Affordable Family Meals: Hearty Meatball Bake Recipe Under $20!

In search of a hearty and budget-friendly meal to satisfy your family's hunger? Look no further than our delicious Meatball Bake recipe! Packed with flavour and easy on the wallet, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cosy family dinners. Plus, it can be made for under $20, making it an ideal choice for families looking to save money without sacrificing taste.

Serves 4 | Prep 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil (pantry staple)
• Half a brown onion, finely chopped ($0.75)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.50)
• Half a zucchini, grated ($0.75)
• Half a red capsicum, very finely diced ($1)
• 800 g (2 cans) diced tomatoes ($1.25 each)
• 125 ml (½ cup) chicken stock (pantry staple)
• 1 tsp paprika (pantry staple)
• 1 tsp oregano (pantry staple)
• 1 tsp basil (pantry staple)
• Salt and pepper to taste (pantry staple)

For the Meatballs

• 1 slice wholemeal bread, torn into very small pieces ($0.30)
• Half a brown onion, very finely diced (see above)
• 500 g (1 packet) minced beef ($10)
• 1 egg ($0.50)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.50)
• 20 g (¼ cup) Parmesan, grated ($0.75)
• ½ tsp salt (pantry staple)
• ¼ tsp black pepper (pantry staple)

Method

For the Sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C and set aside a baking dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, then add onions and sauté for five minutes or until soft and translucent.
3. Add garlic, zucchini, and capsicum, and cook for a few more minutes.
4. Add all remaining sauce ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer gently for ten minutes while preparing the meatballs.

For the Meatballs

1. Add the bread and onion to a large mixing bowl and combine. Allow to stand for a few minutes so the bread absorbs the moisture from the onion.
2. Add all remaining meatball ingredients and mix well using your hands.
3. Measure out 1 ½ tbsp of mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture, placing meatballs on a rack.
4. Transfer sauce to the prepared baking dish, then place the rack over the dish to let the juices drip into the sauce as the meatballs cook.
5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until meatballs are browned and cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve immediately with pasta in your favourite We Might Be Tiny Snackie.
• Sprinkle grated cheese over the top for an extra touch of flavour.

This Meatball Bake is sure to become a family favourite, and with its affordable ingredients, it's a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on taste. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal with your loved ones tonight!

Batch cooking for quick midweek meals

Making the sauce for the Meatball Bake in bulk and freezing it in We Might Be Tiny's Freeze & Bake Poddies is a convenient way to have a delicious and hearty meal ready to go whenever you need it. Here's how you can do it:

• Prepare the Sauce: Follow the sauce recipe as usual, but double or triple the ingredients to make a larger batch. You can also customise the sauce by adding extra vegetables or spices to suit your taste.
• Cool the Sauce: Allow the sauce to cool completely before freezing. This will help prevent ice crystals from forming and ensure that the sauce freezes evenly.
• Portion the Sauce: Spoon the sauce into the Freeze & Bake Poddies, filling them to the top. Leave a little space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
• Freeze the Sauce: Place the filled Freeze & Bake Poddies in the freezer and allow them to freeze completely. Once frozen, you can remove the pods from the freezer and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for long-term storage.
• To Use: When you're ready to make the Meatball Bake, simply remove the desired number of sauce pods from the freezer and place them in a saucepan. Heat the sauce over medium heat until it's thawed and heated through. While the sauce is heating, you can prepare the meatballs according to the recipe.
• Finish the Dish: Once the sauce is heated through, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake according to the recipe instructions.

Another option for a quick midweek meal is to batch cook the entire Meatball Bake by assembling the dish in bulk and freezing it in a larger dish. This way, you can simply thaw and bake the entire meal whenever you need a quick and easy dinner option.

Tips and tricks to help you create budget-friendly meals

1. Plan Your Meals: Planning your meals in advance can help you make the most of your ingredients and avoid unnecessary purchases. Take inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge, and plan your meals around those items. This can help reduce food waste and save you money.
2. Buy in Bulk: Buying staple ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, and spices in bulk can help you save money in the long run. These items have a long shelf life and can be used in a variety of dishes, making them great pantry staples for budget-friendly cooking.
3. Use Seasonal Produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often more affordable and flavorful than their out-of-season counterparts. Shop for produce that is in season and plan your meals around those ingredients to save money.
4. Cook in Bulk and Freeze: Cooking in bulk and freezing leftovers can save you time and money. Prepare large batches of meals and freeze them in individual portions for quick and easy meals later on. This can also help you avoid the temptation of ordering takeout on busy nights.
5. Get Creative with Leftovers: Don't let leftovers go to waste! Use leftover ingredients to create new meals. For example, leftover chicken can be used in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes, while leftover vegetables can be added to soups, stews, or stir-fries.

Note: Prices are indicative of current Australian supermarket prices as at May 2024.

Pin this Recipe

Featured Product