Meal planning is hands-down the easiest way to take the stress out of dinner. Instead of staring into the fridge at 5pm wondering what to cook (and secretly calculating the cost of takeaway), you’ve already got the answer lined up. This week’s plan is about making life easier – one trip to the shops, ingredients that work across multiple meals, and dinners the whole family will actually eat. Think Juicy Oven-Baked Beef Kebabs that taste like a weekend barbecue, Chicken Schnitzel with Creamy Mushroom Sauce that feels like pub night at home, cosy Shepherd’s Pie, and Miso Salmon Ramen Noodles that come together in no time. With minimal prep, budget-friendly ingredients, and maximum flavour, this plan takes the nightly “what’s for dinner?” dilemma off your plate – literally.

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Platter of oven-baked kebabs served with flatbreads, garlic yoghurt, sumac onions, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for assembling wraps

Juicy Oven-baked Kebabs

4.94 from 97 votes
This Juicy Oven-baked Kebabs recipe is a quick, budget-friendly fakeaway that delivers bold flavour, and it’s easily cooked in the oven. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or customising for fussy eaters, and the garlic yoghurt + sumac onion combo takes it over the top. Make it once and it’ll be on regular rotation.
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Crispy breaded chicken schnitzel topped with creamy mushroom sauce, served with sautéed green beans and mashed potatoes in a bowl.

Chicken Schnitzel with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

5 from 11 votes
Golden chicken schnitzels topped with a creamy mushroom sauce you can make in the same pan – what’s not to love? Chicken Schnitzel with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is freezer-friendly, weeknight-worthy, and feels like a hug on a plate. Perfect for when you want something cosy without the fuss.
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Close-up of one-pan Baked Chicken and Gravy in a plate

One-pan Baked Chicken and Gravy

4.98 from 36 votes
One-pan Baked Chicken and Gravy is the ultimate fuss-free wholesome family meal. Easy prep, simple, low-cost ingredients and just one pan are all that’s needed to make this crispy-skinned, tender and juicy chicken with a rich gravy.
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Overhead shot of a bowl of glazed miso salmon with ramen noodles, served with chopsticks.

Glazed Miso Salmon Ramen Noodles

5 from 5 votes
Glazed Miso Salmon Ramen Noodles is a super easy, minimal-fuss dinner featuring baked miso-glazed salmon, silky ramen noodles, and a no-cook sesame-spring onion sauce. A restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
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Creamy Parmesan chicken pasta plated with a spoon and herb garnish

Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

5 from 7 votes
Tender, juicy chicken strips are combined with a creamy, parmesan-laden sauce and pasta, then topped with a crispy panko crumb. Taking less than 30 minutes to make, this Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food for a hearty and family-friendly weeknight.
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Freshly baked Shepherd's Pie showcasing its creamy potato crust.

Shepherd’s Pie

4.72 from 7 votes
This easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe combines minced (ground) lamb with carrots, celery and peas in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a versatile dish that can be made ahead or frozen, then served with your favourite steamed greens for a complete, cosy dinner.
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A bowl of Drunken Noodles with chopsticks resting on top

Drunken Noodles

4.91 from 11 votes
This quick and easy stir-fry comes together in under 20 minutes with a flavour-packed sauce, tender chicken and fresh Thai basil. A drizzle of chilli oil vinegar at the end adds a little extra zing to these Drunken Noodles!
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