner table. The whole family will love this affordable and warming weeknight meal.

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Beef and charred kale salad

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Beef and charred kale salad

On the table in 20 minutes, this budget-friendly beef and charred kale salad will impress everyone with its tasty flavour pairings. Topped with mixed olives and Italian dressing, this colourful salad will keep you full and satisfied.

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Healthy tuna sushi bowls

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Healthier tuna sushi bowls

This tasty Japanese-inspired recipe will transport your family’s tastebuds to Tokyo! Featuring tuna, rice, avocado, roasted seaweed, wasabi peas, cucumber and spring onion, whip out this fuss-free, nutritionally approved dinner option when you don’t have time to roll your own sushi rolls. It’s guaranteed to be a hit every time.

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Simple mango salad

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Simple mango salad

An essential recipe for outdoor entertaining, this refreshing and fruity mango salad with mint, coriander and red onion packs a real flavour punch and will certainly impress guests. It’s nutritionally approved and ready in 10 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on all the fun.

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Spanakopita stuffed mushrooms

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Healthier spanakopita-style stuffed mushrooms

Big fan of mushrooms? This nutritionally approved stuffed mushroom recipe is easy to prepare. Feta and spinach bring spanakopita-inspired flavours to this delicious family meal, which can also be served as an appetiser or side dish when entertaining guests.

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Tuna and asparagus primavera

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Tuna and asparagus primavera

This lighter take on a tuna casserole is fit for spring entertaining, transporting guests to an Italian lunch with every delicious bite. Featuring fettuccine tossed with tuna flakes, fresh asparagus and lemon juice, this simple pasta recipe will become your new go-to dish.

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Thai-style Mango Chicken

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Thai-style mango chicken

This Thai-inspired recipe balances the spiciness of satay chicken with the sweetness of mango, delivering a flavour burst that’s simple and sophisticated. This simple recipe works just as well for a celebration meal as it does as a midweek family dinner.

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Beetroot Patties With Smashed Avocado and Corn Salsa

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Beetroot patties with smashed avocado and corn salsa

Whip out this bunless burger recipe when you’re low on time. Beetroot and blackbean veggie patties are topped with smashed avocado and a tasty corn, tomato and onion salsa for a textural crunch that will have you singing the praises of spring’s vegetable bounty.

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Easy Chicken And Greens Stir-fry

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Easy chicken and greens stir-fry

Whip this quick and flavourful stir-fry up and you’ll be adding this recipe to your repertoire before you can say “sizzle”! Succulent chicken-thigh pieces and green veggies marry with a soy, honey and garlic sauce until tender. Serve with brown rice for a full meal.

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Chipotle Prawn Pizza

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Chipotle prawn pizza

Spice up your pizza night with this fiery homemade recipe that will take your tastebuds on an adventurous ride. Top Lebanese-bread wraps with prawns, garlic, spring onion, cheese and chipotle sauce for a creative yet easy dinner.

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Kebab & Bean Greek Salad Bowl

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Kebab and bean greek salad bowl

Elevate your salad rotation with this Greek-style bowl of goodness. From the pantry to the table in 30 minutes, this easy recipe features juicy lamb kebabs, a hearty salad and toasted Lebanese bread: the perfect fit for busy weeknights.

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Baked Fish Parcels With Broccoli Rice

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Baked fish parcels with broccoli rice

All the style and none of the headaches right here. Serve up tender, juicy basa fish parcels with fragrant broccoli basmati rice in 20 minutes. It’s a recipe you can cook to impress (without any stress!), or have as an easy midweek dinner.

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Tomato Calzone

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Tomato calzone

This Italian tomato calzone (folded pizza!) will take your pizza party to the next level. A quick and easy recipe, it involves filling a yoghurt and flour dough with tomato and mozzarella, then baking it to perfection. Bon appétit!

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