20 budget recipes to ease the cost of living crisis
Cost of living is sky-high, making meal planning a somewhat stressful affair these days. The crew at Taste.com.au have pulled together their fave budget recipes to help make life easier.
While we can’t do much about relieving your monthly mortgage repayments, or easing the financial strain of childcare, we can dish up economical recipes that help to take the pressure off your weekly grocery shop.
Borrowing wisdom from Nannas, Nonnas and Nai Nais, these old-school dinners use ingredients wisely, favour budget cuts and can be stretched across multiple nights.
If Italians are famous for their lasagne, then the Greeks are famous for moussaka. A classic family-friendly dish from the Mediterranean, moussaka is classic comfort food, but we happily eat it all year round. It consists of layers of pan-fried eggplant, a thick, rich lamb-tomato sauce, and a topping of deliciously creamy bechamel sauce. Hot tip: many recipes call for eggplants to be salted and rinsed to draw out any bitter juices, but this shouldn’t be necessary if they’re fresh. If the seeds are too defined or feel hard, the eggplant may be old and should be salted.
Try this vegetarian spinach pie creation that is rich, satisfying and budget friendly!
Hash browns are given a meaty make-over in this delicious corned beef version.
Packed with nutrition and super economical, eggs are pretty special!
This is a super easy, one-pot dinner made with basmati rice and chicken breast fillets. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with halved swiss brown mushrooms and use vegetable stock.
Ready in 40 minutes, this easy stir fry is full of healthy chicken breast and veg, and covered in a kid-friendly homemade sauce.
Let the oven do all the work with this effortless one-pan roast chicken and vegetables.
Buttered lemon chicken rissoles
A buttery lemon sauce coats these easy-to-make rissoles. Ready in well under an hour they’re a great family-friendly weeknight dinner. Pro tip: they’re not too bad eaten straight from the fridge the next day, either!
One-pot chicken alfredo tortellini
Ready in 30 minutes, this quick and easy pasta dinner uses store-bought ricotta and spinach tortellini, chicken breast and a creamy sauce to create a midweek meal you’ll remember.
Need a curry in a hurry? This creamy vegan dinner is on the table in 25 minutes.
The Irish stew is a world-renowned, hearty cuisine.
Inspired by classic Mongolian beef, these saucy chow mein noodles and sticky meatballs have that irresistible salty-sweet sauce, but are made with sneaky veg and lean beef, so they’re better-for-you and super budget-friendly!
Risotto is a dish that originates from northern Italy and is considered a staple meal on dinner tables across the region. We love this mushroom version as it has a big umami flavour with welcoming hits of garlicky butter - oh, we’re drooling just thinking about it. If you’re afraid to make this classic Italian dish because you’ve heard it’s complicated or you fear you’ll end up with a soggy porridge–like mess at the end, fear not, this fail-proof recipe is for you. We’ve tested it so many times to ensure the perfect rice-to-liquid ratio for creamy, silky risotto. Our best step is not to over-stir - you just want to ensure that no rice is sticking to the bottom of the pan - or overcook it. If you follow this advice, you’ll end up with rich, creamy, al dente risotto every time.
You won’t need to go near the stove to make these little salmon patties because we cook the potatoes in the microwave and the cakes in the air fryer. They turn out perfectly crunchy and make for an easy lunch or snack. Serve them with salad or pop onto a bun and make a tasty burger. Too easy!
Who doesn’t love a classic shepherd’s pie with its crisp peaks and soft potatoey top and its succulent meat middle.
Toad in the hole with quick onion gravy
Pop this timeless dish in the oven for a fuss-free way to satisfy the hungry hordes.
This vegetarian version of the traditional Greek dish will transport you to sun-drenched beaches and whitewashed villages.
This baked pasta dish resembles a honeycomb pattern, hence the name. The flavours, however, are all cheese, French onion and bacon.
Learn how to cook a simple risotto with asparagus, peas and broad beans. Add a squeeze of lemon when serving for some zing!
For those colder nights, make this classic family favourite in an easy single tray bake.
For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.
Originally published as 20 budget recipes to ease the cost of living crisis
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