Tesco Meal Planning for Families: How to Feed Four for Under £50 a Week
Feeding a family of four on a tight budget can feel like a juggling act, especially with food prices changing almost weekly. But with a bit of planning, you can still put balanced, tasty meals on the table without overspending. Tesco makes that easier thanks to affordable essentials, meal deals, and regular Clubcard discounts. This guide walks you through how to plan a full week’s worth of meals for four people, using Tesco groceries, for under £50 — including shopping lists, meal prep tips, and a realistic daily plan.
Why Plan Your Family Meals?
Meal planning saves more than money — it saves time, stress, and waste. Instead of guessing what to cook each day or making multiple trips to the store, a plan helps you stay in control. Tesco’s wide range of budget-friendly ingredients, from own-brand staples to fresh produce, gives you plenty of flexibility.
Benefits of Meal Planning
- You’ll reduce impulse buys and food waste.
- You’ll make healthier choices since meals are pre-decided.
- You’ll spend less time worrying about “what’s for dinner.”
- You’ll make full use of Tesco’s weekly deals and multi-buy offers.
The key is to build meals around affordable ingredients that can stretch across multiple recipes.
The £50 Tesco Shopping List
Here’s an example of a one-week grocery list for a family of four, based on typical Tesco prices in 2025 (Clubcard discounts applied where available).
| Category | Item | Qty | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proteins | Chicken thighs | 1.5kg | £5.50 |
| Minced beef 5% fat | 500g | £3.50 | |
| Eggs | 12-pack | £2.00 | |
| Baked beans | 4-pack | £2.20 | |
| Tuna in brine | 4 tins | £3.00 | |
| Carbs | Long-grain rice | 1kg | £1.50 |
| Spaghetti | 1kg | £1.40 | |
| Potatoes | 2.5kg | £2.20 | |
| Wholemeal bread | 2 loaves | £2.00 | |
| Veg & Fruit | Frozen mixed veg | 1kg | £1.75 |
| Fresh carrots | 1kg | £1.00 | |
| Onions | 1kg | £1.20 | |
| Apples | 6-pack | £2.00 | |
| Bananas | 6 | £1.40 | |
| Pantry & Sauces | Chopped tomatoes | 4 tins | £2.00 |
| Pasta sauce | 2 jars | £2.50 | |
| Vegetable oil | 1L | £2.25 | |
| Stock cubes | 10-pack | £1.00 | |
| Gravy granules | 200g | £1.50 | |
| Dairy | Semi-skimmed milk | 4 pints | £1.80 |
| Cheddar cheese | 400g | £3.50 | |
| Yoghurts | 6-pack | £2.25 | |
| Snacks | Digestive biscuits | 400g | £1.50 |
| Crisps | 6-pack | £1.75 | |
| TOTAL | £49.90 |
These prices fluctuate weekly, but this list provides a solid baseline for a healthy, filling weekly plan.
The 7-Day Family Meal Plan
Below is a sample week’s menu showing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s designed to minimize waste by reusing ingredients creatively.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Toast with scrambled eggs | Tuna sandwiches + apple | Chicken and vegetable rice |
| Tuesday | Porridge with banana | Beans on toast | Spaghetti bolognese |
| Wednesday | Yoghurt with fruit | Chicken sandwich + crisps | Cottage pie |
| Thursday | Boiled eggs + toast | Vegetable soup + bread | Tuna pasta bake |
| Friday | Cereal + milk | Cheese sandwich + fruit | Homemade chicken curry + rice |
| Saturday | Toast + peanut butter | Tuna salad | Baked potatoes with beans and cheese |
| Sunday | Pancakes (flour, eggs, milk) | Leftovers + fruit | Roast-style chicken traybake |
All ingredients come from the £50 basket, with flexibility for portion adjustments based on family needs.
Sample Recipe Breakdown
Chicken and Vegetable Rice
- 2 cups rice (£0.50)
- 400g chicken thighs (£1.50)
- 1 cup mixed frozen veg (£0.30)
- 1 stock cube + seasoning (£0.20)
Cost per serving: ~£1.25 for four people.
Cook the rice with stock and sautéed vegetables, then mix with browned chicken pieces for a complete, one-pan dinner.
Tuna Pasta Bake
- 300g pasta (£0.40)
- 2 tins tuna (£1.50)
- 1 jar pasta sauce (£1.25)
- Grated cheese (£1.00)
Cost per serving: ~£1.30 for four people.
Boil the pasta, stir in sauce and tuna, sprinkle cheese, and bake until golden.
Cottage Pie
- 500g minced beef (£3.50)
- 4 large potatoes (£1.00)
- 1 onion + 1 carrot (£0.60)
- Stock cube, gravy granules (£0.30)
Cost per serving: ~£1.80 for four people.
Brown the mince with chopped vegetables, add stock, and top with mashed potatoes.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
- Cook once, eat twice. Make double portions of dishes like curry or pasta bake and store leftovers for lunch.
- Freeze extras. Most cooked rice, pasta, or stews freeze well in labelled containers.
- Use leftovers creatively. Roast chicken from Sunday becomes chicken sandwiches or soup on Monday.
- Store fruit smartly. Keep bananas separate from apples to prevent overripening.
Tesco Clubcard Savings and Deals
Using a Tesco Clubcard can easily shave £5–£10 off your weekly bill. Look out for yellow-tagged Clubcard prices on:
- Meat and poultry packs (often “2 for £8”)
- Dairy staples like milk, cheese, and yoghurt
- Pasta sauces and tinned goods
- Bread and breakfast cereals
If you shop regularly, Clubcard Plus (£7.99/month) offers 10% off two in-store shops per month — which can save up to £20 monthly on family groceries.
Keeping Meals Balanced
When feeding a family on a budget, it’s tempting to focus purely on filling foods. But it’s just as important to balance macronutrients — protein, carbs, and fibre — for steady energy. Tesco’s budget range covers these easily:
- Protein: Chicken, eggs, tuna, mince, beans.
- Carbs: Wholemeal bread, rice, potatoes, pasta.
- Fibre: Frozen vegetables, fruit, beans.
- Healthy fats: Vegetable oil, cheese in moderation.
Even on a £50 plan, it’s possible to meet nutritional needs if you mix ingredients smartly.
Family-Friendly Snacks and Treats
Healthy snacks keep everyone satisfied between meals. Try:
- Fruit slices with yoghurt (£0.50 per portion)
- Toast with peanut butter (£0.30 per serving)
- Cheese and crackers (£0.40 per serving)
- Homemade popcorn (£0.20 per serving)
Avoid the temptation of processed snacks by buying multipacks of crisps or biscuits on Clubcard deals and rationing them through the week.
Adjusting the £50 Plan for Dietary Needs
- Vegetarian families: Swap chicken or beef for Plant Chef mince, Quorn, or lentils.
- Gluten-free: Choose Tesco Free From pasta and bread; cost increases by around £3 per week.
- Dairy-free: Replace milk and yoghurt with oat or almond alternatives; add £2–£3 per week.
Tesco’s Free From and Plant Chef ranges make substitutions easy without dramatically changing the cost.
Tips to Stay on Budget
- Avoid branded products. Tesco’s own-brand groceries are high quality and much cheaper.
- Stick to the list. Impulse buys are the quickest way to overspend.
- Compare unit prices. Always check the price per 100g or per litre.
- Shop evenings. Yellow-sticker discounts can save 50% or more on perishables.
- Batch cook Sunday night. Prepping big meals reduces weekday stress and waste.
- Track your spend. The Tesco Clubcard Pay+ app shows weekly grocery spending automatically.
Bonus: Printable-Style 7-Day Plan (Cost Breakdown)
| Day | Meals | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 3 meals | £6.25 |
| Tuesday | 3 meals | £6.00 |
| Wednesday | 3 meals | £6.75 |
| Thursday | 3 meals | £6.25 |
| Friday | 3 meals | £6.50 |
| Saturday | 3 meals | £6.00 |
| Sunday | 3 meals | £7.15 |
| Total | 21 meals | £48.90 |
This leaves a small buffer for milk, fruit top-ups, or extra bread later in the week.
How Tesco Compares on Family Budget Meals
| Supermarket | Average Cost (Weekly Family Shop) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco | £50 | Best mix of price and variety |
| Aldi | £46 | Slightly cheaper, fewer branded choices |
| Sainsbury’s | £53 | Wider premium options |
| Asda | £51 | Similar pricing but less consistent offers |
Tesco’s advantage lies in its Clubcard pricing and consistent product availability online and in-store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really feed a family of four on £50 a week at Tesco?
Yes. It requires planning, cooking from scratch, and using Clubcard offers, but it’s realistic.
Do these prices work for online shopping too?
Yes. Tesco’s online prices match in-store, and you can add vouchers or coupons at checkout.
How can I save even more?
Sign up for the Tesco email newsletter to get early access to promotions and digital coupons.
What if I don’t have time to cook?
Batch cook on weekends and reheat through the week. Tesco’s ready-made sauces and frozen vegetables make it easier.
Final Thoughts
Feeding a family doesn’t have to break the bank. Tesco’s mix of affordable essentials, Clubcard discounts, and online delivery services makes it one of the best supermarkets for families trying to balance nutrition, cost, and convenience. With careful planning, a realistic £50 budget, and smart use of leftovers, you can serve wholesome meals all week without sacrificing flavour or variety.
Tesco proves that family meal planning isn’t about cutting corners — it’s about making the most of what you have. The secret isn’t a bigger budget, but a smarter one.
