The holiday season is hectic, and between shopping, entertaining and other commitments, getting dinner on the table can feel like a chore. But a hearty home-cooked meal doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. These 10 wholesome recipes will help you satisfy your family and stretch your budget—all in 30 minutes or less.
With the addition of cumin’s smoky spice, this classic comfort food gets a Tex-Mex flavour makeover.
Tip: Serve leftovers over spaghetti and top with shredded Monterey Jack for a Tex-Mex pasta night.
2. Quick One-Pot Beef & Potato Stew
Shiitake mushrooms and beef broth provide the flavour base for an easy stew that tastes like it’s been bubbling on the stove all day.
Tip: Cover leftovers with a sheet of puff pastry and bake in an ovenproof pan at 375ºF (190ºC) until lightly browned, and you’ve got a shortcut pot pie.
3. Korean-Style Meatball & Rice Bowl
Hoisin sauce, honey and rice wine vinegar form a sweet and sour meatball sauce that comes together in minutes, so you can focus on the important things—like game night with the neighbours or planning your holiday party.
Tip: Replace rice with quick-cooking rice noodles or store-bought fresh noodles for an even shorter prep time.
4. Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Smashed Potatoes & Spinach Salad
Garlicky pork is complemented by buttery smashed potatoes, which are pre-cooked in the microwave to save loads of time.
Tip: Want to dial up the salad’s flavour? Substitute bitter kale or peppery arugula for the baby spinach.
5. Cheater Schnitzel with Cucumber Salad
The crunch of this family favourite is balanced by bright, tangy dill in the accompanying cucumber salad.
Tip: Serve leftover schnitzel on a bread roll for dinner on the go.
6. Sweet & Sour Chicken Drumsticks with Broccoli
Ginger seasoning paste is the secret ingredient in this one-pan dinner. Adding broccoli to the sauce ensures that everyone will enjoy eating their vegetables, too.
Tip: Make an extra batch of the five-ingredient stir-fry sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
7. Crunchy Fish Sticks
Crunchier than traditional breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs mean that nobody will miss deep-fried fish sticks. Serve with plenty of lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Tip: A simple salad dressed with oil and vinegar is the perfect side to balance a breaded main.
8. Lemon-Ginger Chicken & Broccoli
Bright lemon (zest and juice) is the star of this recipe. Combined with fresh ginger, sweet honey and salty soy sauce, it hits all the right flavour notes.
Tip: Chop up leftover chicken and broccoli and use it as a filling for lunch box wraps or tacos.
9. Mustard-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Radishes & Snow Peas
A sharp mustard and brown sugar glaze takes salmon to the next level, while roasted radishes make for a colourful, spicy sidekick.
Tip: Try carrots, asparagus or zucchini as an alternative to snow peas. They pair well with the roasted radishes and cook quickly.
10. Tuna, Caper & Fresh Tomato Linguine
Salty, sweet and spicy—olives, capers, cherry tomatoes and hot pepper flakes bring this Mediterranean pasta dish to life. A simple toss-and-serve main like this is your best friend on a hectic night.
Tip: Sprinkle with small cubes of salty feta and toasted nuts for extra festive flair.
