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Itโ€™s that time of year when we need simplicity. We need healthy, hearty, ideally low-cost meals that donโ€™t take up too much energy to make and are going to see us through our January hibernation.

Hereโ€™s 5 recipes that tick all those boxes โ€“ all under 30 minutes too!

A collage of meals included in Meal Plan 15.

This is my 15th meal plan now and I know how useful they can be to so many of you, and right now โ€“ in the depths of winter after the festive period โ€“ is the time we need to conserve our resources the most (Iโ€™m talking energy, time AND money!)ย 

This week every recipe is ready in UNDER 30 MINUTES. (In honour of my new recipe book, of 30 minute meals!)

Iโ€™ll be sharing this meal plan on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, so watch out for the videos so you can cook along.

For reference, I shopped for this Meal Plan in January 2023 at Aldi and it cost ยฃ33.90.

Why use a meal plan?

โญ๏ธ Knowing exactly what food to buy for avoids food waste, saving you money.

โญ๏ธ Having a plan for dinner each night avoids the mental load of โ€œwhatโ€™s for dinner?โ€ questions every night.

The printable shopping list can be found HERE.

You can find more Meal Plans here:

Meal Plan 14 โ€“ Sanity savers
Meal Plan 13 โ€“ One pot winners
Meal Plan 12 โ€“ ยฃ1 cost cutters


Want more 30 minute Meal Plans?! Pre-order my brand new book โ€œWhatโ€™s for Dinner?โ€ 100 BRAND NEW RECIPES!
๐Ÿ“š Amazon ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Some tips:

โžก๏ธ Check for any items on the shopping list that you already have in your cupboard.

โžก๏ธ Maybe think about doubling up and freezing a recipe or two where the recipes are suitable, so save cooking another day or for the weekend.

โžก๏ธ Remove ingredients for any meals that you donโ€™t want to cook.

โžก๏ธ The shopping list includes the cheapest version of each ingredient. Obviously if you want to buy lower fat mince or free range etc, thatโ€™s personal choice.

โžก๏ธ If you donโ€™t already have a suitable pan for your one pan recipes, read my review of one pan pans here.


The recipes:

Dinner 1

โญ๏ธ The pasta cooks in the sauce for this creamy, spicy recipe for a true one-pot meal. Ready in about 30 mins and rich in flavour.

โญ๏ธ I make up a little extra stock to add at the end as it can thicken quickly, not leaving enough sauce for my liking, but itโ€™s up to your preference.

Simple midweek meal of peri peri chicken pasta.
5 from 55 votes

Creamy Peri-Peri Chicken Pasta

An easy all-in-one dish, this Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Pasta is a delicious flavour-packed recipe with a kick.
View Recipe

Dinner 2

โญ๏ธ Shortcut of peanut butter makes a super tasty and budget-friendly sauce.

โญ๏ธ Meaty, squeaky halloumi makes for a satisfying vegetarian meal, but you can swap for more veggies and less cheese if you prefer.

โญ๏ธ On the shopping list, I have already bought a whole bag of red onions, you can substitute the white onion in this recipe for red, if youโ€™re using the shopping list and trying to save buying another bag.

Satay-style peanut butter noodles with halloumi in a big pan.
4.99 from 62 votes

Peanut Butter Noodles with Halloumi {Satay-Style Stir Fry}

This Sticky Halloumi Peanut Butter Noodle recipe is quick, full of flavour and budget-friendly. Everything you need a quick and healthy stir fry!
View Recipe

Dinner 3

โญ๏ธ Gnocchi is something a little different than normal pasta and works really well with plenty of sauce.

โญ๏ธ No need to boil the gnocchi beforehand. Just throw it all in with the sauce to cook. Ready in about 20 minutes.

Meal Plan Recipe for Chorizo Gnocchi Bake
5 from 52 votes

Chorizo Gnocchi Pan-Fry

A simple but flavoursome one-pan recipe, this Chorizo Gnocchi dish is great for the whole family and can be whipped up in 20 minutes.
View Recipe

Dinner 4

โญ๏ธ A tasty one-pan meal that serves up in 15 minutes.

โญ๏ธ Throw in any vegetables you like, and itโ€™d be delicious with turkey or chicken mince too if you want to give it a go.

โญ๏ธ Iโ€™ve included rice on the shopping list to serve with this, but obviously leave out if you already have in the cupboard.

Sticky Mince Beef Stir Fry with green beans in a bowl with rice.
4.95 from 289 votes

Sticky Beef Mince Stir Fry

With low cost ingredients, a delicious sticky sauce and a cooking time of 15 minutes, this Beef Mince Stir Fry is an ideal midweek beef mince recipe.
View Recipe

Dinner 5

โญ๏ธ A sociable serve-yourself family dinner that gets everyone eating more fish.

โญ๏ธ Very little prep and is a messy, eat-with-your-hands, joyous meal.

โญ๏ธ Even if you think you donโ€™t like avocados, please try them like this, I promise itโ€™s converted so many people โ€“ the sauce is SO GOOD!

Easy salmon tacos recipe on a wooden board with cucumber and avocado dressing
4.98 from 34 votes

Easy Cajun Salmon Tacos {30 minute meal}

These easy Cajun Salmon Tacos are served with a quick and creamy avocado and lime dressing for a utterly delicious and sociable 30-minute meal that the whole family will love.
View Recipe

Want more 30 minute Meal Plans?! Pre-order my brand new book โ€œWhatโ€™s for Dinner?โ€ 100 BRAND NEW RECIPES!
๐Ÿ“š Amazon ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง

Quick reminder, the printable shopping list can be found HERE.

If youโ€™ve found this useful, letโ€™s be friends on Instagram @tamingtwins

This post was originally published on January 14, 2023 and updated later to make improvements.

Still deciding What's for Dinner?

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Sarah Rossi founder of TamingTwins.com and author of 'What's for Dinner?' books.

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Sarah. I help busy people decide 'What's for Dinner?' Find hundreds of recipes here, and also in my bestselling recipe book. Hope my recipes make your life easier โค๏ธ

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1 Comment

  1. I have been really enjoying your meal plans. Unfortunately I donโ€™t have an Aldi so this plan cost me $97 (aud) but thatโ€™s still much better than my usual shop.