10 easy meals for supper

10 easy recipes for meals when you don't want to spend ages cooking. The recipes use store cupboard ingredients plus some food from the freezer (with a list of essentials to stock up on).

If you're looking for easy, nutritious meals that your family will enjoy, try some of these recipes that I've been making for my family for years.

Easy recipes using everyday ingredients

The recipes here all use staple ingredients - there's a list at the end - with some meat, fish or tinned pulses/beans.

If you have those ingredients in your store cupboard, you can make most of the meals on this site. Here are some of the easiest recipes - particularly necessary if you aren't feeling great, or if your time is taken up with kids and/or work.

Fish

Quick Baked Salmon Fillets

A simple dish for a fast supper with no frills. Serve with steamed vegetables for a healthy everyday dinner.

Easy Cod Traybake

Take 5 minutes to prepare this Easy Cod Traybake - vegetables included.

FIND MORE RECIPES USING FISH HERE

Mince - beef/lamb/turkey/Quorn

One-pot Mince and Pasta

Most of the ingredients for this are in your store cupboard. Just add mince and onions for quick and easy mince and pasta - all cooked in one saucepan.

Keema

Keema is a fragrant, but not hot, curry using minced beef or lamb.

FIND MORE RECIPES USING MINCE HERE - beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, Quorn. Mostly you can use which you prefer.

Chicken

Chicken in Mustard and Cream Sauce

Chicken in Mustard and Cream Sauce is a quick and easy supper dish for family, friends or just the two of you for a special meal.

Easy Chicken Curry

Easy Chicken Curry - a quick, tasty supper using cooked chicke. Supplement with a tin of lentils if needed.

Ginger Lime Chicken

Ginger Lime Chicken takes 10 minutes to prepare the night before - and cooks in half an hour.

FIND MORE RECIPES USING CHICKEN HERE

Children's teatime

Sweetcorn Fritters

Serve Sweetcorn Fritters for children's lunch or tea. Add sausages for a hearty meal.

French-Toast Cheese Dreams

A simple recipe for after-school tea or weekend lunch, French-Toast Cheese Dreams are egg-coated, fried cheese sandwiches. Popular with all ages.

Breakfast Bake

Make at the weekend for a cooked breakfast in minutes every day. Ideal for school-day mornings or family brunch. Prepare the night before and cook in the morning or freeze in portions.

What to buy when you're stocking up

Store cupboard essentials

• Dried Herbs & Spices - Mixed herbs, garam masala, chilli powder
• Jars/tubes/bottles of flavour - Minced ginger, minced garlic, lime juice, mustard, Worcester sauce, curry paste (better than sauce, because fewer additives - try different varieties. Add a tin of tomatoes and/or coconut milk/cream for a tasty curry)

• Tins, Jars & Bottles - Chopped tomatoes, baked beans, chickpeas, lentils, tuna, sweetcorn, coconut milk/cream, olive oil (or other)
• Packets - Pasta, rice, flour (white or wholemeal), dried lentils

Freezer items

• Vegetables - Especially peas, French beans and mixed veg
• Fruit - Lemons - see fridge items
• Meat - Chicken joints, mince (in 400g packs) - beef/lamb/turkey/Quorn, whole chicken, sausages (the better quality, the better for you)
• Fish - Prawns (raw and/or cooked), salmon fillets (buy a side and cut it up yourself), white fish fillets (cod/haddock/coley)
• Everyday basics - Butter, ready-rolled puff pastry

In the fridge

• Staples - Milk, cheese, eggs, butter, bread (if you don't eat much, keep a sliced loaf in the freezer)
• Lemons (and/or limes) - If you won't use them all, cut into slices/quarters and freeze or freeze the juice in ice trays
• Occasionals - Cream (for special meals), plain full-fat yoghurt
• Fresh fruit & veg - Basics for these recipes are onions, peppers (any colour), tomatoes

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