21 Quick Dinner Recipes That You Can Turn To Time & Again

By Madeleine Crutchley
Viva
Turn to these easy and fruity kebabs to make the most of the short fig season. Photo / Babiche Martens

These quick dinner recipes are low on time but high on flavour.

With daylight saving’s exit earlier this week, our autumn evenings have plunged into sudden darkness. Gone are the patient summer nights — the insistent sunset pushes us into hibernation mode, seeking early dinners and early bedtimes.

With this

For each dish, you’ll be rewarded for generous additions of spices and herbs. They are easy additions but create comforting flavours that will sing you straight to sleep.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This potato and cauliflower curry is a wholesome meal. Make a big batch and store it in the refrigerator for quick meals or packed lunches (the spices grow stronger after luxuriating for days).

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This one cast-iron pan meal sees oven-baked chicken draw flavour from red onion, jalapeno, chopped thyme and white wine. It’s perfection when paired with crispy or mashed potatoes.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Make sure to toast your tortillas for extra crispiness and warmth. Serve these beef tacos with a squeeze of seasonal citrus and a few parsley leaves.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Egg noodles, umami broth and crispy shallots — this breezy ramen promises snug company during chilly evenings.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This potato topping supplies a decadent and creamy texture to a smoked fish mixture.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

If you’re craving greens and seeking comfort, this satay salad is an ideal option. Finish with a scattering of peanuts.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Flaky salmon and creamy pasta sauce is a textural match made in heaven. A few sprigs of dill make the hefty dish feel fresh.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

A generous topping of fresh mozzarella will make this vegetarian lasagna extra melty and delicious.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Toasting a few sesame seeds can elevate this luscious bowl of miso noodles (as well as properly caramelised button mushrooms).

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Turn to a sturdy cast iron to create a heavy char on the chicken for these vibrant sandwiches.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

A chilli-based sauce creates a powerful flavour for this breezy egg noodles serving.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Top this light chicken salad with a hefty handful of crunchy and salty noodles.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

You could double the recipe for this tangy honey dressing and add it to your other salad recipes too.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This fresh and vegetable-packed bowl is the perfect pick-me-up. It’s also drizzled with a spicy and sweet gochujang sauce.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Vegetarians rejoice! This jackfruit mixture mimics the texture of pulled pork, while a punchy spice blend delivers plenty of flavour.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Crispy tofu and chewy noodles make this stir fry an unmissable weeknight staple.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This garlicky, umami serving is simple but rewarding (topped with crispy noodles).

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

This oven-baked pasta forms a crunchy top when sprinkled with plenty of parmesan.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

A cut of baked salmon feels special, even with a simple squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey. In this recipe, it’s elevated with a bed of soft, citrus-tinged pasta.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Seasonal figs make an unlikely but delicious pair to tender beef kebabs. Best served with a tangy yoghurt sauce.

Photo / Babiche Martens
Photo / Babiche Martens

Is there anything more satisfying than twirling forkfuls of noodles? This sweet and sticky noodle dish says no.

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