6 Low-Cost Recipes for Cooking with Frozen Vegetables

Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice taste or nutrition. Frozen vegetables are a cost-effective, nutritious, and versatile ingredient, ready to be transformed into delicious meals.

1. Veggie Fried Rice

This colorful, hearty dish brings the best out of your frozen mixed vegetables, combined with the comfort of fried rice.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large pan or wok, then add the beaten eggs and scramble.
2. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and stir-fry until they’re heated through.
3. Stir in the cooked rice and soy sauce, mixing everything together until the rice is hot.
4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with green onions, and serve.

2. Creamy Spinach Pasta

Creamy, hearty, and green, this spinach pasta dish is a great way to incorporate more veggies into your diet.

Ingredients

• 200g pasta
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Preparation

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain, reserving some pasta water.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until golden.
3. Add the frozen spinach and cook until it’s warmed through.
4. Stir in the cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing to coat. If needed, add pasta water to thin the sauce.
6. Season with salt and pepper, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve.

3. Vegetable Curry

Curry is a fantastic way to elevate frozen vegetables into a tasty and comforting dish. This recipe is flexible and works with any blend of veggies.

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. In a large pot, heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
2. Stir in the curry powder, cooking for a minute until fragrant.
3. Add the frozen vegetables, stirring to coat them in the curry mixture.
4. Pour in the coconut milk, bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and serve over rice.

4. Veggie-Stuffed Bell Peppers

These bell peppers stuffed with a medley of vegetables make a tasty and nutritious main dish or side.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers, tops cut and seeds removed
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated cheddar cheese for topping

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the cooked rice, frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stuff each bell pepper with the mixture, place in a baking dish, and top with grated cheddar.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

5. Quick Vegetable Soup

This warming vegetable soup is a perfect choice for chilly days and a great way to use a variety of frozen vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. In a large pot, heat the oil and sauté the garlic until golden.
2. Add the frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve with warm bread.

6. Veggie Pizza

Take your frozen mixed vegetables on a delicious ride with this quick and easy veggie pizza.

Ingredients

• 1 pre-made pizza crust
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven as directed on the pizza crust package.
2. Spread the pizza sauce over the crust, then sprinkle half of the cheese on top.
3. Scatter the frozen vegetables over the cheese, then add the remaining cheese on top.
4. Sprinkle with dried oregano and a bit of salt, then bake as directed on the pizza crust package.

With these six low-cost recipes, frozen vegetables become the star of your meals, proving that budget-friendly cooking can be delicious, nutritious, and satisfying. Enjoy exploring these recipes and happy cooking!