Research shows that 39% of UK consumers wish they had more time to cook[i]. With busy schedules, it’s no surprise that families are looking for recipes that are quick to prepare, full of flavour, and nourishing.
Take a look at our family-friendly recipes, from one-pot wonders to colourful tray bakes and speedy pastas. These recipes are designed to make everyday mealtimes simple and stress-free. Each one makes the most of nutrient-rich veg like kale, cavolo nero and spinach, adding goodness, colour, and a fresh twist to family favourites.
Best of all, every recipe is ready in under 40 minutes, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying dinner together.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Big on flavour, light on effort. This Louisiana-inspired one-pot dish needs just eight ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes.
PREP: 10 Minutes
COOK: 20 Minutes
SERVES: 4
Ingredients
- 200g bag ready-prepared kale
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 195g can sweetcorn, drained
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 400g cod, cut into large chunks
- 227g can pineapple slices in natural juice, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Cook the kale in boiling water for 5 minutes
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion for 5 minutes
- Add the Cajun seasoning and sweetcorn for 1 minute
- Add the tomatoes, kale and 150ml water, cover and simmer for 5 minutes
- Add the cod and pineapple simmer for a further 5 minutes until cooked through
- Serve with mashed potatoes.
Moroccan Root Veg & Kale Tray Bake
A warming, colourful tray bake that delivers a hearty family feast in 40 minutes with only nine ingredients.
PREP: 10 Minutes
COOK: 25-30 Minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp tahini 20g
- 1 tbsp harissa paste 20g
- 1 carrot, cut into small chunks 100g
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges 150g
- 600g butternut squash, peeled and cut into small chunks
- 200g pack Cavolo Nero
- 50g pine nuts, toasted
- 150g bulgur wheat
- Natural yogurt to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200oC, gas mark 6
- Mix together the oil, vinegar, tahini, harissa and 2 tbsp water and season
- Mix the vegetables together on a large baking tray with the pine nuts, toss in the dressing and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender
- While the vegetables are cooking, cook the bulgur wheat according to the pack instructions, drain and set aside
- Toss the grains into the vegetables. Serve with a dollop of natural yoghurt.
Chicken, Spinach & Butter Bean Tagine
North African-inspired comfort food with just 10 minutes of prep before letting the flavours simmer to perfection.
PREP: 10 Minutes
COOK: 30 Minutes
SERVES: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 350g chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp harissa paste
- 50g pitted green olives
- 2 preserved lemons, roughly chopped
- 300g passata
- 150ml chicken stock
- 400g can butter beans, drained
- 260g bag spinach
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes. Add the harissa paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the olives, lemons, passata, stock and beans and bring to the boil
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the spinach until just wilted
- Serve with cooked wholewheat couscous.
Mexican Bean, Spinach & Nacho Crumble
A fun fakeaway style dinner with a crunchy nacho topping. A real midweek crowd-pleaser.
PREP: 10 Minutes
COOK: 25 Minutes
SERVES: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 Red Onion, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 400g can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 corn on the cob, kerels removed
- 250g frozen diced butternut squash
- 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 260g bag Spinach
- 100g tortilla chips, roughly crushed
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the Onion for 3-4 minutes, add the spices and then add the beans, corn kernels and squash and fry for 1-2 minutes
- Stir in the tomatoes, with half a can of water and the ketchup. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the Spinach and stir until wilted. Transfer to a heatproof serving dish, sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips and grill for 1-2 minutes.
A fresh twist on a classic. This comforting fish pie combines cavolo nero with just six ingredients, proving simple can be sensational .
PREP: 20 Minutes
COOK: 5 Minutes
SERVE: 4
Ingredients
- 200g cavolo nero, shredded
- 300g salmon fillets, diced
- 250g cod fillets, diced, defrosted
- 350g prepared cheese sauce
- 200g cooked, peeled prawns, defrosted
- 750g hot mashed potato
Instructions
- Steam the cavolo nero for 5 minutes, then transfer to the base of a heatproof serving dish
- Meanwhile, cook the fish in simmering water for 4 minutes and drain
- Heat up the cheese sauce and add the fish and prawns, then cook for 1 minute to heat through
- Pour over the cavolo nero and top with mashed potato
- Place under a preheated grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and serve.
Fusilli Pasta with Chicken, Cavolo Nero & Tomatoes
Quick, fresh and full of flavour, this pasta dish comes together in just 20 minutes with only seven ingredients.
PREP: 10 Minutes
COOK: 10 Minutes
SERVES: 2
Ingredients
- 125g fusilli pasta
- 150g shredded Cavolo Nero
- 75g sun-dried tomatoes, sliced + 1 tbsp oil
- 2 chicken breast fillets, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- To serve: grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling water for 7 minutes, add the cavolo nero and cook for a further 3 minutes, drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid
- Meanwhile, heat the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar and fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked throughout
- Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes and fry for a further 1-2 minutes
- Stir in the pasta and cavolo nero with a little of the cooking liquid and season
- Serve sprinkled with grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Discover more
Whether you’re looking for a quick pasta, a hearty tray bake, or a fun twist on family favourites, these recipes are proof that weeknight dinners can be both easy and exciting.
For more inspiration and to explore the many delicious ways to cook with kale, cavolo nero, and spinach, find more recipes HERE.
[1] AHDB’s Recipe Research: What Do Consumers Look for When Choosing Recipes? (Two Ears One Mouth, August 2024),