healthy bakes/pies/lasagnes

[Gonnagetgoing]

DB has omicron and is the main cook for his family. His DW is really time strapped right now with her young son.

Was going to cook and take over a couple of healthy and quick and easy dinners, like bakes or pies - any ideas?

Was thinking healthy lasagne, pasta bake, shepherds pie etc but anything I've not thought of?

When we needed to do similar for SIL when she had a baby (and useless BIL), we limited the pies/bakes/lasagna type stuff because she doesn't like "heavy" food - avoids things like butter and cheese etc. So I have a few additional ideas!

Chicken based dishes such as a roast chicken or a tray bake. For a roast chicken, I'd cook it and package it up with tinfoil and then add some packets of microwaveable vegetables or do a rice with some vegetables mixed in. I also did a chicken tray bake once or twice and she'd just microwave it when they wanted to eat.

Roasted vegetables with couscous and feta cheese was one she liked a lot and would eat warm or cold.

Risottos aren't supposed to be reheated but we do....

Quiche?

IF you do want other more traditional options, what about fish pie? I always think it's nice to have a non-meat option.

@BlingLoving - ooh thank you for all your tips and good idea re the roast chicken. I could leave the chicken so one of them could do chicken soup from the carcass.

I don't do risotto but I do do a Turkish pilau which is similar and can be reheated and served cold.

Chicken tray bake sounds excellent too.

They do like pasta dishes though.

Fish pie is good - will have a look for that - a friend of mine does one with mixed fish and sweet and normal potato mash topping, I only know tuna fish pie with cheese sauce and mushrooms but it is yummy.

I'd love to be able to do a quiche but my pastry is awful.

DM who lives nearby does a great quiche and pastry so will ask her to see if she can do that. She might drive them over too as its South to East London for both of us and me slightly further SE through Blackwall tunnel.

Yes, I would give the whole chicken anyway. A bit like a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket - they can just warm it in the oven for 10 minutes depending on how long in advance you've cooked it. And then there's left over for the next few days.

Pre-bought pastry case for quiche?

I remembered another one which I didn't make specifically for them but they benefited from - I did a big roast lamb and made it with roasted veg (tomatoes, peppers, butternut, onions) and some new potatoes and sent that down to them (admittedly, they lived 10 minutes down the road so DH could do a quick run anytime - practically while the meat was resting).

If they like pasta dishes, I think shapes like Penne/fusilli keep well and reheat better than others. So a bolognaise but with penne instead of spaghetti? or a sausage-based creamy sauce with vegetables that can take being reheated - broccoli or courgettes, for example?

Also, sausage and bean casserole?

Sorry, getting a little too invested now!

I think I will suggest sausage and bean casserole for DM to make and also a pasta dish and a penne bolognese too.

DB will likely be better by end of this week anyway.

They are getting a whole chicken so can do the MN chicken recipes from that - e.g. feed 5 thousand from it!

I might also make as a treat a chocolate banana loaf cake which they all love.

In a pan fry off chopped bacon, mushroom, onions and garlic and red pepper. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, some herbs, black pepper and a good glug of balsamic vinegar. If they enjoy spicy dishes you can also add chopped chilli. Add to cooked pasta and pour into an ovenproof dish. Top with breadcrumbs and mozzarella and bake for 20 mins.

@AtleastitsnotMonday

In a pan fry off chopped bacon, mushroom, onions and garlic and red pepper. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, some herbs, black pepper and a good glug of balsamic vinegar. If they enjoy spicy dishes you can also add chopped chilli. Add to cooked pasta and pour into an ovenproof dish. Top with breadcrumbs and mozzarella and bake for 20 mins.

@AtleastitsnotMonday - oh perfect - thank you! that sounds delicious and I may make it for me too.