I'm Nicole. Here you’ll find easy, delicious, low-cost family dinner ideas that you can make with simple ingredients, without having to spend hours in the kitchen!
If dinner feels like it takes up more brain space than it should, you’re not alone. Between busy schedules, rising grocery prices, and kids who seem to change their favourite foods every other day, it’s exhausting. That’s where a meal plan makes all the difference – one plan, seven dinners, less stress. This week’s line-up has something for everyone: Cheesy Chicken and Broccolini Rice that’s comfort food made simple, Slow-cooker Massaman Beef Curry for a hands-off dinner, and Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Cups when you want light but flavour-packed. Add in a Hidden Veggie Bolognese to sneak in extra goodness, quick Black Pepper Beef for a fakeaway night, a Loaded Potato Big Mac Bowl (yes, it’s as good as it sounds), and Butterflied Portuguese Chicken – and you’ve got a week of dinners that are budget-friendly, minimal prep, and guaranteed family wins.
Cheesy Chicken and 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.
You only need a few low-cost ingredients to make this family-friendly, mild and melt-in-the-mouth Slow-cooker Massaman Beef Curry. There’s minimal prep, and the slow-cooker does all the work for you. It’s freezer-friendly, comforting and perfect for busy weekdays.
Dinner that feels a bit fancy but takes less than 15 minutes? Yes please. This hoisinchicken is marinated in just three ingredients, cooked in one pan, then piled into crunchy lettuce cups with noodles, veggies and a 2-minute sesame mayo. Hoisin Chicken with Lettuce Cups is fresh, quick and completely customisable – perfect for busy weeknights or low-effort entertaining.
This Hidden Veggie Bolognese is a fast, flavour-packed dinner loaded with hidden vegetables that melt into the sauce. With simple steps that build rich flavour, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep Sundays, or freezer-stash building.
Tender and juicy Black Pepper Beef in a glossy, delicious sauce, is perfect for a family dinner any night of the week. Serve with rice and steamed greens.
Crispy potatoes, juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, and a creamy homemade burger sauce – this is a fakeaway dinner the whole family will love. It’s quick to prep, easy to customise, and perfect for those busy nights when you want something fun, filling and fuss-free. Add it to your meal plan for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that saves you money (and a trip to the drive-thru).
Butterflied Portuguese Chicken is a no-fuss family dinner that delivers big flavours and serious crunch. Serve with crispy oven fries for the full fakeaway experience.
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.
