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More than 120 easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights

Our favourite simple recipes for getting dinner on the table, stat.
Prawn linguine with semi-dried tomatoes and olives
Prawn linguine with semi-dried tomatoes and olives — ready in under 30 minutes.

Summer brings a burst of energy to the table: produce is vibrant and light, and we have more time to enjoy the outdoors, so it’s the norm to want easy dinner recipes that require minimal fuss but deliver maximum reward. When you can’t be bothered to cook but want to dish up something delicious, these recipes answer the call.

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Simple and fast is the name of the game – you’ll get many of these easy dinner ideas on the table in 30 minutes or less, without compromising on flavour.

In this collection, you’ll find one-pot wonders and simple tray bakes; quick pastas with flavour-packed sauces; grilled proteins with show-stopping side salads and delicious stir-fries ready in a matter of minutes.

Whether you’re after easy dinner recipes that are fresh and fast, or prefer dinners that take more time but require less effort, we’ve got you sorted. Set the timer – dinner is on its way. Here are our top easy dinner ideas.

Our best easy dinner ideas for fuss-free cooking in 2026

Spiced lamb racks with roast vegetables, couscous and harissa yoghurt
Spiced lamb racks with roast vegetables, couscous and harissa yoghurt. (Credits: Photo: James Moffatt / Styling: Maxwell Adey)

Bold spices, golden roast veg and vibrant harissa — this dish is your new lamb signature.

Roast chicken with white wine, porcini and sage sauce
(Credits: James Moffatt)

This is the Italian version of marry-me chicken.

Spinach and ricotta sformato
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Scoop and serve is the mission statement here.

Almond-crusted snapper with buttermilk dressing and summer slaw
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

Inspired by Australiana, green and gold combine in this fresh and easy midweek fish dish.

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Spaghetti alla puttanesca
(Credits: Chris Chen)

Pasta from the pantry. A quick sauce. This puttanesca is a no-brainer for a midweek meal.

Pork katsu with sweet potato mash and gochujang-lime butter
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Crisp and easy, katsu is always a crowd-pleaser.

Pasta e ceci
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Two staples of Italian cuisine come together in this simple pasta dish.

Oven-baked Thai curry with pumpkin and tofu
Oven-baked Thai curry with pumpkin and tofu (Credits: James Moffatt)

Prep for 15 minutes and then the oven does the rest of the work.

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Chicken braised in white wine  with mascarpone
(Credits: Chris Chen)

A final stir-through of mascarpone takes this mid-week dish to another level.

Spinach and ricotta ravioli
(Credits: Chris Chen)

When it comes to these filled quadrilaterals, it pays to think outside the square.

Cheat’s radicchio risotto with porcini and sage.
Cheat’s radicchio risotto with porcini and sage. (Credits: Photo: James Moffatt / Styling: Maxwell Adey)

Bittersweet radicchio and porcini bring depth to this easy weeknight mushroom risotto.

Vodka clam bake recipe with fregola and smoky tomatoes
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

Comforting, delicious and easy to prepare.

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Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

A one-tray roast with the added boost of flavoured compound butter. You won’t look back.

Chicken cooked in milk with buttered spinach
(Credits: Photo: James Moffatt / Styling: Elisa Baker)

A Nonna classic in the rural regions of Italy.

Roast baby snapper with potatoes, lemon and capers
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Fresh and breezy, this dish will become a warm weather staple.

Ouzo saffron and garlic mussels
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Garlic and saffron are the spice stars in this summer seafood dish.

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Oregano and honey pork cutlets with watermelon Greek salad
(Credits: James Moffatt)

These honey pork cutlets make the perfect weeknight dinner.

Lamb scottadito with mint salsa verde and roast crushed potatoes
(Credits: James Moffatt)

This recipe takes the classic lamb cutlet up a notch.

Crunchy garlic and tomato pasta on white and blue cooking pan with scattered basil leaves.
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A staple tomato sauce pasta dish in Mediterranean households — and soon yours, too.

Pork skewers with chimichurri, salad and lemon in dark green bowl alongside grilled potatoes in a pink bowl.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Fire up the barbecue and get sizzling with these punchy pork skewers.

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Beetroot and ham salad with sour cherry dressing
(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

This is the ideal Boxing Day salad when you need to use up any leftover ham.

Hot-smoked salmon and pearl barley salad on white plate with avocado dill dressing on side.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

This hot-smoked ocean trout recipe makes for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.

Chickpeas with steamed eggplant and harissa on white bowl with a pink bowl of guindilla chillies.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Steamed eggplant makes the perfect umami addition to this zesty chickpea dish.

Korean cauliflower curry on black bowl with a bowl of rice and spoon to the side on a yellow background.
(Credits: Brett Stevens)

Sweet and savoury with a splash of spice, this Korean cauliflower curry makes for an easy addition to the weeknight meal rotation.

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Ricotta gnocchi with cavolo nero and pine nuts with cutlery on blue serving plate.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Gnocchi paired with cavolo nero and pine nuts makes for a fresh and breezy weeknight recipe.

Lemon rice with vongole and dill oil on white dish with blue and white patterned napkin and silver knife and fork.
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

Lemon rice is decidedly Greek. Here it is served with vongole to celebrate Mediterranean flavours.

Dish of oven baked chicken with chilli and ginger dressing with side salad.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

A twist on Hainanese chicken and rice, this version is quick and easy to prepare.

Linguine with lemon chilli and parmesan on white and blue serving platter.
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

This perfectly balanced linguine is enhanced by zesty lemon and a kick of spice.

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Cider-braised chicken recipe with Brussels sprout and apple salad in white dish.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

This cider-braised chicken recipe is a simple but delicious take on the classic Sunday roast.

Beetroot, feta and lentil salad.
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

We all know someone who thinks salads are boring. Consider them converted with this flavour-packed number.

paghetti alla carbonara (spaghetti with carbonara)

Spaghetti alla carbonara

(Credits: William Meppem)

The proper way to make this Italian classic.

Baked blue-eye trevalla with silver fork on white serving platter with lemon wedge.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Also known as Psari Plaki, the classic summer dish is well-loved around Greece.

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Lamb cutlets with feta skordalia and micro herbs on white plate with gold spoon and fork.
Lamb cutlets with feta skordalia and crushed olives (Credits: James Moffatt)

Our Greek-style lamb cutlets, finished with traditional feta skordalia and crushed olives, is primed for weeknight cooking. Opa!

Stuffed eggplants filled with shredded chicken and topped with mozzarella and herbs
Papoutsakia recipe (Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A comforting eggplant recipe that epitomises the big-flavoured goodness of Greek home cooking.

Greek lamb meatballs recipe with orzo, tomato-garlic sauce and fried oregano
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A quick and easy lamb meatballs recipe primed for weeknight dinners.

Barramundi recipe with Grenobloise sauce and colcannon
(Credits: James Moffatt)

A comforting pan-fried barramundi recipe with Grenobloise sauce and colcannon makes for one quick and easy dinner.

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Green peppercorn chicken roast recipe with spring vegetables
(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

This dinner-ready recipe for green peppercorn chicken proves that a roast can be perfect for midweek meals.

Aerial view of a bowl of noodles with prawns, mint and tomatoes.

Photo: James Moffat

(Credits: James Moffat)

Fresh, fast and flavourful: this is the easy way to make prawns a midweek meal.

Welsh rarebit steak with butter beans
(Credits: James Moffatt)

A scotch fillet steak recipe for dinner — with a golden, cheesy twist.

Paper baked snapper recipe with artichokes and mushrooms.
(Credits: James Moffatt)

A stunning snapper recipe primed for weekend celebrations.

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Chicken cacciatore recipe with salami and green olives
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Our spin on the traditional Italian dish that’s vibrant, hearty and primed for midweek dinners.

An aerial view of a lamb, zucchini and haloumi flatbreads with chilli honey

Lamb, zucchini and haloumi flatbreads with chilli honey

(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

This fast lamb and flatbread recipe is a great one to enjoy when it’s warm outside and you need something simple, quick and delicious.

An aerial view of a bowl with ajvar orecchiette with crusty bread on the side.

Ajvar orecchiette with ricotta and dill

(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

An impressive pasta dish that’s perfect for any day of the week.

easy dinner recipes: prawn and pork noodles

Salt and pepper prawn and pork noodles

(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

A flavour-packed noodle dish that requires very little time and effort.

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A plate of seared beef tossed through a palm sugar and coconut slaw.

Seared beef with palm sugar and coconut slaw

(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

A fast, everyday salad recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavour.

An aerial view of a warm mixed bean salad with chickpeas and topped with mozzarella.

Warm mixed bean, chickpea and mozzarella salad

(Credits: Jeremy Simons)

This quick and easy dinner-worthy salad comes together in minutes, making it perfect for warmer weather.

Aerial image of two lamb cutlets on top of a couscous salad with lemon and herbs.

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Lamb doesn’t have to be a long drawn out cook. These roasted lamb racks are ready for the plate within 30 minutes, salad and all.

Chana masala, chickpea curry

Chana masala

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A comfort bowl that’s ready in minutes.

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An aerial view of an oval platter filled with grilled chopped pepper steak with baby lettuce salad.

Image: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

Marinate your steaks in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce for a delicate flavour and a tender flank.

An aerial view of grilled lamb chops and grilled zucchini with lemon and rosemary.
(Credits: James Mofatt)

Quick grilled lamb chops with a side of vibrant zucchini is just the way to welcome in the warmer months.

Japanese eggplant schnitzel recipe yasai itame
(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

Crisp, panko-crumbed eggplants are perfectly paired with a Japanese yasai itame.

Soba noodles with nori sesame butter and sake grilled prawns

Soba noodles with nori sesame butter and sake grilled prawns

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

An easy, everyday Japanese-inspired soba noodle recipe that requires little time and effort.

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Udon noodles recipe stir fried with mustard greens, mushroom, tofu and peanut sauce

Stir-fried udon, mustard greens, tofu and peanut sauce

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A fast vegetarian udon noodle recipe that takes little time to make but is big on flavour.

Lemon chicken with bean and radish salad

Lemon chicken with bean and radish salad

(Credits: James Moffatt)

Quick, easy and healthy. This is a chicken dish you’ll want to commit to memory.

Steak with caramelised onion and ginger ponzu

Steak with caramelised onion and ginger ponzu

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A quick and easy steak recipe that goes beyond a charred barbecued rump.

Spiced tahini baked fish

Spiced tahini baked fish

(Credits: James Moffatt)

This spiced fish recipe makes for a simple yet flavoursome dinner idea.

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Sliced cooked lamb, beetroot and walnut with herb dressing
(Credits: James Moffatt)

An everyday lamb recipe that requires little effort.

Mixed mushroom tart with puff pastry and brie

Photo: James Moffatt

(Credits: James Moffatt)

Pre-made puff pastry makes this tasty tart a weeknight winner.

Spanish-style chopped steak open sandwich recipe

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A speedy steak snack that’ll transport you to a Spanish wine bar at first bite.

Roast chicken leg on top of bread with tomato-based sauce and side salad

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A quick and easy chicken dinner recipe that goes beyond a simple roast chook.

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Bowl of soup with torn pasta noodles, fennel and croutons
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Made with a flavoursome vegetable stock and adorned with crunchy croutons and shreds of fennel, this torn pasta soup recipe makes for a quick and easy dinner.

South Indian coconut stir fry with condiments

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A quick, easy and aromatic chickpea dish to have on rotation.

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A Mediterranean meal that’s big on flavour and a cinch to make.

Prosciutto-wrapped lamb chops with salad

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A speedy lamb dish that doesn’t skimp on flavour.

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Zucchini and kataifi fritters

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

These zingy fritters make for a quick and vegetable-packed midweek meal.

Two colourful bowls filled with paccheri pasta, tomatoes, prawns and herbs
Two colourful bowls dilled with paccheri pasta, tomatoes, prawns and herbs (Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Add some cooked crab or lobster meat to this weeknight favourite and transform it into a luxe dinner party entertainer.

Vietnamese chilli and lime caramel pork stir-fry

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A winning midweek meal to have on rotation.

Photo: Chris Court

(Credits: Chris Court)

This fragrant salad works beautifully with lamb but the fresh mint, basil and coriander will go just as well with beef, chicken or duck.

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Photo: Chris Court

(Credits: Chris Court)

This twist on the Hawaiian bowl combines cured kingfish with the crunch of fresh salad and pickled veg, plus rice for sustenance.

Asparagus and soba noodle salad with furikake pine nuts

Photo: James Moffatt

(Credits: James Moffatt)

Make it a meal: for a more substantial dish, stir-fry prawns in sesame oil and garlic and toss through the noodles.

fast prawn linguine is the best of all dinner ideas

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A summery prawn pasta that’s a no-fuss midweek meal? Yes please.

pastrami and fennel slaw sandwich recipe

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Who said sandwiches were boring?

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Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A simple, summery seafood recipe for midweek meals.

Bird's eye view of white bowl filled with white rice, green vegetables, herbs and egg

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

A quick and easy dinner idea for when you can’t be bothered to cook.

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Easy, quick, and vegetarian — this is the ultimate weeknight meal.

seared tuna salad with spring vegetables and leafy greens

Seared tuna with baby spring greens

(Credits: James Moffat)

Poke bowls have had their moment. Here’s a vibrant seasonal salad that transcends trends.

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steak-topped-with-mushrooms-and-a-side-salad

(Credits: James Moffat)

A cacio e pepe sauce makes everything better.

Photo: James Moffat

(Credits: James Moffat)

This spanakopita is made in one pan, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Photo: Chris Court

(Credits: Chris Court)

Whether you’re looking for a breakfast-for-dinner option, or you’re planning to host an ambitious champagne breakfast, these crêpes are a showstopper.

Pan-roasted snapper with tarragon gribiche

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

Quick, easy, and chef approved, this pan-roasted snapper with tarragon gribiche is sure to become a new weeknight favourite.

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Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

The beauty of the frittata is in its versatility. In this version we’ve used feta for tang and polenta for substance.

Broccoli rabe pasta

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

The trick with this simple dish is to sauté the broccoli rabe enough so that it’s wilted and tender, without becoming soft.

Smoked cheddar and onion quiche

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

With short, flaky pastry and a soft, savoury filling, you shouldn’t forget the versatile quiche for your next lazy weeknight meal.

Photo: John Paul Urizar

(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

There’s something so satisfying about cooking with clams.

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Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

Fragrant and filling, this low fuss meal is perfect for a midweek dinner.

Grilled rump steak with Massaman curry sauce

Photo: Alicia Taylor

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

Quick, easy, warming, and hearty, this recipe for grilled rump steak with Massaman curry is the perfect way to add intrigue to your regular Wednesday steak and chips.

Beef taco rice

Beef taco rice

(Credits: William Meppem)

Beef taco rice is an Okinawan specialty that is an example of how fusion is by no means a dirty word.

Piece of swordfish with chilli dressing served with steamed broccolini and microgreens salad on a white plate.
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Swordfish is one of the meatiest fish, and these steaks with a light honey dressing will show you why.

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Indonesian fried rice with snake bean relish

Indonesian fried rice with snake bean relish

(Credits: Chris Chen)

Need Indonesian-style fried rice in a flash? You need this super-fast recipe for nasi goreng.

quick wonton soup in big white pot
(Credits: Con Poulos)

This wonton soup is an express version of the recipe that cuts time, not flavour.

(Credits: Alicia Taylor )

The lemon and asparagus prevent this dish from feeling too rich and heavy, and if you don’t have veal, chicken breast will work just as well.

Vietnamese rice paper rolls

Vietnamese rice paper rolls

(Credits: James Moffatt)

Flavour and freshness with every bite.

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Prawn and avocado salad with spiced tomato dressing
(Credits: William Meppem)

How to improve on fresh prawns with avocado? Adding a smoky, spicy tomato dressing to the mix.

Lamb koftas with beetroot salad
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

Fast, fresh and flavoursome – this lamb mince recipe is the whole package.

Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf recipe

Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf recipe

(Credits: William Meppem)

Chicken, boring? Things look up with the addition of harissa, the North African spice paste.

Chicken Satay Skewers for dinner
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

Fire up the grill and keep the good times rolling.

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Two small roast chickens with salad and salsa verde on a white tray.
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

The fast and easy roast chook you need for the week.

Lamb with fennel, salsa verde and preserved lemon

Lamb with fennel, salsa verde and preserved lemon

(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

A spring-ready midweek dinner, spiked with bright and spicy salsa verde.

Rice noodle salad with grilled steak, lime and Vietnamese mint
(Credits: Will Horner)

A quick, satisfying meal that punches above its weight in the flavour game.

Prawns with saffron and quinoa
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

A light midweek dinner made easy.

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Salt-and-pepper squid
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

The classic you know and love, ready in a flash.

Lamb cutlets with date and almond salad
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

A little spice and sweetness equals this very worthy midweek meal.

A white plate with fried corn fritters and roasted cherry tomatoes, garnished with chopped and whole shallots.
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Patties we’d happily eat any meal of the day.

Sichuan spicy chicken with rolled rice noodles
Sichuan chicken with rolled rice noodles (Credits: Photo: James Moffatt / Styling: Elisa Baker)

This easy, oven-baked Sichuan chicken with noodles has spice and everything nice. Plus, it’s ready in less than 60 minutes.

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Roast chicken with pancetta and brussels sprouts
(Credits: James Moffatt)

Pancetta-wrapped chicken and roasted, buttery Brussels sprouts. What else could you want?

Chipotle-roasted chicken with  salsa verde
(Credits: Anson Smart )

A one-pan dish with endless possibilities.

Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce recipe

Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce recipe

(Credits: William Meppem)

This light ragù is freshened up further with a herb-packed green sauce.

Chicken scallopini with mushrooms and broccoli rabe
(Credits: John Paul Urizar)

Chicken, mushrooms and greens. This meal is the complete package.

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Snapper curry with green beans and coriander
(Credits: William Meppem)

This mild yellow curry is incredibly easy to whip up when you’ve got a good-quality curry powder on hand. Add a generous squeeze of lime to enhance the flavour.

(Credits: Con Poulos)

Time to glam up your weeknight schnitzel.

Cauliflower and egg “fried rice”

Cauliflower and egg “fried rice”

(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

A fast and easy way to up your vegetable count.

(Credits: Will Horner)

For a speedy steak dinner, just choose beef flank.

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Fast chilli con carne
(Credits: Will Horner)

Some purists believe there is no room for beans, but we think they add a rich, earthy flavour.

Zucchini and haloumi skewers with mint dressing

Zucchini and haloumi skewers with mint dressing

(Credits: Will Horner)

We’ve brightened up the haloumi with the crunch of zucchini and a fresh, vibrant mint dressing.

Tomato and spring onion omelette
(Credits: Chris Chen)

A lightning-fast meal that’s equal parts simple and satisfying.

Ten-minute spaghetti with olives, capers and lemon
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

All flavour, no filler.

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Mussels, risoni and herbs
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

You can’t get past the classic pairing of mussels in white wine.

Penne with broccoli and pancetta pangrattato
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)

A simple bowl of pasta that strikes the right balance in terms of crunchy elements and tender greens.

Chicken with barley, olives and chilli
(Credits: Alicia Taylor)

This one-pot wonder is full of bold flavour from salami to olives to chilli.

Chicken noodle salad with turmeric-lime dressing
(Credits: William Meppem)

Light, simple and deceptively easy to make.

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Chicken biryani

Chicken biryani

(Credits: Chris Court)

A multi-layered affair with chicken, rice and spice.

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What’s the easiest thing to cook for dinner?

Finding the easiest thing to cook for dinner is not a one-pot-fits-all scenario. However, there are some dishes commonly cited as very easy dinners — many of which you’ll find in our recipe collection above. Quick pasta recipes ready in 20 minutes or less are a fan favourite, while simple stir-fries can pack in a lot of vegetables to use up what you have in the fridge. If you’d rather set and forget, then one-pot wonders and sheet-pan dinners are your best friend on weeknights, especially our chipotle-roasted chicken with salsa verde that only uses a single pan (so you can forget about the clean up).

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