Cheap and easy meals with eggs as the main ingredient

Welcome to our 'Cooking with the Basics' series! Each article in this series will cover a bunch of simple recipes you can follow, all based on a common ingredient you can find in your cupboard. This week we are going mad with EGGS, a powerfully versatile food, that doesn't need to be just a breakfast thing. 

The recipes below will all cost £10.00 or lower and should produce enough for multiple portions for your week! All you have to do is prep your meals to get the most out of your money (this estimate is based on the average price gained from Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M&S in June 2024. This is subject to change).

Here is a short video on how to fry, scramble and poach perfectly:

Vegetable frittata

Ingredients

• 8 large eggs
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 100g spinach
• 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 100g grated cheese (Cheddar or your choice)
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet over the vegetables. Stir gently to combine.
6. Sprinkle the cherry tomatoes and grated cheese over the top.
7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the frittata is set and golden on top.
8. Allow to cool slightly before slicing into wedges. Makes 4-6 servings.

Cost: Approx. £7

Shakshuka

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and spices (cumin, paprika, chilli powder) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
4. Create six small wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each well.
5. Cover the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the eggs are set to your liking.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread. Makes 3 servings.

Cost: Approx. £6

Egg fried rice

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 300g cooked rice (preferably cold)
• 200g frozen peas and carrots mix
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. In a large frying pan or wok, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the frozen peas and carrots, and cook for another 5 minutes until heated through.
3. Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble them until fully cooked.
4. Add the cooked rice to the pan, mixing everything together.
5. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil (if using), stirring to combine. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the rice is heated through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

Cost: Approx. £5

All these recipes are quick, easy, and can be customised to your taste preferences. The ingredients can all also be used for other recipes on Halls Life so keep a look out for more recipes coming soon!