Families can eat seven dinners for less than 72p per person after Asda created a meal plan using its cut price Essentials range. The supermarket has drawn up a shopping list and set of recipes to help people on tightening budgets.
And with the whole amount for the week's dinners coming to £20 it means each meal sets you back just £2.86 and feeds a family of four. The menu is varied and includes favourites like bangers and mash, fish pie, pasta and stew.
The supermarket's recipes take people through how to cook the meals step-by-step making it easy for less confident cooks to have a go. Every ingredient comes from the Essentials range which was launched last year to replace the Smart Price brand and has prices starting at 16p.
The move was welcomed by many Asda shoppers. Posting on Facebook Alan Bob Pearson said: "Just essentials meals are great if on a budget or something quick. The taste good too." Daniel McKenzie wrote: "That looks quite good and I could choose to add veg to it, worth looking at for those it can help." And Sharon Leach said: "I do think this essentials range is helping people."
The meal plan begins with Sausage and Mash for Monday then runs through Fish Biryani, Fish Pie, Frittata, Tuna Pasta, Chicken Stew and Rice and Chicken Pasta. While there is no traditional Sunday roast there were also some grumbles from followers on Facebook who objected to the three fish meals and lack of fruit and veg.
But others were quick to point out the fish could be switched for other proteins while fruit and veg could be added to make the meals more nutritious.
Speaking on its new meal plan, ASDA said: “As the rising cost of living continues to put pressure on families, many customers will be looking for ways to cut costs whilst still enjoying the meals they love. To help shoppers make their money go further this year, Asda is launching a new initiative allowing shoppers to feed a family of four an evening meal for a week for under £20.”
Acting Chief Customer Officer Sam Dickson told The Sun: “Our reputation for offering quality, low-cost food products means that we’re trusted by families and shoppers looking for good food on a budget.
“Following the successful launch of our Just Essentials range, our seven meals for £20 plan goes one step further. By offering recipe suggestions that can help customers create delicious, healthy meals for the whole family.”
