We all have evenings when deciding what to cook feels harder than cooking the meal itself.
You open the fridge, check the cupboards and scroll through recipe ideas, but nothing feels quite right. You want something easy, satisfying and made with ingredients you may already have, without spending the entire evening in the kitchen.
Egg Fried Rice
Egg fried rice is a useful recipe for leftover rice and vegetables that need using up.
For food safety, cool cooked rice quickly, refrigerate it promptly and use it within the recommended storage period. Reheat it only once and make sure it is steaming hot throughout.
Ingredients
- 300g cold cooked rice
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 100g frozen peas
- 3 spring onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
Method
Heat half the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok.
Beat the eggs, pour them into the pan and stir until softly scrambled. Transfer them to a plate.
Add the remaining oil, followed by the carrot and peas. Stir-fry for three to four minutes.
Add the cold rice and break up any clumps with a wooden spoon. Cook over a high heat until the rice is piping hot.
Return the egg to the pan, then add the spring onions, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Toss everything together and serve immediately.
Easy additions
Try adding cooked chicken, prawns, tofu, sweetcorn, peppers or mushrooms.
Crispy Chicken Wraps
Wraps are a useful choice when different people want different fillings.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 tortilla wraps
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Grated cheese
- Mayonnaise, yoghurt or your preferred sauce
Method
Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and thoroughly cooked.
Warm the wraps according to the packet instructions.
Fill each wrap with lettuce, tomato, chicken, cheese and sauce.
Fold tightly and serve with potato wedges, salad or corn on the cob.
Easy swaps
Use fish fingers, halloumi, falafel, leftover roast meat or crispy tofu instead of chicken.
Quick Vegetable Stir-Fry
A stir-fry is one of the fastest ways to turn a collection of vegetables into dinner.
Ingredients
- 250g noodles
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, cut into thin strips
- 100g mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
Method
Prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions, then drain.
Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over a high heat.
Add the vegetables and stir-fry for four to six minutes, keeping them moving so they cook evenly.
Add the garlic and ginger, then cook for another minute.
Stir in the soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce.
Add the noodles and toss until everything is hot and evenly coated.
Easy additions
Add cooked chicken, beef strips, prawns, tofu or a fried egg.
Loaded Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes require very little preparation and can be topped with almost anything.
Ingredients
- 4 baking potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Butter
- Your preferred toppings
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C for a fan oven.
Wash and dry the potatoes, then prick them several times with a fork.
Rub with a little olive oil and salt.
Bake directly on the oven shelf for approximately one hour, or until the skins are crisp and the centres are soft. Cooking time will depend on the size of the potatoes. You can also use an air fryer for this step.
Cut open, fluff the inside with a fork and add butter before topping.
Topping ideas
- Tuna mayonnaise and sweetcorn
- Baked beans and cheese
- Chilli
- Cottage cheese and spring onions
- Leftover curry
- Roasted vegetables and feta
- Chicken and garlic yoghurt
Pesto Pasta Bake
A pasta bake is useful when you want something comforting but do not want to make a complicated sauce.
Ingredients
- 300g pasta
- 4 tablespoons pesto
- 150g cream cheese
- 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100g grated mozzarella or cheddar
- Salt and black pepper
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C for a fan oven.
Cook the pasta for two minutes less than the packet instructions suggest.
Drain it, then mix with the pesto, cream cheese and tomatoes. Season with black pepper and a little salt if needed.
Transfer to an ovenproof dish and scatter the grated cheese over the top.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
Easy additions
Add cooked chicken, tuna, spinach, broccoli or roasted vegetables.
Homemade Flatbread Pizzas
Flatbread pizzas are quicker than making pizza dough and can be customised with whatever you have available.
Ingredients
- 4 flatbreads or pittas
- 4 tablespoons passata or tomato purée
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 150g grated mozzarella or cheddar
- Your preferred toppings
Method
Preheat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C for a fan oven.
Place the flatbreads on a baking tray.
Mix the passata with the oregano, then spread it over each flatbread.
Add the cheese and toppings.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the edges are crisp.
Topping ideas
- Pepperoni and peppers
- Mushroom and spinach
- Ham and pineapple
- Tuna and sweetcorn
- Chicken and red onion
- Tomato, mozzarella and basil
Sausage and Tomato Pasta
This easy pasta recipe uses sausages to create a rich sauce without requiring many ingredients.
Ingredients
- 300g pasta
- 6 sausages
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper
- Grated cheese, optional
Method
Remove the sausage meat from the casings.
Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the sausage meat. Break it into small pieces and cook until browned.
Add the onion and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and oregano.
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
Drain the pasta and stir it into the sauce. Finish with grated cheese if desired.
Easy swaps
Use vegetarian sausages, beef mince or lentils.
Build Meals Around What You Already Have
Before shopping, check the ingredients you need to use first.
Choose one main ingredient, such as chicken, eggs, pasta, potatoes or beans, then build the meal around it.
A simple formula is:
- Choose a protein or main ingredient.
- Add a carbohydrate.
- Include at least one vegetable.
- Finish with a sauce, seasoning or topping.
For example, chicken, wraps, lettuce and yoghurt can become crispy chicken wraps. Beans, tomatoes, stock and bread can become a simple stew.
This approach makes everyday cooking more flexible and helps reduce food waste.