Sometimes you have to budget and when you do, one of the biggest places to recoup that extra spending, is at the grocery store.
Whether you are saving money for rent, or future travel plans, or because the cost of everything is just too high, it is handy to have a few family-friendly budget-conscious recipes that are both tasty and easy on the wallet for your weekly meal rotation.
Working under a budget just takes some clever techniques and inexpensive pantry staples.
With just a few minutes of active time in the kitchen, you can pull together a delicious dish that anyone can enjoy.
Below is a budget-friendly courgette spaghetti with creamy mushrooms, pork sausage, and parmesan recipe, courtesy of the South African Mushroom Farmers' Association, that you can plug into your weekly meal plan.
It is cheap and easy, and it will make mouths happy and stomachs full.
Another thing that you need to know is that courgettes are tailor-made for use with a spiraliser to create courgette spaghetti or ‘courgetti’. Unlike standard wheat pasta, you won’t be left feeling bloated and overly full, so you can indulge to your heart’s content.
With only a few simple ingredients, you can have a comforting dinner on the table in less than 25 minutes. The association notes that if you are using fresh pork sausage, cook it first to firm it up, then slice it into rounds and pan-fry with the mushrooms.
Courgette spaghetti with creamy mushrooms, pork sausage and parmesan
Ingredients
Serves: 2
30ml olive oil
About 200g smoked pork sausage, sliced
250g button mushrooms, sliced
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
250ml cream
¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Salt & pepper
350g courgette spaghetti (strips of baby marrow)
Method
In a wide pan, heat the oil and fry the pork sausage until golden. Add the mushrooms and garlic and fry until cooked.
Add the cream and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring, to reduce. Add the parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
Add the courgette and stir to coat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute or just tender. Serve at once, sprinkled with more parmesan.