41 tasty midweek meals that’ll excite you

• Easy dishes to beat the clock
• Under five minutes: smoked salmon omelette
• Under 10 minutes: chilli king prawns
• Under 10 minutes: lamb kebabs
• Under 10 minutes: Parma Ham and Cheddar toastie
• Under 10 minutes: mushroom chow mein
• Under 10 minutes: masala omelette
• Under 20 minutes: peanut and paneer rice
• Under 20 minutes: shortcut dan dan noodles
• Under 20 minutes: prawn laksa-inspired noodles
• Under 20 minutes: spaghetti carbonara
• Under 20 minutes: black pepper beef
• Under 20 minutes: miso ramen
• Under 20 minutes: spinach orecchiette
• Under 30 minutes: peanut satay chicken
• Under 30 minutes: pork medallions with crème fraîche and mustard sauce
• Under 30 minutes: one-pot tomato pasta
• Under 30 minutes: roasted coriander cod
• Under 30 minutes: black bean and chipotle soup
• Under 30 minutes: smoked bean and mushroom quesadillas
• Under 30 minutes: Thai aubergine tom yum
• Under 30 minutes: sticky soy and honey roasted salmon
• Under 30 minutes: sweet and sour stir-fry
• Under 30 minutes: pad Thai carbonara
• Under 40 minutes: tomato and pesto tart
• Under 40 minutes: egg and coconut curry
• Under 40 minutes: pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa
• Under 40 minutes: one-pan vegetable lasagne
• Under 40 minutes: Burmese prawn curry
• Under 50 minutes: quick pizza
• Under 50 minutes: shortcut chicken biryani
• Under 50 minutes: smoky black beans
• Under 50 minutes: herby lentil stew
• Under 50 minutes: almond chicken curry
• Under 50 minutes: lentil ratatouille
• Under 50 minutes: tarka dahl
• Under 60 minutes: spicy chicken and cashew traybake
• Under 60 minutes: harissa and lemon baked fish with couscous
• Under 60 minutes: gnocchi, aubergine and tomato bake
• Under 60 minutes: braised red cabbage, sausages and apples
• Under 60 minutes: butternut squash, sage and Comté risotto
• Under 60 minutes: Niçoise bake

Easy dishes to beat the clock

We’ve assembled a collection of inspirational lunch and dinner recipes that take just minutes to prepare but are still big and bold in flavour. There’s something for everyone, including meat-lovers, fish fanatics, vegetarians and vegans.

Under five minutes: smoked salmon omelette

Eggs really are Mother Nature’s fast food, so when you’re pushed for time, they can be the perfect solution. We’ve upped the ante by adding smoked salmon and creamy garlic and herb cheese to a simple omelette to make a speedy dinner quite special.

Under 10 minutes: chilli king prawns

Chinese five-spice, fresh chilli and garlic purée add a flavour punch to meaty king prawns, sweet chopped bell peppers and onion. Stir-frying is a speedy way to cook and you can take a shortcut with the accompaniments too. Use microwave rice, toasted sourdough or straight-to-wok noodles for an instant side.

Under 10 minutes: lamb kebabs

Disclaimer: you might need around 13 minutes to make these tasty lamb kebabs, depending on how long they take to grill, but we couldn’t not include them. The minced meat is fragrant with the moreish flavours of chilli, garlic, cumin and coriander, and the finished dish is served in tortilla wraps with mint yogurt.

Under 10 minutes: Parma Ham and Cheddar toastie

Grilled cheese sandwiches are the ultimate quick comfort food and a balance of different flavours and textures is the key to making a great one. This version is stuffed with sharp Cheddar, sweet Parma Ham, chutney, spinach and grated apple (trust us, it’s a toastie game-changer).

Under 10 minutes: mushroom chow mein

A speedy stir-fry that tastes divine, with oyster mushrooms, baby pak choy and noodles combined with a homemade spicy sauce. The sauce has a chilli kick and is made from simple store cupboard ingredients. Buy straight-to-wok noodles to make it even faster to prep.

Under 10 minutes: masala omelette

Spend five minutes of prep for a more flavourful omelette with chopped green chillies, spring onion, tomato and fresh coriander leaves. This recipe makes two omelettes but if you’re cooking for one, still prepare two – one to enjoy straight away and the second to make into a sandwich the next day.

Under 20 minutes: peanut and paneer rice

Sizzling curry leaves, roasted peanuts, mustard seeds and dried chillies create the base for this genius dish which turns leftover rice into a tasty meal. A dash of chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala add another layer of flavour which is soaked up by the grains, cubes of paneer and chickpeas.

Under 20 minutes: shortcut dan dan noodles

Dan dan noodles usually takes a while to make and involves several different components, but this shortcut version packs the same flavour and skips the hard work. Sausagemeat and five-spice powder are fried until crisp to emulate the traditional Sichuan peppercorn-spiced pork.

Under 20 minutes: prawn laksa-inspired noodles

Taking inspiration from laksa, a spicy Malaysian noodle soup, this version cuts a few corners but is just as delicious when you need a speedy supper. The base is coconut milk, vegetable stock, chilli and shop-bought Thai red curry paste (usually a laksa paste is used). The noodles are cooked in the soup before the prawns and fresh coriander are added. You could add extra veg too, such as spinach or pak choy.

Under 20 minutes: spaghetti carbonara

An easy, classic carbonara recipe should be in every cook’s repertoire. Fry off guanciale (or bacon); separately beat egg yolks with pecorino and seasoning; add cooked spaghetti to the bacon pan; and mix in the egg mixture. Simple, quick and incredibly satisfying.

Under 20 minutes: black pepper beef

Coarsely ground black peppercorns, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar and salt make the easy, rich sauce for flash-fried fillet steak strips, sliced onion and green pepper. The beef soaks up all the tasty flavours but if you wanted a meat-free main, you could use chunks of portobello mushroom or tofu.

Under 20 minutes: miso ramen

Instant ramen noodles are a store cupboard saviour – just add whatever ingredients are lingering in the fridge to the broth. You can buy miso ramen noodles or add miso paste to the cooking water if you’re using plain noodles. As well as your preferred veggies, herbs and pickles, a soft-boiled egg makes it a filling, nourishing dish.

Under 20 minutes: spinach orecchiette

With just six ingredients you can rustle up this creamy pasta dish in no time. Frozen spinach makes life easy, and it also happens to have a deeper flavour than fresh. Add cream, olive oil and garlic, and grated Parmesan to serve. It’s one of our favourites when only carbs will do.

Under 30 minutes: peanut satay chicken

Feel like chicken tonight? Here’s the perfect recipe for you. No one can resist satay sauce with coconut milk, crunchy peanut butter, ginger and lime. It’s used to smother chicken which has been marinated in turmeric, curry powder and grated garlic. A fresh cucumber salad and coconut rice lift the dish.

Under 30 minutes: pork medallions with crème fraîche and mustard sauce

Sweet apples and leeks are a perfect pairing for pork and here form the base of a tasty sauce for loin steaks. Grainy mustard and crème fraîche add piquancy, cutting through the richness of the meat. Rice or creamy mash would make an ideal side.

Under 30 minutes: one-pot tomato pasta

As well as being ready in under 30 minutes, everything for this easy meal is cooked in one pot – yes, even the pasta. The spaghetti is cooked directly in the tomato sauce which is rich with garlic and thyme. Toasted, golden breadcrumbs (which are cooked in the same pot before the sauce) are sprinkled on top.

Under 30 minutes: roasted coriander cod

Spices like ground cumin, paprika and turmeric, plus garlic, chopped coriander, olive oil and chilli flakes go into the flavour-packed topping for this roasted cod. You could also use another type of meaty white fish. It would be great served with fluffy rice or crushed lemon potatoes.

Under 30 minutes: black bean and chipotle soup

This fiery, rich soup is a breeze to make, with chipotle paste your shortcut to heat and depth of flavour. Chilli paste makes a good replacement if you can’t find chipotle, but you will lose some of that smokiness. The soup is balanced out by the toppings: crunchy tortilla chips, cool sour cream, sharp pickled jalapeño, creamy avocado, zingy lime juice and fresh herbs.

Under 30 minutes: smoked bean and mushroom quesadillas

Quesadillas – two soft tortillas stuffed with cheese and filling, and cooked in a pan – are the ultimate homemade fast food. And the beauty of them is that you can pretty much use any ingredients you like or have to hand to fill them (although cheese is a must to help bind everything as it melts). Our version combines garlicky mushrooms with smoked paprika-spiked butter beans. But you could throw in leftover roast chicken, diced chorizo or pulled pork.

Under 30 minutes: Thai aubergine tom yum

Bursting with Thai flavours, the base of this aromatic broth is ginger, lemongrass, lime leaves and chilli. The recipe is vegetarian and contains tofu, which you could happily substitute with chicken or prawns for meat and fish eaters. The coconut milk adds a rich creaminess and we love the topping of Thai basil and coriander to add freshness.

Under 30 minutes: sticky soy and honey roasted salmon

You can’t beat a dish made in just one roasting tin. Salmon is roasted on four different greens and glazed with soy, sesame and honey. Once it’s cooked, add a dressing of ginger, lime and sesame, and top with chopped peanuts, chilli and more lime. It’s just bursting with flavour. Serve with rice or noodles.

Under 30 minutes: sweet and sour stir-fry

You’ll never look back once you’ve made this easy sweet and sour sauce. The sweet part comes from canned pineapple, the sour from vinegar and soy. It’s up to you what you add – sliced pork fillet, chicken breast, tofu or prawns to go with sliced peppers and onion. Serve with rice.

Under 30 minutes: pad Thai carbonara

The combination of eggs, bacon and spaghetti make the recipe a whole lot like a classic Italian carbonara. However, the Thai flavours turn it into a tasty fusion dish with a kick of chilli too. It really does take just 10 minutes to prepare, meaning this is on the table in under 25 minutes from start to finish.

Under 40 minutes: tomato and pesto tart

Having a sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry to hand means you can whip up a meal in a flash. You can top it with whatever you like but we love this recipe with fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, shop-bought pesto, Gouda and basil. Here’s a top tip: if using frozen pastry, defrost it in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours at room temperature, and don’t unroll it until you’re ready to start cooking.

Under 40 minutes: egg and coconut curry

You’ll rarely see an egg curry on an Indian restaurant’s menu, but it’s a popular dish in homes. Make a simple garlic and ginger paste, add turmeric, chilli powder and garam masala, and simmer it all in creamy coconut milk. The eggs are hard-boiled before being added to the sauce and it’s finished off with chopped fresh coriander. Best of all it takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and cooks in just 20 minutes.

Under 40 minutes: pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa

The salsa in this recipe takes a simple fillet of salmon to a whole new level. It’s the clever combination of celery, pine nuts, olives, capers, saffron, currants, parsley and lemon which makes it so tasty. We love this served with some buttery baby potatoes.

Get the recipe for pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa here

Under 40 minutes: one-pan vegetable lasagne

The only hard work for this easy veggie lasagne is chopping onions, garlic, courgettes and button mushrooms for the sauce’s base. It’s a ‘broken’ lasagne so there’s no layering involved. Instead, fresh pasta sheets are cut into strips and stirred through the tomato sauce. Rather than a long cook time, the fresh pasta also cooks quickly on the hob and it’s simply popped under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and oozingly melty.

Under 40 minutes: Burmese prawn curry

This moreish prawn curry (known as bazun hin in Burmese) is fragrant with garlic and ginger, and spiced with the heady flavours of paprika, turmeric and chilli powder. Burmese curries don’t typically contain coconut but here, creamed coconut (or coconut milk) adds richness and a hint of nuttiness to the sauce. If you’re planning on having leftovers, portion out the curry before adding the prawns as they don’t reheat very well.

Under 50 minutes: quick pizza

You really can make pizza in under 50 minutes. The secret is using fast-action dried yeast for the dough so you only have to wait around for 10 minutes for it to prove. To avoid a soggy base, spread the sauce (a simple combination of passata, garlic, olive oil, salt and oregano) thinly over the dough. A hot oven and pizza stone are key for an even bake, but you could use a couple of upturned baking trays instead of the stone.

Under 50 minutes: shortcut chicken biryani

Traditional biryani can take a while to prepare but this version takes a few shortcuts without losing the flavours of this majestic dish. The rice is still pre-soaked but the recipe uses an all-in-one cooking method and the chicken is cut into small chunks so it cooks quickly and soaks up all the flavour from the spices.

Under 50 minutes: smoky black beans

These beans would be perfect in a burrito, fried in a quesadilla or served with rice, sour cream and guacamole. You use canned black beans, so it takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook in a pan. They are spiced with cinnamon, cumin and chilli to give that characteristic smokiness.

Under 50 minutes: herby lentil stew

This recipe is definitely in the running for one of the best vegan comfort foods ever. It’s high in protein with beans and lentils, and packed with vegetables, herbs and garlic. As an added bonus, it’s all made in one pot and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.

Under 50 minutes: almond chicken curry

As well as being a straightforward, chuck-it-all-in dish, this curry is also pretty forgiving if you don’t have all the spices listed. Ground almonds add a pleasing nuttiness and sour, fruity amchur powder gives the sauce an edge. If you can’t get hold of it, use a tablespoon of tamarind paste instead. For a plant-based version, add cooked chickpeas in place of the chicken.

Under 50 minutes: lentil ratatouille

This one-pot dish is not just about the lentils. There are aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes and onions – all the components of a classic Mediterranean ratatouille. But the lentils add protein to make this into a main course meal, so there’s no need for added accompaniments. Some crusty baguette would help, though, to mop up the sauce.

Get the recipe for lentil ratatouille here

Under 50 minutes: tarka dahl

There are numerous versions of this Indian dish made of spiced, flavoured lentils. It’s warming and nourishing, and a perfect side to grilled meat or as a main dish with naan. This recipe uses mung lentils, which are a yellow lentil, but you could use red lentils instead. The combination of ginger, garlic, chilli and spices with fresh tomatoes makes it wonderfully aromatic.

Get the recipe for tarka dahl here

Under 60 minutes: spicy chicken and cashew traybake

We think it’s worth the tiny effort of making your own Cajun spice mix but feel free to use a shop-bought packet. It’s used to flavour chicken thighs, chorizo, peppers, cherry tomatoes and sweet potato in this easy traybake. Olives (black or green, it’s up to you) add a piquant note and cashews add crunch. Serve with dollops of sour cream and a green salad on the side.

Under 60 minutes: harissa and lemon baked fish with couscous

Big on flavour, bold in colour and prepared in one easy tray – there’s a lot to love about this spicy fish dish. Any meaty fish fillet will do, like cod, haddock or salmon. Or, if you want to make it veggie, coat large field or portobello mushrooms in the harissa marinade instead. Note that they will need 10 minutes longer in the oven, which will push the overall time slightly over an hour.

Under 60 minutes: gnocchi, aubergine and tomato bake

Fresh shop-bought gnocchi is always helpful to have in the fridge for quick midweek dinners. Here it bulks out a tasty aubergine and tomato sauce, which is topped with cheese and grilled until bubbling. You can also add a variety of ingredients to put a spin on the basic recipe: think diced chorizo, chilli flakes, capers or anchovies. For more vegetables, add spinach or chopped green beans.

Under 60 minutes: braised red cabbage, sausages and apples

Braised usually implies something is slow-cooked but this quick midweek meal is on the table in under an hour – and doesn’t skimp on that rich flavour. Thanks to red wine vinegar and dark maple syrup, the red cabbage cooks down fast, and will be glossy and tender in just 15 minutes. Serve with a dollop of piquant English or Dijon mustard to cut through the hearty sausages, earthy apples and rich cabbage.

Under 60 minutes: butternut squash, sage and Comté risotto

The earthy sweetness of roasted squash with sage is a great combination. Add rich Comté cheese and you have a dreamy risotto. If you can’t find Comté, use Gruyère instead. Risotto is easy to make but you do have to keep stirring it – the stirring causes the starch grains in the rice to release which is what gives you the creamy texture.

Get the recipe for butternut squash, sage and Comté risotto here

Under 60 minutes: Niçoise bake

Take the ingredients of a classic salade Niçoise – potatoes, anchovies, green beans, olives and tuna – add a garlicky herb dressing, then top with Parmesan and bake until the cheese is crisp. This is an easy recipe that takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

Get the recipe for Niçoise bake here