Australian Fine Dining for Families | 12 Meals Under $12 with Dollar Tree Finds

 

1. Aussie Meat Pie with Herb Gravy

Dollar Tree Finds: Pie crust, frozen veggies, brown gravy mix
Gourmet Twist: Add fresh rosemary and a splash of red wine reduction.
Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

• 1 pack brown gravy mix

• 1 pre-made pie crust (top and bottom)

• 1 tsp rosemary

• 1/4 cup red wine (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess fat.

3. Stir in veggies and gravy (prepared per packet).

4. Add rosemary and red wine; simmer 5 minutes.

5. Fill pie crust with mixture, cover with top crust, crimp, and vent.

6. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden.

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2. Grilled Barramundi with Lemon Butter Sauce

Dollar Tree Finds: Frozen fish fillets (swai or tilapia), lemon juice
Gourmet Twist: Serve with garlic sautéed spinach and smoked sea salt.
Ingredients:

• 2 fish fillets

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season fish with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Grill or pan-fry 4–5 minutes per side.

3. Melt butter and stir in lemon juice.

4. Pour over fish and serve warm.

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3. Chicken Parmigiana Aussie Style

Dollar Tree Finds: Chicken, breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, cheese, bacon bits
Gourmet Twist: Top with fresh parsley and cracked pepper and broil.
Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1 cup tomato sauce

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• 2 tbsp bacon bits

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Bread chicken and bake or pan-fry until golden.

3. Top with sauce, cheese, and bacon bits.

4. Broil 3–4 minutes until bubbly and browned.

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4. Grilled Aussie Steak with Garlic Potato Wedges and Chimichurri

Dollar Tree Finds: Beef, potatoes, garlic powder, parsley flakes
Gourmet Twist: Make chimichurri with fresh herbs, olive oil, and vinegar.
Ingredients:

• 2 beef steaks

• 2 large potatoes

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper

• 1/4 cup parsley

• 2 tbsp vinegar

• 1 clove garlic

Instructions:

1. Cut potatoes into wedges, toss with oil, garlic powder, salt, and bake at 400°F for 30 mins.

2. Grill steak to preference; rest before slicing.

3. Blend parsley, garlic, vinegar, and oil for chimichurri.

4. Serve steak with wedges and chimichurri.

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5. Aussie-Style Grilled Lamb Meatballs with Mint Yogurt

Dollar Tree Finds: Ground beef, plain yogurt, herbs/spices
Gourmet Twist: Add chopped mint, lemon zest, and garlic to the yogurt.
Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb or beef

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp coriander

• Salt and pepper

• 1 cup plain yogurt

• 1 tbsp chopped mint

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. Mix meat with spices, form meatballs.

2. Grill or bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

3. Combine yogurt with mint, lemon zest, and garlic.

4. Serve meatballs with chilled yogurt sauce.

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6. Baked Macadamia-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Dollar Tree Finds: Chicken, breadcrumbs, nut snack mix
Gourmet Twist: Mix nuts with parmesan and paprika for crunch.
Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup crushed nut mix

• 2 tbsp grated parmesan

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Mix breadcrumbs, nuts, parmesan, and paprika.

3. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with crumb mixture.

4. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  

   7. Aussie Beetroot Burger with Fried Egg                                                                                                                                                

   

   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Canned beets, frozen burgers, eggs, buns
   Gourmet Twist: Toast the bun with butter and add garlic aioli for a rich, savory finish.
   Ingredients:

   • 2 frozen beef burgers

   • 2 hamburger buns

   • 2 eggs

   • 1/2 cup canned sliced beets

   • Salt and pepper to taste

   Instructions:

   1. Grill or pan-fry burgers until cooked through.

   2. In a separate pan, fry eggs sunny side up.

   3. Toast buns with butter.

   4. Assemble burgers with beet slices and fried egg on top.

   5. Serve with a side of fries or salad.

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   8. Sausage Rolls with Puff Pastry                                                                                                                                                                                 

   

   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Sausage, crescent dough
   Gourmet Twist: Brush with egg wash and top with sesame seeds and smoked paprika.
   Ingredients:

   • 1 tube crescent dough or puff pastry

   • 1/2 lb ground sausage

   • 1 egg (for wash)

   • 1 tsp smoked paprika

   • Optional: sesame seeds

   Instructions:

   1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

   2. Roll out dough, add sausage down the center, and roll to seal.

   3. Slice into small rolls, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with paprika and seeds.

   4. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

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   9. Veggie and Cheese Jaffle (Toasted Sandwich)                                                                                                                                          

   

   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Bread, cheese, frozen spinach, onions
   Gourmet Twist: Use caramelized onions and herb butter for extra richness.
   Ingredients:

   • 4 slices sandwich bread

   • 1 cup shredded cheese

   • 1/2 cup thawed spinach

   • 1/4 cup sautéed onions

   • Butter or margarine

   Instructions:

   1. Spread butter on outer sides of bread.

   2. Fill inside with cheese, spinach, and onions.

   3. Toast in a skillet or sandwich press until golden and melted.

   4. Slice and serve warm.

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   10. Prawn (Shrimp) and Avocado Rice Bowl                                                                                                                                                      

   

   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Frozen shrimp, rice, avocado (if available)
   Gourmet Twist: Drizzle with soy-honey glaze and sprinkle with sesame seeds and lime zest.
   Ingredients:

   • 1 cup cooked rice

   • 1/2 lb cooked shrimp

   • 1 avocado, sliced

   • 2 tbsp soy sauce

   • 1 tbsp honey

   • 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

   • Lime zest for garnish

   Instructions:

   1. Sauté shrimp with a soy-honey glaze until warm and sticky.

   2. Add shrimp, avocado, and lime zest over warm rice.

   3. Top with sesame seeds and serve.

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   11. Aussie BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Glaze                                                                                                                                              

   

   
   
   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Chicken, canned pineapple, BBQ sauce
   Gourmet Twist: Add chili flake and serve over herbed couscous.
   Ingredients:

   • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed

   • 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks

   • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

   • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

   • Wooden skewers (optional)

   Instructions:

   1. Mix BBQ sauce with pineapple juice and chili flakes.

   2. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers.

   3. Grill or bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, basting with glaze.

   4. Serve with couscous or rice.

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   12. Creamy Chicken & Leek Pie with Puff Pastry Top                                                                                                                                            

   

   
   

   Dollar Tree Finds: Canned chicken, cream of chicken soup, mixed veggies, crescent dough
   Gourmet Twist: Sauté fresh leeks with butter and thyme; add milk or white wine for depth.
   Ingredients:

   • 1 can chicken

   • 1 can cream of chicken soup

   • 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables

   • 1 leek, sliced and sautéed

   • 1 sheet crescent dough or puff pastry

   • 2 tbsp milk or white wine

   Instructions:

   1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

   2. In a pan, mix chicken, veggies, soup, sautéed leek, and milk or wine.

   3. Pour into a baking dish and top with pastry.

   4. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.