Make-ahead dinners for busy weeknights
An easy and cheesy vegetarian lasagne with leeks, zucchini and peas. (ABC Everyday: Tim Grey)
It's always reassuring to have a few meals stashed in the fridge or freezer.
Cut down on weeknight cooking with these options that feed between six and eight people.
Vegetarian lasagne with 30 minutes prep
Alternating between pasta sheets and thinly sliced zucchini increases the veggie content of this comforting dish. (ABC Everyday: Tim Grey)
Don't have all afternoon to make a lasagne? Same. This version uses layers of fresh zucchini and frozen peas. The only cooking you'll need to do is making a quick crème fraîche sauce with leeks.
Cooking tips: Save time by using pre-shredded cheese.
Tandoori chicken tray bake
This one-tray chicken tandoori bake delivers on flavour and saves on time and dishes. (ABC TV: Wesley Mitton)
This recipe is popular for a reason. Six chicken thighs bake on top of biryani-inspired rice that's spiced and soaks up the flavour of both the chicken thighs and stock as they cook.
Cooking tips: The prep time is a fast 15 minutes but be sure to factor in an hour for the chicken to marinate.
Spring pea and ham soup
This pea and ham soup is a fresh and bright take on a classic winter meal in time for spring. (ABC News: Eve Wilson)
Frozen peas replace split peas in this vibrant take on a classic winter dish. While this dish has a long cook time, you'll be rewarded with a meal that feeds between 6-8.
Cooking tips: This soup freezes well, but the ham will become saltier when frozen then defrosted, so season with this in mind if freezing.
Hearty lentil bolognese
The ingredients I've used here are purposefully basic and pantry-friendly. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
Bolognese is a favourite in many homes and this vegetarian version uses pantry staples, hopefully saving you a trip to the shops and some money, too.
Cooking tips: Option to add cream to the bolognese before serving. Swap the tomato paste for a spice paste like harissa or gochujang if you enjoy a bit of heat.
Easy mushroom and cheese tarts
Little effort, huge reward. This simple recipe leaves you with two creamy mushroom tarts to share, or keep. (ABC Everyday: Tim Grey)
Make two mushroom and cheese tarts in 35 minutes using store-bought puff pastry. Savoury tarts can be served at room temperature or hot alongside a salad.
Cooking tips: There's only 15 minutes prep in this recipe. The ingredients are sliced and assembled before it's time to bake.