36 easy dinner recipes

These dinner recipes call for minimal fuss with maximum reward. Quick and easy is the name of the game here – dishes than can be banged out in 30 minutes or less, without skimping on flavour. Set the timer – dinner is on its way.

Salt-and-pepper squid

Salt-and-pepper squid

Bird's eye view of white bowl filled with white rice, green vegetables, herbs and egg — Photo: John Paul Urizar

Sushi bowls

Sushi bowls

Cauliflower mac and cheese

Cauliflower mac and cheese

Linguine with chilli and rocket

Linguine with chilli and rocket

A white plate with fried corn fritters and roasted cherry tomatoes, garnished with chopped and whole shallots. — Photo: John Paul Urizar

Corn and buttermilk fritters

Corn and buttermilk fritters

Seared tuna with baby spring greens

Seared tuna with baby spring greens

Veal cotoletta with asparagus and preserved lemon

Veal cotoletta with asparagus and preserved lemon

Cheat’s wonton soup

Cheat’s wonton soup

Shaved zucchini, fennel and mint salad with burrata

Shaved zucchini, fennel and mint salad with burrata

Veal schnitzel with tuna sauce and herb salad

Veal schnitzel with tuna sauce and herb salad

Cauliflower and egg “fried rice”

Cauliflower and egg “fried rice”

Prawn and avocado salad with spiced tomato dressing

Prawn and avocado salad with spiced tomato dressing

Chicken noodle salad with turmeric-lime dressing

Chicken noodle salad with turmeric-lime dressing

Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce

Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce

Snapper curry with green beans and coriander

Snapper curry with green beans and coriander

Stir-fried flat rice noodles — Photo: Alicia Taylor

Char kway teow

Char kway teow

Chicken scallopini with mushrooms

Chicken scallopini with mushrooms

Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter

Spaghetti and meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs

Ten-minute spaghetti with olives, capers and lemon

Ten-minute spaghetti with olives, capers and lemon

Penne with broccoli and pancetta pangrattato

Penne with broccoli and pancetta pangrattato

Mike McEnearney’s flank steak with rosemary, capers and Sichuan pepper

Mike McEnearney’s flank steak with rosemary, capers and Sichuan pepper

A cheat’s recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli

A cheat’s recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli

Chana masala

Chana masala

Tomato and spring onion omelette

Tomato and spring onion omelette

Lamb with fennel, salsa verde and preserved lemon

Lamb with fennel, salsa verde and preserved lemon

Fast chilli con carne

Fast chilli con carne

Chipotle-roasted chicken with salsa verde

Chipotle-roasted chicken with salsa verde

Zucchini and haloumi skewers with mint dressing

Zucchini and haloumi skewers with mint dressing

Spaghetti alla carbonara

Spaghetti alla carbonara

Grilled octopus with heirloom tomatoes and dill

Grilled octopus with heirloom tomatoes and dill

Mussels with garlic chives and ginger rice

Mussels with garlic chives and ginger rice

Vietnamese rice paper rolls

Vietnamese rice paper rolls

Rice noodle salad with grilled steak, lime and Vietnamese mint

Rice noodle salad with grilled steak, lime and Vietnamese mint

Prawns with saffron and quinoa

Prawns with saffron and quinoa

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.