30 minute meals

Some days there just isn't time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing food. But that shouldn't mean you can't still enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal.

We know how hard it is to find time in a busy day, so we've put together a collection of quick and easy 30 minute meals that all take less than half an hour to create.

From stir fry to pasta to curry, there is a delicious recipe for every meal.

Searching for more helpful tips to help you plan your dinners? Check out our weekly meal planners.

30 minute breakfast recipes

On weekdays, breakfast can be one of the most rushed meals of the day. Some days there can barely be time to eat, let alone cook.

Here are some of our favourite speedy 30 minute meals- most of which can be made in far less than half an hour!

For more great breakfast ideas, check out our Breakfast meals page.

Oat and berry smoothie

One of our simplest breakfast recipes is this delightful oat and berry smoothie. Light yet filling, it will start your day right with healthy berries, wholesome oats and creamy yoghurt. To make it even healthier, add a handful of fresh or frozen spinach. No cooking needed! 

Almond butter and berry breakfast toast

This quick and easy breakfast is perfect for busy work or school mornings. All you need is a few slices of bread, some almond butter (or your choice of other nut butter!), some fresh berries, coconut flakes and chia seeds. This speedy breakfast is tasty and delicious year round.

Hot choc porridge

This wholesome and protein-packed bowl of porridge is healthy and tasty - the ultimate comfort food to begin your day! For a decadent version, add in a dash of cream and some honey. You can also make a big batch that can feed the whole family. 

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30 minute lunch recipes

Whether you are rushing through a work day lunch or putting together a lunch for the whole family, these simple lunch dishes will be on the table in no time.

Looking for more meal inspiration? Check out our Tips to help you win in the kitchen.

Chicken and sweetcorn noodle soup

A heartwarming and filling meal, this chicken and sweetcorn noodle soup will warm you from the inside out. Use whatever noodles or pasta you have on hand and any kind of shredded chicken - leftovers work very well in this recipe! Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

Chicken and avocado tostadas

Fresh, punchy flavours packed onto a crispy base, these chicken and avocado tostadas are restaurant quality! With creamy avocado, zesty salsa and juicy chicken pieces, this Mexican-inspired meal will be on the table in no more than 30 minutes. Fill your tostadas with whatever taco seasoning and salad vegetables you have handy - tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, cheese and sour cream are all delicious additions. If you don't have chicken on hand, you can even swap the meat out for cooked shrimp, ground beef or salmon.

Thai-inspired beef salad with chilli lime dressing

Combining fresh herbs, cool cucumber and succulent beef, this healthy salad will take you on a trip to Thailand without ever leaving your home. On the table in just 30 minutes, it’s a great alternative to ordering a takeaway from your local Thai restaurant!

BBQ steak open sandwiches

One of the most loved 30 minute meals, these BBQ steak open sandwiches are perfect paired with some tangy sauce like sweet chilli, onion relish or garlic aioli. Home cooks who don't want to brave the outdoors can also cook the steak in the pan for an equally quick and tasty dish.

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Still can't decide what to cook? Perhaps looking at What's in season might help!

30 minute dinner recipes

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking in the kitchen.

Lucky, you won't have to with any of these 30 minute meals. We've done the hard work and put together our favourite quick and easy dinner recipes. From pizza to stir fry to chicken to pasta, we've put together the best fast recipes that make cooking a breeze. 

All you need to do is choose what you're making!

Caprese pita breads

Need a quick and easy meal on the table in 30 minutes? The iconic Italian combination of mozzarella, basil and sweet tomatoes come together on top of a soft pita bread for a speedy take on Friday pizza night. Experiment with your favourite toppings - we love ham, bacon, red pepper, tomato and plenty of cheese! Serve with a helping of salad veggies for a balanced meal.

Sweet soy pork and green bean stir fry

Mince is a tasty and affordable stir fry ingredient, and our sweet soy sauce pork and green bean stir fry is a healthy family-friendly dinner for any night of the week. This yummy meal can be served with steamed rice or tossed with egg noodles to create a tasty noodle dish. The leftovers can also be put in the fridge - they make a great lunch the next day!

Cheats nasi goreng inspired rice

This cheat’s nasi goreng inspired rice is not only easy to whip up, it’s packed with vegetables that even the fussiest of eaters will enjoy! Ready in 25 minutes, this is a great budget-friendly recipe that any cook will be able to recreate. Feel free to add your choice of protein to the dish - we like chicken or shrimp best!

Vietnamese style caramel chicken

Done in 30 minutes, this one-pan Vietnamese-style chicken dish is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Ideal for the whole family, we guarantee you’ll be racing back for seconds. This heavenly dish is best served on a pile of steamed rice to soak up all that caramel sauce! 

Italian inspired carbonara

Authentic carbonara simply uses egg yolks, freshly grated parmesan cheese and water from cooking the pasta to create a rich and luxuriously creamy sauce! This Italian classic is unbeatable when cooked well, with decadent flavours of bacon and garlic making this the King of pasta 30 minute meals.

Pork sausage ragu pasta

Another quick and easy pasta dinner, this pork sausage ragu recipe is mouth-wateringly simple to make and just as easy to eat; drawing inspiration from relaxed, Italian flavours!  The perfect speedy weeknight dinner. Home cooks who want to plan ahead can also make a large batch of this pasta and freeze it for up to three months.

Chicken with garlic and white wine sauce

The ultimate in comfort food, this chicken with garlic and white wine sauce recipe is a wonderful weeknight dinner. Effortlessly easy, this will be your next go-to recipe for when you need to put some quality food on the table. All you need is chicken breasts, butter, garlic, white wine, cream and lemon. Serve with potatoes, greens, couscous or salad. One of our absolute favourite 30 minute meals!

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30 minute dessert recipes

Dessert is the ultimate food to end the day! But so many desserts take hours to bake and prepare. For times when you need a quick and easy treat, try one of our dessert 30 minute meals. They'll be on the table in a flash. Don't forget that one of these is from our Easy Pantry Staples, made entirely from food you'll already have in your kitchen!

Cheats berry crème brûlée

Everyone loves a classic crème brûlée, but this foolproof version takes half the time to execute! With pops of raspberry and vanilla hidden beneath a crisp caramelised shell, this dessert is a beautiful end to any meal.

Ambrosia eton mess

Ambrosia means "food of the gods" and we think you'll be in heaven with this classic dessert. Ambrosia is quick to prepare, doesn't need to be baked, and you can make individual servings for an elevated dessert.

Mini chocolate lava cakes

The ultimate decadent and warming winter dessert food, these chocolate lava cakes are the perfect mini portion of rich and gooey goodness! Best of all, they're one of our Easy pantry staples recipes, made entirely from food you'll already have in your kitchen. Bake in the oven then devour with icing sugar and custard. Your go-to 30 minute meals dessert when you need your fix of chocolate!

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