Quick and Easy Recipes

Quick and easy recipesโ€”15โ€“30 minute mains, no-fuss sides, and minimal-prep breakfasts for busy weeknights.

Intro

This quick and easy collection is your shortcut to delicious meals with minimal prep and washing up. Think 15-minute dinners, one-pan mains, and no-cook sandwiches that punch above their weight in flavour. Whether youโ€™re cooking after work, stocking lunch boxes, or pulling together a last-minute brunch, youโ€™ll find reliable wins that use pantry staples and sensible shortcutsโ€”pre-mixed sauces, rotisserie chicken, and sheet-pan techniques. Use Quick Picks for fastest options, the Make-Ahead & Storage table to plan smarter, and Compare Popular Options to choose by time, skill, and holding quality.

Quick Picks

Make-Ahead & Storage

ItemFridgeFreezerReheat/Serve Tips
Hot Honey Garlic Salmon2โ€“3 days2 months (raw portions)Reheat low (150โ€“160 ยฐC) just to warm; add sauce fresh.
10-Minute Garlic Spinach & White Beans2 daysNot idealReheat gently; brighten with lemon.
Chinese Chicken with Broccoli Stir-Fry2 daysNot idealReheat fast in a hot pan; add splash of water to loosen.
Baguette with Roast Beef, Arugula, and Shaved ParmesanComponents 2โ€“3 daysNot suitableAssemble at serving; keep bread separate to avoid sogginess.
Creamy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Chili Crisp KickSauce 4โ€“5 days2 months (sauce)Warm sauce gently; toss with fresh pasta water to emulsify.
Fresh Fruit Coulis in 10 Minutes4โ€“5 days2 monthsServe cold; great for quick desserts/breakfasts.

Compare Popular Options

Dish/ItemTimeSkillMake-aheadBest with / Notes
Garlic Chili Oil Spaghetti20 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†Pantry-only; finish with pasta water for gloss.
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry25 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†Meal-prep friendly; serve with jasmine rice.
Hot Honey Garlic Salmon15โ€“20 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†Quick protein; add a leafy salad or couscous.
Roast Beef Baguette5 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†No-cook lunch; layer greens to block moisture.
Garlic Spinach & White Beans10 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†Best fresh; lemon and chilli flakes pop.
Chunky Chicken Quesadilla20 minEasyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†Crisp in skillet; serve with salsa/guac.

Techniques That Matter

  • Batch sauces once, use thrice: Mix honey-garlic, chili oil, or vinaigrettes in jars for the week.
  • Prep small, cook fast: Thinly slice proteins/veg for quick sear and even doneness.
  • Use high heat wisely: Preheat pan until shimmering; cook in batches to avoid steaming.
  • Starch smart: Keep cooked rice chilled for fried-rice nights; reserve pasta water for silky sauces.
  • Moisture control for speed: Pat proteins dry and layer greens/cheese as moisture barriers in sandwiches.
  • Finish with acid + fresh herbs: A squeeze of lemon/lime and chopped herbs make fast food taste โ€œfinished.โ€

Common Mistakes & Fixes

  • Watery stir-fry โ†’ Pan overcrowded; cook in batches and keep heat high.
  • Bland pasta โ†’ No emulsion; add pasta water and toss off-heat to coat.
  • Soggy sandwiches โ†’ Assemble last minute; toast bread and shield with greens/cheese.
  • Overcooked fish โ†’ Pull just opaque; rest off-heat 1โ€“2 minutes to finish gently.
  • One-note flavours โ†’ Layer salt, acid, and a touch of sweetness/chilli to balance.

Serving Ideas / Plannerโ€™s Notes

  • Everyday plate: 1 fast main + 1 green/veg side per person.
  • Mix hot/cold: pair a hot stir-fry or salmon with a chilled slaw or cucumber salad.
  • Pantry boosters: keep tortillas, couscous, and canned beans for instant sides.
  • Lunch prep: cook extra rice/pasta; pack sauces separately and toss at eating time.
  • For families, offer a mild base with chilli oil or hot sauce on the side.

Featured Links

Round out your rotation with speedy stars like Quick Miso Chicken Stir-Fry with Honey Garlic Glaze, a brunch treat Fluffy Matcha French Toast with a Japanese Twist, and a five-ingredient lunch saver Cuban Sandwich Quesadilla.