There's no need to travel to Vietnam to enjoy this beautiful simple dish. Made with silky rice noodles, fragrant pork mince and slaw, this family-friendly salad is super tasty, fresh and totally satisfying.
103 easy dinner recipes for no-fuss weeknights
Easy doesn’t have to mean quick, in fact, sometimes all we want to do is avoid the rush, relax and spend some time in our kitchen. Whether you’re an absolute novice, getting the kids involved, or just want to take it easy, there’s nothing like the feeling of mastering a classic like roast chicken, revisiting simple family favourites, or learning something new. Take your time, switch off, and luxuriate in our best easy but excellent dinner recipes.
Campanelle with smoked ham hock and peas
"A lovely, simple pasta dish you can prepare in advance in a slow cooker, or slow-cook in a large saucepan over the stove. I love the contrast of the smoky slow-cooked braised pork and the fresh pop of new-season peas." - James Cole Bowen Recipe note: Begin this recipe 4 1/2 hours ahead. This recipe is by James Cole Bowen
Spanakopita
If you haven't tried this Greek spinach pie, you're sorely missing out on some of the greatest flavour combinations ever. Nothing beats pastry, spinach and feta.
Creamy cauliflower gnocchi with crispy pancetta
This dish combines pillowy gnocchi with a velvety cauliflower sauce and the savoury crunch of crispy pancetta. Topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh thyme, it's a comforting and satisfying meal that's sure to impress.
Spam and corn fritters
Thanks to TikTok, Spam is back, and it's bigger than ever. For those who've missed all the Spam tricks and hacks currently flooding our FYPs, Matt Preston has shared an easy Spam fritter recipe that'll help you join the cultural zeitgeist.
Matt Moran’s lamb rissoles with tzatziki and sumac onions
“Taking an old school classic and giving it a spice-up, these lamb rissoles are great for a midweek meal or weekend barbecue lunch.” – Matt Moran
Chicken caesar pasta salad
We’ve taken one of the most popular salads and turned it into a delicious meal by adding pasta and grilled chicken. We kept the dressing traditional and the croutons because we all love a crunch and we finished this salad with some fragrant basil. This will be on repeat once you’ve tried it.
Cheesy cauliflower bake with garlic bread topping
"This dish combines two all-time favourites: cheesy cauliflower and garlic bread, creating the ultimate comfort winter bake." – Lucy Nunes. You'll need an 8-cup (2L) capacity baking dish.
Cheat's meatball orrecchiette
“Pan-to-table meals that are made in minutes and pack a flavour punch are always a winner. Saving kitchen prep time by using store-bought fresh sausages to create your meatballs doesn’t mean you’re compromising on flavour – if anything, they add more." – Tracey Pattison
Pork ramen recipe
This 15-minute pork ramen recipe is all about maximum flavour with minimal effort and just the right amount of heat. It's easy to make and packed with authentic Asian flavours so it's sure to become a family favourite.
Silvia Colloca's Italian braised chicken marylands with wine
Here is an easy but infallible marriage of a few humble ingredients. Every town, village and hamlet in Italy's Marche area has a variation on this chicken maryland recipe, but what they all share is a strong sense of regional pride and, most importantly, glorious flavours. This keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the flavours will improve over time. As it cools, the sauce will firm up, so make sure you reheat it thoroughly to allow it to return to its liquid state.
Jamie Oliver's easy murtabak
You’ll find many variations of this stuffed pancake dish throughout central and Southeast Asia. This Indian-inspired version is filled with spiced mince lamb. Begin this recipe a day ahead.
One-pot chicken and mushroom pasta bake
Cooking the pasta in the mushroom stock with the chicken doesn’t just mean one less pan to wash - it also brings so much more flavour to the final dish. This dish can become your go-to for pasta night: swap the chicken for chorizo, add some capsicum and chilli instead of mushrooms and swap out some stock for crushed tomatoes and you’ll have a whole new one-pot wonder. Recipe note: You’ll need a 35cm x 25cm flameproof baking dish.
Cheat's paella
“A paella is one of my ultimate midweek meals, and this cheat’s version can be ready in under 30 minutes. Plus, there’s only one pan to wash up!” – Lucy Nunes.
Fish tacos by Matt Moran
The whole family will love these easy fish tacos. “Leave out the jalapeno from the recipe if you're heat-shy – the fish tacos will still be tasty,” says Matt Moran.