5 Ways to Save with Meal Planning

Food expenses represent one of the largest monthly expenditure categories for most families. However, with smart meal planning, you can significantly reduce these costs whilst minimising food waste. In this article, we'll explore five proven strategies to save money through meal planning.

5 Key Strategies for Saving with Meal Planning

1. Plan ahead using a pantry inventory
2. Use AI tools for smart shopping lists
3. Cook in bulk and freeze
4. Choose economical recipes and versatile ingredients
5. Use apps to save on shopping

1. Meal Planning with AI

The artificial intelligence in MenuMagic transforms meal planning into a quick and efficient process. Our AI system:

• Customises meal plans based on:

  • Dietary preferences
  • Available ingredients
  • Cooking time
  • Desired budget

• Suggests recipes that:

  • Maximise your food budget
  • Reduce waste
  • Fit your lifestyle

Saving with Smart Shopping Lists

Automated shopping lists help you:

Benefit	How You Save
Avoid double purchases	Reduces unnecessary spending
Plan around offers	Take advantage of discounts
Organise by category	More efficient shopping
Share with family	Better coordination

Did you know that 30-40% of food in Europe is wasted annually? [1] With smart meal planning, you can reduce this waste and save money.

2. Cooking with What's in Your Pantry

To save money and reduce waste, start by checking what you already have. Here's a guide to checking your kitchen inventory:

Inventory Check

1. Pantry

   • Tins and dry goods
   • Herbs and sauces
   • Oils and vinegars

2. Fridge

   • Fresh produce
   • Dairy
   • Leftovers

3. Freezer

   • Meat and fish
   • Frozen vegetables
   • Prepared meals

Storage Area	Organisation Tips	How It Helps You Save
Pantry	Label and date	Avoid double purchases
Fridge	Organise by shelf	Reduce waste
Freezer	Use labelled containers	Maximise space

Preparing Meals with Available Ingredients

Alea Milham, food savings expert, suggests:

Versatile staple ingredients to keep on hand:

• Rice and pasta
• Dried pulses
• Tinned tomatoes
• Essential herbs and spices
• Olive oil

To make the most of your ingredients, try cooking extra portions with the intention of repurposing them into new meals. For example, leftover taco filling can become a taco salad or enchiladas, whilst extra chicken and rice can turn into a comforting chicken and rice soup [3].

3. Cook in Bulk and Freeze

Batch cooking and freezing meals is a clever strategy for optimising your food budget. Buying in bulk can save you 10-15% compared to smaller packages [4]. Plus, this approach allows you to take advantage of offers and always have ready-made meals on hand.

Why Batch Cook

Batch cooking simplifies shopping and meal preparation. Chef Mélissa Nassif perfectly explains:

When planning to batch cook, you can enjoy these benefits:

• Fewer shopping trips: Reduces impulse purchases and unnecessary shop visits
• Bulk ingredient usage: Allows you to maximise discounts
• Ready-made meals: Reduces the temptation to order takeaway
• Controlled portions: Helps prevent food waste

Make sure meals are completely cool before freezing. Label containers with the recipe name, date, and reheating instructions for easy use [5].

Best Dishes to Freeze

Some dishes freeze better than others, and many family favourites are perfect for this method. Here are some that keep well:

Dish Type	Storage Tip	Reheating Method
Casseroles	Wrap well in foil	Heat at 175°C, loosely covered
Soups/Stews	Use airtight containers	Heat on low on the hob
Enchiladas	Freeze individually	Heat in microwave or oven
Baked Pasta	Freeze before baking	Thaw first, then bake

For best results, use high-quality freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. Lay bags flat to freeze, then store upright to save space. Wrap foods in greaseproof paper if needed and try to use frozen meals within 1-3 months [5]. Also, always defrost food in the fridge rather than on the worktop to maintain its quality [6].

Following these tips, you'll be able to keep your meals tasty whilst reducing waste and saving money. Continue reading for more economical meal ideas in the next section.

4. Create a List of Economical Meals

Planning economical meals is essential for sticking to a budget. Start by creating a list of regular recipes that align with weekly offers and are budget-friendly. Nutritionist Andrea Mathis explains:

Economical Meal Rotation

Here's an example of how you can organise your meals throughout the week:

Day of Week	Meal Type	Example Dish
Monday	Meat-free	Lentil curry
Tuesday	Egg-based	Vegetable omelette
Wednesday	Budget Protein	Roast chicken
Thursday	Pasta	Spaghetti with homemade sauce
Friday	Creative Leftovers	New version of chicken
Saturday	Grains and Pulses	Rice and beans
Sunday	Batch Cook	Meat stew

Planning Extra Portions

Make your ingredients work harder:

• Cook proteins in bulk to use across multiple meals
• Combine expensive ingredients with budget-friendly alternatives
• Substitute with cheaper local options when possible

The Mayo Clinic Press highlights:

Kim Doughty-McCannon from Bell Urban Farm shares her approach:

Before shopping, check your pantry and shop leaflets. This helps avoid double purchases and maximise savings from offers. Keep a list of staple items you regularly use and their average prices to identify good deals.

5. Use Apps to Save on Shopping

Digital tools like MenuMagic can transform your shopping experience. With smart shopping lists and sharing features, you can:

• Create shopping lists organised by shop section
• Share lists with family to avoid double purchases
• Track prices and offers to maximise savings
• Plan meals around items on offer

MenuMagic goes beyond basic shopping lists. It uses AI to help you:

• Generate automatically categorised shopping lists
• Suggest more economical substitutes
• Calculate precise quantities to avoid waste
• Find recipes using ingredients on offer

Save with Smart Lists

Smart shopping lists can significantly reduce your food spending:

Feature	How It Helps You Save
Categorisation	Avoids impulse purchases by keeping you focused
Sharing	Prevents family double purchases
Tracking	Helps identify best prices
Planning	Enables taking advantage of offers in advance

Start Saving Today

Food waste costs families an average of £1,500 per year [10]. With meal planning, you can significantly reduce this amount. Start with these simple steps:

1. Take inventory of your kitchen
2. Use digital tools to generate organised shopping lists
3. Plan meals around offers
4. Prepare extra portions for freezing
5. Keep track of what works for your family

As Jen Schreiner notes:

With the right tools and a bit of planning, you can transform your food shopping approach and start saving today. Try MenuMagic for free and discover how smart meal planning can help you save time and money.