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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what your favourite lazy, but still kind of health dinner is?

145 replies

justmeandthedogs · 22/04/2026 18:28

I need inspiration.

mine is a cheeseburger salad. Shredded lettuce, pickled red onions (homemade so they’re exactly how I like them), a bit of cheddar cheese, sauces of your choice and some fried beef mince. If I’m feeling gluttonous I’ll add some bacon too. It feels so decadent but takes ten minutes to make!

OP posts:
inthekitchensink · 23/04/2026 08:50

Lazy, but not cheap - seared tuna steaks, bag of lettuce, a tub of chopped mango, pouch of lemon rice, diced avocado & tomato, all tossed together with some lime juice & avocado oil, lots of black pepper & red pepper flakes & sea salt. Took 5 mins and even the kid liked it

UnlikelyIntimacies · 23/04/2026 08:25

rhabarbarmarmelade · 22/04/2026 22:52

Exactly. Tin of lentils vaguely drained with vinegar is my go to. Straight from tin.

Yes, I do puy lentils with balsamic.

A can of chickpeas with roast vegetables, feta and a vinaigrette.

Really lazy — crackers and hummus and a glass of wine.

Or literally any vegetables in the fridge roasted or air fried with a dollop tahini beaten up with Greek yoghurt and lemon juice.

Walker1178 · 23/04/2026 08:12

We do an antipasti pasta! We use the little tubs of mixed peppers and sun dried tomato with mozzarella balls. If there is left over chicken we’ll throw that in too. Cook and cool pasta and throw it all in a big bowl to mix, the antipasti tubs come in an oil with herbs which add flavour and stop it being dry

PotatoBreadForTheWin · 23/04/2026 07:29

Loads of not particularly lazy or at all healthy suggestions here but I have enjoyed the thread regardless for some ideas. Definitely going to try chickpeas with tinned fish, yoghurt and tomatoes 😋

chickpeas are my go to when I want something quick and healthy.

Quick chickpea masala:

2 onions
tinned tomatoes
tin of chickpeas
Crushed garlic, ginger (I use the tubes)- can crush chilli too or use dried to taste
Tsp each of cumin, garam masala, turmeric & salt
Fresh coriander
Method:
Fry onion until brown (ghee is best for flavour) add ginger garlic and fry, add tomatoes and spices. Fry until looking well combined
Add chickpeas and simmer for maybe 20 mins
Add plenty of chopped fresh coriander at the end of cooking time

PotatoBreadForTheWin · 23/04/2026 07:14

Dweetfidilove · 22/04/2026 18:45

An omelette with peppers, sweet peppers, onions and baby spinach. That might actually become a regular dinner when I become an empty nester 😋.

This is my lunch or tea every single time I’m home alone

DoleWhipDiva · 23/04/2026 06:31

MaybeItWasMe · 22/04/2026 18:46

Chicken skewers from Iceland (loads of varieties) in the air fryer with microwave rice pouch and frozen veg or salad. Takes minutes and is really filling but low fat.

i was going to say this!!

piscofrisco · 23/04/2026 06:13

Oven baked chicken beast with a bit of Nando’s seasoning and a big salad .

Malasana · 23/04/2026 06:11

Beans on toast with a poached egg on.
Bagel thin with low fat sausage, a slice of cheese and a dry fried egg on. Served with a side salad.
Baked spud with cottage cheese in and a salad.
Stir fry (for extra lazy points, use a bag of ready chopped stir fry veg mix).

ChocolateCinderToffee · 23/04/2026 05:56

Tagliata di manzo. Griddled sirloin with a rocket and tomato salad and shavings of Parmesan, drizzled with olive oil.

Forty85 · 23/04/2026 00:08

Diced chicken breast marinated in Nandos sauce thrown in the air fryer then in a pitta with lots of salad and corn on the cob.

SnowFrogJelly · 23/04/2026 00:07

Roast salmon with Mediterranean veg

namechangedtemporarily123 · 22/04/2026 23:59

I’ve just discovered the joy of chucking things in the rice cooker (small meat pieces, fish, prawns, veg, with soy sauce and whatever condiments are at hand, along with rice, of course. Cook the lot together, when nearly ready, crack an egg on top, put the lid back on, and let it all finish steaming. It’s like fried rice, but healthier and so easy.

Theolittle · 22/04/2026 23:27

A lot of these “easy” suggestions are my normal cooking! Easy and healthy for me and my go
to if it’s just me (hardly ever) is omelette with peppers/onions/toms

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 22/04/2026 23:17

Cyclistmumgrandma · 22/04/2026 18:31

Salmon fillets, air fried and frozen veg in microwave. 12 minutes and it's on the table.

I do air fried salmon and have recently discovered that if you cook it from frozen on the hottest temp it's much crispier.

WhatFreshHell123 · 22/04/2026 23:04

Fry some vegan roast chicken pieces, have with toasted Greek flatbread and shop-bought baba ganoush (or other shop-bought aubergine dip). Add olives and artichoke hearts if I have time. Heaven.
In a time/energy crunch, beans on toast; peanut butter on toast; mashed avocado on toast with seeds; grilled cheese sandwich; snack plate of rice crackers, lentil chips, olives, artichoke hearts, nuts.

Pistachiocake · 22/04/2026 23:01

A plate divided into sections with sardines, chickpeas (the packet ones), Greek yoghurt, tomatoes mixed with olive oil and chilli (just mixed in a bowl for few seconds, no cooking).
Easy, cheap, very quick and pretty healthy.

JustMeHello · 22/04/2026 22:58

Shinyandnew1 · 22/04/2026 22:56

I really want to eat a rotisserie chicken out of the bag with my hands now!!

Me too. And then use a slice of cotton wool read to mop up the juice.

Shinyandnew1 · 22/04/2026 22:56

JustMeHello · 22/04/2026 21:49

No, it's not you! Loads of these meals aren't lazy at all, they're proper cooking albeit relatively simple. People just aren't admitting when they stand over the sink eating a rotisserie chicken out of the bag with their hands.

I really want to eat a rotisserie chicken out of the bag with my hands now!!

rhabarbarmarmelade · 22/04/2026 22:52

Pompomalom · 22/04/2026 21:22

OK I’m ashamed. Turns out you’re all way less lazy than me. If I’m alone and want something relatively healthy I’ll eat a tin of tuna. Or a drained can of chickpeas with salt and pepper on. Occasionally I might have a couple of cherry toms with it. 😂

Exactly. Tin of lentils vaguely drained with vinegar is my go to. Straight from tin.

BillieWiper · 22/04/2026 22:42

Periperi2025 · 22/04/2026 18:36

Decent quality chilli con carne (that comes without rice as it's much better value) bulked up with chopped pepper and frozen sweetcorn, - 'authentic curries and world food' or 'cook food' single portions will easily feed 2 adults.
Mashed avocado
Chopped up tomorrow
Nachos with grated cheese on (done in microwave)
Boiled rice
Sour cream.
Takes the time it takes for the rice to cook to prepare the whole meal.

Don't nachos go soggy in mic?

darksideofthetoon · 22/04/2026 22:40

Couple of home made burgers (literally just mince & salt), some kind of cheese, gherkins, mustard and a large knob of butter.

The combination of those ingredients together is phenomenal.

toffeeappleturnip · 22/04/2026 22:40

. . . ditto sardines on toast with lemon juice, salt and pepper

hahabahbag · 22/04/2026 22:40

Stir fry veg mix, fry add a pack of microwave rice (or I use a rice cooker and freeze extra portions) meanwhile pan fry salmon fillets and fresh ginger, add soy sauce, equal amount of water, honey or sugar, a chopped spring onion, a chilli and sesame seeds, cook 1-2 minutes.

toffeeappleturnip · 22/04/2026 22:39

Tinned mackerel in tom sauce on spaghetti with cheese, little bit of basil sprinkled on top. Sometimes slice a bit of garlic to go in the sauce.

Literally zero effort, but oily fish . . and comfort food. . .

CatherinedeBourgh · 22/04/2026 22:33

Air fryer chicken breast (with lemon, herbs, salt and olive oil) and salad. Sometimes with roasted peppers (from a jar if I'm feeling lazy) or sun dried tomatoes.

What I tend to eat when I am home alone. Love it.

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