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Wallet-friendly January recipes

If you're tightening your food budget this month, you can still tuck into delicious meals with these clever, cheap recipes. Our warming January recipes range from hearty pies to tasty pasta bakes and comforting soups, plus explore our budget meals and budget recipes for family for more thrifty inspo.

Tuscan-style swede soup (ribollita) with pesto croutons
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Tuscan-style swede soup (ribollita) with pesto croutons

The humble swede is transformed into something special with this hearty and healthy Tuscan-inspired soup. Ideal for a budget-friendly filling lunch or simple supper.

  1. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the vegetable base mix for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally, until defrosted and softened slightly; season. Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary sprigs.
  2. Stir in the tomatoes, cook for 2 mins, then add the stock and swede. Simmer for 12-14 mins until the swede is tender, then add the beans and cabbage and cook for 2-3 mins until the cabbage is tender.
  3. Meanwhile, put the bread in a bowl with the remaining olive oil, a pinch of salt and the pesto; stir to coat. Tip onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 7-8 mins until golden and crisp.
  4. To serve, remove the herb sprigs and divide the soup between 4 bowls. Top with the pesto croutons and a shaving of grated Parmesan.

Freezing and defrosting guidelines

Freeze soup only. In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

See more Soup recipes

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  • Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp olive oil​
  • 400g frozen classic vegetable base mix
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3 thyme sprigs
  • 2 rosemary sprigs​
  • 250g tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 vegetable stock pot, made up to 1.2ltrs
  • 400g swede, peeled and diced
  • 400g tin cannellini beans, drained​
  • 4 Savoy cabbage leaves, thick stalks removed, thinly sliced
  • 2 slices crusty bread, roughly chopped
  • 2 tsp green pesto
  • 15g Parmesan, finely grated