The 20 best easy dinner recipes – every one simple and delicious
Everyday dishes you will return to again and again. Asma Khan’s masala omelette, Emily Scott’s kedgeree, Claudia Roden’s pan-grilled fish. All of them are easy, every one delicious. Yasmin Khan’s lentils with preserved lemon, Yotam Ottolenghi’s cheesy spinach jacket potatoes, Mandy Yin’s anchovy rice, Nigel Slater’s citrus salad. Food for the work day, the weekend, for you, for friends and family. Store this issue safely. It is a keeper.
A foolproof curry that works every single time and one of the most delicious ways to cook chicken
A sort of north African take on a caesar salad with herb-laced tahini dressing and flatbread croutons
Roast chicken salad with croutons and green tahini dressing. Photograph: Kristin Perers
A dish that requires minimum preparation and can be served with toast – it couldn’t get any easier
Masala omelette. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Add crispy chorizo for texture and fino sherry for deep flavour to sweet clams for a special yet simple supper
Clams with chorizo. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A rich buttery sauce that takes minutes to prepare, after which the oven does all the work
Cumin butter tomato sauce for noodles. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Potatoes, cabbage. eggs, cheese – store-cupboard essentials combined to make a British classic with an Italian twist
Savoy pancakes. Photograph: Romas Foord/The Observer
The parmesan filling works brilliantly with the sweetness of the squash – a light main or lunchbox dish
Pumpkin, ricotta and rosemary tart. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin/The Observer
A soupy dish made with the Sardinian pasta, plus peas and bacon makes this a comforting midweek supper
Fregola with bacon and peas. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A spicy Indian dish with borrowed flavours from Chinese cuisine, and minimal cooking time
Chilli paneer. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
You can use any leftover roast meat instead of the pork belly for this perfect midweek meal
Hsi jet khauk swe – garlic oil noodles. Photograph: Martin Poole
Salty, savoury and simplicity itself, this pasta dish will be a hit with Marmite lovers
Nigella Lawson’s spaghetti with Marmite Photograph: Lis Parsons
A crisp refreshing salad that contrasts perfectly with all the warming, carbs-n-cheese suppers of winter
Citrus and cashew nut salad. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin/The Observer
This simple fish dish is fabulous, and for a quick store-cupboard side serve with white cannellini beans
Pan-grilled fish with garlic, vinegar and chilli. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A creamy fish dish that works equally well as moreish hangover cure or weekend brunch
Kedgeree with leeks, spinach, herbs and creme fraiche. Photograph: Romas Foord/The Observer
A tasty pie that can be put together in no time, this will impress guests for a low-key midweek dinner
Quick chicken, leek and chorizo pie. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A variation of the perennial favourite, fried rice, this is a take on nasi goreng kampung, or village fried rice
Anchovy fried rice. Photograph: Louise Hagger
Simple, quick and bursting with flavour, you’ll find most of this dish’s ingredients in your store cupboard
Butter beans, paprika and piquillo peppers. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A hearty meal in itself, or a tasty side dish alongside a simple steak and fresh green salad
Spinach and gorgonzola-stuffed jacket potatoes. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
An unassuming but gorgeous dal, this is nourishing, cheap and comforting home cooking
Moong dal with a garlic and cumin tarka. Photograph: David Loftus
Inspired by a conversation with a Yemeni refugee in Lesbos, this flavoursome dish is satisfying and comforting
Lentils with preserved lemons and zhoug. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
