Great food doesn't have to cost a lot — it just has to be cooked with a Coles Little Shop Hacks: Creative Storage Solutions">little intention. 5 dinner ideas when there's nothing in the fridge is proof that your best meals often come from the simplest ingredients.

The Affordable Kitchen

Australians are increasingly cooking at home — and for good reason. A meal that costs $25 at a restaurant can be made for $6 at home with slightly more effort and significantly more satisfaction. The key is building a small repertoire of reliable, flexible recipes.

What Works

Tinned tomatoes, eggs, lentils, frozen vegetables, cheap cuts of meat and pantry staples form the backbone of the most cost-effective cooking. Master a handful of techniques and these simple ingredients become genuinely delicious meals.

Full Guide Coming

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This post is part of Tuckara's Food & Cooking series — real food for real budgets.