Anyone got a nice spaghetti and meatballs recipe?

CRANKY40

£23.54 spend for me this week. Our valentines meal was bought ages ago and has been sat in the freezer waiting. We had Beef Wellington from M&S bought with vouchers that I was given from work, so it didn't actually cost me anything.

We actually ate it last night, as Wednesday is the day we have a late dinner.

Mortgagefreeforme

My DH has truly become frugal, he resisted the urge to buy me roses and instead bought me a small bunch of tulips and 6 pairs of socks with hearts on them. I had been really short on socks, so not only was this really thoughtfull but he said he thought it would keep the new frugal me happy! And it has:D .
We are on an inservice day today, and the kids are begging to go to a playcentre. I've decided to go to one near the recycling and shops (petrol frugal) and see what offer there are, I'm still trying to get the bogof on the butter just now, it's always sold out when I'm there. I have a drawer in my new free freezer begging to be filled with bargains!!!!

earthmother

*sob* we're overbudget *sob*

I've not been too well these past few days, so hubby did the shopping - to be fair, on the whole, he stuck to the list (wouldn't have in the past) - he just bought versions we don't usually have.

He was trying to help when he thought he was saving money by buying things that are half the price of our usual - but there's a good reason for that, as he discovered at tea last night, so I've still got to buy the proper stuff.

And a couple of things he got can be found at almost half the price in other shops in town - but maybe now he understands why I split my list over three shops, rather than shopping all at one.

At least I can look on this as an educational experience for us both - he now knows how and why I shop like I do, lol, and I know that in future not to rely on the fact that he uses a particular jar or bottle every day to mean he actually will recognise it in the shop :rolleyes:


Spend so far £102.19, remaining £57.81


*Off to reccy the freezer - see if I can 'elasticate' some meals*

savingfortravel

Hi everyone!
Well done to everyone at this mid-month point. I love catching up with you all and reading your posts.
On a positive note it looks like we could spend only half our £200 budget, only milk, fizzy drinks and creme fraiche to pick up.
Feb Challenge £92.60/£200.
This total has been helped by picking up bargains in the reduced sections of supermarkets (OB happy with 6 wholemeal rolls for 10p, I very happy with my fresh tuna steak for 37p*).
Since its half term and as a teacher with no kids, i have more time (unlike all you poor mums) i have planned my March shopping list.

Why? I'm so into the challenge but also when I return to school I probably won't have time. l noticed on my shopping list the following items and wondered if you had any ideas as to how to reduce the cost. I don't cook much but what I do cook I cook well and am good at following recipes. I just lack experience and confidence.

So please cook you advise on any simple recipes/ideas to replace the following;

• Fish pie (£5.98 for 2 ready meals-4 portions)
• Tomato and Mascapone sauce (2 jars-4 portions-£2.78)-I particularly like cheesy pasta sauces.
• 3 weeks of sandwich fillers for OB (15 portions-£4.50)
• * Any ideas as to what to do with the tuna steak?

Thanks in advance for any ideas. I'd love to be able to cook more and feel this is where a new hobby could begin.

purplevamp

savingfortravel wrote: »

I very happy with my fresh tuna steak for 37p*

* Any ideas as to what to do with the tuna steak?

Hello there

That's a bargain isn't it?!

You could try this recipe (it is for 4 but you can adapt it):-

4 tuna steaks
8oz thread noodles
1 tsp veg oil
1 red pepper, seeded and finely sliced
1 yellow pepper, seeded and finely sliced
Zest & juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp soy sauce

Prepare noodles as per instructions on packet. Heat frying pan, add oil, place tuna best side down and when it changes colour half way up turn it over. When cooked remove from pan and keep warm. Add peppers to pan and saute until soft. Add noodles, lime zest & juice and soy sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, turning regularly. Place noodles on plates and top with tuna.

I can't take credit for this recipe, it's from my Rosemary Conley Gi Jeans diet book.

savingfortravel

Hi Purple Vamp.
Thank you so much! It looks delicious and something I could do! I've put it as entry 1 in my Grocery Challenge cookbook-dedicated to PV.
I've just researched the cost of the ingredients and put them on my March shopping list.
SFT :T

BigMummaF

Hey All...NSD yesterday thank goodness, plus a 'cupboard' dinner to boot.

1 clove garlic
1 roughly chopped onion
1 tin value toms
1 tin reduced sugar/salt baked beans...next size up from small
1 tin 8 hot dogs, sliced into coins....only 7 used tho see later!

Bung it all in a pan & heat gently. Add black pepper & basil to taste & serve with pasta. It did 2 lolloping oiks & a bit for me, & was v tasty:p

Sunnyday....I've posted about feeding our pup on 'normal' food, but it's probably someone else you're thinking of. Anyhoos, I washed off a hot dog sausage, sliced it up & Pup had it mixed with the last of the cooked chicken & some of the pasta.
He's an 11mth old english bull/staffie X, & literally woofs down the stuff I cook where he leaves the 'proper' dog stuff standing:D
He'll have a weetabix & shredded wheat combo for brekkie, with a good splosh of semi-skimmed milk. Or toasted granary with a scrape of marmite or jam but no fat, or cheese triangle. I don't add salt to any cooking whatsoever so he has the same veg, rice & pasta that we have...really anything EXCEPT onion or leek. I usually try to do sweet potato for him, but ordinary is fine.
He has access to James Wellbeloved junior kibble all the time, but rarely touches it. HTH.

atypicalblonde

Hi everyone, I haven't posted an update for a little while, but I am still managing to keep within budget. So far I have spent £56.97, and I am doing a store-cupboard challenge. I know that means that March's food will be much higher, but it is making it easy for February and making me use up all the little bits and pieces I have lurking around! Would be absolutely wonderful if we could manage this month on £120, fingers crossed!

I printed off Sammy_Kaye's £100 a month food budget, and have gleaned loads of useful ideas from that (thank u hun !) Anyway, I'll go and update my signature. Keep at it guys xx

EDIT: To add the £1.44 I have just spent... running total £58.41 x

purplevamp

savingfortravel wrote: »

Hi Purple Vamp.
Thank you so much! It looks delicious and something I could do! I've put it as entry 1 in my Grocery Challenge cookbook-dedicated to PV.
I've just researched the cost of the ingredients and put them on my March shopping list.
SFT :T

You're welcome. Just don't do what I did the first time I made this. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOODLES!!! I thought they were like normal noodles and cooked them for 4 mins in a saucepan. They came out like a big cacky gluey mess and tasted like wallpaper paste, not that I eat paste that often :rotfl: . We had to use normal noodles in the end, but it is really tasty and very low in fat.

savingfortravel

READ INSTRUCTION ON NOODLES-Noted on PV Tuna Noodle recipe in bold red writing. Thank you!