Tesco One-Pan Cheap Student Plan — 2,000 kcal

Free 7-day cheap student meal plan for Tesco. Targets ~2000 kcal/day with a full shopping list, macro breakdown, and AI meal swaps — no sign-up needed.

SupermarketTesco
Calorie target~2000 kcal/day
Weekly budget£30–40
Prep difficultyLow (10–20 min/day)
Best forStudents on a tight budget
DietAll diets

Estimated daily macros

Protein
100g
Carbs
225g
Fats
70g
Fibre
25g

Your 7-Day Meal Plan

Monday

1720 kcal122g protein
Breakfast280 kcal · 9g protein · 5 min

Chia Seed Pudding with Mango

Made with chia seeds, coconut milk, mango chunks. Ready in 5 min — 280 kcal, 9g protein.

Lunch400 kcal · 18g protein · 15 min

Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Wholemeal Roll

Made with red lentils, carrot, onion. Ready in 15 min — 400 kcal, 18g protein.

Dinner590 kcal · 46g protein · 20 min

Lean Beef Stir-Fry with Brown Rice and Frozen Veg

Made with lean beef strips, brown rice, frozen stir-fry veg. Ready in 20 min — 590 kcal, 46g protein.

Snack200 kcal · 35g protein · 3 min

Chocolate Protein Shake

Made with whey protein powder, semi-skimmed milk. Ready in 3 min — 200 kcal, 35g protein.

Snack250 kcal · 14g protein · 3 min

Reduced-Fat Cheddar on Oatcakes

Made with reduced-fat cheddar, oatcakes. Ready in 3 min — 250 kcal, 14g protein.

Weekly Shopping List

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

Protein

  • Red lentils 100g
  • Lean beef strips 200g
  • Cod fillet 180g
  • Salmon fillet 180g
  • Firm tofu 200g
  • Turkey breast slices 80g
  • King prawns 150g
  • Beef stock 300ml
  • Eggs 2
  • Chicken breast 180g
  • Silken tofu 150g

Carbs & Grains

  • Wholemeal roll 1
  • Brown rice 90g dry
  • Oatcakes 4
  • Rolled oats 40g
  • Rice noodles 80g dry

Vegetables

  • Carrot 1
  • Onion 1
  • Celery 2 stalks
  • Sweet potato 200g
  • Baby spinach 100g
  • Tinned tomatoes 400g
  • Spring onion 3
  • Peanuts 20g
  • Cucumber slices 4
  • Mushrooms 80g
  • Romaine lettuce leaves 4
  • Edamame beans 100g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Coconut milk 200ml
  • Semi-skimmed milk 300ml
  • Skyr 100g
  • Peanut butter 2 tbsp
  • Light cream cheese 30g

Extras & Condiments

  • Chia seeds 30g
  • Mango chunks 100g
  • Vanilla extract drop
  • Vegetable stock 500ml
  • Frozen stir-fry veg 200g
  • Soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Ginger 1 tsp
  • Whey protein powder 30g
  • Reduced-fat cheddar 40g
  • Olive oil 1 tsp
  • Paprika 1 tsp
  • Lemon 1
  • Banana half
  • Cannellini beans tinned 200g
  • Basil
  • Beansprouts 100g
  • Tamari 2 tbsp
  • Lime juice
  • Mixed leaves 80g
  • Chilli flakes pinch
  • Coriander fresh
  • Sea salt pinch
  • Back bacon rashers 2
  • Reduced-sugar baked beans 100g
  • Sesame oil 1 tsp
  • Miso paste 1 tbsp
  • Low-fat crème fraîche 50g
  • Thyme 1 tsp
  • Honey 1 tsp

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 student 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.

Is this plan suitable for meal prep?

Most recipes in this plan scale well and reheat easily. Soups, stews, and grain dishes are ideal for making in larger batches to save time midweek.

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.