food for giving

This is Mary's classic lasagne recipe which has been perfected over the years. For the best results leave the lasagne to stand for six hours before cooking. 

Each serving provides 861 kcal, 50g protein, 56g carbohydrates (of which 17g sugars), 47g fat (of which 23g saturates), 5.5g fibre and 1.4g salt. 

Lasagne al forno

olive oil

beef mince

onions, roughly chopped

celery, diced (optional)

garlic cloves, crushed

flour

150 milliliters/¼ pint beef stock

tbsp redcurrant jelly (optional) or 1 tsp caster sugar

tomato purée

thyme

tomatoes

butter

750 milliliters/1¼ pints hot milk

Dijon mustard

Parmesan,

salt and black pepper

lasagne

75 grams/3 ounces mature cheddar, grated

The Hairy Bikers’ take on sausage casserole makes a wonderfully warming and filling dish, and it freezes brilliantly. 

Each serving provides 423 kcal, 23.5g protein, 16g carbohydrates (of which 9.5g sugars), 28.5g fat (of which 10g saturates), 4.5g fibre and 2g salt.



Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

1–2 tbsp sunflower oil

pork sausages

rashers rindless streaky bacon,

onions, thinly sliced

½–1 tsp hot chilli powder or smoked paprika

tin chopped tomatoes

300 milliliters/10fl oz chicken stock

Worcestershire sauce

dark brown muscovado sugar

herbs

bay leaves

milliliters/3½fl oz red or white wine (optional)

tin butter beans

rice bread

James Martin's easy cottage pie recipe is a family favourite. He goes back to basics to show you how to make a classic version, but easier.

Easy cottage pie

milliliters/2fl oz olive oil

onion banana

plain flour

150 milliliters/5fl oz red wine

400 milliliters/14fl oz beef stock

Worcestershire sauce,

900 grams/2lb King Edward potatoes, peeled and chopped

125 milliliters/4½fl oz milk

150 grams/5½oz frozen peas

A no-fuss veggie pasta bake packed full of your 5-a-day! Make sure you use a vegetarian-friendly hard cheese if you're cooking for vegetarians.

Each serving provides 598 kcal, 23g protein, 68g carbohydrate (of which 14g sugars), 24g fat (of which 8g saturates), 10g fibre and 0.6g salt.

Vegetable pasta bake

red pepper, seeds removed,

yellow pepper, seeds removed,

aubergine, finely chopped

courgette, finely chopped

red onion, sliced

150 grams/5½oz cherry tomatoes, halved

tbsp basil

300 grams/10½oz pasta,

pesto

2-3 tbsp finely grated Parmesan, or a vegetarian hard cheese alternative

It’s worth getting good-quality, well-marbled meat from the butcher’s shop for this beef bourguignon recipe. The supermarket meat is often too lean and will become dry rather than succulent during the long cooking. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and some green vegetables, or even a crisp side salad with a mustardy dressing.

Each serving provides 669 kcal, 59g protein, 16g carbohydrates (of which 9g sugars), 30g fat (of which 11g saturates), 3.5g fibre and 2.4g salt.

Boeuf bourguignon

4–5 tbsp sunflower oil

bacon

onion,

red wine

beef stock cube

bushy thyme

450 grams/1lb pearl onions, or 24 baby onions

300 grams/10½oz chestnut mushrooms, wiped

water

sea salt and black pepper

parsley,

It's worth getting good-quality, well-marbled meat from the butcher's shop for this dish. Supermarket beef is often too lean and will become dry rather than succulent during the long cooking.

This delicious recipe for vegetarian bolognese sauce from Eat Well for Less makes enough for 2 meals. Brilliant with spaghetti or in a lasagne. 

Each serving provides 296 kcal, 13g protein, 48g carbohydrates (of which 10g sugars), 4g fat (of which 2g saturates), 8.5g fibre and 0.3g salt.

Vegetarian bolognese

onions,

carrots, chopped

tsp fresh thyme leaves, thyme

garlic cloves, finely chopped

vegetable stock

tbsp balsamic vinegar

300 grams/10½oz dried pasta

green salad, to serve

You can add any veg you like to this versatile stew. Just add root vegetables and squash at the beginning, green vegetables towards the end and frozen peas or sweetcorn at the last minute. Adding baked beans adds a little sweetness, plus fibre and protein.

Each serving provides 162 kcal, 7g protein, 25g carbohydrates (of which 10g sugars), 2.5g fat (of which 0.5g saturates), 8g fibre and 0.4g salt.

Versatile vegetable stew

onion, finely diced

carrots,

garlic cloves, finely diced

tsp sweet smoked paprika

½ tsp dried thyme

potatoes, peeled, cut into 1cm/½in dice

600 milliliters/21fl oz vegetable stock

cauliflower,

200 grams/7 ounces fine green beans, cut into 2cm/¾in pieces

beans

parsley

This authentic caponata is somewhere between a stew and a salad. Sweet and sour aubergines mix with salty olives, capers and tangy tomatoes. Best eaten at room temperature or just warm, this is our dream lunch, served with crusty ciabatta.

Caponata

aubergines,

extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

onion, chopped

celery sticks, chopped

grams/3½oz green olives

tbsp capers, drained and chopped

tbsp red wine vinegar

sugar,

extra virgin olive oil,

Creamy chicken with a taste of the South West: apples and cider. This is comfort food at its finest. 

Somerset chicken

chicken breasts, skin on

onions, peeled, sliced

tbsp plain flour

tbsp wholegrain mustard

dessert apples, peeled, cores removed,

110 grams/4 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

250 milliliters/9fl oz chicken stock

300 milliliters/10½fl oz cider

tbsp finely chopped fresh sage

250 milliliters/9fl oz double cream

300 grams/10½oz cheddar, grated

potatoes,

Romy Gill's butter chicken is nut-free, perfect for two and quick to make. It's topped with fragrant cardamom and fenugreek.


Easy butter chicken 

3–4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs,

green cardamom pods

fenugreek leaves

lemon juice

sunflower oil

tsp garam masala

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground coriander

½ tsp paprika (not smoked)

sea salt

¼ dried flaked chillies

garlic cloves, finely grated

grams/½oz fresh root ginger, finely grated

½ tsp garam masala

½ tsp ground turmeric

tsp dried fenugreek leaves

chilli flakes

tbsp caster sugar

100 milliliters/3½fl oz double cream

tbsp dark muscovado sugar

A classic, rich tomato sauce - great with pasta, meatballs or mixed with creamy mascarpone. This recipe makes a big batch and freezes well so you can whip up quick weekday meals. You'll never buy shop-bought jars again!

How to make a tomato sauce

onion, finely chopped

garlic clove, finely grated or crushed

½ tsp dried oregano, basil

½ tsp caster sugar

You can make a great pasta sauce with just a few ingredients and a bit of know-how.

How to make a pasta sauce

This is a really easy chilli con carne recipe. It has loads of flavour even though it uses mostly store cupboard ingredients.You can experiment with how hot it is by leaving the seeds in the fresh chillies or adding a pinch of dried chilli flakes. 

Each serving provides  420 kcal, 43g protein, 22g carbohydrates (of which 9.5g sugars), 12g fat (of which 4g saturates), 9.5g fibre and 1g salt.

Easy chilli con carne

onions, chopped

lean beef mince

250 milliliters/9fl oz red wine (optional)

x 400 grams tins chopped tomatoes

red chillies, thinly sliced,

tsp cumin

tsp coriander

cinnamon cinnamon

coriander

lime wedges, rice, guacamole, soured cream

This budget minestrone is the classic Italian soup made with cannellini beans and broken up spaghetti. Feel free to stir in extra vegetables, depending on what you have in the fridge. This is designed to be a low cost recipe.

Each serving provides 300 kcal, 18.3g protein, 37.1g carbohydrate (of which 14g sugars), 5.2g fat (of which 1g saturates), 16.5g fibre and 1.85g salt.

Minestrone soup

1.2 litres/2 pints vegetable or chicken stock,

tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

100 grams/3½ dried spaghetti, broken into short lengths

cabbage,

This creamy coconut chicken curry hails from Sri Lanka. The roasted curry powder gives a wonderful toasted aroma to the finished curry.

Top 15 food for giving recipes from across the web

The most viewed food for giving recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Lasagne al forno

Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

Easy cottage pie

Vegetable pasta bake

Boeuf bourguignon

Vegetarian bolognese

Versatile vegetable stew

Caponata

Somerset chicken

Easy butter chicken

Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

How to make a tomato sauce

Easy chilli con carne

Minestrone soup

Chicken and coconut curry

Top 15 food for giving recipes from across the web

The most viewed food for giving recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Lasagne al forno

Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

Easy cottage pie

Vegetable pasta bake

Boeuf bourguignon

Vegetarian bolognese

Versatile vegetable stew

Caponata

Somerset chicken

Easy butter chicken

Hairy Bikers' sausage casserole

How to make a tomato sauce

Easy chilli con carne

Minestrone soup

Chicken and coconut curry

The most viewed food for giving recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine