close
HomeNewsMoneyHealthPropertyLifestyleWineRetirement GuideTriviaGames
Sign up
menu
Food & Drink

3 Five-Ingredient Italian Batch Cooking Recipes Australians Will Love

Brian Crisp
May 08, 2026
Share:
This delicious cheesy tuna pasta bake is a real people pleaser. Source: Getty Images

From espresso bars in Melbourne to family-run trattorias in Adelaide, Italian food has become part of Australia’s culinary identity. Italian migrants helped shape the way Australians cook and eat, bringing traditions from every corner of Italy – from the rich ragùs of Bologna to the rustic tomato dishes of Sicily.

These simple batch-cooking recipes celebrate that heritage with hearty meals inspired by different Italian regions. Best of all, each recipe uses just five ingredients, making them affordable, easy to prepare and perfect for freezing or feeding a crowd.

Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Stew
Inspired by Tuscany

Tuscan cooking is famous for turning humble ingredients into deeply comforting meals. This rustic sausage and bean stew is rich, warming and ideal for making ahead for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

500g Italian pork sausages
2 cans cannellini beans
1 jar passata
2 cups baby spinach
1 brown onion

Method

Slice sausages and brown in a large pot.
Add diced onion and cook until softened.
Stir in passata and cannellini beans.
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Fold through spinach until wilted.
Serves
4–6

Freezer friendly
Freeze for up to 3 months.

Sicilian Tuna Pasta Bake
Inspired by Sicily

Sicilian food often combines pantry staples with bold Mediterranean flavours. This tuna pasta bake is budget-friendly, satisfying and perfect for preparing in advance.

Ingredients

500g penne pasta
2 cans tuna in olive oil
1 jar tomato pasta sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 cup frozen peas

Method

Cook pasta until just tender.
Combine pasta with tuna, sauce and peas.
Transfer to a baking dish.
Top with mozzarella.
Bake at 180°C for 25 minutes until golden.

Serves 6

Freezer friendly
Freeze before or after baking.

Venetian Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
Inspired by Veneto

Northern Italian cuisine is known for creamy risottos and comforting rice dishes. This simplified version delivers classic Italian flavour with minimal fuss and just a handful of ingredients.

Ingredients

2 cups arborio rice
500g chicken thigh fillets
200g mushrooms
1 litre chicken stock
1 cup parmesan cheese

Method

Dice chicken and cook in a deep pan until browned.
Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened.
Stir in arborio rice.
Gradually add stock, stirring until rice is creamy and tender.
Finish with parmesan cheese before serving.

Serves 4–6

Freezer friendly
Best frozen in portions for quick lunches.

 

Food & DrinkLifestyleThe latest newsRecipes
Share:

Continue reading

News

Three ways to cook eggs that will change your breakfast forever

Three ways to cook eggs that will change your breakfast forever

Eggs are one of the most perfect foods on earth — and most of us are cooking them the same three ways we always have. Here are three recipes that will change that: Turkish eggs with chilli butter, the egg sandwich you've been waiting for, and a French omelette done properly.
News

Three ways to cook eggs that will change your breakfast forever

Three ways to cook eggs that will change your breakfast forever

Eggs are one of the most perfect foods on earth — and most of us are cooking them the same three ways we always have. Here are three recipes that will change that: Turkish eggs with chilli butter, the egg sandwich you've been waiting for, and a French omelette done properly.
Food & Drink

Carrot and ginger soup with coconut cream — the bowl of warmth you’ll make on repeat

Carrot and ginger soup with coconut cream — the bowl of warmth you’ll make on repeat

A warm and nourishing carrot and ginger soup made with fresh ingredients, creamy coconut, and a hint of spice. Easy, healthy, and full of flavour. There’s nothing better than a bowl of homemade soup
Food & Drink

The humble mushroom is one of the most powerful foods you can eat after 60

The humble mushroom is one of the most powerful foods you can eat after 60

Mushrooms are one of the only plant foods containing ergothioneine — a compound the human body has a specific system to absorb and deliver to the brain. Three five-ingredient recipes that are cheap, delicious and genuinely good for you.
Food & Drink

Protein shakes aren’t just for young gym-goers — here’s why people over 60 need them more, and three recipes designed specifically for your body

Protein shakes aren’t just for young gym-goers — here’s why people over 60 need them more, and three recipes designed specifically for your body

Research shows adults over 60 need up to 60% more protein than younger adults to protect muscle mass and independence. These three protein shakes are designed specifically for the 60-plus body — each one targeting a different health priority.
Food & Drink

Three ways to turn a cheap pack of sausages into something genuinely special — and none of them take more than five ingredients

Three ways to turn a cheap pack of sausages into something genuinely special — and none of them take more than five ingredients

Sausages are one of the most affordable proteins in the supermarket — and with the right five ingredients, they become something far more impressive than a snag on bread. Three very different recipes that will change how you think about a humble sausage.