With the ever-increasing cost of living, it can be a challenge to make ends meet. But fear not, because we've got an amazing tip to help you stretch your dollars further and save some cash.

One way to make your money go further is by using budget-friendly recipes that won't break the bank. Cooking at home can be much cheaper than eating out or ordering takeaway, and with the right recipes, you won't have to compromise on taste or quality.

By simply using affordable ingredients, you can significantly reduce your grocery bill and still enjoy delicious, nutritious meals from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you're looking to save some cash, eat healthier, or just want to try some new recipes, these budget-friendly meals are perfect! So, let's dive in and get cooking!

We've got a list of delicious meals that won't break the bank, and the best part is, the ingredients are usually available at ALDI supermarkets. But don't worry if you don't have an ALDI nearby, we've also got some alternative ingredients from Woolies or Coles to help you out.

Of course, these may change the overall cost of the recipe, but we'll do our best to find the cheapest options available so you can stay within your budget.

Credit: Unsplash/Silas Baisch.

Cheap bacon and egg roll recipe ($3.93 per serving from ALDI)

Ingredients:

• 4 x Bon Appetit Brioche Burger Buns (or Brioche Gourmet Burger Buns 4 Pack from Woolies)
• 200g Berg Streaky Bacon (or Streaky Bacon from Coles)
• 2 x Roma tomatoes
• 120g The Fresh Salad Co. Rocket (or 120g Baby Leaf Rocket 120g from Woolies)
• 4 x Lodge Farms Free Range Eggs (or Just 4 You 12 Extra Large Caged Eggs 700g from Woolies)
• From your pantry: Olive oil

Directions:

1. Start by slicing your tomatoes.
2. Heat a frying pan on medium-high heat and add 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
3. Once the frying pan is heated, add the chopped tomatoes and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes until they start to soften. Once done, set them aside.
4. Next, drizzle some more olive oil into the same frying pan and add your bacon. Cook it until it's crispy, then add your eggs and cook them to your liking.
5. While the bacon and eggs are cooking, separate your brioche buns and lightly toast them in another lightly oiled frying pan.
6. To assemble the dish, place the toasted brioche buns on a serving plate. Top them with some fresh rocket, followed by the crispy bacon, cooked tomatoes, and your cooked eggs.
7. Finally, add some salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy your delicious sandwich!

Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Bee.

Cheap BBQ beef burger ($3.39 per serving from ALDI)

Ingredients:

• 4 x Taste Nation Beef Patties (or Coles Australian Beef Burgers)
• 1 x Emporium Selection 36 Month Aged Cheddar Cheese 200g pack (or Bega Dairylea Cheddar Cheese Block from Coles)
• 4 tbsp Gourmet Chutney - either Original, Peach or Hot (or Mother's Recipe Mango Pickle Mild 500g from Woolies)
• 2 x bags of Fresh Salad Co Salad Leaf Mix 120g (or Woolworths Leafy Mix Salad 120g)
• 4 x Bakers Life Burger Buns Rolls
• From your pantry: Vegetable or olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat a large frying pan over high heat for approximately 4 minutes. This will ensure that the pan is hot enough to cook the burger patties evenly.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and add oil to the pan. You can use any type of oil that you prefer, such as vegetable oil or olive oil.
3. Place the burger patties in the pan and lightly press down with a spatula to ensure the patty is in full contact with the pan. This will help to create a nice sear on the surface of the patty.
4. Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked to your liking. Make sure that both sides are fully browned and the meat is cooked through.
5. Remove the burger patties from the pan and set them aside.
6. Split the buns open and place them, cut side down, on a frying pan. Grill them until they are golden brown, which should take about 10 seconds.
7. To build your burger, spread the salad mix over the bottom half of the bun. This will add some freshness and crunch to your burger.
8. Place the cooked burger patty over the salad mix. You can add more than one patty if you prefer a bigger burger.
9. Top the patty with a slice of cheese. This will add some creaminess and richness to your burger. Spoon some chutney over the cheese. This will add some sweetness and tanginess to your burger.
10. Finally, place the top half of the bun over the chutney to complete your burger. Serve your burger immediately while it is still hot and enjoy!

Credit: Unsplash/Ruth Georgiev.

Thai-style tofu pad thai ($1.94 per serving from ALDI)

What you'll need for this recipe:

• 1 x Urban Eats Meal Kits 368g, includes pad thai sauce, peanuts and rice noodles (Super Saver at ALDI until stocks last) (or Woolworths Chicken Pad Thai With Rice Noodles 350g)
• 1 x Lodge Farms Free Range Eggs (or Just 4 You 12 Extra Large Caged Eggs 700g from Woolies)
• 1 x Earth Grown Firm Tofu 450g (or Coles Nature's Kitchen Firm Tofu)
• From your pantry: Vegetable oil
• Optional: Peanuts

Directions:

1. Cook the rice noodles in a pot of boiling water for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain the noodles and rinse them with cool water to stop the cooking process. Set the noodles aside.
2. In a large frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
3. Add the tofu to the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked and lightly browned.
4. Push the tofu to one side of the pan and add the beaten eggs to the other side. Let the eggs cook for a minute or two until they start to set, then scramble them with a spatula until they are fully cooked.
5. Add the cooked rice noodles and pad Thai sauce to the pan with the tofu and eggs. Stir everything together until the noodles are coated with the sauce, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle peanuts on top for garnish.
7. Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade pad thai!

These amazing recipes will not only satisfy your taste buds but also fit your budget. Trust us, you won't be sacrificing quality for affordability with these meals!

Our team here at the SDC is already drooling over these recipes and we can't wait to start cooking up a storm in the kitchen. So, join us in giving these recipes a try this week!

For more delicious recipes, feel free to check out the Cooking/Recipes forum on the website.

We're always up for tasty recipes that don't cost a fortune! Credit: Unsplash/Le Creuset.

Now, we want to hear from you, members! Which recipe caught your eye? Are you itching to try that scrumptious pad thai dish or perhaps that savoury beef and egg roll? Leave a comment below and let us know which recipe you're excited to try out.

Also, don't be shy! If you have any budget-friendly recipes that you swear by, please share them with the rest of the community.

We love hearing from our fellow foodies and discovering new and exciting dishes to try. So, let's come together and make mealtime a little bit more exciting!

 

[Thecheesequeen]

Do we really need a recipe to put together a hamburger? And two packets of mixed lettuce for four people?

 

[Trudi]

I do not like the brioche from Aldi, brioche and meat just don't go together. Growing up in Austria, my mother used to bake a brioche twist for Sunday breakfast - a couple slices of brioche with butter and jam - delicious!

As to purchased burger patties, I make them up myself and I don't need instructions on how to put a burger together.

 

[Macarj]

I make my own also and the rolls

 

[JustPat]

Would never use brioche for a burger (it is a sweet roll and to me does not lend itself to savory) and overall do not eat burgers as they are too high in carbohydrates. I go for meals that are high in vegetables with a small amount of meat and love veggie packed salads especially during our summers. I have tried to become accustomed to tofu but have never been able to acquire a taste for it.

 

[Julia TH]

Would never use brioche for a burger (it is a sweet roll and to me does not lend itself to savory) and overall do not eat burgers as they are too high in carbohydrates. I go for meals that are high in vegetables with a small amount of meat and love veggie packed salads especially during our summers. I have tried to become accustomed to tofu but have never been able to acquire a taste for it.

You can cut the carbs in a burger by replacing the bun with iceberg lettuce leaves. Lovely and crunchy.