8 Budget-Friendly Meals Using Chopped Tomatoes

Chopped tomatoes are a budget-friendly hero. These 8 easy recipes turn a humble tin into delicious meals that are perfect for busy weeknights and cheap dinners.

Meals using chopped tomatoes

Chopped omatoes are one of the most useful, affordable and underrated staples you can keep in your kitchen cupboard. Whether you’re whipping up a quick pasta, a hearty stew, or a comforting curry, tinned tomatoes are a brilliant base for so many delicious dishes.

At a time when food prices are rising, I’m all about recipes that are budget friendly, big on flavour, and easy to make — and chopped tomatoes are perfect for that. They’re cheap, they last ages, and they help you create meals that are satisfying and packed with goodness.

In this post, I’m sharing 8 of my go-to budget dinner ideas using chopped tomatoes — meals that are simple, nourishing, and ideal for busy weeknights. And even better, all recipes are made using the slow cooker.

Let’s dive in.

Slow Cooker Spicy Tomato, Tortellini and Chilli Soup

Tomato soup with pasta, this is real comfort food. You can roast the tomatoes before they go in the slow cooker which will give you a greater depth of flavour but, if you don’t have time, you can just throw it all in together and leave it to do its thing. As with all these soup recipes, you can make this on the hob but your slow cooker will save on energy and require less of your attention. Slow cooker recipe is from my book Bored of Lunch Healthy Slow Cooker: Even Easier.

Slow Cooker Spicy Tomato, Tortellini and Chilli Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Curry

Serve this slow cooker beef curry with a generous portion of rice for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. And if you’re watching your calorie intake, simply adjust the rice portion down to 150g without sacrificing any of the flavour!

Slow Cooker Beef Curry

Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

Slow Cooker Cottage Pie – the ultimate time, money, and calorie saver! This one-pot wonder is designed to cut corners without compromising taste. At just £1.70 per serving, it’s a budget-friendly delight you can’t resist!

Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

Slow Cooker Lasagne Soup

Discover the ultimate comfort food for your family with this slow cooker Lasagna recipe. Bringing together the timeless appeal of lasagna with the convenience of slow cooker cooking – this dish is a surefire way to satisfy everyone at the table. A timeless favourite for cosy family gatherings!

Slow Cooker Lasagne Soup

Slow Cooker Sausage & Baby Potato Casserole

Nothing compares to dipping butter-slathered bread into a casserole like this when the weather is miserable. I’ve used cocktail sausages here but you could use large sausages if you prefer. Add the cornflour paste if you like a thicker sauce.

Slow Cooker Beef Casserole

Slow Cooker Bolognese

If you’re searching for a delicious and healthy meal option, look no further than this slow cooker / crockpot lean spaghetti bolognese. With only 245 calories per serving (not including the pasta), this dish is a guilt-free way to enjoy a classic Italian favourite.

Slow Cooker Bolognese

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

A stunning curry to batch cook or meal prep in your slow cooker. Minimal effort and helps make the midweek meals less stressful.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Slowcooker Creamy Beef & Black Pudding Meatballs

Get these on your weekly meal plan, the most incredible creamy meatballs made with beef mince and black pudding.

Slow Cooker Creamy Beef & Blackpudding Meatballs

Why Chopped Tomatoes Are a Budget-Friendly Hero

Chopped tomatoes are one of the cheapest ingredients in the supermarket — often under £1 a tin — but they’re also incredibly versatile. You can use them to build sauces, soups, stews, or curries, and they work with pretty much any protein or veg you’ve got.

They’re also packed with goodness — full of vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants like lycopene, especially when cooked. And because they’re preserved at peak ripeness, they’re often tastier than out-of-season fresh tomatoes.

So whether you’re cooking for one, feeding the family, or just trying to stretch your weekly shop a bit further, tinned tomatoes are one of the best ingredients you can rely on.

More Ways to Use Chopped Tomatoes

If you’ve got more tins in the cupboard and want inspiration, here are some other quick ideas:

Blitz with garlic and basil for a simple tomato soup
Use as a base for homemade pizza sauce
Add to a traybake with sausages and red onions
Stir into chilli con carne or Bolognese
Cook with eggs, chilli and black beans for a Mexican-inspired breakfast

Happy Cooking!

Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavour. With just a few tins of tomatoes, a couple of store cupboard staples, and a bit of imagination, you can whip up meals that are delicious, satisfying, and kind to your wallet.

These 5 budget friendly meals using tinned tomatoes are some of my absolute go-tos — easy to make, full of flavour, and perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’ve got a tin or two to use up, or you’re just looking to keep costs down while still eating well, give one of these a try.

Let me know which one you make first — and don’t forget to tag @boredoflunch if you share your creations on Instagram or TikTok!