If December has you running on coffee and pure adrenaline, this meal plan is your new best friend. I know this time of year is chaos – end-of-year everything, kids’ events, work deadlines, Christmas creeping up … and somehow dinner still lands in our laps every night like, “Hi, it’s me again.” This roundup is here to save you. Seven quick, realistic dinners that don’t ask for hours in the kitchen, don’t require fancy ingredients, and definitely don’t blow the grocery budget. Think Marry Me Chicken Meatballs for those “I can’t be bothered but want something delicious” nights, Quick Coconut Chicken Curry when you need speed, Creamy Coconut Peanut Noodles for a no-chop fakeaway, and Gyros Smashed Tacos that basically cook themselves. Everything is family-approved, weeknight-friendly, and designed to keep you fed and functioning through the busiest time of year.
Juicy chicken meatballs meet creamy, garlicky risoni in this one-pan wonder. Marry Me Chicken Meatballs with Risoni (Orzo) is quick, easy and packed with flavour – perfect for a cosy night in. Serve it with extra parmesan (because more cheese is always a good idea).
This Quick Coconut Chicken Curry recipe is comforting and flavourful, perfect for cosy family dinners any night of the week. Tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich, coconut-based curry sauce, before being topped with yoghurt and mango chutney. It’s freezer-friendly and is delicious served with basmati rice and naan bread.
Creamy Coconut Peanut Noodles is a quick and easy dinner that’s creamy, comforting and full of flavour. The coconut peanut sauce feels special yet simple, using pantry ingredients to create something fresh and satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights – and just as good reheated for lunch the next day.
This Delicious Beef Rissoles recipe is the perfect quick and easy family dinner. Make a big batch to freeze, ready for a rainy day!
Freezer dumplings and a handful of pantry staples transform into a warming bowl of Quick Dumpling Laksa in one pan in just 20 minutes. The fragrant curry-coconut broth feels like a takeaway treat but is easy enough for weeknights. Make it when you want comfort food that doesn’t require effort.
Crispy, saucy and totally fakeaway-worthy – these Gyros Smashed Tacos are your weeknight saviour. Ready fast, customisable for picky eaters, and made with budget-friendly supermarket ingredients. Add them to your meal plan and thank yourself later.
My new book, Simple Dinners Every Day, is here! Click through to find a copy at your preferred retailer.
Some of the links throughout this website are commissionable affiliate links. Read full disclaimer here.
Susanne Derejko says:
plan looks great now I just gotta put it into motion… My husband doesn’t like orzo. I don’t understand how that’s possible. He likes faster, but he says it feels like wet rice and tastes like overcooked noodles i’m going to have to find another substitute for orzo… I think I’ll try the curry chicken tonight…
Nicole says:
Hi Susanne, glad you like the look of the plan! Re the meatballs, you could try making them with little macaroni instead? I give a few suggestions in the recipe FAQ section, but I think this option might be best as the others are similar to risoni (orzo). ❤️ Nic x