Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Please hit me with your insanely easy recipes

130 replies

Mrmontgomeryburns · 25/11/2024 17:23

I'm a competent cook and usually enjoy it but I have an ASD older child and a young baby who doesn't sleep and I'm on the edge of what feels like a breakdown tbh. Please give me your very very easy dinner recipes that also have some semblance of nutritional value (this is for DH and me - baby isn't on solids yet and my older DC has an extremely limited diet). I'm talking things like pasta and jarred pesto with added frozen peas and sweetcorn stirred in. Things that use minimal pans and don't require too much chopping or prep. We don't have any particular dietary requirements.

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:
Em1ly2023 · 25/11/2024 19:35

Notellinganyone · 25/11/2024 17:58

What’s with all the condensed soup? Spaghetti Carbonara ans Spaghetti wit fresh tomatoes, basil and olives both done in the time it takes to cook the spaghetti.

Agree. I’m not a natural cook, but it’s so easy to make simple, fresh & tasty food with a little effort (and not much more expensive). Feels so much better than eating something which has soaked in congealed, tinned & salty soup 😬

Thingamebobwotsit · 25/11/2024 19:36

booisbooming · 25/11/2024 18:33

Was just coming on the thread to say this.

Anything I can stick in one pan only and bung in the oven. The Roasting tin series is the best for this.

And failing that a few good quality ready meals in the freezer.

BobBobBobbing · 25/11/2024 19:37

Hack bits off a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket. Cook some part baked bread. Stuff chicken in bread with whatever random salad you have. Tinned sweetcorn is one of our perennials. Add sriracha ot mayo as preferred.

Any chicken left the next day? Fry off frozen onion/garlic/ginger/chilli with a cinnamon stick and star anise. Tip in any leftover suitable salad bits (eg sweetcorn) then add a knorr veg stock pot and water. Cook for a bit then tip in some soft noodles and left over chicken. Yummy chicken noodle soup.

Fry off chorizo/pancetta/bacon bits. In a jug mix eggs, pepper, splash milk and parmesan then add whatever pig based bits you chose. Cook spaghetti then tip back in the pan with a bit of the water. Put back on the heat and gradually stir through eggy mix.

Fry slices of garlic in chilli oil. Boil spaghetti. Tip hot oil over cooked spag and add parmesan.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Mydahliasareshit · 25/11/2024 19:40

Steak, 2 mins per side. Rest. Slice over bag of mixed salad.
Get useless partner to put oven chips in and open wine.

TimbuktuTimbuktu · 25/11/2024 19:40

This is my emergency store cupboard dinner

Spanish chickpeas (serves 4)

Chop 1 onion (red or white) start to fry in olive oil whilst you chop 1 pepper add and cook until soft.

You can also add some chorizo at this point if not veggie

Add 1 tin each of chickpeas, mixed beans, chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn. (If you are cooking for more people you can use individual tins of different beans (butter, kidney, haricot etc) instead of mixed and double the tomato's.) Or whatever you have in cupboard
1 Chilli or tsp chilli flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper
1 tsp paprika& cumin
1/2 or turmeric and ground coriander
1 tsp oregano or mixed herbs

Leave to simmer for about 20 mins ideally, although you can eat as soon as hot if in a hurry.

Can throw some fresh coriander/parsley on top if you have some.

Serve with bread/wraps

Haroldwilson · 25/11/2024 19:42

Corn on the cob. Add butter.

Eggy bread.

Stuffed pasta.

Thunderlegs · 25/11/2024 19:48

Put cod, asparagus and vine tomatoes in a casserole dish. Drizzle with oil or butter, season and bake for 18 minutes

MagnoliaGirlie · 25/11/2024 19:54

All veg pasta bake:

  • steam (or microwave) some frozen veg (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, courgette,...)
  • cook pasta of choice (I love spiralli or rigatoni)
  • blend the cooked veg and add oil, cream cheese ( maybe tinned fish if you have), season to taste
  • mix the pasta in and put in an oven dish, cover with grated cheese, and put under the grill for 5-10 min
AlwaysPerplexed · 25/11/2024 19:55

Cook some pasta. Drain it, put it back in a pan on middle heat. Put in a tub of creme fraich and stir until warm. Add some chopped chives and a chopped pack of smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice. Delicious and takes about 10 mins, less if the pasta is fresh.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 25/11/2024 19:56

Another very lazy one I’ve done recently was:
pasta
pesto
diced mozzarella
those little sweetie drop peppers
chopped baby spinach

Surprisingly delicious for something so simple.

GiddyRobin · 25/11/2024 19:58

Thunderlegs · 25/11/2024 19:48

Put cod, asparagus and vine tomatoes in a casserole dish. Drizzle with oil or butter, season and bake for 18 minutes

Stealing this!! We've all become a bit obsessed with cod, asparagus, and tomatoes lately in this house. 😂 Oooh, with some crusty bread would be nice.

coxesorangepippin · 25/11/2024 20:02

Boiled pasta, any kind

Fry some garlic, add a pack of smoked salmon or a cooked salmon fillet. Cook for two mins. Add lemon juice. Add a cup full of heavy cream. Simmer for five mins. Ad a handful of spinach. Add a handful of string cheese. Salt and pepper.

Add to pasta. Stir well. Serve.

LivelyHare · 25/11/2024 20:02

Fry off two generous spoonfuls of Thai green chili paste. Chuck in a can of coconut milk. Add sliced up red peppers, baby corn, broccoli and chunks of tomato. Tip in a punnet of prawns to warm through. Serve on microwave rice.

onwardandupwards · 25/11/2024 20:03

Eggs chips and beans are a quick go to here.

Doseofreality · 25/11/2024 20:07

Fry some pancetta cubes, chopped leeks and mushrooms. Add Boursin, stir until it melts.
Add fresh cooked spaghetti and mix.

Delicious and takes about 10 minutes.

uhohjojo · 25/11/2024 20:09

Blue cheese pasta is a big hit in our house. Cook some pasta, add broccoli florets about 5/6 mins before it's done. Drain the pasta and veg and keep it in the colander. Throw a pot of single cream and some crumbled blue cheese into the pan. Stir until the cheese melts. Add the pasta and broccoli back into the pan.

My kids would never eat blue cheese as it comes, but mixed with the cream they like it. I just get the cheapest stlton I can find and use about half a pack, though I guess you could adjust for a stronger/weaker cheese flavour.

Thunderlegs · 25/11/2024 20:10

Eggs baked in tinned tomatoes (or Englishman's Shakshuka as we call it). Vary with red peppers, spices etc as you like.

Egg spinach feta frittata

Ladamesansmerci · 25/11/2024 20:11

Budda bowl- rice, + whatever you feel like, such as cherry toms, pickled cabbage, avocado, nuts, pre cooked chicken, etc. Dollop of whatever sauce, such as hummus, tahini etc.

Cool sausages. In a pan, fry some bacon, add chopped tomatoes, mixed beans, Henderson's relish, mixed herbs, chilli powder, wine if you feel decadent, some stock (see Hairy Bikers Sausage Casserole). Goes nice with crusty bread.

Baked sweet potatoes with chickpeas roasted in whatever spices you like (I like paprika, garlic, and chilli powder) with a side salad. It goes nice with a hummus and lemon sauce.

Pasta. Some frozen chicken strips. Can of chopped tomatoes. Add mixed herbs + garlic powder. Throw some garlic bread in.

rugbyclub · 25/11/2024 20:13

I just cleared the fridge of whatever needs eating and ended up with this ⬇️ which was quite nice. Takes 5min to make, tasty, filling and contains vegetables.

You can use wraps or normal bread (maybe toast it?) and substitute whatever seasoning/chutney/cheese etc you have.

Maybe add some rice if you're a big eater, or have two. One was enough for me.

Polish flatbread
Basil pesto spread over it
Topped with sliced avocado
And sliced tomato
Seasoned with salt, dill, parsley, thyme
Toasted sesame seeds oil drizzled over
Finished with sliced Bavarian smoked cheese

Microwave on full power 2 1/2 minutes to melt the cheese

Thunderlegs · 25/11/2024 20:20

uhohjojo · 25/11/2024 20:09

Blue cheese pasta is a big hit in our house. Cook some pasta, add broccoli florets about 5/6 mins before it's done. Drain the pasta and veg and keep it in the colander. Throw a pot of single cream and some crumbled blue cheese into the pan. Stir until the cheese melts. Add the pasta and broccoli back into the pan.

My kids would never eat blue cheese as it comes, but mixed with the cream they like it. I just get the cheapest stlton I can find and use about half a pack, though I guess you could adjust for a stronger/weaker cheese flavour.

My mouth is watering at the thought of this!

AdviceNeeded2024 · 25/11/2024 20:21

Quick easy homemade pizza.

Get the wraps you can buy in the bread section at the supermarket. Use ready made passata for sauce base if you like sauce (or you can skip this step) get a bag of pre-grated mozzarella and any toppings you want. (I like red onion, goats cheese and sliced black olives which you can buy pre-sliced in a jar) you can also buy pre-packaged pizza pepperoni (this needs crisping on an oven tray for 5-10 mins first) or pre-cooked bacon if you like this.

Put tortilla in oven for a few minutes to crisp very slightly. Put sauce on base (if using) if not go straight to sprinkling a layer of mozzarella, layer of toppings, another layer of mozzarella, another layer of toppings. Put in the oven at 190 degrees fan for about 7-10 mins depending on how you like it cooked.

Really nice and easy and healthier than takeaway pizza

AdviceNeeded2024 · 25/11/2024 20:24

AlwaysPerplexed · 25/11/2024 19:55

Cook some pasta. Drain it, put it back in a pan on middle heat. Put in a tub of creme fraich and stir until warm. Add some chopped chives and a chopped pack of smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon juice. Delicious and takes about 10 mins, less if the pasta is fresh.

I make this occasionally and it’s really nice. Sometimes use Philadelphia instead of crème fraiche

LiptonIcedMe · 25/11/2024 20:28

@Mrmontgomeryburns fresh Rana gnocchi fried in butter, Gorgonzola crumbled in, chopped walnuts. Pour into bowl, squeeze over lemon juice. Ready in 5 mins!

GiddyRobin · 25/11/2024 20:29

Stuffed peppers. Boil some rice or quinoa. Empty the middle of peppers, rub with olive oil and roast. Chop up tomatoes, onion, courgette, whatever, and fry with a bit of garlic. When rice is done mix it with the veg and add to the peppers, finish in the oven. Top with cheese for the last few mins. Serve with a salad.

Insanely quick soup. Fry garlic and onion with some cumin. Boil spinach and peas and sweetcorn. Mix up together when done, and add stock from boiling the veg. I'd recommend a teaspoon of Marmite or some nutritional yeast. Blend it all up. It takes less than half an hour and it's so thick and healthy. Add beans if you want some protein. Sprinkle with smoked cheese!

Hummus wraps. Either homemade (easy. Chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice. You get a HUGE batch in comparison to the pots, and you can add spices) or shop bought. Grate carrot, strips of cucumber, tomato, whatever you like. I personally like to add in a spoon of extra pulses for texture. Wrap it up and scoff.

Omelette. Either a fold over one or a thick Spanish one - add potatoes and onion, peas. Serve with salad and crusty bread.

Mussels in a white wine sauce. Cook the mussels, make a quick sauce with white wine, creme fraiche, dill, add to pasta. Throw in some sundried tomatoes and olives, maybe a handful of rocket and mix through.

Big mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts. Just cook with olive oil, fry the walnuts a bit, stuff, top with cheese and bake. Boil new potatoes, drain, and then add butter and lightly heat in a pan until they go golden. Broccoli or asparagus on the side, maybe some salad.

Tuna nicoise. Fry the tuna steak, boil potatoes and cook some green beans, hard boiled eggs. Mix with nice lettuce, tomato, olives. Drizzle of lemon and olive oil, maybe Dijon mustard. Canned tuna also works but I like steaks. Onion and radishes are nice sometimes too, depends what you fancy.

Toddywoddywoo · 25/11/2024 20:33

Don't chop anything - I rarely do.

Frozen base mix ( finely chopped onion,carot,celery) is in most of my meals.
Frozen garlic cubes
Both sainsburys

Spaghetti Bol and lots of other meals cooking in literally minutes

Swipe left for the next trending thread