The Simple Dinner Edit cookbook is back in stock. Order today!
The Simple Dinner Edit cookbook is back in stock. Order today!
When life gets busy, planning dinner can feel like just another task on an already long to-do list. But with a little bit of meal planning, you can take the stress out of mealtime and ensure your family is well-fed with minimal fuss. I’ve compiled 20 dinner ideas that are perfect for busy parents. From quick and flavourful Chicken Pad See Ew to comforting Creamy Garlic Chicken, and kid-approved Black Bean Burritos to the indulgent Creamy Lemon Chicken Risoni, these recipes are designed to be both easy and delicious. Whether you’re looking for something you can prepare in advance or a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, these dishes will help you stay on top of dinner without sacrificing flavour or quality. Meal planning doesn’t just save time; it also helps you make healthier choices and reduces the temptation to order takeout. So dive into these 20 dinner ideas and discover how simple and satisfying dinner can be, even on the busiest nights!
Perfect for nights when you need a quick dinner but want to skip the takeaway, this flavour-packed Pad See Ew comes in and saves the day! Perfectly cooked noodles and chicken come together in a delicious sauce made with pantry staple ingredients. Delicious, but outrageously simple.
Perfectly cooked chicken in an easy, creamy garlic sauce. All on the table in less than 20 minutes!
Whenever I think of fast and easy, Mexican flavours are always high up there on my list of go-to recipes. I love that everyone can load up with their salads of choice (think tomato, lettuce, shredded cheese and avocado) and it’s incredibly satisfying making these Black Bean Burritos with ingredients that I choose, versus buying
This quick and easy Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken is the perfect weeknight dinner for when you are wanting to skip the takeaway and eat a comforting meal at home.
Pizza is a takeaway favourite, but it can be expensive to feed a family and it’s often overly greasy. Luckily, it’s actually quicker and cheaper to make your own! By using store-bought pizza crusts, you can have this Mediterranean Pizza ready and on the table in 15 minutes. This pizza packs a lot of flavour
The classic flavours of spring rolls … in a bowl! These quick and easy Spring Roll Bowls are packed with vegetables and come together so quickly, perfect for busy weeknights when you want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. Serves 4 with loads of leftovers!
This One Pan Creamy Lemon Chicken Risoni (also known as Orzo), comes together in less than 20 minutes, all in the one pan with minimal prep and wash-up! It’s comforting, delicious and makes the perfect weeknight meal.
My kids love sushi and when I made this Speedy Beef Teriyaki recipe for the first time, they eyed it off sceptically. I told them I got the recipe from the lady at our local sushi shop and watched as they immediately ate an entire bowl, asking for seconds and declaring this “their favourite meal
Chicken Fajita Tray Bake is a fast and easy weeknight dinner, filled with familiar Mexican flavours that the whole family will love.
This is quite possibly one of the most simple takeaway dishes that can very easily be replicated in the comfort of your own kitchen… and faster than you could have it delivered! This Chicken Thai Red Curry takes less than 20 minutes to cook and with simple ingredients and ease of preparation, you will want
Tuscan Prawn Pasta is the perfect meal to make at home because it’s super easy, outrageously creamy and delicious, still feels as fancy as going out, yet is way less expensive and way more satisfying because you have made it yourself! The longest part of this recipe is waiting for the pasta water to boil
This Pork Belly Fried Rice is a fast and easy alternative to takeout, that doesn’t skimp on flavour! It’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights.
A delicious, all-natural Mexican seasoning is what takes these Quick Mexican Beef Rice Bowls to another level! Super quick and easy to prepare, this meal will quickly become a weeknight dinner staple!
Portuguese chicken burgers are a popular fast food choice, but they aren’t exactly the most nutritious meal. My version, made with crispy breaded chicken and fresh ingredients, is easy to make and tastes even better. What’s more, it’s ready in less than 20 minutes! Breading the chicken is the part that takes the longest, but
I love using beef mince/ground beef in my recipes. It’s a low-cost option, the kids happily eat it and it’s so incredibly quick and easy to prepare. This dinner is effortless with the noodles all being cooked in the one pan (because some nights even waiting for water to boil isn’t an option) and it’s
This Creamy Chorizo Pasta is one of the easiest, satisfying and most delicious meals you can make. Filled with flavour-packed chorizo and teamed with a creamy, garlicky sauce, this is a recipe you are going to want to make again and again!
Delicious Beef Rissoles are the perfect quick and easy family dinner. Make a big batch to freeze, ready for a rainy day!
The perfect meal to prepare ahead of time and enjoy all week long. These Chicken Tzatziki Wraps with caramelised chicken and homemade tzatziki come together quickly, making them the perfect stress-free, easy weeknight dinner.
Cheesy Chicken & Broccolini Rice is a comforting, hearty meal made with simple, low-cost ingredients. It’s stress-free, easy to prep and, because it’s made in just one pan, it means there’s virtually no washing up.
I’ve got to be completely honest and say I used to turn my nose up at sausages used in recipes, outside of my favoured way of eating them, which is in a white soft roll with barbecue sauce and caramelised onions straight off the barbecue (yum!). But thanks to watching way too many Jamie Oliver
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Diane Black says:
In a word…. scrumptious! So quick and easy to prepare.
Patricia says:
Thank you so much for these beautiful recipes. I don’t know which to try first.
Diana Perkovich says:
I cannot wait to try these recipes. They look delicious