The Frugal Foodie - Steph de Sousa Recipes

Cooking meals on a budget has never been so inspiring! Check out these delicious and simple recipes featured on the Channel 10 cooking show, The Frugal Foodie. Starring ALDI advocate Steph de Sousa and proudly supported by ALDI Australia, you'll love the budget-friendly recipes she makes each week. 

Each one of Steph de Sousa's recipes is family-friendly and can be whipped up using ingredients you can find in your local ALDI store. So you know these dishes are not only packed with quality products, but they’re affordable too!

In each episode, Steph de Sousa, renowned for her warm, relatable approach to cooking, brings her passion for creating flavour-packed meals without breaking the bank. From clever tips on how to save money in the kitchen to hearty recipes that don’t compromise on taste, Steph’s new series is a celebration of resourceful cooking for every Australian household.

Catch the episodes live every Saturday at 1:30pm (AEDT) on Channel 10 and 10Play.

Episode 8: Fakeaways

Craving takeout? Recreate it at home with Steph’s Chicken Pad Thai, homemade Lamb Gozleme, or Gluten-Free Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken. Enjoy your favourites without leaving the house! Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Chicken Pad Thai

Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Lamb Gozleme

  • 2kg Broad Oak Farms chicken thighs 
  • 500g Killarnee lamb mince 
  • 2 Limes 
  • 1 brown onion 
  • 1 red onion  
  • 2 spring onions 
  • 200g Emporium Selection Greek style fetta 
  • 400ml Farmdale buttermilk 
  • 2 cups White Mill Gluten Free plain flour 
  • 2 cups White Mill corn flour
  • ¾ cup White Mill brown sugar 
  • 6 Baker’s Life large white wraps 
  • 1/3 cup Forresters peanuts 
  • 200g Urban Eats pad Thai rice noodles 
  • 3 Lodge Farms free range eggs
  • 1 tbsp Oh So Natural coconut oil 
  • Large handful Fresh Salad Co. baby spinach leaves 
  • Large handful of fresh beansprouts
  • 1 cup Westcliff pineapple juice

Check you have these pantry items:

  • White Mill brown sugar 
  • Asia Specialties oyster sauce  
  • Asia Specialities fish Sauce 
  • Asia Specialities soy sauce 
  • Pure Vita white vinegar 
  • Colway tomato sauce
  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • Stonemill ground paprika 
  • Stonemill smoked paprika
  • Stonemill cumin powder
  • Stonemill white pepper 
  • Stonemill garlic powder
  • Stonemill onion powder
  • Stonemill dried oregano
  • The Olive Tree olive oil spray

Episode 7: One Pot Wonders

Make mealtime easy with these one-pot recipes! Try Steph’s One Pan Mozzarella Meatball Subs, savoury One Pan Greek Chicken Bake, or creamy Avocado Gnocchi with Spinach and Pinenuts. Less cleanup, more enjoyment! Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Avocado Gnochhi with Spinach and Pine Nuts

One Pan Greek Chicken Bake

One Pan Mozzarella Meatball Subs

  • 1 Willowton free range chicken
  • 500g pack Ironbark pork and beef mince
  • 1 x 400g pack fresh World Kitchen cheese gnocchi
  • 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes
  • 200g Emporium Selection Greek style fetta cheese
  • 300ml Farmdale thickened cream
  • 1 x  Westacre Mozzarella cheese ball
  • 1 jar Remano Australia tomato passata
  • 1 x 6 pack Bakers Life hotdog rolls
  • 1 Kent pumpkin
  • 2 small brown onion
  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 capsicum
  • 1 Zucchini
  • 1 lemon

Check you have these pantry items:

  • Sprigs of parsley to garnish
  • The Olive Tree extra virgin olive oil
  • Pure Valley butter
  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • Stonemill Salt
  • Stonemill Black pepper
  • Stonemill oregano
  • Stonemill paprika
  • Stonemill Italian seasoning
  • 1 Lodge Farms free range egg
  • 1/2 cup White Mill Breadcrumbs
  • 1 handful Fresh Salad Co. baby spinach
  • 2 tbsp Oh So Natural pine nuts

Episode 6: Tasty on Budget

Making a delicious meal doesn’t have to break the bank! From hearty Apricot Chicken and comforting Cottage Pie to flavourful Spanish Chorizo Rice, these budget-friendly recipes are both satisfying and easy to make. Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Spanish Chorizo Rice

Cottage Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

Apricot Chicken

  • 1.5kg Willowton free range chicken thighs
  • 3 small brown onion
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 small, sweet potato
  • 6 large white potatoes
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 small capsicum
  • ½ bunch spring onions
  • 1 cob corn
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 x 400ml can Sweet Valley Apricot halves
  • 200ml Farmdale thickened cream
  • 1 sachet Simplee French onion soup mix
  • 2 packets microwaveable Imperial Grain basmati fragrant white rice
  • 1 ½  cups Imperial Grain white rice
  • 1 x Berg chorizo sausage (about 125g)
  • 2 x cans Remano diced tomatoes
  • 1kg Jindurra Station Beef Mince
  • ½ cup Market Fare frozen garden peas

Check you have these pantry items:

  • Stonemill salt
  • Stonemill pepper
  • Farmdale Milk
  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • The Olive Tree extra virgin olive oil
  • Stonemill smoked paprika
  • Remano tomato paste
  • Colway Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tbsp Pure Vallley butter
  • 1 cup of White Mill plain flour for coating chicken
  • 2 cups Chefs’ Cupboard chicken stock
  • 1 tsp Chef’s Cupboard beef stock powder

Episode 5: Fasta Pasta

Make pasta night a breeze with Steph's Pesto Cannelloni or Speck Linguini. These quick and delicious recipes are sure to please the whole family and are ready in minutes! Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Pesto Cannelloni

Speck Linguine

  • 200g Berg Speck
  • 1L Chef's Cupboard chicken stock 
  • 500g Armando linguine
  • 1 cup shaved Emporium Selection parmesan (or Grana Padano)
  • 1 pack of World Kitchen fresh lasagne sheets
  • 700g jar Remano tomato passata 
  • 250g Westacre shredded pizza cheese
  • 1 red onion
  • Handful of cherry tomatoes 
  • Bunch of fresh basil
  • 225g (one block) of Westacre cream cheese

Check you have these pantry items:

 

  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup Oh So Natural pine nuts
  • Remano extra virgin olive oil 
  • Stonemill dried chilli flakes 
  • 1 lemon
  • Butter
  • Salt and cracked pepper

Episode 4: 15-Minute Meals

Pressed for time? Enjoy quick and tasty meals ready in just 15 minutes! Try Steph’s San Choy Bow, Creamy Tuscan Salmon, or zesty Black Bean Nacho Soup. Perfect for busy weeknights! Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Creamy Tuscan Salmon

San Choi Bow

Black Bean Nacho Soup

  • ½ El Toro sachet of Taco seasoning
  • 1 small red capsicum
  • 2 small brown onions
  • 1 x 420g can El Toro black beans
  • 2 x 400g Remano tinned tomatoes
  • 500ml of Chefs’ Cupboard vegetable stock
  • 300ml Farmdale sour cream
  • Avocado
  • New Season tinned canned corn
  • Fresh coriander
  • Oh So Natural corn chips
  • Fresh lime
  • 4 The Fishmonger salmon fillets
  • 300g Farmdale thickened cream
  • 1 cup Deli Originals chopped sundried tomatoes
  • Handful of The Fresh Salad Co. baby spinach
  • ½ cup parsley leaves
  • Fresh lemon
  • Fresh garlic
  • 500g Ironbark pork mince
  • 1 handful of The Fresh Salad Co. bagged coleslaw mix
  • 1 handful of fresh bean sprouts
  • 3 pieces baby gem lettuce
  • 2 tbsp Asia Specialities oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp Asia Specialities kecap manis
  • 2 tbsp Asia Specialities soy Sauce
  • Optional – Simplee crispy noodles
  • Optional - toasted peanuts
  • Optional - fresh chilli to serve

Check you have these pantry items:

  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • Remano tomato paste
  • The Olive Tree extra virgin olive oil
  • Beautifully Butterfully butter
  • Stonemill minced garlic
  • Stonemill minced ginger
  • Remano white wine vinegar
  • Stonemill salt and pepper
  • White Mill sugar

Episode 3: Sensational Salads

Reimagine salads with vibrant, hearty creations that are as filling as they are delicious. Peach Bocconcini Salad, plus Watermelon & Fetta Salad. Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Peach Bocconcini Salad with Prosciutto 

Watermelon Fetta Salad

  • 220g Emporium Selection bocconcini 
  • ½ block of Emporium Selection Greek fetta cheese 
  • 3 ripe peaches
  • 120g Fresh Salad Co rocket leaves
  • Large handful fresh basil leaves
  • 4-6 slices of prosciutto di parma 
  • 2 tbsp of Bramwells honey
  • ¼ watermelon
  • 3 handfuls The Fresh Salad Co baby spinach
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 red onion 
  • ¾ cup of Oh So Natural walnuts
  • 2 tbsp Oh So Natural pine nuts 

Check you have these pantry items:

  • Remano balsamic vinegar
  • Remano white wine vinegar
  • Remano white wine vinegar
  • White Mill caster sugar
  • White Mill brown sugar
  • Pure Valley butter
  • Remano olive oil
  • The Olive Tree extra virgin olive oil
  • Stonemill sea salt and pepper 

 

    

 

Episode 2: BBQ on a Budget

Impress your guests with show-stopping party dishes that look and taste expensive but don’t strain your wallet. Steph’s simple Potato Salad and BBQ Chicken Wings recipes are easy to prepare and oh so tasty! Find the recipes along with the recipe videos below.

Potato Salad with Chorizo

Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Ranch Sauce

  • 2kg Broad Oak Farms chicken wings
  • ½ cup Colway Worcestershire sauce
  • 600ml Farmdale sour cream
  • 1½ kg The Good Stuff white washed potatoes
  • 1 Berg chorizo sausage
  • 3 spring onions
  • ½ cup Emporium Selection Danish fetta
  • 1 lemon
  • Fresh chives
  • Fresh dill sprigs

Check you have these pantry items:

  • Stonemill salt and black pepper
  • Remano red wine vinegar
  • Remano white wine vinegar
  • Bramwells honey
  • Colway BBQ sauce
  • Stonemill garlic powder
  • Stonemill onion powder
  • Stonemill ground paprika
  • Stonemill smoked paprika
  • Colway traditional mayonnaise
  • Colway whole egg mayonnaise
  • Stonemill minced garlic

    

 

Episode 1: Lunchbox Wonders

Creative and budget-friendly lunch ideas for kids and adults alike! Check out this quick and easy Mexican Layer Dip made with layers of kidney beans, creamy guacamole, fresh salsa, and zesty cheese, perfect for dipping with tortilla chips. Find the recipe along with the recipe video below.

Mexican Layer Dip

  • 3 large, ripe avocados
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 New Season 450g cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 600ml Farmdale sour cream
  • 1 El Tora taco mix seasoning sachet (or to taste, using recipe below)
  • 1 punnet cherry tomatoes
  • ½ small red onion
  • ½ bunch fresh coriander
  • 1 large handful Westacre Dairy shredded cheese
  • 1 pack Bakers Life large white wraps

Check you have these pantry items:

  • The Olive Tree olive oil spray 
  • Stonemill salt and cracked black pepper

 

Check back here weekly after each episode, for Steph's easy-to-follow recipes and recipe shopping lists, making it simple for you to recreate The Frugal Foodie meals at home.  

 

Want to know more about Steph de Sousa?

Steph de Sousa is a vibrant culinary enthusiast, passionate about creating delightful dishes without denting the wallet. Known to her expansive online commuity as @steph_cooks_stuff on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Steph has carved a niche for herself in the culinary world by blending her love of food with a keen sense for budgeting. As a self-taught chef, Steph believes in the power of simplicity. championing recipes that are not only affordable and nutritious, but also easy enough for the everyday cook.