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Frugal Foodie Steph de Sousa holding pasta

The Frugal Foodie

Big Flavour, Small Spend! 🍽️

Frugal Foodie is all about saving cash without skimping on taste! Each episode is packed with budget-friendly recipes, clever cooking hacks, and smart shopping tips to help you make the most of pantry staples and seasonal produce. Get inspired to cook delicious-quality meals—without the hefty price tag! 

 

📺 Frugal Foodie is on every Saturday at 1.30pm on Channel 10!

 

Huge thanks to our sponsors! 💛 ALDI and their fabulous groceries, Sistema’s smart lunchbox solutions, & Sunbeam’s handy kitchen gadgets make frugal cooking a breeze. From quick snacks to no-fuss meals, they’ve got your back—helping you save time, money, and effort every step of the way!

Frugal Foodie Steph de Sousa sushi sandwich

Episode 1: Lunchbox Magic

In the first episode of Frugal Foodie: Lunchbox Magic, we’re diving into fun, easy, and affordable lunchbox ideas that make meal prep a breeze. Say goodbye to pricey, pre-packaged snacks and hello to homemade goodness—think flavour-packed bites, creative sandwich twists, and budget-friendly nibbles the whole family will love. Whether you’re feeding little lunchers or packing your own, we’ve got the tricks to keep things tasty, stress-free, and oh-so-easy!

 

We’ve got sushi sandwiches with teriyaki chicken for a fresh twist on a classic, sausage roll scrolls that are flaky, fun, and oh-so-easy, and a Mexican layer dip that’s perfect for scooping up with crunchy crackers or veggie sticks. Whether you’re feeding little lunchers or packing your own, we’ve got the tricks to keep things tasty, stress-free, and oh-so-easy!

Watch me layer the ultimate Mexican dip—perfect with crunchy tortilla chips!

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Funfetti Cheesecake Frugal Foodie Steph holding

Episode 2: BBQ on a Budget

Get ready for a flavour-packed feast that won’t break the bank! In this episode, I’m firing up the grill and sharing my best budget-friendly BBQ recipes, including crispy, saucy BBQ wings, a fresh and vibrant salad, and a rich, creamy cheesecake. 😍 Whether you’re planning a backyard get-together or just craving a BBQ night at home, I’ve got you covered with money-saving tips and mouthwatering dishes. 

Watch me cook up sticky, smoky BBQ chicken wings you’ll be licking off your fingers!

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Peach Bocconcini Salad with Honey, Basil and Proscuitto Steph holding

Episode 3: Sensational Salads

This week, I’ll be showing you how to turn simple ingredients into fresh, flavourful, and filling salads without breaking the bank. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly lunch, a vibrant side dish, or a hearty meal that won’t cost a fortune, I’ve got you covered! You won’t want to miss this one—tune in for easy, delicious, and money-saving salad

Watch me throw together a banoffee dessert salad—sweet, creamy, and totally irresistible!

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San chow bow steph holding dish

Episode 4: 15 Minute Meals

This week’s Frugal Foodie is all about creating delicious, budget-friendly meals in just 15 minutes! ⏰

I’m sharing quick, easy, and flavour-packed recipes that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune—or hours in the kitchen—to enjoy tasty, satisfying dishes. Because saving money shouldn’t mean sacrificing flavour! Stick around to discover how simple and stress-free cooking can be. 

Watch me make fresh and crunchy San Choi Bow—quick, tasty, and totally satisfying!

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San Choi Bow on plate

Looking for a quick, healthy, and absolutely flavour-packed dinner option? Look no further than this ...

Frugal Foodie Fasta Pasta steph holding dish

Episode 5: Fasta Pasta

Episode 5 of Frugal Foodie is all about Fasta Pasta! I’m serving up three quick, budget-friendly pasta dishes that are big on flavour without breaking the bank. First up, Pesto Cannelloni, a creamy, herby bake that makes the most of simple, affordable ingredients. Then there’s Pumpkin Rigatoni with Capsicum and Fetta, a perfect mix of sweet roasted pumpkin, salty feta, and a pop of colour from capsicum. Finally, Speck Linguini brings smoky, savoury goodness to the table with minimal effort. These dishes prove that delicious, comforting pasta doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming—just fast, frugal, and full of flavour!

Watch me dish up pumpkin rigatoni with capsicum and feta—creamy, colourful, and full of flavour!

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Steph Frugal Foodie Ep 6 $20 dinners holding dish

Episode 6: $20 Dinners

In episode 6, I’m proving that you can feed a family on a budget without sacrificing flavour! In Episode 6, I’m tackling the $20 Dinners, creating delicious, comforting meals that stretch every dollar while still feeling like a treat.

This episode is all about maximizing ingredients, minimizing waste, and making every bite count. I’m using pantry staples, affordable proteins, and a few clever swaps to create meals that feel fancy but cost next to nothing. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking to save a little extra on your weekly shop, this one’s for you!

Watch me whip up a cosy cottage pie topped with creamy sweet potato mash—pure comfort in a dish!

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Frugal Foodie Steph Ep 7 standing in front of ingredients

Episode 7: One Pan Wonders

In episode 7 of Frugal Foodie we’re diving into the world of one-pan dinners – the ultimate solution for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

 

These dishes are packed with flavour and are so easy to make, you won’t believe how little effort goes into creating such delicious meals. From simple ingredients to minimal cleanup, these one-pan wonders will quickly become your go-to meals for stress-free cooking.

Watch my one pan Greek Chicken Bake– it’s one of the tasty dishes from One Pan Wonders!

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Frugal Foodie Ep 8 Steph de Saousa holding dish

Episode 8: Fakeaways

This week on Frugal Foodie, it’s all about the joy of Fakeaways—bringing those takeaway favourites into your own kitchen without the hefty bill. 

 

Episode 8 is packed with clever tricks to help you whip up tasty, budget-friendly versions of your go-to weekend treats.

It’s proof that you don’t need to spend loads to enjoy something delicious, fun, and full of flavour right at home.

Watch my Lamb Gozleme with Spinach and Fetta – it’s one of my favourite dishes from Fakeaways!

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Watch my Lamb Gozleme with Spinach and Fetta – it’s one of my favourite dishes from Fakeaways!

Frugal Foodie Curry in a hurry Steph de Sousa

Episode 9: Curry in a Hurry

This week on Frugal Foodie, we’re keeping things bold, budget-friendly, and—of course—super speedy!

Episode 9 is packed with flavour and full of clever dinner wins: we’re talking Mason Jar Noodle Soup, Red Thai Curry Dumpling Soup, and Tandoori Chicken with Veg Rice and Greek Yoghurt.

Each dish feels like a warm hug after a long day but comes together in a flash using affordable staples (most of mine came straight from Aldi). Whether you’re after a cosy noodle jar to take on-the-go, a dumpling soup that tastes like a takeaway treat, or a spiced-up one-pan wonder with cooling yoghurt on top, there’s something here for everyone.

Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick win in the kitchen.

Watch my Red Thai Curry Dumpling Soup – a cozy bowl of comfort!

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Watch my Red Thai Curry Dumpling Soup – a cozy bowl of comfort!

Frugal Foodie Ep 10 Steph de Sousa holding tacos

Episode 10: Slow Cooker Magic

This week on Frugal Foodie, we’re cranking up the flavour and turning down the effort—because it’s all about the magic of slow cooking! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want to let dinner take care of itself while you live your life, I’ve got you covered with easy, budget-friendly meals that taste like a warm hug. 

 

From fall-apart slow cooker meats that are perfect for easy dinners, to warm, gooey puddings that’ll make your heart (and tummy) so happy—this episode is all about low effort, high reward.


If you haven’t busted out your slow cooker in a while, now’s the time. Trust me, you’ll want to dive spoon-first into these cozy creations.

Watch my Pulled Chicken Tacos – the juiciest tacos ever!

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