Convenient meals for people eating at different times (bonus if they're quick)

[SpaceOP]

We are now in this ridiculous situation where between the DC's activities and DH's work schedule, we are regularly needing to eat at different times. As a rule, my family aren't fussy so a quick microwave of something or whatever is fine, but I'm trying to up the options for convenient, still tasty meals eaten as and when.

I'm confident I am not the only one with this situation so interested in anyone's tips. The ones we've found work quite well so far:

1. Tacos (especially with the air fryer so the shells can be blasted for 2 minutes by whoever is in the process of serving themselves)
2. Baked chicken thighs with potatoes and veg (the veg can go a bit soggy though so might need to think about that. Perhaps roasting some veg alongside the chicken)
3. Fajitas - if made with chicken. Halloumi, which is our actual preference, is a hassle for each person to cook as they come in. I do sometimes do chorizo versions.
4. Certain pasta dishes - eg penne with tomato based sauces seems to work well and can easily be microwaved without too much deterioration in quality.

Any other ideas? I quite like the idea of a curry but we tend to do veg based curries and I think the veg get a bit wilted and icky. I could do a lamb rogan which used to be a popular choice but we haven't had in ages.

Slow cooker, you could do bolognese, chilli, tagine, curry. The person eating then just heats up a bag of rice in microwave, or takes a hunk of fresh crusty bread by the cooker etc.

@ScatteredMama82 that's a good point re the slow cooker- less likely to cause things to go a bit "wonky" although I don't use packet rices as a rule as they're so expensive. I guess we could cook rice and then just let everyone heat it in the microwave or, as you say, do with bread.

Another vote for slow cooker. A lot of people here don't seem to like them but use it properly you can do all sorts and it's not all wet sludge.

well, I've added a lamb rogan with nan breads to my shop for next week (slow cooker) so that's a winner, thanks.

DS had requested his favourite cauliflower curry but that doesn't keep brilliantly (and can't be made in the slow cooker) but DH isn't fussy so I'm going to do that on a night when DS and I eat when it's ready and DH has to eat later! (although also going to experiment with how long it takes to roast in air fryer as that might be an option for DH - the sauce is made separately).

There was also a special on so I got a few bags of frozen individual rice portions which will definitely be good for other slow cooker options.

Also experimenting with other air fryer ways to be speedy and fresh. Planning spanakopita one day - each person can just cook theirs fresh in air fryer and I'll make a salad on the side. Occurs to me that spanakopita style pies can be pretty varied so could become a regular thing, just with different fillings each time.

You can do that cauliflower in the slow cooker if you have a timer and it doesn't turn to mush. My kids love Thai curry, beef noodles, chicken curry, chickpea / beans and chorizo stew in the slow cooker. Also use it for brisket / braising steak / pork shoulder, pot pie, lasagne, sausage and bean stew (brown the sausages first or they look like floating willies), all possible in the slow cooker.

Batch cook, freeze in individual portions and then each person can reach for whatever they fancy in the morning to defrost and reheat later. I really rate The Batch Lady for great recipes

We have this a lot when older DC are home from university. I tend to do slow cooker things and everyone does rice (I buy boil in the bag for this) new potatoes, pasta, naan or a microwave jacket potato to accompany when they're ready.

Otherwise I do a big dish, serve whoever is there when it's ready and the others microwave their portion when they want it.

Quiche/frittata - fine eaten hot or cold
Puff pastry tart www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/leek-cheese-bacon-tart ditto

Naan pizzas - assemble them all together and put in the oven as needed realfood.tesco.com/recipes/naan-bread-pizzas.html
Fish cakes - make them all together then cook as needed.
Sausage casserole www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/quick-sausage-casserole-with-tomato-and-chickpeas/
Spanish chicken www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/easy_spanish_chicken_09987
Vegetable and bean crumble www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/vegetable-and-butter-bean-crumble/
Stroganoff www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beef-stroganoff
Goulash

Also, if you got some small oven dishes, you could assemble meals like lasagne and cottage pie in individual portions to keep for a few hours in the fridge until they need to be cooked. I’ve got these and we eat straight from them!

@Fivemoreminutes1 I had forgotten this - we usually always have a few meat or veggie lasagnas knocking about int he freezer in individual portions - I use tin foil containers and stick straight into the oven. They do take a while to cook though but are handy. I usually spend a Sunday making massive vats of lasagna sauces and land with a family meal for one day and a bunch of meals for the freezer.

Thanks everyone. I will continue to experiment. Dh and DS are not huge fans of stews and casseroles which is why I probably don't use my slow cooker enough but I need to figure out a way to do so a bit more! Certainly, we all love a curry around here and anything with mince!

Taming twins recently did a while slow cooker dump bag collection which wasn’t all stews etc

Omelette
Jacket potatoes