If you’re short of time to cook on weeknights, try these simple yet satisfying dishes.
Quick dinners don’t have to be boring. These fuss-free recipes are big on flavour but low on effort. Even better, you can make them without spending the whole evening in the kitchen.
1. Thai-spiced fishcakes
This simple and well-balanced dish is a great way of making small amounts of fish go a long way. Serve the fishcakes on a fresh and crunchy som tam salad with a chilli and lime juice dressing for a zingy finish.
Rachel de Thample
2. Sweet potato, fig and feta salad
This 10-minute salad of raw sweet potatoes, juicy ripe figs and salty feta isn’t only delicious but also healthy and nutritious. You could swap the figs for juicy plums or large grapes, or whatever is lying around in your fruit bowl.
Love Sweet Potatoes
3. Kimchi fried rice
The perfect way to use up leftovers, this recipe from TV chef Judy Joo will work with any meat and veg you have in your fridge. You could serve a large portion as a substantial main course or a smaller helping as a side.
Judy Joo
4. Marco Pierre White's quick lamb stew
This hearty stew of lamb neck and English garden vegetables can be made in just half an hour. Marco Pierre White’s time-saving tips include blanching vegetables in a mixture of stock and butter rather than water; this creates instant flavour and helps to add depth to the final sauce.
Knorr
5. Gino D'Acampo's linguine alla puttanesca
There are few things in life as comforting as a warm bowl of pasta and this simple recipe from Gino D’Acampo can be made in 15 minutes.
Gino D'Acampo
6. Smoked salmon and pea frittata
Salmon, peas and eggs make this chunky frittata a filling meal, so serve with salad leaves and a crème fraiche dressing. This recipe is great for when you haven’t had time to shop as you’ll find most of the ingredients in your fridge.
www.eggrecipes.co.uk
7. Marco Pierre White's smoked haddock with cheese sauce
Ready to eat in 20 minutes, this comforting haddock recipe from Marco Pierre White is simple and straightforward to cook. Don’t miss out on the tip from the master chef himself and use a whisk rather than a wooden spoon when making the white sauce. Try it with this herby champ when looking for a big, hearty meal.
Knorr
8. Summery bangers and cauliflower-cannellini mash
A healthy take on bangers and mash, this recipe substitutes traditional potato mash with a simpler cauliflower-cannellini version that’s a lot quicker to cook. If you’re looking to reduce the cooking time even further, swap the cauliflower for broccoli and save yourself another two minutes.
HECK
9. Crispy pork stir-fry
Cooking pork belly in less than half an hour might seem impossible, but it works in this Sichuan-style dish known as huí guo ròu, which literally means ‘meat that has been returned to the pot’. Although the ingredient list might seem long and daunting at first glance, it’s surprisingly easy to make.
Ching's Chinese Food in Minutes
10. Three grain tofu and egg stir fry
A filling one-bowl meal, this vegetarian stir-fry of marinated tofu, rice, pearl barley and chickpeas only takes 15 minutes to cook. You could also omit the omelette or swap the tofu for chicken or beef.
www.eggrecipes.co.uk
11. One pan rosti with chorizo and eggs
Packed full of punchy flavours, this rosti makes a satisfying meal. Although it’s generally a breakfast recipe, it also makes a comforting meal after a hard day at work. Make sure you’ve got a good non-stick pan at hand and in 25 minutes you’ll be ready to eat.
www.eggrecipes.co.uk
12. Minestrone soup with chicken
This quick and easy take on an Italian classic will make a delicious family meal and doesn’t call for a long list of complicated ingredients. You could even get the kids involved with making it, too.
Aldi
13. Teriyaki chicken
Making this popular Japanese dish at home is easier than you might imagine, especially because the teriyaki sauce can prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Serve with egg-fried rice, perfect for soaking up the sticky, rich sauce.
The Starter Kitchen by Callam Hann
14. Roast cod with tomato and thyme dressing recipe
Cod is ideal for quick dinners as it cooks quickly and can stand up to bold flavours. This recipe draws on Mediterranean influences so serve it with a quick bean and olive salad or grilled vegetables.
The Saucy Fish Co.
15. Pasta with leeks, chilli and prawns recipe
It’s worth stocking up your freezer with basics like prawns, peas, corn and other vegetables that can be thawed quickly. This simple yet delicious dinner pasta recipe is almost entirely made from store cupboard ingredients.
Jane Hornby