Discover a treasure trove of inspiring and delicious dishes brought to you by celebrated chef Jamie Oliver. This collection of 30 perfect dinner ideas covers a wide range of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that are sure to delight everyone at your table. From succulent meats and vibrant salads to comforting pies and exotic curries, these easy recipes will unlock your culinary creativity and elevate your weekend meals to something truly special.
Ultimate Homemade Kebabs with Chargrilled Welsh Lamb
Start your feast with a twist on the classic kebab—chargrilled Welsh lamb skewers nestled in homemade flatbreads alongside chunky chips, fresh salsa, feta, and spiced yogurt. The key is marinating the lamb with garlic, oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil, then grilling it until beautifully charred yet juicy inside. The flatbreads are a breeze to make with just self-raising flour and yogurt, creating a soft, elastic dough that wraps all the flavors together perfectly.
For the chips, carve Maris Piper potatoes into chunky pieces, parboil, season with oregano, salt, and pepper, and roast until golden and crisp. The salsa is a refreshing mix of grated cucumber, red onion, white cabbage, and tomato, seasoned with olive oil and vinegar to bring out a sunshine-like brightness.
Comforting Kedgeree with Smoked Haddock and Poached Eggs
Kedgeree is an Anglo-Indian classic, perfect for a hearty weekend breakfast or dinner. Start by boiling basmati rice until tender and cooling it down. Poach natural smoked haddock in water infused with lemon rind and coriander for delicate flavor. The base is built by gently frying garlic, ginger, fennel seeds, red onion, and red chilies in butter and oil, then adding curry powder for warmth.
The dish comes alive with a mix of fresh greens like finely sliced Brussels sprouts, kale, and peas. The haddock is flaked into the rice, combined with lemon juice for a subtle caramelizing effect, and crowned with perfectly poached eggs made using a clever cling film method. The result is a dish with layers of smoky, citrusy, and spicy flavors balanced by creamy eggs.
Roasted Game Bird Pie with Aromatic Ragu and Handmade Pastry
This roasted meat pie elevates traditional pie-making by using succulent game birds—chicken, mallard, pheasant, grouse, and partridge—roasted with juniper and herbs for deep flavor. The ragu base starts with smoked bacon, bay leaves, rosemary, and a medley of vegetables slowly cooked until tender, then thickened with flour and enriched with cider and chicken stock.
The pastry is a hearty blend of butter and suet with plain flour and eggs, mixed to a crumbly but workable dough that is chilled to prevent shrinking. The pie is carefully assembled with rustic edges pinched by hand, then egg-washed and baked until golden and crispy. Serve with seasonal greens for a feast that’s as impressive as it is comforting.
Next-Level Caesar Salad with Brined Roast Chicken and Crispy Croutons
This Caesar salad goes beyond the ordinary with a brined spatchcock chicken that stays juicy and flavorful. The brine is a fragrant mix of fennel seeds, black peppercorns, dried chilies, bay leaves, thyme, water, and apple juice. After brining, the chicken is roasted to perfection, its juices dripping over garlic-studded bread cubes that crisp up into irresistible croutons.
The dressing is a creamy, tangy blend of Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, English mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and juice, and freshly grated Parmesan. Optional marinated anchovies add depth without overpowering. Tossed with crunchy romaine, chives, radishes, and cucumber, this salad is a refreshing and indulgent crowd-pleaser.
Malaysian-Inspired Whole Sea Bass with Jasmine Rice and Rainbow Salad
For a vibrant fish night, this whole sea bass is marinated in a homemade Malaysian paste featuring lemongrass, red chilies, shallots, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, peanuts, fish sauce, tomato puree, lime zest and juice, creating layers of sweet, salty, and citrusy flavors. Wrapped in fragrant banana leaves, the fish steams in its own juices, resulting in tender, aromatic flesh.
Jasmine rice is cooked with coconut cream and lime juice for a fluffy, fragrant base. A quick chili pickle adds a tangy kick, while a colorful chopped salad of cucumber, red cabbage, mango, coconut, and fresh herbs brings delightful crunch and freshness. Toasted peanuts and a kiss of soy sauce finish the dish.
Pot Roast Pork Wrapped in Cured Meat with Celeriac Cracklings and Rhubarb Compote
This pot roast pork loin is wrapped in flavorful cured meat like Coppa di Parma or Parma ham to lock in moisture and add depth. The pork is marinated with sage, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar, then browned in a pan with celery, red onion, rosemary, and a splash of Chianti wine, creating a rich cooking environment as it roasts.
Served with crispy celeriac cracklings roasted with thyme, and a sweet and tangy compote of apples and rhubarb cooked with brown sugar and red wine vinegar, this dish offers a sophisticated balance of savory, sweet, and earthy flavors. The pan juices and Chianti are used to baste the pork for a golden, juicy finish.
Spanish-Inspired South End Paella with Chicken, Chorizo, and Seafood
Paella is a festive dish perfect for sharing with family and friends. This version starts by blistering peppers under high heat to develop smoky flavor, then cooking chicken thighs with bone marrow for richness. Saffron, chorizo, garlic, onion, and Spanish tomatoes build a fragrant base simmered with stock and wine.
Seafood including prawns, squid, mussels, and cockles are added towards the end, with the paella cooked to create the prized socarrada—the crispy, caramelized rice crust at the bottom. The dish is finished with parsley, lemon wedges, and the blistered peppers for a colorful, flavorful celebration of Spanish cuisine.
Beef Wellington for Two with Mushroom Duxelle and Spinach Pancakes
Beef Wellington is a classic showstopper made approachable for two. Grass-fed beef fillet is seasoned with rosemary, seared, and wrapped in a luxurious mushroom duxelle made from button and porcini mushrooms cooked with garlic, rosemary, and thyme. A vibrant spinach pancake soaks up the meat juices and adds color and flavor.
The beef is encased in buttery puff pastry, optionally topped with a decorative lattice, and baked until golden. A simple red wine sauce made from roasting juices and wine completes the dish. This elegant dinner is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress with a classic British favorite.
Ultimate T-Bone Steak with Beef Dripping Potatoes and Salsa Verde
Take steak night to the next level with a thick-cut T-bone steak cooked to medium-rare perfection. Parboiled red skin potatoes are roasted with whole garlic bulbs and beef fat rendered from steak trimming for irresistibly crispy, flavorful roasties. The steak is cooked in rendered fat and basted with rosemary to build a deep crust.
The classic salsa verde, a vibrant condiment of parsley, mint, gherkins, anchovies, garlic, capers, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and vinegar, adds a fresh, tangy kick. Sliced steak is served with the crispy potatoes and salsa verde, delivering a luxurious and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare yet packed with flavor.
Homemade Chicken and Leek Pie with Crispy Hispi Cabbage
A perfect comfort food pie starts with roasting and stewing a whole free-range chicken to extract maximum flavor from bones and meat. A base of smoky bacon, celery, onion, carrot, and leek is gently cooked before combining with tender chicken and button mushrooms. The stew is thickened with flour and enriched with cider, mustard, and creme fraiche for a creamy filling.
Homemade shortcrust pastry, made by rubbing cold butter into plain flour and water, is chilled and rolled to line the pie dish. The filling is poured in, topped with rustic pastry, and baked until golden and flaky. Served with quick charred hispi cabbage flavored with mustard and chicken fat, and creamy mashed potatoes, this pie is a satisfying weekend treat.
Mushroom Shawarma with Homemade Flatbreads and Mint Salsa
For a vegetarian kebab that packs a punch, marinate a mix of king oyster and portobello mushrooms with preserved lemons, smoked paprika, allspice, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. Skewer the mushrooms with onion petals and fresh bay, then roast until dark and juicy. The mushroom juices create a flavorful basting sauce to keep the kebabs moist.
Homemade flatbreads made from hot water, strong flour, and salt create soft, elastic wraps that puff beautifully when cooked. A quick mint and jalapeno salsa, creamy tahini and yogurt sauces, and simple pickled cucumber, radish, and cherry tomatoes add freshness and texture. Finish with dukkah for crunch and spice. Roll it all up for a messy, delicious street food experience at home.
Scottish-Inspired Lamb Shanks with Marmalade Whiskey Sauce and Pearl Barley Risotto
Tender lamb shanks are French trimmed, seasoned, and browned before slow roasting with smoked bacon, bay leaves, onions, carrots, swede, and celery. Classic haggis spices—black pepper, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg—are toasted and sieved over the vegetables for a deep aromatic flavor. Marmalade and Scotch whiskey add a glossy sweetness and warmth.
The accompanying pearl barley risotto is made creamy with butter, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese, balanced by sweet, slow-cooked leeks. The rich lamb gravy marbles through the risotto, creating a hearty, comforting dish perfect for a weekend gathering.
Game On Curry with Mixed Game Birds and Silky Aubergine
This vibrant curry uses a homemade spice paste of fenugreek, garam masala, cumin, fennel, turmeric, and peanut butter, made fresh with a pestle and mortar. Game birds like pheasant, quail, partridge, and chicken are dry-fried to seal in flavor, then cooked with the spice paste and curry leaves for authentic depth.
Silky aubergines are sliced, stuffed with curry paste, and roasted to absorb the rich flavors. Coconut breads made with self-raising flour and coconut milk are fried until puffy and crisp, perfect for mopping up the sauce. Serve with fluffy basmati rice, papadoms, pickles, and a lemony salad for an indulgent feast.
Cannelloni with British Rose Veal, Pork, and Stinging Nettles
This comforting cannelloni features a creamy white ragu sauce made with British rose veal and free-range pork shoulder, leeks, garlic, celery, potatoes, and milk. The ragu is slow-cooked until rich and thick, then filled into dried cannelloni tubes.
Stinging nettles, a wild green packed with nutrients, are quickly sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes until tender and vibrant, serving as a nutritious bed for the pasta. The dish is topped with a blend of British cheeses including Montgomery's cheddar, Kirkham's Lancashire, and Birkswell, plus nutty button mushrooms, then baked until bubbling and golden.
Roast Salmon Stuffed with Artichoke and Almonds
This elegant roast salmon is stuffed with a savory mixture of toasted almonds, stale ciabatta, lemon zest, garlic, and preserved artichokes. The artichokes are carefully prepped to remove the choke and prevent discoloration by rubbing with lemon juice. Fresh mint adds brightness to the stuffing.
The salmon is seasoned, topped with smoky bacon and fresh thyme, then tied and roasted at high heat for crispy skin and juicy flesh. Serve with simply boiled new potatoes and baby spinach for a light yet luxurious meal.
Whiskey Wood Smoked Baby Back Ribs with British Style Potato Salad
Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth baby back ribs seasoned with a flavorful salt rub of sea salt, white pepper, whole coriander, and fresh bay leaves, then lightly moistened with whiskey for a subtle kick. The ribs slow-cook in the oven with a homemade barbecue sauce made from whiskey, brown sauce, Worcestershire sauce, English mustard, apple juice, and honey, creating a sticky, rich glaze.
Wood chips can be used in the oven with a simple metal sieve to add a smoky aroma, mimicking a house smoker. The ribs are served alongside a lighter British-style potato salad made creamy with yogurt, wholegrain mustard, pickled onions, chives, and sweet pear for contrast.
Prosciutto Wrapped Fillet of Beef with Creamy Porcini Mushrooms
This refined dinner party dish features a seared fillet of beef wrapped in a creamy porcini mushroom duxelle. Dried porcini mushrooms are rehydrated and cooked with garlic, rosemary, and thyme until rich and silky. The duxelle is spread over a sheet of overlapping prosciutto slices, which then envelop the beef.
The wrapped fillet is secured with kitchen string and roasted to medium-rare. A simple pan sauce made with red wine and roasting juices is reduced and enriched with butter. Serve with buttery mashed potatoes and greens for an elegant meal that’s surprisingly straightforward.
Vietnamese Pho with Rich Beef Broth and Skirt Steak
Pho is a nourishing Vietnamese noodle soup centered on a deeply flavorful beef broth made by roasting marrow-rich beef bones with sesame oil, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and ginger. Lemongrass, soy sauce, and fish sauce add layers of fragrant complexity. The broth simmers for several hours to extract maximum flavor.
Skirt steak is seared rare and thinly sliced, ready to be cooked by the steaming hot broth poured over the noodles. Charred onions add smokiness, while pickled garlic provides a zesty condiment. White or brown rice noodles are soaked and served with bean sprouts, fresh herbs, chilies, and spring onions for a vibrant, comforting bowl perfect for chilly days.
These 30 easy recipes for cooking provide a wealth of inspiration for anyone looking to create memorable meals for family and friends. From rustic comfort food to international flavors, each dish is designed to be approachable, delicious, and perfect for sharing. Dive into these recipes and enjoy the joy of cooking and feasting together.
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