Saving money on household expenses doesn’t mean you have to compromise on family meals. When you’re feeding a crowd, go for one-dish, budget-friendly meals so that you don’t break the bank. The key is to keep mealtimes interesting on a budget is to cook a variety of recipes every day.
One day, you’re having a cheese and mushroom tart, and the next, you’re serving up chicken burgers. This way, budget-friendly meals will not, and don’t need to, come across as cheap. Aside from buying your ingredients from the wet market, you can also check out local recipes from this cookbook.

The beauty of a savoury tart is you don’t have to eat a lot of it to feel full and satisfied. This cheese and mushroom tart makes a hearty meal for young and old. It comes with a tasty buttery crust that will goes wonderfully with the eggy-cheesy-and-mushroomy filling.
When you’re on a budget but want to create a hearty and fulfilling meal, chicken burgers are the way to go. Think chicken thigh fillets, brioche buns, pickles and a refreshing slaw.
Think of the mulligatawny soup as a curry soup or a soupy curry filled with vegetables like carrots, tomatoes and lentils. This meatless goes well with flatbread (also in this recipe), rice and even glass noodles, and you’ve got a fulfilling meal.
Eggplants (and brinjals) don’t have to be boring. Top them with cheese and lamb mince, and baked them to silky, tender perfection. And you’ve got yourself a wholesome meal. This is also a tasty way to introduce eggplant to kids who are trying it for the first time.
Instead of cooking several smaller dishes, cook one tasty dish that gives you carb, protein and fibre. The easiest way to put everything in one meal is to cook fried rice. This version of the sweet-savoury nasi goreng comes with charred broccolini, chicken and a variety of garnishes. It also gives you a hit of umami with shrimp paste.
Text: Simone Wu