5 Easy Meals for Busy Parents

As a busy parent, getting a homemade meal on the table can feel like an impossible task between school runs, work commitments, and bedtime routines. But cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming! With the right recipes, you can serve up tasty, nutritious meals in no time. Here are five easy, family-friendly meals that will save you time and effort without compromising on flavour.

1. One-Pan Sausage & Veggie Traybake

🕒 Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4

A traybake is one of the easiest ways to cook a full meal with minimal effort. Everything goes in the oven, leaving you free to tackle homework, bath time, or just put your feet up for a few minutes!

Ingredients:

• 6 sausages (pork, chicken, or veggie)
• 3 large potatoes, cut into chunks
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
2. Arrange the sausages and chopped vegetables on a baking tray.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle over the herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the sausages are golden and cooked through.
5. Serve with a dollop of ketchup or mustard for dipping.

✅ Time-saving tip: Use baby potatoes (no peeling needed) and pre-chopped vegetables to make this dish even quicker!

2. Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry

🕒 Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4

This stir-fry is a lifesaver on busy evenings when you need something on the table fast. It’s packed with veggies, protein, and flavour!

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced (or firm tofu for a veggie option)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 pack of stir-fry vegetables (or a mix of bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• 1 pack of microwave rice or noodles

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over high heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, stir-fry the garlic, ginger, and vegetables for 3-4 minutes until just tender.
4. Return the chicken to the pan, add the soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil, and stir well.
5. Serve with microwave rice or noodles for a super-quick, tasty meal.

✅ Time-saving tip: Buy pre-chopped vegetables and pre-cooked chicken strips to cut down on prep time!

3. Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake

🕒 Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4

A comforting classic that’s perfect for batch cooking! This pasta bake is creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein to keep everyone full and happy.

Ingredients:

• 250g pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
• 1 tin of tuna, drained
• 100g sweetcorn (fresh, tinned, or frozen)
• 300ml white sauce (store-bought or homemade with butter, flour, and milk)
• 100g grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tsp mustard (optional, but adds great flavour)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan).
2. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, then drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tuna, sweetcorn, white sauce, half the grated cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.

✅ Time-saving tip: Make this ahead of time and refrigerate. Just pop it in the oven when needed!

4. Easy Slow Cooker Chilli

🕒 Time: 10 minutes prep, 4-6 hours cooking
🍽️ Serves: 4-6

A slow cooker is a busy parent’s best friend! This hearty chilli requires just a few minutes of prep, then it cooks itself while you get on with your day.

Ingredients:

• 500g minced beef (or lentils for a veggie version)
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tin of kidney beans, drained
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method:

1. Brown the mince in a pan, then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add all the other ingredients and stir well.
3. Cook on low for 6 hours (or high for 4 hours).
4. Serve with rice, tortilla chips, or jacket potatoes.

✅ Time-saving tip: Double the recipe and freeze portions for later!

5. 10-Minute Quesadillas

🕒 Time: 10 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 2-4

Quesadillas are a great way to use up leftovers and make a super quick, cheesy, and delicious meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 tortillas
• 150g grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 tin of black beans, drained
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded (or skip for veggie)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Sour cream, salsa, or guacamole for dipping

Method:

1. Heat a dry pan over medium heat.
2. Place a tortilla in the pan, sprinkle with cheese, beans, bell pepper, and chicken. Sprinkle over the smoked paprika.
3. Place another tortilla on top and press down.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
5. Slice into wedges and serve with your favourite dips.

✅ Time-saving tip: Use pre-cooked chicken and ready-grated cheese to make this meal even quicker!

Mealtimes don’t have to be stressful, even when you’re juggling a hundred things at once! These recipes are quick, easy, and require minimal washing up – giving you more time to spend with your family (or just enjoy a well-earned break!).