Tesco Cook-Once Weekly Cheap High Protein Plan — 1,800 kcal

Free printable UK cheap high protein meal plan for Tesco: 7 days at ~1,800 kcal/day, £30–40/week estimate, macros and shopping list.

SupermarketTesco
Calorie target~1800 kcal/day
Weekly budget£30–40
Prep difficultyBatch cook (prep on Sunday)
Best forMaximum protein on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
130g
Carbs
200g
Fats
60g
Fibre
35g

Plan Quick Facts

Best forMaximum protein on a tight budget
Calories~1800 kcal/day
Budget£30–40/week estimate
Prep styleBatch cook (prep on Sunday)
Includes7 days, recipes, macros, PDF export and shopping list
DietAll diets

Export This Meal Plan as a PDF

Print this 7-day meal plan or save it as a PDF. The printable meal plan summary includes every meal, daily calories, protein totals and the full weekly shopping list.

7-day meal plan

Weekly shopping list

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1800 kcal113g protein
Breakfast395 kcal · 12g protein · 3 min

Bran Flakes with Semi-Skimmed Milk and Berries

Made with bran flakes, semi-skimmed milk, frozen mixed berries. Ready in 3 min — 395 kcal, 12g protein.

Recipe
  1. Add the base ingredients to a bowl: Bran Flakes 55g, Semi-skimmed milk 245ml, Frozen mixed berries 100g, Honey 1.25 tsp.
  2. Top with the fruit, nuts, seeds, or honey listed.
  3. Eat straight away, or cover and chill for later the same day.
Lunch505 kcal · 22g protein · 25 min

Green Lentil and Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl

Made with green lentils, sweet potato, baby spinach. Ready in 25 min — 505 kcal, 22g protein.

Recipe
  1. Wash and chop the salad or vegetable ingredients: Green lentils 125g dry, Sweet potato 245g, Baby spinach 75g, Tahini 25g, Lemon juice, Cumin 1.25 tsp.
  2. Cook or warm any protein or grains listed, then let them cool slightly.
  3. Combine everything in a bowl, season, and pack dressing separately if meal prepping.
Dinner653 kcal · 57g protein · 35 min

Chicken Tagine with Wholemeal Couscous

Made with chicken thighs, wholemeal couscous, tinned tomatoes. Ready in 35 min — 653 kcal, 57g protein.

Recipe
  1. Prepare the ingredients: Chicken thighs 270g, Wholemeal couscous 100g dry, Tinned tomatoes 245g, Tinned chickpeas 125g, Onion 1, Ras el hanout 2.5 tsp, Lemon 1.
  2. Cook the main protein or vegetables in a pan over medium heat until cooked through.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, heat until piping hot, season to taste, and serve.
Snack247 kcal · 22g protein · 5 min

Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Crackers

Made with smoked salmon, light cream cheese, rye crackers. Ready in 5 min — 247 kcal, 22g protein.

Recipe
  1. Lay out the ingredients: Smoked salmon 75g, Light cream cheese 35g, Rye crackers 4.
  2. Drain, slice, or portion anything that needs preparing.
  3. Assemble in a bowl or container, season, and eat cold or microwave until hot if preferred.

Weekly Shopping List

Estimated cost: £30–40/week for one person from Tesco.

Protein

  • Green lentils 125g dry
  • Chicken thighs 270g
  • Tinned chickpeas 125g
  • Smoked salmon 75g
  • Tinned tuna in spring water 185g
  • Green lentils 135g
  • Firm tofu 270g
  • Turkey mince lean 200g
  • Chicken stock 110ml
  • Mackerel fillet 200g
  • Chicken breast 180g
  • Salmon fillet 200g
  • Red lentils 120g
  • Eggs 2 hard-boiled
  • Cod fillet 245g

Carbs & Grains

  • Baking potato 260g
  • Brown rice 130g dry
  • New potatoes 280g
  • Rolled oats 70g
  • Orzo pasta 70g dry
  • Wholemeal bread 2 slices

Vegetables

  • Sweet potato 245g
  • Baby spinach 75g
  • Tinned tomatoes 245g
  • Onion 1
  • Sweetcorn 75g
  • Mushrooms 260g
  • Frozen peas 130g
  • Courgette 1
  • Red pepper 1
  • Spring onion 3
  • Cherry tomatoes 9
  • Cucumber 55g
  • Broccoli 225g
  • Carrot 1
  • Celery 2 stalks
  • Cucumber half

Dairy & Eggs

  • Semi-skimmed milk 245ml
  • Light cream cheese 35g
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt 40g
  • Skyr 195g
  • Tinned coconut milk light 270ml
  • Peanut butter 1 tbsp
  • Oat milk 240ml
  • Cottage cheese 180g

Extras & Condiments

  • Bran Flakes 55g
  • Frozen mixed berries 100g
  • Honey 1.25 tsp
  • Tahini 25g
  • Lemon juice
  • Cumin 1.25 tsp
  • Wholemeal couscous 100g dry
  • Ras el hanout 2.5 tsp
  • Lemon 1
  • Rye crackers 4
  • Vegetable stock 775ml
  • Parmesan 25g
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Mixed frozen veg 270g
  • Curry paste 40g
  • Apple 1
  • Walnuts 25g
  • Mustard dressing 20g
  • Watercress 45g
  • Dark chocolate 70% 35g
  • Almonds 20g
  • Mixed leaves 90g
  • Lemon dressing 15g
  • Olive oil 1 tbsp
  • Dill 1 tsp
  • Chia seeds 2.5 tsp
  • Maple syrup 1.25 tsp
  • Parsley fresh
  • Lean lamb shoulder 240g
  • Cinnamon 1.25 tsp
  • Light mayo 25g
  • Mustard 1.25 tsp
  • Green beans 185g
  • Parsley
  • Dried cranberries 25g

Swaps & Suggestions

💰 Make it cheaper

  • Replace fresh salmon with tinned mackerel or sardines in brine (saves ~£2–3/week)
  • Buy store-brand rolled oats, rice, and pasta — nutritionally identical to branded
  • Use frozen chicken breast instead of fresh (saves ~£1.50/week, same protein)
  • Swap fresh berries for frozen mixed berries (same nutrients, fraction of the cost)
  • Buy pulses (lentils, chickpeas, black beans) dried and cook in bulk

💪 Increase protein

  • Add a scoop of unflavoured whey or plant protein to porridge or smoothies
  • Replace rice or pasta with extra protein (an additional chicken breast or 2 boiled eggs)
  • Use Skyr or Quark instead of standard yogurt (roughly 2× the protein)
  • Add a hard-boiled egg as an afternoon snack on rest days
  • Swap rice cakes or crackers for a protein bar (aim for 20g+ protein, under 200 kcal)

🥦 Make it vegetarian

  • Replace chicken with Quorn fillets or diced firm tofu
  • Swap beef mince for tinned green lentils or plant-based mince
  • Use halloumi or feta instead of meat in lunch salads
  • Substitute eggs or cottage cheese for fish-based meals

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does this cheap high protein plan cost per week?

This plan is designed for Tesco and typically costs £30–40 per week for one person, depending on what you already have at home. Buying in bulk, choosing own-brand items, and batch cooking can reduce the cost further.

How much protein does this plan provide per day?

Protein is balanced across the week. Most days provide 100–130g, which meets general UK dietary guidelines for active adults.

Can I swap meals I don't like?

Yes. Use the AI edit button on any meal to swap it out. Common requests include swapping chicken for turkey, replacing salmon with tinned tuna, or making a day vegetarian. The shopping list updates automatically.

Can I print this cheap high protein meal plan or save it as a PDF?

Yes. Use the export / print PDF button on the plan page. The printable version summarises the full 7-day meal plan and includes the weekly shopping list.

Is this plan suitable for meal prep?

Yes — this plan is specifically designed for batch cooking. Prep everything on Sunday in 60–90 minutes and portion into containers for the week ahead.

Is this plan suitable for beginners?

Yes. The meals use widely available ingredients and straightforward cooking methods. No specialist equipment or culinary experience is needed.

Feedback

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