“This is one of my all-time favourite Vietnamese comfort dishes, that my mother and grandmother would always cook for me as a kid.” – Luke Nguyen
82 simple meals for when you can’t be bothered to cook
Dinner doesn’t have to be difficult – or stressful. Leave it to us with these simple but delicious recipes you can turn to when you’re feeling too lazy to cook.
Bolognese soup
Authentic Italian spaghetti bolognese is reimagined in this hearty beef meatball soup. Sweet and sharp flavours from the tomato lift the dense beef mince while the short casarecce pasta adds bite and texture. Perfect for people of all ages, this fast soup recipe is your new favourite midweek dinner.
Meatballs
“Meatballs come in many different forms: fried ones, poached ones, small ones, big ones, juicy ones… and then the best ones are my ones. These are big, they are juicy and they are covered in a fresh tomato sauce with basil pesto and mountains of parmesan.” – Thomas Straker
Niçoise salad
"This salad screams long, lazy lunches in the sunny south of France. Don’t forget a good baguette and a chilled bottle of rosé." – Lucy Nunes
Quick and easy paprika chicken (Chicken paprikash)
The classic Hungarian chicken paprikash usually calls for chicken with the bone in. Here, we’ve used chicken thigh fillets for a quick weeknight version that’s on the table in 30 minutes. The chicken is super tender, and the creamy sauce is delicious with rice or mashed potatoes.
Easy pasta primavera
“This pasta is one I love to make in spring, giving all the fresh, delicious vibes. I love packing vegies into a dish, and this pasta is a great example of this. Feel free to switch up some of the vegies here for other spring produce you have on hand.” – Tom Walton
Cheesy cauliflower bake with garlic bread topping
"This dish combines two all-time favourites: cheesy cauliflower and garlic bread, creating the ultimate comfort winter bake." – Lucy Nunes. You'll need an 8-cup (2L) capacity baking dish.
Classic sweet and sour chicken
A classic crowd-pleaser and an easy weeknight dinner that’s on the table in 30 minutes.
Cheat's meatball orrecchiette
“Pan-to-table meals that are made in minutes and pack a flavour punch are always a winner. Saving kitchen prep time by using store-bought fresh sausages to create your meatballs doesn’t mean you’re compromising on flavour – if anything, they add more." – Tracey Pattison
Pork ramen recipe
This 15-minute pork ramen recipe is all about maximum flavour with minimal effort and just the right amount of heat. It's easy to make and packed with authentic Asian flavours so it's sure to become a family favourite.
Weeknight burrata pasta
A fresh ball of burrata makes every cheese lover weak at the knees, say Ellie and Sam Studd, who prove that this decadent addition can jazz up any weeknight meal.
Ottolenghi's quick and easy bolognese recipe
"From start to finish, this bolognese is made in one roasting pan – the pasta cooks directly in the sauce. It may seem counterintuitive to chop dried manicotti or cannelloni, but there is a method to the madness: it’s nearly impossible to break the dried pasta in half exactly, so you end up with some shards, which become lovely and crisp, and some tubes, which hold the sauce very nicely. The kick and thick consistency of the Tunisian harissa brand Le Phare du Cap Bon is especially nice, but any kind will work – just note that the spice level and texture of the final dish will reflect the harissa you choose. Sprinkle this dish with additional cheese before serving, if you’d like." - Yotam Ottolenghi.
Roast pumpkin with lentils, tahini and za'atar
This vegetarian salad is filled with pumpkin and lentils.
Parsnip and white bean soup with crispy kale
A velvety, nourishing soup made with roasted parsnips and creamy white beans, topped with roasted kale for crunch and contrast. It's the perfect nourishing bowl for cool days.
Sticky honey lemon chicken
This quick dinner is perfect for any weeknight. Any leftovers make an easy lunchbox, too. We chose chicken thigh fillets, as the meat is much more tender and tasty. Add some sliced chilli if you like some heat.