Three warming and low cost meals you can make at home this Autumn/Winter.
As the days get colder, a warm homemade meal can bring both comfort and calm. These three dishes are simple to make in a small kitchen, budget-friendly, and full of seasonal flavour.
1) Spiced Lentil & Coconut Dahl
A creamy, gently spiced dish that is filling, affordable and high in protein.
You need:
Red lentils • onion • curry powder or garam masala • stock cube • tinned tomatoes or coconut milk • oil or butter
How to make:
- Soften chopped onion in a little oil or butter, then stir in curry powder.
- Add lentils and either tinned tomatoes or coconut milk plus stock.
- Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until creamy and thick.
Serve with rice, naan or buttered toast. Add frozen spinach or peas at the end for extra goodness.
2) Autumn Vegetable Soup
Easy, versatile and ideal for using up leftover vegetables. It also freezes well for future meals.
You need:
Onion • carrot • potato • any other veg (leek, celery, squash etc.) • stock cube • oil or butter
How to make:
- Chop the vegetables and soften briefly in butter or oil.
- Add stock and simmer 20–25 minutes until tender.
- Blend until smooth or leave chunky as you prefer.
3) Sausage, Apple & Onion Tray Bake
A one-tray meal with the sweet and savoury flavours of autumn.
You need:
Sausages • onions • apples • potatoes or squash • oil • honey or jam • mustard
How to make:
- Place chopped veg, apples and sausages on a tray, drizzle with oil and roast at 190°C for 30-40 minutes.
- Mix a little honey or jam with mustard and drizzle over the tray for the final 10 minutes.
- Return to the oven until everything is golden and sticky.
This meal cooks on one tray, which makes washing up simple.
Simple meals, big comfort.
You do not need expensive ingredients to eat well in autumn.
A warm bowl of soup, a simple tray bake or a gently spiced dish can support both physical wellbeing and peace of mind through darker evenings.
If you try one of these recipes, we would love to know how it turned out!