Aussie chef's 'clever' Woolworths and Coles trick for making $3.65 dinner: 'Devoured it'

Most Aussies would probably agree that the cost of living crisis has meant they've had to sacrifice some simple pleasures. Gym memberships, beauty treatments, new clothes and overseas holidays are just some of the things that people are going without as they struggle to afford their day-to-day lives.

The one thing that no one should ever have to sacrifice, though, is food on the table. With so many families doing it tough right now, there has probably never been more demand for easy and affordable meal ideas to keep bellies and wallets from feeling empty.

With this in mind, Aussie Chef Tom Walton has come up with a cost-effective dinner solution that is not only super tasty but also saves you a bit of time in the kitchen.

"There is nothing worse than wasted leftovers, and my top budget-friendly tip is to repurpose them," Tom told Yahoo Lifestyle. "As Australia’s #1 home-cooked dinner is Bolognese, I’ve created a ‘cook once, eat twice’ Spag Bol recipe using affordable pantry staples like Dolmio Bolognese sauce, and repurposed the leftovers to create a pizza, making two affordable and delicious family meals for just $3.65 per serving.” **

Woolworths and Coles ingredients needed for recipe

The ingredients - such as onion, beetroot, mince, pork sausage, the bolognese sauce and pizza bases can all be found at Woolies and Coles, and the best part is that once you've made the bolognese all you have to do is add it to the pizza bases the next night, saving you a ton of prep time.

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Tom's cost breakdown is based on 10 servings of the bolognese, making it a great option for families (or anyone really!) on a budget.

While he admits it could be a tad "controversial" Tom also adds BBQ sauce to the bolognese, along with beetroot.

And while Tom's recipe uses mozzarella cheese ($14.29 at Coles and $15.40 at Woolies), you could probably save even more money by simply using regular cheese.

Fans praise 'clever' recipe hack

The popular chef recently shared the recipe on his Instagram account, eliciting plenty of excited replies from his followers.

"Looks delicious! 😍🍝," one said.

"Such a clever idea!! I’ll be making it tonight. 👏," added another.

"Saving this for later! Yum 😋," a third wrote, while someone else said, "Can’t wait to make this!"

Oh, and if you have kids who are fussy eaters, Tom says, "Bolognese pizza with my little twist on the humble bolognese hits so well! The kids devoured it!"

Along with his cook once, eat twice idea, Tom also some tips for how to keep cooking costs down with Yahoo Lifestyle.

How to save money on food shopping

“Keeping your pantry and fridge well stocked with essentials like pasta, canned beans, frozen veggies, pasta sauce, rice, and pastry sheets or pizza bases allows you to quickly whip up delicious and affordable meals," he said. "A jar of Dolmio, for example, is incredibly versatile - it works for pasta dishes, casseroles, pie fillings, or even as a topping for baked potatoes, making it a lifesaver on busy nights.”

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Another way to save money is to be organised, he said, by planning ahead for what meals you intend to make in during the week. This will avoid those last minute trips to the supermarket because we all know that budgeting can go right out the window when you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table.

“Set aside a few minutes each weekend to plan your meals," Tom said. "Choose recipes that share similar ingredients to save money and minimise waste. Prep what you can in advance- chop veggies or cook grains. This simple step will help you avoid last-minute stress and make dinner hassle-free.”

**Cost per serve is based on ingredient prices from Woolworths and Coles in NSW as of November 2024. Prices and availability may vary by state and are subject to change.

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