You know how it is – pay day has been and gone and you’re running out of money already. One way you can cut back and save the pennies is by being frugal with your food shopping. There is no shame in buying own brand ingredients to cut costs, often I find they are as good as the big brands. Using some of the Midlands Co-op Simply Value range as well as their clever casserole pack, I’ve come up with a budget busting sausage casserole which keeps the cost down without scrimping on flavour.
As you know, I’m a fan of all things local and I do blog for the Midlands Co-op but my opinions are my own and I truly rate these products. Unlike the ‘budget’ lines at some other supermarkets, the Simply Value range includes free range eggs, nothing is animal tested and none of the products have any artificial colourings or hydrogenated fats in them. Good stuff!
Ingredients, serves 2-3:
- Olive oil
- Tinned tomatoes
- Salted butter
- Cheddar cheese
- Co – op ‘Chop Chop’ Casserole pack
- 5-6 sausages (I use thick, herby pork sausages)
- 250ml Vegetable Stock
- 1 tsp Herbs de Provance
- Salt & Pepper
- Breadcrumbs
Method:Pre-heat the oven to 180C/ 160C Fan. Brown the sausages over a medium heat in in a mix of butter and oil (or one or the other if you prefer).
- Once the sausages are browned all over, add the casserole vegetables and a tsp herbs and season well. Cut any big potatoes in half and give it all a good stir then let it brown for a couple of mins.
- Add a tin of tomatoes and 250ml vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer & turn the heat down.
- Cook for 15 minutes so that the liquid reduces and the potatoes are cooked through.
- Pour the mixture into an ovenproof dish and cook in the oven for a further 20 mins (this is so that the sausages and potatoes cook through) before sprinkling with grated cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Turn the oven up or move to the grill for the last 10 minutes and once bubbling, its ready to serve.
Granted, this is not the prettiest food in the world but its filling and tastes great! Serve hot in a bowl and if you’re feeling really greedy, add some crusty bread!
love this kind of cooking, it's so perfect for an inexpensive mid-week treat. perfection!
Can't beat a sausage casserole; and this one looks great!
Thanks both for your comments, this isn't glamorous or pretty food but it does taste good! In my opinion though, the one thing which you should always spend as much money as you can on is the sausages!