Quick 30 minute meal ideas for the week - need inspo!

[FallonMila]

Hi, My partner and I work every hour possible at the moment and we have fallen into a trap of not meal prepping and just buying as and when including buying frozen things that we chuck into the oven for the few spare times that we have lately. I work within the NHS having to split my time doing 3 jobs at once, including the Covid Vaccination hubs, and my partner is also running 2 businesses.

We do not eat a lot of fish or red meat and tend to have a lot of vegetarian options because its quicker.

Can I ask for some meal inspo please - I am dying to get to the shops for a click and collect and start with a clean state and force ourselves into a proper routine!

Thank you :)

Tray bakes - sausages/chicken/salmon

Quick prep and one tray to put in the oven.

One of my favourites is chicken thighs, new potatoes (or any spuds cut small), red onion and chorizo. Drizzle with olive oil, thyme and orange zest.

Salmon - naked with broccoli, sugar snap peas and asparagus with soy, ginger and lime. Serve with rice (packet micro ones are good, lots of variations)

Sausages with onion, apples and parsnips.

You can cook your salmon naked if you really insist...

Jack monroe brie and bacon risotto
Bolognese
Salmon or prawns or seafood mix in tomato pasta sauce
Bangers and mash
Jack Monroe Chilli but in the slow cooker (so long cook time short prep time)
Eat well for less lamb tagine (slow cooker again long cook time short prep time)

I can't link because it directs me to the gousto app but if you google "gousto ten minute recipes" there's a load of them
Ah here!
https://www.gousto.co.uk/blog/easy-dinner-recipes

And some more

https://www.gousto.co.uk/blog/17-easy-dinner-recipes

Halloumi burgers www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/halloumi-burgers
Gong bao chicken realfood.tesco.com/recipes/gong-bao-chicken.html
Spinach and ricotta pasta realfood.tesco.com/recipes/spinach-and-ricotta-tripoline.html
Chilli www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/microwave-chilli
Homemade pesto realfood.tesco.com/recipes/broccoli-pesto-penne-with-chilli-and-garlic-sizzle.html
Vegeree www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/recipes/recipe_directory/s/spring-green-vegereewithsofteggsandcashews.html

Halloumi and Mediterranean veg tray bake
baked eggs with tomatoes and chickpeas
Stuffed mushrooms (I stuff with leeks, finely chopped celery, mushroom stalks, blue cheese and top with breadcrumbs)
Paprika chicken breasts
Pasta arabiata

Stuffed peppers www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-stuffed-peppers
Naan pizzas realfood.tesco.com/recipes/naan-bread-pizzas.html
Fajitas www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-chicken-fajitas
Gnocchi bake www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegetarian/tomato-spinach-and-mascarpone-gnocchi-2/

A lot of these don't feel that quick and easy to me.

For me, there's quick when it's quick preparation but might take a while in the oven eg roasted tomatoes which we serve with pasta, avocado and mozzarella/feta/goatscheese. Or a chicken tray bake.

And then there's quick - can be served very quickly after walking through the door - which is things that aren't fiddly. So for me that's often things like a quick pork/lamb chop or a steak served with boiled new potatoes and other fresh vegetables/salad.

I can also do a fairly decent variety of pasta sauces in the time it takes to cook the pasta from super super basic such as onions, bacon and chilli (a regular lunch time treat for me and DH) to sausage meat fried off with fennel. Add a few chopped tomatoes and, if you like, chopped courgette (or alternatively add greens in form of spinach/peas but do that later), add grated lemon zest and chilli (to taste), approx 100ml each of white wine and milk. Bubble (add peas/spinach at this point if using) then a generous dollop of creme fraiche (half fat is less thick and creamy but I prefer the taste). serve with lots of black pepper and parmesan.

Fajitas with just onions, peppers, chicken strips and a fajita pack can be quick. I don't make actual guacamole but usually just slice avocado to serve alongside.