The Cost of Our Favourite Meals Since 2019

The table below shows how much our 20 favourite meals have increased in price compared to September 2019:

As we can see from the table above, making fish and chips at home has risen the most in price since 2019. This is largely due to the meal requiring a litre of cooking oil, an ingredient that has increased in price by 130% in the last 5 years.

Shepherds pie comes in second place due to the price of lamb increasing by 127% since 2019. This huge increase in the price of lamb compared to beef explains why shepherd's pie is second on our list but cottage pie is only 16th.

Italian favourites like spaghetti bolognese and lasagne have also seen large increases in price mainly due to tomatoes increasing in price by 66% in the last five years.

You can see how each of our favourite meals, and their ingredients, has increased in price over the last five years below:

1. Roast Chicken and Trimmings (£1.79 more expensive - serves 4)

• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 2 carrots (9p - 9p) (no change)
• 1.5kg whole chicken (£4.13 - £5.70) (+1.57p)
• 1 lemon (24p - 30p) (+6p)
• 10 grams thyme (17p - 26p) (+9p)
• 25 grams butter (18p - 18p) (no change)
• 1 tbsp plain flour (0.07p - 0.07p) (no change)
• 1 chicken stock cube (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• 500 grams Maris Piper Potatoes (60p - 60p)

2. Fish and chips (£2.72 more expensive - serves 2 )

• 70 grams flour (0.4p - 0.5p) (no change)
• 50 grams cornflour (45p - 50p) (+5p)
• 1 tsp baking powder (1p - 1p) (no change)
• Pinch of turmeric (2p - 3p) (+1p)
• 75ml lager (48p - 59p) (+11p)
• 75ml sparkling water (3p - 4p) (+1p)
• 1 litre sunflower oil (£1.10 - £2.50) (+1.40)
• 400 grams haddock (£3.30 - £4.44) (+1.14)
• 750 grams Maris Piper Potatoes (75p - 75p) (no change)

3. Pizza (£1.11 more expensive - serves 4)

• 300 grams bread flour (33p -35p) (+2p)
• 5 grams instant yeast (13p - 13p) (no change)
• 5 grams salt (1p - 1p) (no change)
• 10 ml olive oil (3p - 8p) (+5p)
• 100 ml passata (21p - 35p) (+14p)
• Handful of basil (21p - 52p) (+31p)
• 1 clove of garlic (3p - 5p) (+2p)
• 125 grams mozzarella (98p - £1.25) (+27p)
• 30 grams parmesan (65p - 83p) (+18p)
• Handful of cherry tomatoes (14p - 20p) (+6p)

4. Spaghetti Bolognese (£2.90 more expensive - serves 4)

• 45 ml olive oil (14p - 36p) (+22p)
• 300 grams beef mince (£2.03 - £2.60) (+57p)
• 200 grams pork mince (£0.85 - £1) (+15p)
• 2 large shallots (54p -60p) (+6p)
• 2 cloves of garlic (6p - 10p) (+4p)
• 500 grams passata (£1.05 - £1.75) (+70p)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree (7p - 10p) (+3p)
• 100 ml red wine (47p - 73p) (+26p)
• 1 tbsp dried oregano (10p - 25p) (+15p)
• 400 grams spaghetti (49p- 60p) (+11p)
• 50 grams parmesan (£1.08 - £1.38) (+30p)
• Handful of basil (21p - 52p) (+31p)

5. Steak and Chips (£1.27 more expensive - serves 2)

• 600 grams Maris Piper Potatoes (66p - 66p) (no change)
• 20 ml sunflower oil (2p - 5p) (+3p)
• 400 grams beef steak (£3.51 - £4.50) (+99p)
• 100 grams salad leaves (60p - 75p) (+15p)
• 50 grams butter (36p - 36p) (no change)
• 10 grams parsley (5p - 13p) (+8p)
• 1 garlic clove (3p - 5p) (+2p)

6. Lasagne (£3.84 more expensive - serves 6)

• 30 ml olive oil (10p- 24p) (+14p)
• 750 grams beef mince (£5 - £6.50) (+£1.50)
• 90 grams pancetta (£1.86 - £2.25) (+39p)
• 800 grams passata (£1.68 - £2.80) (+£1.12)
• 2 beef stock cubes (14p -24p) (+10p)
• 300g lasagne sheets (37p - 45p) (+8p)
• 50 grams butter (36p - 36p) (no change)
• 50 grams flour (0.3p - 0.4p) (no change)
• 500 ml whole milk (46p - 70p) (+24p)
• 125g fresh mozzarella (98p - £1.25) (+27p)

7. Chicken Tikka Masala (£4.60 more expensive - serves 10)

• 40 ml sunflower oil (4p - 10p) (+6p)
• 25 grams butter (18p - 18p) (no change)
• 4 onions (76p - 84p) (+8p)
• 90 grams tikka masala paste (56p - £1.08) (+52p)
• 2 red peppers (£1.09- £1.20) (+11p)
• 8 chicken breasts (£7.30 - £10) (+£2.70)
• 800 grams chopped tomato (65p - 94p) (+29p)
• 4 tbsp tomato puree (28p - 40p) (+12p)
• 300 ml cream (£0.84 - £1.35) (+41p)
• Bunch of coriander (21p- 52p) (+31p)

8. Sausages and Mash (£1.31 more expensive - serves 4)

• 10 ml sunflower oil (1p - 3p) (+2p)
• 8 pork sausages ( £2.50 - £3.50) (+£1.00)
• 3 onions (57p -  63p) (+6p)
• 50 ml red wine (24p - 37p) (+13p)
• 1 beef stock cube (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• 15 ml red wine vinegar (9p - 9p) (no change)
• 1 kg King Edward Potatoes (85p - 85p) (no change)
• 100 ml whole milk (9p - 14p) (+5p)
• 50 grams butter (36p - 36p) (no change)

9. Shepherd’s Pie (£4.03 more expensive - serves 4)

• 10 ml sunflower oil (1p - 3p) (+2p)
• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 2 carrots (9p - 9p)  (no change)
• 500 grams lamb mince (£3.04- £6.90) (+ £3.96)
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (14p - 20p) (+6p)
• 1 beef stock cube (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• 1 kg King Edward Potatoes (85p - 85p) (no change)
• 85 grams butter (61p - 61p) (no change)
• 50 ml milk (5p - 7p) (+2p)

10. Chilli Con Carne (£1.37 more expensive - serves 4)

• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 1 red pepper (54p - 60p) (+6p)
• 2 cloves of garlic (6p - 10p) (+4p)
• 1 teaspoon of chilli powder (5p - 10p) (+5p)
• 1 teaspoon of paprika (5p - 10p) (+5p)
• 1 teaspoon of cumin (5p - 10p) (+5p)
• 500 grams minced beef (£2.80 - £3.50) (+70p)
• 1 beef stock cube (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• 400 grams chopped tomato (33p - 50p) (+17p)
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (14p - 20p) (+6p)
• 400 grams kidney beans (40p - 50p) (+10p)
• 100 grams white rice (3p - 5p) (+2p)

11. Cottage Pie (£2.40 more expensive - serves 10)

• 45 ml olive oil (14p - 36p) (+22p)
• 1250 grams beef mince (£5.80- £7.45) (+£1.65)
• 2 onions (38p - 42p) (+4p)
• 3 carrots (13.5p - 13.5p)
• 2 cloves of garlic (6p - 10p) (+4p)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree (7p - 10p) (+3p)
• 2 beef stock cubes (14 - 24p) (+10p)
• 30 ml Worcester sauce (27p - 26p) (-1p)
• 1.8 kg King Edward Potatoes (£1.40  - £1.40) (no change)
• 225 ml milk (23p - 32p) (+9p)
• 25 grams butter (18p - 18p) (no change)
• 200 grams extra mature cheddar (£1.40- £1.50) (+10p)

12. Fajitas (£1.74 more expensive serves 4)

• 2 chicken breasts (£1.62 - £2.25) (+63p)
• 1 onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 1 red pepper (54p - 60p) (+6p)
• 1 red chilli (15p - 20p) (+5p)
• 1 tablespoon of paprika (10p - 20p) (+10p)
• 1 tablespoon of cumin (10p - 20p) (+10p)
• 2 cloves of garlic (6p - 10p) (+4p)
• 30 ml olive oil (10p - 28p) (+18p)
• 1 lime (18p - 24p) (+6p)
• 8 tortillas (£1.10 - £1.20) (+10p)
• 200 grams salsa (95p - £1.35) (+40p)

13. Tuna Pasta Bake (£1.28 more expensive - serves 6)

• 600 grams rigatoni (68p -  83p) (+15p)
• 50 grams butter (36p - 36p) (no change)
• 50 grams flour (0.3p - 0.4p) (no change)
• 600 ml milk (54p - 84p) (+30p)
• 250 grams extra mature cheddar (£1.70- £1.80) (+10p)
• 2 cans of tuna (£1.25- £1.50) (+25p)
• 330 grams sweetcorn (£1.60- £2.00) (+40p)
• 10 grams parsley (5p - 13p) (+8p)

14. Beef Stir Fry (£1.11 more expensive - serves 4)

• 30 ml sunflower oil (3p - 8p) (+5p)
• 400 grams beef steak (£3.51 - £4.50) (+99p)
• 1 red chilli (15p - 20p) (+5p)
• 30 ml oyster sauce (35p - 35p) (no change)
• 100 grams white rice (3p - 5p) (+2p)

15. Beef Burger and Chips (£1.08 more expensive - serves 2)

• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 4 burger buns (50p - 90p) (+40p)
• 300 grams beef mince (£2.03 - £2.60) (+57p)
• 50 grams cheddar (34p - 38p) (+4p)
• 2 gherkins (14p - 20p) (+6p)
• 150 grams oven chips (33p - 33p) (no change)
• 100 grams mayonnaise (46p- 45p) (-1p)
• 10 grams american mustard (8p - 8p) (no change)

16. Steak Pie (£2.17 more expensive - serves 6)

• 30 ml sunflower oil (3p - 8p) (+5p)
• 1kg braising steak (£8.28- £10.10) (+£1.82)
• 30 grams flour (0.2p - 0.3p) (no change)
• 10 grams tomato ketchup (5p - 5p) (no change)
• 2 beef stock cubes (14p -24p) (+10p)
• 375 grams pre rolled puff pastry (£1.30- £1.50) (+20p)

17. Beef Stew (£1.87 more expensive serves 5)

• 2 celery sticks (18p - 21p) (+3p)
• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 2 carrots (9p - 9p) (no change)
• 5 bay leaves (7p - 25p) (+18p)
• 2 thyme sprigs (1p - 2p) (+1p)
• 10 ml vegetable oil (1p - 2p) (+1p)
• 10 grams butter (7p - 7p) (no change)
• 20 grams flour (0.1p - 0.1p) no change
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (14p - 20p) (+6p)
• 15 ml Worcester sauce (13p - 13p) (no change)
• 2 beef stock cubes (14p -24p) (+10p)
• 800 grams braising steak (£6.62 - £8.08) (£1.46)

18. Sausage Casserole (£3.08 more expensive - serves 5)

• 20 ml vegetable oil (3p - 6p) (+3p)
• 1 white onion (19p - 21p) (+2p)
• 1 red pepper (54p - 60p) (+6p)
• 1 yellow pepper (54p - 60p) (+6p)
• 400 grams chorizo (£3.33- £4.44) (+ £1.11)
• 400 grams sausage ( £2.50 - £3.50) (+£1.00)
• 3 cloves of garlic (9p - 15p) (+6p)
• 1.5 teaspoon of paprika (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• Half a teaspoon of cumin (3p - 5p) (+2p)
• 125 ml white wine (82p - £1.05) (+23p)
• 800 grams chopped tomato (65p - 94p) (+29p)
• 1 chicken stock cube (7p - 12p) (+5p)
• 400 grams kidney beans (40p - 50p) (+10p)

19. Jacket Potato with Baked Beans and Cheese (8 pence more expensive -serves 1)

• 1 large baking potato (25p - 25p)
• 200 grams baked beans (16p - 20p) (+4p)
• 80 grams cheddar cheese (56p - 60p) (+4p)

20. Macaroni Cheese (84p more expensive - serves 4)

• 50 grams baguette (cut into small chunks) (14p - 20p) (+6p)
• 30 grams butter (21p - 21p) (no change)
• 350 grams macaroni (18p - 25p) (+7p)
• 1 clove of garlic (3p - 5p) (+2p)
• 30 grams plain flour (1p - 1p) (no change)
• 500 ml whole milk (46p - 70p) (+24p)
• 250 grams extra mature cheddar (£1.60- £1.75) (+15p)
• 50 grams parmesan (£1.08 - £1.38) (+30p)

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To find out how the Uk’s favourite meals have increased in price since 2019, GoForma took the UK’s top 20 favorite meals according to a 2021 survey by gravy brand Bisto. To put together the 2024 cost of these meals they looked up each meal’s recipe on BBC Good Food’s website and then looked up the cost of each ingredient, by weight on Tesco’s website.

To find out the 2019 cost of all these meals they looked at the Office of National Statistics’ Consumer Price Index and calculated the percentage increase of cost by ingredient. 

Please note that there are some instances where there was no price change data for specific ingredients. In these instances GoForma used data on the closest higher level food category. An example of this is herbs and spices, where they used data for herbs and spices as a whole rather than specific data for each herb and spice.