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37 EASY dinner recipes for when you’re too tired to cook

Hangry mums unite! We’ve all been there. Tired, hungry, over it, and just about to reach for the takeaway menu.

But fear not, help is at hand. Recently we asked some of our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge member mums to share their go-to recipes for when you are absolutely too tired to cook.

This is what we came up with. Flick through the list and save the recipes that you like the sound of so that you can add them to your meal plan for when you are having one of those days.

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37 EASY dinner recipes for when you’re too tired to cook

Rice

Tamari Fried Rice

Healthy Mummy Food Editor Lee Price says, “My fall back recipe is the Tamari Fried Rice from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge (using defrosted brown rice from the freezer)”. You can tailor the recipe to whatever veggies you have on hand.

Belinda Toscano says that the Spanish Rice with Chorizo (from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge) is always quick and easy to whip up. Chorizo gives so much flavour for a small amount of effort.

Belinda’s husband loves to take the leftovers for lunch the next day (if there are any!).

Naomi Pearl Warr says that this is one of her favourites too. She uses microwave rice to speed it up.

Chicken and Pineapple Fried Rice

Kara Pendergast loves the Chicken and Pineapple Fried Rice. “I use pre-cooked rice, frozen diced veggies and pre-cooked leftover chicken (or whatever left over meat I have). Oh and a whole tin of crushed pineapple.”

Manda Short opts for the Bacon and Spinach Risotto from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. “I have a pressure cooker that cooks everything in 7 minutes!”

Jess Mullington has a simple idea. Mix a small tin of your favourite flavoured tuna into a serve of rice, with a quick toss salad on the side. EASY.

Vegetarian

pumpkin_feta_kaitie

Yvonne Vuillermin chooses the Pumpkin and Feta Tart from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for a quick meal. Use leftover roast pumpkin from the night before to make it in a snap.

Healthy Mummy Food Editor Lee Price loves the Vegetarian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes for a family friendly meal that doesn’t take much effort.

Mexican

Chicken Nachos

Eleanor Hannah says that these Easy Chicken Nachos are a winner winner chicken dinner at her house.

Steph Needham chooses quesadillas, filled with any leftover meat in the fridge, tinned beans, cheese, chopped tomato – anything goes! There are a few good ones on the app for the  28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

Chicken fajitas from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is the first choice for Kirsty Hopley. You can even serve it up deconstructed if you have fussy eaters, so that everyone can use the ingredients they like.

Mexican Lasagne

Here’s a great tip from Danielle McKenna. “I make a double batch of the Chilli con Carne and then use it for nachos, tacos, Mexican lasagne, quesadillas, and jacket potatoes. It’s so versatile and very freezer friendly.”

Another Mexican option is the Ultimate Bean and Veggie Nachos, according to Holly Ryan. ‘They’re great if I forget to defrost meat and only take 15 minutes to make.’

Soup

Mexican-Soup

Prepared in advance and kept in the fridge or freezer, soup is a great option for a super speedy dinner.

Need inspiration? Jess Seymour loves the Spicy Chicken and Corn Soup from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, while Natalie Myers opts for the Vegetarian Mexican Style Soup.

Asian

Chicken-Satay-Noodles

Shannon O’Connor loves the Chicken Satay Noodles. “So quick and easy!”

Sam Geeves loves the slow cooker to get ahead, and recommends the Slow Cooker Asian Chicken every time.

Instead of ordering take away, make your own favourites at home! Rebecca Rankin makes the Chicken Pad Thai while Patrice Tail prepares Vietnamese Spring Rice Paper Rolls.

Love laksa? Anna Sunderland makes the Healthy Chicken Laksa from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge – she says it takes her just a few minutes (and only 5 ingredients).

Beef-San-Choy-Bow

One of our most popular recipes on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is the Beef San Choy Bow. It’s easy to see why when you realise how easy it is. Loriel Melville says, “Beef San Choy Bow is pretty quick and super delish!”

Loriel says she likes to freeze the filling (without noodles) to use for nights when she is too tired to cook.

Hayley Evans loves it too. She says, “It was the first recipe I ever made back in 2014 and I still make it regularly now! My fam bam love it!”

Pasta

Creamy-Mushroom-and-Bacon-Ravioli

Both Carrol Dean and Brooke McGregor say it’s all about the Creamy Bacon Mushroom Ravioli at their place. It’s SO quick!

Sophie Vaarzon-Morel likes to go rogue and make her own without a recipe. “My go to is a gnocchi dish.”

Here’s how to do it:

Cook the gnocchi, then sauté together mushrooms, garlic, chilli, spring onions. Then add this to the gnocchi along with some olives, tuna, tomato paste, parsley and some Parmesan to serve. So easy, tasty and healthy.’

For Anna Sunderland, the One Pot Spaghetti Bolognese is the go-to, as she says, “I always have the ingredients in the house.”

Pizza

2-Ingredient-Pizza-Dough-2

Ashleigh Dunkley says she always has pitta bread at home to prepare one of the pizza recipes from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. Chop up the toppings and let everyone make their own. Or make your own dough using this TWO INGREDIENT recipe.

Meat and Veg

Devilled Sausages

Elisha-Jane Williams says that for her, Devilled Sausages works every time. “I know on a crazy work night, this is simple! So easy.

“I can do it while following up on work stuff, and with miss 4 sitting on the bench having a catch up on our day!”

Lots of other mums mentioned this 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge recipe too, it’s very popular with big and little people.

Jessica May Magill loves the Chicken Parmigiana With Salad. “It’s like a healthy pub dinner.”

Belinda Toscano also loves the Steak and Greek Salad (from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge). “By the time you put the steak on and fix the salad you’re ready to plate up!

“My 7 year old makes the Greek Salad with supervision. She has a kid safe knife and really enjoys helping out in the kitchen and reading the recipe from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge App.”

Mince

Beef-Burgers

Gem Rachel Bath says, “The beef burgers are amazing and easy to whip up.

“I make up a double batch and I freeze half. Use some for dinner and also for lunch the next day, the Husband Friendly Beef Burgers are the go.”

Kandichi Jordelia chooses wraps or tacos for tired nights. “Put salad and some meat in there and you’re good to go.”

Stovetop Family Friendly Beef Lasagne

Eleanor Hannah loves this Stovetop Lasagne, all made without turning the oven on.

Kellie Jones loves these Porcupine Meatballs prepared in the slow cooker. Prep it all in the morning and come home to dinner ready to go. Just add pasta or rice!

Salad

Lamb & Haloumi Skewers

Whether it’s using leftover roast meats and veggies, or cooking a few key ingredients to throw in, you can’t beat a salad for simplicity.

Sharron McLellan says, “The Lamb and Haloumi Salad is super quick,” while Donna Mepham likes the Warm Beef Salad from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge cleanse menu.

Chicken

Chicken Curry Potato Bake

Comfort plus simplicity is the go for Rebekah Nichols, who says, “The Chicken Curry Potato Bake with steamed greens is the winner here.”

Another fan of chicken is Sera Fanous, who loves the Chicken with Ginger and Soy.

Sticky-Sesame-Lime-and-Soy-Shredded-Chicken

Chicken is a popular option, with Georgia Pearce recommending the Sticky Sesame Lime and Soy Chicken; the Paprika Chicken from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge was a hit for JC Ballis, and Shell McKenzie loves the Lemon Chicken and Veg.

Are you ready to kick-start your weight loss?

april-challenge-ticks

Want to shift your baby weight but feel like you have NO TIME in your day to exercise and eat healthily? That’s where the Healthy Mummy’s 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge can help.

Our Challenge entails: 

  • 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) – with video instruction
  • Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plans
  • Time-efficient exercises for busy mums – under 30 mins
  • Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
  • Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels.
  • Home to thousands of EASY-TO-MAKE recipes.

To find out more about joining the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for £1 click here.

PLUS – connect with THOUSANDS of other mums on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge by joining our free support community here.

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