This recipe uses a third of an easy beef ragu made for use in Meal Plan 7. We use the other 2 thirds for a spaghetti bolognese and a cottage pie.
Dinners
Meal plan 7 – Beef Ragu for 3 different dishes
Make 1 big ragu and you can make a cottage pie, a lasagna and spaghetti bolognese with it!
Crunchy Broccoli Salad
This is a delicious salad that takes just a few minutes to make. It is creamy from the dressing and has a wonderful balance of flavours, with little pops of sweetness from the currants and savouriness from the sunflower seeds. It doesn’t taste particularly vegetabley strangely, probably because of the dressing, so might be liked by those not especially fond of veg.
Three Bean Salad
Three Bean Salad – an absolute classic dish. It’s super easy to make, is absolutely delicious, can be used as a main or a side and is very adaptable.
Hidden Veggies Pasta Sauce
Most people, including veggie-phobes of all ages, seem to like tomato pasta. If you cook and whizz in a mix of other vegetables, it’s a good way to get more of a variety into people.
Spinach Dumplings with Spicy Tomato Sauce
I tried these several years ago as my brother is coeliac and these, if you use the gram flour option, are gluten free. They are easy to make, freeze well and taste delicious. This recipe serves 4 adults. Great for kids as it’s easy to portion, they can just have fewer dumplings, and for the veg phobic kids, they don’t even taste of spinach!
Kounoupithi Yiahni or Tomato Stewed Cauliflower. A traditional Greek food
Kounoupithi Yiahni or Tomato Stewed Cauliflower is a traditional Greek food. When I tried a recipe supplied by a reader, I was blown away by how delicious it was. Simple food with fantastic flavour
Aubergine (Eggplant) Risotto with winter squash or pumpkin
Risotto made with aubergine (eggplant) and winter squash or pumpkin
Beetroot Ragu Lasagna
A beetroot ragu vegetable lasagna for a budget family dinner. Swap the beetroot layer out for all kinds of different savoury mixes
Peanut Oat Cakes with Roasted Onions and Green Pea Hummus
This recipe came about when I was challenged to create an 8th day on Meal Plan 1 using remaining groceries. Whatever nuts you have in can be used in place of the peanuts. Or make a nut butter and spread it on
Chicken and mango salad
This chicken and mango salad is very simple to make and takes no time at all. Great for a quick dinner after work or packed lunches for all the family. This is one of the more expensive recipes on Thrifty Lesley, so if funds are short, maybe something for a special occasion.
Sweet corn fritters
Simple little fritters, very quick and easy. Change it up by using the peas as the fritter and the corn as the side












