‘Low cost’ cupboard essentials to ‘bulk up meals’ on a budget

Beans

While many people enjoy tomato-coated baked beans, adding different varieties to your diet is a surefire way to stay fuller for longer.

Any kind of bean can be added to meaty dishes that use minced meat, think chilli, bolognese, shepherd’s pie, and even homemade sausage rolls.

You can even substitute meat entirely for a mixture of beans and vegetables to make a vegetarian-friendly meal on a budget.

For a quick snack, creamy cannellini or butter beans can be blended up into a dip for bread, crackers, vegetables, or all three.