How to use up everything!
Each month we show you how to waste less, make your ingredients work harder and last longer
recipes AILSA BURT
Chicken cacciatore one-pot with orzo, p80
photographs FACUNDO BUSTAMANTE
HELPING YOU TO COOK SMART
Rising food and energy costs mean that many of us are having to think carefully about getting the most from our budgets. To help, BBC Good Food has developed Cook Smart, a supportive campaign bringing knowledge and ideas to help you eat well. Cook Smart also explores the best energy-efficient cooking methods such as hob cooking and microwaving, as well as using slow cookers, multi-cookers and pressure cookers. For more help, advice and budget recipes go to bbcgoodfood.com/cook-smart.
Slow cooker potato gratin, p84
Storecupboard bakes, p76
Freeze the cheese
Grate cheese and store in the freezer, so it’s ready to sprinkle into toasties or pasta bakes in a flash – no need to defrost.
Onion options
Red onions can easily be swapped for white onion or even a couple of shallots in a pinch.
Creamy twist
For an even more cost-effective recipe, swap the mascarpone in this bake for soft cheese.
Switch it up
You can swap the chicken and bacon in this for sausages and mushrooms.
Odds and ends
Try our simple pasta bake – it’s ideal for polishing off leftover pasta and cheese
Chicken & pasta bake
There should always be pasta in the back of the cupboard. It’s a perfect vehicle for carrying other ingredients that you might have less of. This recipe is sure to become a favourite.
SERVES 6-8PREP 20 mins COOK 1 hr 15 mins EASY ❄
2 tbsp olive oil
100g smoked streaky bacon, cut
into small pieces
4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced