Bright, unfussy and full of flavour, these family-friendly ideas turn everyday ingredients into joyful meals. Each recipe is built for real life: quick prep, big taste and plenty of wiggle room to swap what’s in the fridge. These cooking, easy recipes are ideal for busy weeknights, batch-cooking sessions and shows of culinary love that don’t take all evening.
1. Everyday Butter-Style Chicken — pan-only, smoky and saucy
This is a weeknight-friendly take on butter chicken that happens entirely in one pan. Key tricks: char whole tomatoes to build smoky depth, grate fresh ginger and garlic into a simple garam masala-yogurt marinade, and sear the chicken until golden before simmering it in a ruby-red, cashew-smooth sauce.
- Must-haves: 700 g whole tomatoes, 2 tbsp garam masala, 8 garlic cloves, thumb-sized ginger, 2 tbsp yogurt, 2 tbsp cashew butter.
- Tip: Score chicken breasts so marinade penetrates quickly, then sear over high heat for colour before simmering gently for 8–10 minutes.
Finish with a spoonful of yogurt for silkiness and a scatter of coriander. Serve with rice mixed with chickpeas for a filling one-pan supper. These techniques make this recipe a winner among easy, flavour-first cooking, easy recipes.
2. Prawn Toast Toastie — playful, crunchy and perfect for kids
A mashup of the classic prawn toast and the beloved sandwich toastie. Make a simple filling of chopped prawns, grated ginger, sliced spring onions and a beaten egg white for binding. Press sesame seeds onto the outside, nestle extra prawn pieces on top and pan-fry until golden.
- Why it works: texture contrast — soft prawn mix inside, crunchy sesame exterior.
- Serve with: sweet chili dipping sauce for an addictive finish.
This is a brilliant midweek treat that makes dinner feel like a small celebration — one of those joyful cooking, easy recipes that kids ask for again and again.
3. Veggie Curry Rice Cake — a colourful skillet meal
This vegetarian dish turns sautéed veg, tikka paste and basmati rice into a crisp-bottomed rice cake with a bright mango-pomegranate dressing. Use courgettes, cauliflower florets and frozen peas for colour and texture, then pat in crushed poppadoms to absorb moisture and create structure.
- Flavour boost: a few chopped chilis and a spoon of mango chutney lift the sauce.
- Finish: yogurt splashes, pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs make it sing.
It’s a great example of creative, simple supper ideas — classic cooking, easy recipes that look and taste restaurant-worthy without fuss.
4. Avocado Pastry Quiche — a green twist on pastry
Swap butter for ripe avocado to make a surprisingly delicious pastry. Mix mashed avocado with self-raising flour, a splash of water and a pinch of salt, then rest the dough briefly. Fill with a blend of frozen peas, basil, cheddar and whisked eggs for a vibrant, creamy quiche.
- Make-ahead: the pastry rests for 30 minutes, filling can be blitzed while it bakes for 10–15 minutes.
- Serve: a crisp apple-and-leaf salad dressed with lemon keeps the plate bright.
This playful swap proves healthy swaps can be part of easy, exciting cooking, easy recipes.
5. Ultimate Sausage Casserole with Potato Dumplings
Comfort food at its best: caramelized leeks and apples, robust starch from Maris Piper potatoes, sausages browned for flavour, and mustard and brown sauce for depth. Use boiled mashed potato bound with mustard to form dumplings that crisp on top in the oven.
- Build flavour: brown sausages first, then fry the veg in the rendered fat.
- Finish: brush dumplings with oil mixed with herbs so they go golden under the grill.
This is an ideal family supper — wholesome, hands-on and one of the most comforting cooking, easy recipes to master.
6. Pepper, Prawn & Chorizo Rice Bake — quick roast, big reward
Roast halved peppers on the oven bars for caramelized sweetness, then cook chorizo with garlic and parsley, use the flavored oil to toast basmati rice, and bake with prawns, lemon zest and a sprinkle of parsley. Ten minutes in the oven finishes the prawns and lets the flavours marry.
- Bright idea: nestle peppers into rice rings to create beautiful individual servings.
- Serve: dollop of yogurt and a lemon wedge make it fresh.
Fast to execute and full of personality, this dish sits happily among approachable cooking, easy recipes.
7. Rocky Road — the easiest showstopper dessert
Melt 500 g chocolate and fold in 500 g of mixed extras: marshmallows, popcorn, dried fruit, nuts and broken biscuits. Press into a lined tray, chill until firm and slice. It’s brilliant for gifting and parties, and a beautiful finish to any family meal.
- Pro tip: pick textural contrasts and a little salt to balance the sweetness.
Simple, naughty and totally joyous — a dessert that proves indulgence can be one of the most delightful cooking, easy recipes.
8. Batch-Cook Bolognese with a British Twist
For a freezer-friendly ragu, caramelize veg thoroughly, add mushrooms for depth, then deglaze with a pale ale before simmering with four tins of tomatoes. Serve tossed with fresh sliced lasagna sheets cut concertina-style to capture the sauce, and finish with melted cheddar for a comforting, slightly British edge.
- Make-ahead: this ragu gets better with time and freezes beautifully.
- Serving hack: fresh pasta or the wobbly lasagna strips hold saucy ragu brilliantly.
Reliable, flavour-rich and perfect for busy households, this is the kind of practical cooking, easy recipes that earns its place in the rotation.
Essential Tips for Weeknight Success
- Work in stages: brown first, build flavour next, then simmer or roast to finish.
- Use what’s handy: frozen peas, defrosted prawns and pre-chopped veg save time without skimping flavour.
- Swap freely: these recipes are a framework — change proteins, veg or spice levels to suit the family.
Savour the Simple Wins
These recipes are designed for cheerful, practical cooking that fits family life. They celebrate big flavours, easy techniques and small clever hacks that lift every meal. Keep them in the weeknight toolkit and enjoy how quickly home cooking becomes a highlight.
This article was created from the video Family Recipes To Cook ANY Night Of The Week | Jamie Oliver with the help of AI.
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