Midweek meals can be a bit of a nightmare. Sometimes we want to try something new, but we’re so exhausted that we go back to an old tried and tested recipe, or a takeaway. These recipes are quick, easy, delicious, and budget friendly.
One Pan Pasta
One of the worst things about midweek meals is when there’s an enormous amount of washing up. This recipe cuts down on clean up and tastes amazing. It serves four.
Ingredients
- Tablespoon of oil
- 12 meatballs (Premade, or make your own)
- One onion, finely diced
- Three cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- Two tablespoons of ketchup
- 2 cans of chopped tomatoes
- 225 grams dried spaghetti or linguine
- Handful of chopped fresh basil, or a pinch or two of dried basil
Method
- Heat the oil in a deep, wide frying pan over a medium-high heat.
- Add the meatballs and cook until browned.
- Add onion and garlic and cook until they have softened.
- Add the two cans of chopped tomatoes, ketchup, basil, and 400ml water, and bring to the boil.
- When boiling, add the pasta, and cook until cooked – around ten to twelve minutes.
- Season to taste.
Chinese Five-spice Chicken Traybake
This midweek meal is a delicious and really quick dish. It serves four, and takes less than an hour, including marinating time.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs (Bone in, and skins on)
- Four tablespoons of hoisin sauce
- Two tablespoons of sesame oil (replace this with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil if you want)
- Two tablespoons of clear honey
- One and a half teaspoons of Chinese five-spice powder
- A knob of ginger, grated (about a thumb sized piece)
- Two cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- A bunch of spring onions, chopped
- 50 grams cashew nuts, toasted
- Cooked rice to serve
Method
- Heat oven to 220C, 180C fan assisted, or gas 6.
- Place the thighs on a large roasting tray.
- Slash the skin of each thigh two or three times.
- Mix the hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and some salt and pepper together.
- Pour this mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Set aside for ten minutes. (You could leave for longer, or overnight if you have time).
- Roast the chicken in the oven for around thirty-five minutes. Baste at least once.
- Stir through the cashew nuts.
- Sprinkle the spring onion on top.
- Bake in the oven for another five minutes.
- Serve with rice.
Pork And Apple Burgers
Pork and apple burgers are quick midweek meals, but they’re a little different from a typical burger. This recipe serves four.
Ingredients
- 300 grams of sausage meat, or minced pork
- Four burger buns
- Four tablespoons of onion marmalade
- Two apples, cored, and thinly sliced
- Two handfuls of rocket, or lettuce
- Two teaspoons of mayo
- English mustard
- Potato wedges, or sweet potato wedges to serve
Method
- Divide the pork into four portions and shape each portion into a patty.
- Fry for ten to twelve minutes until golden on both sides and cooked through.
- Heat grill to high.
- Slice the buns in half and toast, cut side up under the grill.
- Spread the bottom of the toasted bun with onion marmalade.
- Place the pork burger on the bottom bun.
- Add sliced apple, rocket, and mayonnaise.
- Serve with potato wedges.
