Share Your Favourite Coles or Woollies/ALDI Cheap Meals or Ideas

AlienC on 29/05/2016 - 08:09

So basically as the title says what are your favorite go to ozb cheap and effective meals.

I'll start with the obvious two minute noodles and milk and cereal/oats and cheap breads and fruits. If I'm feeling lucky or luxurious then maybe some home made nachos which is $1 can of baked beans + $2-3 corn chips + roughly $1.15 home brand sour cream + $5-6 home brand tasty cheddar cheese if I'm feeling lucky salsa dip or guacamole not even considered.

I need to try pasta and simple rice with cheap sauces as an alternative to the usual meals a well as maybe those sorting roll of pies and sausage rolls party packs for longer greater more cost effective consumption.

So what are your special cheap meals or tricks/ideas?

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • 17731773 on 29/05/2016 - 08:27
    +2

    There are some great comments here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/152636

  • Neoika on 29/05/2016 - 09:52
    +5

    Buy premade meals on clearance,cheap and easy.They usually expire soon.

    • StewBalls on 29/05/2016 - 11:00
      +3

      This; and whack them into stasis pronto. I have a freezer full of an assortment of Coles Indian curries purchased at anywhere from 66-92% off. IMHO the Coles Indian range is outstanding, and easily rivals the quality of a lot of cheaper Indian restaurants.

      I obviously wouldn't feed them to the kids, but the wife & I have had no issues whatsoever.

      • AlienC on 29/05/2016 - 22:19

        Nice how much do they usually go for

        • StewBalls on 29/05/2016 - 22:24

          I just peeked into the freezer, the first one I came across was a Butter Chicken, reduced price was $1.50 @ 81% off (I love the random Coles % discount amounts).

        • AlienC on 30/05/2016 - 11:50

          @StewBalls:

          Hmm nice I might have to try this

      • lainey13 on 30/05/2016 - 10:54

        Why not to the kids? What do Indian kids eat? ;)

        • StewBalls on 30/05/2016 - 11:07

          Whilst the 2yo does love a good hot vindaloo whilst watching The Wiggles, we do prefer not to give either of them short/past use-by dated foods.

          Harsh, I know, but spare the rod & all that…

    • AlienC on 29/05/2016 - 22:20

      Okay cool do you mean the one in a packet of fridge freezer

  • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2016 - 13:26

    Meals made with 3 star beef mince meat used to be cheap but the prices have gone up a lot in the last year so they're not as good value any more.

    • AlienC on 29/05/2016 - 22:22

      What can you make with 3 star mince. Like lasagne? Meat pie? Burger?

      • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2016 - 22:47
        +1

        I'm not a good cook so I've only made very simple recipes from mince meat.

        I use mince meat as a base when using Mexican Kits from Old El Paso. I also make a fairly simple Bolognese sauce from mince meat (sometimes with a bit of bacon or ham mixed in). I've made meat pie with pieces of potato and short crust pastry. I've also made meatloaf with egg and a few other fillers to add flavour and texture. I've made hamburgers but I usually find it is cheaper to buy the ready made hamburgers. I buy the Coles Smart Buy 1kg burger patties for around $7 per pack. This is cheaper than buying fresh 3 star mince. I've also made meatballs with mince meat. The are many more possibilities.

        The 3 star mince used to be $5 per kilogram but now it's up to $8 per kilo and more if you want to purchase it in 500gm packets.

        • AlienC on 30/05/2016 - 11:48

          How do you cook the mince? Fry in oil with chopped onion and garlic until brown?

          Probably a stupid question but can you nuke the mince or grill /bake it?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2016 - 13:54

          @AlienC:

          I wouldn't cook it in a microwave myself but I'm sure there is a safe way of doing this. I don't know how.

          It depends on the meal you are trying to create as to how you cook it and the ingredients you add are based on personal taste.

          I fry the mince for the Mexican meal and same for meatballs. When it comes to the meat loaf and the pre cooking for the pie I use the oven to bake. I do the bolognese sauce in a saucepan. I'd probably fry or grill the hamburgers.

      • PVA on 30/05/2016 - 15:06

        yes. spag bog, shepherds pie, spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, burritos.

  • airzone on 29/05/2016 - 13:56
    +1

    My siblings have a good way of having a cheap woolies bill - take mum along.

    • AlienC on 29/05/2016 - 22:21

      Haha lol yes that is also a good deal

  • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2016 - 08:59
    +1

    Much Better Nachos recipe-
    Red kidney beans(named for the shape n colour - don't be afraid) drain the can of liquid and mix in sweet chilli sauce
    Onion & garlic & tomatoes
    Mission chips and lotsa cheese
    Avo or sour cream on side
    Whalla it's so good mmmm yum

    • AlienC on 30/05/2016 - 11:51

      Nice Thanks for the recommendation must will try this.

      BTW do you microwave oven bake or fry your beans and etc?

      And mission doritos or ccs? I tried all three still can't make my mind up

      • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2016 - 13:46

        Straight into baking tray and in the oven,
        give the tray a spray of non stick so the chips an chilli don't stick
        Nassa coulda used this recipe to stick space shuttle tiles on, so spray away
        And mission chips , but not essential, any will do just the thicker ones don't break and end up in your lap
        Next weeks taco's tip - how to substitute Avo dip for fresh Avos when the grocer is trying to bend you over
        When there's a shortage I mean
        Not as an organic lubricant

    • AlienC on 09/06/2016 - 00:56

      I got and tried some red kidney beans. Was not good by themselves or say even with sour cream or chili sauce. I think it needs some jalapeños or salsa mix which is nice but pushes up and significantly raises the cost imho. Also unfortunately onion and garlic is out of the option thanks to strict vegetarian roommates… don't ask. =.=

      • [Deactivated] on 09/06/2016 - 01:44

        SWEET Chilli sauce , mixed in with red kidney beans. Use heaps. Like after draining a can of liquid fill back up with SCS and mix in
        Cooking will soften the hotness of the chilli
        Beans are good protein but ham can be used instead
        Anyway it's good you tried it
        If it's not for u
        Buy some mince,salad and taco shells
        Mung out on that instead

        • AlienC on 09/06/2016 - 04:54

          Will do I'll give it another go this time with maybe some Tabasco sauce and salsa or something I dunno. I stupidly assumed they would be able to stand on their own like baked beans guess I learnt a lesson to never assume again. Still have half a can left so tomorrow is looking like half assed nachos haha lol (no corn chips or cheese) haha

  • robertbruce on 30/05/2016 - 14:57

    .
    Reef and Beef on the Cheap…

    I small can of fish poured over beef noodles - reefen' beefen'…

  • MustacheFire on 04/06/2016 - 06:49
    +1

    Bulk chicken wings, marinade with soy sauce and honey. Mince (subdivide and freeze), then fry with Coles tinned tomato+herb for a cheap good pasta sauce. Get whichever veg is on special and roast in the oven with oil/salt/pepper. Small roast potatoes… Just throw in the oven, eat whole

  • [Deactivated] on 07/06/2016 - 07:59

    Winter is here, make soup! I use the Woolies soup packs (1kg $4 approx)
    Norma's Vege Soup:-
    1. Peel/cut/process all veges (3 x carrot, 1 x onion, turnip, parsnip, potato, celery stick)
    2. Fry for a bit with olive oil
    3. Add 2 x stock cubes (dissolved in 500mL hot water)
    4. Add more water (approx. 1.5L) & bring to boil
    5. Let simmer for 1-2 hours (add more water as needed)
    6. Add 1 tbsp tomato paste, mixed herbs, oregano, basil, s&p, stir, simmer 15 mins more
    7. Consume/refrigerate (I eat over a few days)

    You can also add 2 min noodles/lentils/etc. between 5 & 6 - but I like it without.

    Laura's Rice Cooker Risotto:-
    1. Put in 2 tbsp olive oil and press cook
    2. Add garlic and 1 diced onion, fry
    3. Add 2 cups Arborio rice, coat with oil
    4. Add 1 tin crushed tomatoes, 1 cup white wine and 3 cups stock
    5. Add s&p, herbs to taste (basil, oregano, rosemary)
    6. Add cubed veges (2cm approx. 1.5 cups) - I use pumpkin, mushroom and peas
    7. Stir 3 times during cooking
    8. When finished, stir through 1/3 cup parmesan cheese and let sit for 10 mins (excess water will absorbed during this time)
    9. Consume/portion and freeze

  • [Deactivated] on 07/06/2016 - 11:32

    Ah yes winter
    Time to dust off the slow cooker
    Recipe. Meat and Vege Stew
    Take any meat and all the vegetables you like, and slow cook over a couple of days, eat a bit, add a bit, to taste.
    The best
    The end
    See you in spring

  • honeydew on 09/06/2016 - 12:43

    For breakfast I do something similar to this http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/light-freezer-breakfast-sand…
    Purchased from Aldi:
    English Muffins
    Ham
    Sliced Cheese
    BBQ sauce
    and when I feel like sausage, beef mince. I follow Amanda's comment in the link (ctrl +F garlic powder)

    For burgers I do this http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/our-version-of-white-castle-…
    Except I throw in the chopped onions in the beginning with the milk.

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