How do you get through the week with healthy but satisfying meals that will make you feel good as well as virtuous? With these 60 healthy, fast recipes
Healthy Dinners You Can Cook In 30 Minutes
1. Pipis in spicy lemongrass tomato broth
Make the most of tomatoes with this summer pipi dish.
2. Green tea noodles with sticky sweet chilli salmon
Green tea noodles add a splash of color to this quick weeknight meal.
3. Sesame beef with gochujang udon noodles
Move over 2-minute noodles, this beef and udon dish will make your evening.
4. Silverbeet fatteh with sumac yoghurt and chickpeas
“Try this dish with roast cauliflower, eggplant or roast pumpkin instead of silverbeet for a variation,” says Tom Walton. Begin this recipe 1 day ahead of time.
5. This tomato vodka rigatoni will put you in good spirits
Make the most of your pantry staples with this legendary pasta sauce.
6. Lemon chicken
a luscious, tangy stir-fry that makes two generous portions for very few calories.
7. Iceberg with dried oregano dressing and creamy sheep’s milk cheese
This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
8. The Wood family’s puttanesca
“This dish has become my pasta-loving family’s go-to for a fast weeknight meal. We make it so much it’s become a staple!” – Phoebe Wood.
9. Garlicky fried rice with crisp pork
The trick to getting the best fried rice? Cook the rice a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight, covered, so it dries out.
10. Trade up the bolognese for Bill Granger’s crab and chilli linguine
Nothing beats a chilli and seafood summer pasta. Images and text from Australian Food by Bill Granger (Murdoch Books, $49.99). Photography by Mikkel Vang.
11. Tuna and caper pasta with crispy breadcrumbs
Make the most of canned tuna with this fresh and easy pasta dish.
12. Tofu scramble with shredded cabbage and chilli sambal
Add a kick to your breakfast or lunch with this tofu scramble. Images and text from Australian Food by Bill Granger (Murdoch Books, $49.99). Photography by Mikkel Vang.
13. This recipe for Asian eggs is exactly what to cook when cooking is the last thing you feel like doing
Perfect for a no-fuss, quick dinner.
14. Sesame butter radishes with lemon
Quick, easy and pretty as a picture.
15. This peach and pancetta salad is the ultimate Christmas side
This bright, colourful salad will look stunning on your Christmas spread. Darren Robertson uses classic summer ingredients for a show-stopping pork side.
16. Egg noodles with Sichuan pepper chicken and cucumber
Bring the flavours of southwest China into your home with this killer recipe by Valli Little.
17. Quick chicken roast
Serve up a golden roasted chicken with this simple one-tray bake recipe.
18. Penne all’arrabbiata
This traditional Italian recipe is the best way to use up those canned tomatoes.
19. Eggplant kasundi warm rice salad
A lovely combination of fresh and filling, this warm rice salad will quickly become a go-to recipe in your household.
10. Summer chopped salad with citrus sesame dressing
Light and breezy, this summer salad is a wonder. Images and text from Australian Food by Bill Granger (Murdoch Books, $49.99). Photography by Mikkel Vang.
11. Orecchiette with walnut and pea pesto
Reinvent those frozen peas with this easy pesto recipe.
12. Taleggio sourdough salad with simple salsa verde
This is such a quick, easy and tasty dinner that you’ll soon be making it again and again.
13. Prawn and spinach angel hair pasta with prawn oil
Valli Little’s prawn and spinach angel hair pasta with prawn oil will have your friends and family coming back for seconds (and thirds).
14. Orecchiette with hot-smoked salmon, peas and beurre blanc sauce
Valli Little’s simple pasta dish is packed with gorgeous flavours. Add a slice of crusty bread and a salad, and you’re ready to eat!
15. Valli Little’s Cajun ocean trout with pineapple salad
Valli Little’s cajun ocean trout with pineapple salad makes for the perfect light and healthy summer dinner. You can find this recipe in delicious. Feel Good Food (ABC, $39.99) by Valli Little, available in bookstores nationally.
16. Chopped chilli chicken stir fry
Which came first? Chicken and egg come together in this easy weeknight fix.
17. Minty lamb with beetroot and charred broccoli
This quickly-whizzed minty sauce is the perfect partner to lamb in this weeknight winner.
18. Sardines stuffed with kale, pine nuts and raisins
Served with sweet potato fries, these sardines stuffed with kale, pine nuts and raisins are surprisingly simple to make. This is an extract from our new book, Feel Good Food.
19. Raw pad Thai
This raw pad Thai is a crisp, nutrient rich take on the classic Thai noodle dish making it a perfect vegetarian alternative to the universally adored chicken version. You can access this recipe in delicious. Feel Good Food (ABC, $39.99) by Valli Little, available now in bookshops nationally.
20. Seared tuna with Fijian-Style potato curry
Valli Little takes a little (island) time out to master cooking with tropical produce, try her seared tuna with Fijian-Style potato curry, for a taste of paradise.
21. Thai red fish curry with noodles
Do as the Thais do, eat hot, fresh, crunchy, light curry even though the mercury is rising.
22. Char siu beef with broccolini
Here is a fresh idea for beef mince – try Valli Little’s fast and fabulous Asian char siu beef with broccolini.
23. Broad bean and pecorino bruschetta
An electric green, deeply flavourful olive oil is the inspiration for David Prior’s quick bruschetta where a classic combination of pecorino and fava or broad bean is made a touch richer with fragrant rosemary.
24. Mixed mushroom noodles with tea-marbled eggs
Traditional oriental flavours collide in this delicious recipe by Valli Little. Mixed mushroom noodles with tea-marbled eggs? Need we say more?
25. Easy fish curry
“Curry leaves work well here with their citrusy note. They’re sold in supermarkets,” says Phoebe Wood.
26. Valli Little’s rolled rice noodles with crispy chilli tofu
Nothing better epitomises Asian cuisine like a spicy dish packed full of crunch and flavour, these rolled rice noodles with crispy chilli tofu are exactly that.
27. Quick and easy chicken cacciatore
Traditional one-pot chicken cacciatore is a quick, flavoursome dinner idea best served with pasta.
28. Garlic and spinach gnocchi with lemon and pecorino
It’s easy being green with these simple lemon and pecorino topped spinach gnocchi.
29. Fish tacos with avocado salsa
Serve the seared spicy fish in crisp taco shells with piles of lettuce and an avocado, tomato and jalapeño salsa.
30. Chicken quesadillas with chipotle relish and mango salsa
Barbecued chicken gets a gourmet makeover in this feisty quesadilla recipe.
31. Chargrilled swordfish with grape, almond & barley salad
An aromatic blend of spices makes this easy chargrilled swordfish taste sensational.
32. Zucchini carpaccio
This is an extract from our new book, Feel Good Food.
33. Shannon Bennett’s Welsh rarebit
Both quick, simple and easy, Shannon Bennett’s Welsh rarebit is the ultimate revamp on the fan favourite, the cheese toastie.
34. Rigatoni with a spicy sausage sauce
Quick, easy and simple enough for a Tuesday night, this killer recipe is sure to become a weekly staple.
35. Mexican eggs with potato hash
Katie Quinn Davies recommends waking up to Mexican eggs and crisp potato hash – “a hearty dish that’s full of big, bold flavours.”
36. Ricotta dumplings with orecchiette, peas and prosciutto
Perfectly balanced, this pasta dish is full of flavour explosions.
37. Miso salmon with eggplant
38. Fish banh mi with quick pickled vegetables
The crusty baguette, spicy fish and fresh herbs all combine to create the characteristic yumminess of a banh mi.
39. Thai fish and pumpkin soup
Look for pumpkin with a rich, dense orange flesh, and team it with a spicy/sour Thai fish curry light on coconut milk.
40. Satay beef fillet with watercress and cucumber
Summer entertaining is easy with this vibrant satay beef fillet served with fresh watercress and cucumber.
41. Sri Lankan salmon curry
Experimenting with global cuisines doesn’t have to be daunting when you can whip up a Sri Lankan fish curry in 30 minutes or less.
42. Pumpkin and goat’s cheese bruschetta with sage burnt butter
Re-invent traditional bruschetta and serve up this tasty pumpkin, caramelised onion and goat’s cheese starter drizzled with sage butter.
43. Harissa lamb with roast carrots and quinoa pilaf
Serve up a feast with this succulent roast lamb served with golden roast carrots and quinoa pilaf.
44. Cheat’s blinis with jamon and figs
With gorgeous jamon, sherry-soaked figs and rich mascarpone, you can create gourmet nibbles without the fuss.
45. Hawker-style stir-fried noodles
Full of flavour, meat and vegetables, this quick and easy stir-fry is perfect for those nights when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
46. Spiced coconut eggs
A quick and easy curried egg recipe, enriched with cream, hollandaise sauce and coconut cream.
47. Korean barbecue chicken fried rice
Fried rice that doesn’t require home delivery and wait-time? That’s our kind of quick and easy midweek meal.
48. Quick tomato and salami pizzas
Forget takeaway! These simple pizzas are ready in less than 10 minutes.
49. Black pepper prawns
This versatile, easy to execute meal is the perfect Summer crowd-pleaser.
50. Gwyneth Paltrow’s seared scallops with watercress and asparagus
“We know scallops intimidate a lot of cooks, but they’re actually one of the easiest and quickest types of seafood to prepare. The most important things to remember are to get the frypan nice and hot, to make sure the scallops are dry so they sear rather than steam, and to not touch them until they’ve developed a nice crust on one side and are almost cooked through. Here we pair them with a warm spring salad and a quick brown butter pan sauce—make this for someone you’re trying to impress, or quarter the recipe and treat yourself to a restaurant-quality weeknight feast. You deserve it—you made perfectly cooked scallops!,” says Gwyneth Paltrow.
51. Shannon Bennett’s wild mushroom spaghetti
This wild mushroom spaghetti by Shannon Bennett is a quick and easy mid-week recipe guaranteed to please the entire family. Shannon Bennett’s wild mushroom spaghetti
52. Thai fish and pumpkin soup
Look for pumpkin with a rich, dense orange flesh, and team it with a spicy/sour Thai fish curry light on coconut milk.
53. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Singapore rice noodles
“These pan-fried noodles are gluten free, full of vegies, and kid-approved (my kids inhale this). The prep does take some time, but once you’re cooking, the dish comes together quickly, so be ready with all the ingredients. Add chicken, prawns or beef for a little extra protein, and if you don’t have a wok or a really big nonstick pan, use two smaller pans—these noodles don’t like to be crowded. Pan-frying noodles is not an exact science, so trust your instincts and add a couple more glugs of oil if things are looking dry or starting to stick,” says Gwyneth Paltrow.
54. Floating market fish soup
Enjoy this wonderful Asian dish that delivers flavour and freshness with a light touch that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.
55. Floating market fish soup
Enjoy this wonderful Asian dish that delivers flavour and freshness with a light touch that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.
56. Korean fish stir-fry
This fish stir-fry is a quick and healthy meal for those nights where we don’t have time to spare.
57. Moroccan swordfish
58. Kingfish skewers with chargrilled tomatoes and chillies
These kingfish skewers make a light and lovely lunch or are perfect for easy entertaining.
59. Baked ocean trout with tahini and herb salad
This Mediterranean-inspired fish dish signals easy summer entertaining and a long, laidback alfresco lunch.
60. Healthy turmeric and coconut fish curry
Whiting is a delicate fish that requires minimal cooking and suits the gently spiced flavours of this easy dish.
61. Cured kingfish with pickled baby beetroot
Baby beetroot is light and earthy, and works perfectly with the kingfish in this dish by chef Brent Savage.
62. Quick filo fish pie
Need some weeknight inspiration in a hurry? This quick and creamy fish comes to the rescue for a delicious meal – perfect for everyday eating.
63. 15-minute jacket sweet potatoes
These quick and easy jacket sweet potatoes are packed to the brim with spiced chickpeas, tomato and feta.
64. Chermoula kingfish with moroccan beans
Partner crisp mixed beans with juicy, tender kingfish.
65. Fish with yoghurt tartar sauce and grain salad
Nothing screams summer like battered fish with tartar sauce on a hot afternoon! To access more delicious summer seafood dishes check out delicious. Feel Good Food (ABC, $39.99) by Valli Little, available in bookshops nationally.
66. Whole baked snapper with ginger and chilli
There’s nothing better than having friends and family around for a barbecue and sharing beautiful food. This recipe turns delicious fresh seafood into a wonderful feast.
67. Smoked salmon fish cakes with dill and cornichon mayonnaise
These smoked salmon fishcakes are an Aussie staple, and thanks to Phoebe Wood, couldn’t be easier. Simple, and kid-friendly, these super-tasty fish cakes will beat anything store-bought.
68. Cream cheese, smoked salmon and smoked trout pasta sauce
“You can use any kind of smoked salmon here – honey smoked or flavoured with black pepper,” says Kirsten Jenkins.
69. Chilli prawn and sesame fried rice
Chunks of leftover roast pork work well in place of the prawns here.
70. Bacon, ginger and edamame fried rice
The chilli paste is sold at supermarkets.
71. This chickpea and herb fatteh is the answer to your leftover pita problems
Flavour and texture are key for Yotam Ottolenghi, who uses up stale pita to create a classic Middle Eastern dish that brings it home. Begin this recipe at least 8 hours ahead.
72. Zucchini fritters
Here’s a clever way to get the kids to eat their vegies. These versatile Zucchini fritters are also great served as a side dish or for brekkie at the weekend.
73. Sweet chilli salmon with edamame
This is incredibly easy to throw together – delicious comfort food with lots of flavour to lift the spirits. Extracted from The Fast 800 Easy by Dr Clare Bailey and Justine Pattison. Published by Simon & Schuster Australia, RRP $35. Photography © Smith & Gilmour
74. Ultra-green iceberg and pea salad with minty dressing
This ultra-refreshing side is a must-have at any summer gathering.
75. Tuna tostadas with jalapeno guacamole
This seafood starter is the perfect way to kick off a summer soirée.
76. Creamy prawn-stuffed salmon
This is an edited extract from 7 Ways by Jamie Oliver, published by Penguin Random House © Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited (2020 7 Ways). Photography by Levon Biss.
77. Aglio e olio spaghetti
This simple pasta recipe is a midweek staple for any home cook.