Red Lentils: 3 Cheap and Quick Recipes Anyone Can Make

Hey, do you know that feeling when you come home hungry like a wolf, your wallet is not exactly overflowing, and you really do not feel like standing at the stove for half the day? Red lentils save you in moments like that.

Quick cooking without panic

Red Lentils: 3 Cheap and Quick Recipes Anyone Can Make

This is the ultimate ingredient you should always keep in your pantry. Why? Because it does not need soaking, it cooks in just 10 to 15 minutes, and it costs almost nothing. You save time and money, and in the end you eat a proper meal that actually fills you up.

If you are a complete beginner in the kitchen and can barely make coffee, do not panic. The recipes below are written in a way that makes them almost impossible to mess up. Let’s cook!

1. “Fake” Red Lentil Bolognese

★★★★★4.9/5 · 128 ratings

Who says you need expensive minced meat that has to cook for two hours to make a good pasta sauce? This version is ready before the pasta is even fully cooked.

What you need for 2 servings

• 1 cup red lentils, about 150 g
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 can chopped tomatoes or tomato passata, 400 g
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
• salt, pepper and a little olive oil
• your favorite pasta

Exact step-by-step method

1. Preparation: Peel the onion and garlic. Cut the onion into the smallest cubes you can, and finely chop the garlic. Put the red lentils into a sieve and quickly rinse them under running water.
2. Cooking the pasta: Fill a large pot with water, salt it well and place it over high heat. When the water boils, add the pasta and cook it according to the instructions on the package.
3. Sautéing: While the water is heating, take a deep pan, pour in 2 tablespoons of oil and heat it over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and stir it with a wooden spoon for about 3 minutes, until it becomes soft and slightly translucent. Then add the chopped garlic, stir and cook for only 30 seconds, just until it smells fragrant. Be careful not to burn it, because it will turn bitter.
4. The sauce: Add the rinsed lentils to the pan and mix them with the onion and garlic. Immediately pour in the can of tomatoes. If you are using whole peeled tomatoes, crush them directly in the pan with a wooden spoon or fork. Add the basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a little pepper.
5. Simmering: Reduce the heat to low, so the sauce barely bubbles. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir once or twice while it cooks. If you notice the sauce is too thick or too dry, add a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking water.
6. The finish: When the lentils are soft, you can taste them to check that they no longer feel crunchy, turn off the heat. Drain the pasta, add it straight into the pan with the sauce, mix everything well and serve.

If you want next week’s menu sorted with easy Mediterranean comfort food:

What to Cook Next Week? 7 Quick Greek-Turkish Dinners

2. Express Creamy Curry, Indian Dal Style

★★★★★4.8/5 · 96 ratings

When you crave something warm and a little exotic, but your bank account is not exactly ready for a flight to India. This is a thick, creamy dish that is best eaten by dipping bread into it.

What you need for 2 servings

• 1 cup red lentils, 250 ml
• 1 small onion
• 1 level tablespoon curry powder, the spice mix you can find in almost any store
• 1/2 can coconut milk, about 200 ml
• 1 cup water
• 2 handfuls fresh spinach, the pre-washed kind from a bag works too
• salt and a little regular oil

Exact step-by-step method

1. Preparation: Peel the onion and finely chop it. Rinse the lentils under running water in a sieve.
2. The start: Pour one tablespoon of oil into a small pot or saucepan and heat it. Add the onion and sauté it for 3 minutes, until it softens.
3. Activating the spices: Add the tablespoon of curry powder to the sautéed onion. Stir everything quickly for about 20 to 30 seconds. This helps the curry develop that proper, full flavor.
4. Liquid and lentils: Immediately add the lentils to the pot, pour in the coconut milk, shake the can well before opening it, and add one cup of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
5. Cooking: When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, partly cover the pot with a lid and let it gently simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. During cooking, the lentils will absorb almost all the liquid and become completely soft and creamy. Stir a few times so they do not stick to the bottom.
6. The final touch: Turn off the stove. Add the spinach to the pot and gently stir it into the hot curry with a spoon. The heat will wilt the spinach by itself in less than a minute. Taste it, add a little more salt if needed, spoon it into a deep plate and serve with a piece of bread.

3. Quick and Hearty Winter Stew

★★★★★4.9/5 · 112 ratings

When you need something spoonable, warm and filling, but you do not want to chop a mountain of complicated vegetables. Almost nobody knows the grated carrot trick, but it works beautifully.

What you need for 2 servings

• 1 cup red lentils, 250 ml
• 1 onion
• 2 large carrots
• 3 to 4 cups, 250 ml each, hot water or vegetable stock made from a cube
• 1/2 lemon
• salt, pepper, bay leaf if you have one, and a little oil

Exact step-by-step method

1. Preparation without much knife work: Peel and chop the onion. Peel the carrots, then simply grate them on a regular hand grater, using the large holes. Because the carrot is grated into thin pieces, it cooks extremely quickly, in 10 minutes instead of half an hour. Rinse the lentils in a sieve, of course.
2. Sautéing: Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pot. Add the onion and grated carrot. Sauté them together for about 4 minutes. The carrot will release a lovely yellow color and become soft.
3. Combining: Add the rinsed lentils, bay leaf, a little pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pot. Pour in the hot water or stock. Use enough liquid so everything is well covered, about two fingers above the ingredients.
4. Cooking: When the soup comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the lentils are completely soft and start to break down.
5. Trick for thickness: If you want the stew to be thicker and creamier, take a regular fork or potato masher and press directly in the pot a few times to mash part of the lentils and carrot against the bottom. The soup will thicken instantly on its own, without any flour.
6. The finishing touch: Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaf and squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the stew. This acidity balances the dish completely and gives it the right freshness. Stir and enjoy.

If you want more easy ideas without meat, this one gives you 8 fresh lunches ready fast:

Quick Meat-Free Lunch: 8 New Ideas Ready in 15–25 Minutes

Red Lentils, the Little Hero of Quick Cooking

There you go, no more excuses that you do not have the time, knowledge or money for a proper and healthy meal. As you can see, red lentils really are the queen of quick cooking, and they can turn almost anyone into a confident home cook.

Which recipe will you try first? Let me know in the comments!

Shrimp Bruschettas with Yellow Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan

Shrimp bruschettas are one of those appetizers that make much more of an impression on the table than they demand in the kitchen. Toasted bread, buttery shrimp, garlic, yellow cherry tomatoes, basil, lemon and a little parmesan. Simple, but very effective.

This recipe is a great choice for a festive table, a summer gathering, an evening with a glass of sparkling wine or whenever you want to prepare something small, savoury and fragrant. Shrimp cook very quickly, so it is important to have all the ingredients chopped and ready before you start cooking.

Mediterranean appetizer

Crispy bruschettas with juicy shrimp, yellow cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, lemon and parmesan. Small bites with a sea-inspired character that you can serve as an appetizer, snack or part of a festive table.

Preparation time about 15 minutes

Cooking time about 10 minutes

Quantity serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

• 600 g shrimp
• 100 g butter
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves
• 200 g yellow cherry tomatoes
• 1 handful fresh basil
• 3 tablespoons ground paprika
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• sourdough bread or another rustic bread
• parmesan for sprinkling

More light ideas for hot days

If you like these shrimp bruschettas, you will probably also enjoy this weekly selection of summer lunches, focused on fresh, quick and light dishes without turning the kitchen into a sauna.

Quick Light Lunches for Hot Days: 7 Summer Recipes for Next Week

Method

1. Preparing the bread

Cut the bread into thicker slices. Drizzle the slices with a little olive oil and toast them in a pan, grill pan or oven until golden and crispy. The bread should be crisp on the outside, but still a little soft inside, so it can hold the topping nicely.

2. Preparing the ingredients

Clean the shrimp if needed and dry them with a paper towel. Peel the garlic and finely chop it. Cut the yellow cherry tomatoes in half or into quarters, depending on their size. Tear or roughly chop the basil just before using it, so it stays fresh and fragrant.

3. Sautéing the garlic and tomatoes

Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the butter. When the butter melts, add the garlic and sauté it briefly over medium heat, just until fragrant. Then add the yellow cherry tomatoes and cook them for a few minutes, until they soften slightly and release a little juice.

4. Adding the shrimp

Add the shrimp, ground paprika, salt and pepper to the pan. Mix everything well so the shrimp are "dressed" in the buttery tomato sauce. Cook them for only about 2 more minutes, until they turn pink and firm. Do not cook the shrimp for too long, because they quickly become rubbery.

5. Finishing with lemon and basil

When the shrimp are cooked, remove the pan from the heat. Add the lemon juice and fresh basil, then gently mix. The sauce should be buttery, fragrant, slightly sharp from the lemon and juicy enough to moisten the toasted bread nicely.

6. Assembling the bruschettas

Place a few shrimp, tomatoes and a little pan sauce on each slice of toasted bread. Add freshly grated or shaved parmesan on top. Serve the bruschettas immediately, while the bread is still crispy and the topping is warm and juicy.

For days when you want something good, but without long cooking

Bruschettas are a great appetizer or snack, but if you are looking for more ideas for a lighter summer meal, take a look at this collection of recipes without heavy sauces and long standing by the stove.

Light Summer Recipes for Hot Days: 7 Quick Dinner Ideas Without Long Cooking

Tip

If you use frozen shrimp, thaw them completely before cooking and dry them well. If you put wet shrimp into the pan, they will release too much liquid and instead of a juicy topping, you will get a watery sauce. With shrimp, timing really matters: better one minute less than one minute too much.

Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Toast Sticks

Bacon-wrapped cheese toast sticks are one of those ideas where completely basic ingredients turn into something that looks almost too good for so little work. The toast is flattened, filled with cheese, wrapped in bacon and sent into the oven. That is it. A kitchen trick with a very good payoff.

They are excellent for breakfast, a warm afternoon snack, a quick bite or as a savoury addition to the table when guests arrive and you want something crispy, cheesy and satisfying. The bacon gets nicely roasted on the outside, while the toast stays soft inside with melted cheese.

Crispy snack

Bacon-wrapped cheese toast sticks are a quick, crispy and very simple idea for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack. A few minutes of preparation, a few minutes of baking and small savoury rolls are on the table, disappearing dangerously fast.

Preparation time about 10 minutes

Baking time 4 to 5 minutes

Quantity serves 2

Ingredients

• 8 slices of toast bread
• 8 slices of smoked bacon
• 8 cheese sticks, about 1 x 1 cm thick and about 0.5 cm shorter than the side of the toast bread

Method

1. Prepare the toast bread

Trim the crusts from the toast bread if you like, although this is not necessary. Then roll each slice well with a rolling pin so it becomes thinner, more flexible and easier to roll. The toast should be thin, but not so thin that it starts tearing.

2. Add the cheese

Place one piece of cheese at the beginning of each flattened slice of toast. The cheese should be cut into a longer stick or a smaller piece, about 1 x 1 cm, so you can wrap it neatly inside the toast.

3. Roll the toast sticks

Roll the toast with the cheese tightly into a small roll. Start at the side where the cheese is placed and roll toward the end of the slice. The tighter the roll, the better it will hold its shape during baking.

4. Wrap with bacon

Wrap each toast roll with one slice of smoked bacon. Wrap the bacon around the roll in a spiral, so it hugs the toast and cheese nicely. Place the end of the bacon underneath when you put the roll on the baking tray, so it does not unwrap during baking.

5. Bake

Arrange the toast sticks on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake them in a preheated oven at 190 °C for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the bacon and toast are nicely golden. For a crispier result, you can place them under the grill function for the last minute, but keep a close eye on them.

6. Serve

Serve the baked toast sticks immediately, while they are still warm and the cheese inside is soft or melted. They are excellent on their own, but you can also serve them with yoghurt sauce, ketchup, herb mayonnaise or a fresh salad.

Tip

If you want to prevent the cheese from leaking out too quickly during baking, use a cheese that melts nicely but does not become too runny. Gouda, Edam, Emmental or toast cheese are all good choices. With very soft cheeses, you will get more of a “lava effect”, which is delicious, but the baking tray will need a little extra love afterwards.

What to Cook This Week? 7 Quick Lunches from Basic Ingredients (for Less Money, No Fuss)

If you are looking for a weekly meal plan that is quick, homemade, and built from simple ingredients you probably already have at home, you are in the right place. This week is all about practical lunches made with pasta, rice, potatoes, eggs, onion, a can or two, and a few extra basics. The goal here is not to make cooking look fancy, but to help you put a proper meal on the table without turning lunch into a full-day project.

In short: below you will find seven quick lunches for the whole week, plus two bonus recipes in case one of the daily meals does not work for you. The recipes are written clearly, with longer step-by-step instructions, so even someone who is not very confident in the kitchen can follow them without stress.

In short: this week is built around quick, practical lunches with no unnecessary fuss. Most of the recipes use basic ingredients that can easily be reused during the week, which makes the menu friendlier to your budget and a lot easier to manage when you run out of ideas.

Below you will find seven lunches for each day of the week, plus two bonus options. If one recipe does not feel right for a certain day, you can simply swap it out. No kitchen drama, no “what now?” moment, just a plan that actually works.

Quick overview: this article gives you a full weekly plan with 7 quick lunches made from basic ingredients, plus 2 bonus recipes you can swap in anytime. The focus is on pasta, rice, potatoes, eggs and simple pantry staples that keep cooking practical and affordable.

If you are looking for what to cook this week, quick lunch ideas or budget-friendly meals, this is a no-fuss plan you can actually follow without overthinking.

Jump to a day

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Bonus 1 Bonus 2

• DAILY RECIPE • MONDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 20–25 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Pasta with garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs

Monday calls for something simple, fast and reliable. Pasta with garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs proves that even the most basic ingredients can turn into a warm, satisfying lunch. The breadcrumbs add texture, the garlic brings character, and the olive oil ties everything together into a dish that feels homemade without demanding much from you.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 200 g pasta
• 3 garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp breadcrumbs
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta. Fill a large pot with enough water so the pasta has room to move around while cooking. Add a little salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Stir once or twice so it does not stick together.
2. Prepare the garlic. While the pasta is cooking, peel the garlic cloves and slice them into thin pieces. Try not to chop them too finely, because garlic burns quickly. In this recipe you want the garlic to become fragrant, not dark and bitter.
3. Start the sauce base. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over low to medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and gently cook it for about 1 to 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it. If it starts browning too fast, lower the heat a little more.
4. Add the breadcrumbs. Stir the breadcrumbs into the garlic oil and cook them for another few minutes, stirring often. They should turn lightly golden and slightly crisp. This will give the dish more texture and make it feel more complete.
5. Combine with pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, but save about half a cup of the cooking water. That water can help later if the pasta seems too dry. Transfer the pasta straight into the pan with the oil, garlic and breadcrumbs.
6. Finish the dish. Toss everything together well so the breadcrumbs and oil coat the pasta. If needed, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen things up. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir again.
7. Serve. This dish is best served right away while it is still hot and the breadcrumbs still have some texture. If you like, finish it with an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Tip: if you have Parmesan or another hard cheese at home, grate a little over the top. It is not necessary, but it does make the dish even better.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • TUESDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 25–30 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Rice with vegetables and egg

Tuesday is for something practical, filling and easy to pull together. Rice, a handful of vegetables and a couple of eggs make a lunch that is simple but still feels like a proper meal. It is also a great way to use leftovers without the result feeling like a sad clean-out-the-fridge situation.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 150 g rice
• 1 cup frozen vegetables
• 2 eggs
• 1 onion
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the rice. Rinse the rice under cold water if you want it to be less sticky. Then cook it in salted water according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and let it sit for a few minutes. If you are using leftover rice from the day before, simply loosen it with a fork.
2. Prepare the onion. Peel the onion and chop it into small pieces. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion. Cook it over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens and becomes slightly translucent.
3. Add the vegetables. Stir in the frozen vegetables. You do not need to thaw them completely first. Cook them for about 5 minutes so they heat through and any excess moisture can evaporate.
4. Add the rice. Tip the cooked rice into the pan and mix everything together well. Keep the heat at medium so the rice warms through and gets a little bit of colour, but does not start sticking badly.
5. Cook the eggs. Make a little space in the middle of the pan and crack in both eggs. Let them sit for a few seconds, then start stirring them like scrambled eggs. Once they begin to set, mix them into the rice and vegetables.
6. Season. Stir everything together well so the egg is evenly distributed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Taste it and adjust if needed.
7. Serve. Serve immediately while it is hot. It works perfectly as a simple lunch on its own, but you can also treat it like a base and add other leftovers another time.

Tip: chilled rice usually gives the best result because it stays fluffier and mixes more easily in the pan.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • WEDNESDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 35–40 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Roasted potatoes with garlic and yogurt sauce

Wednesday is a good day for something uncomplicated that mostly cooks itself in the oven. Roasted potatoes are always a reliable choice, garlic adds a little extra flavour, and the yogurt sauce keeps the whole plate from feeling dry. It is one of those recipes where very basic ingredients still give you a proper, satisfying result.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 500 g potatoes
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp oil
• 150 g yogurt
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Prepare a baking tray and, if you like, line it with baking paper to make cleanup easier. If you do not have baking paper, lightly grease the tray instead.
2. Prepare the potatoes. Wash the potatoes well. If the skins are thin and look good, you can leave them on. Otherwise peel them. Cut the potatoes into wedges or larger chunks, trying to keep the pieces roughly the same size so they roast evenly.
3. Season the potatoes. Put the potatoes in a large bowl with the oil, chopped or crushed garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well so the oil and garlic coat all the pieces evenly.
4. Roast. Spread the potatoes out on the tray in a single layer. This is important, because if they are piled up too much they will steam rather than roast. Bake for about 30 minutes, turning them once halfway through.
5. Make the yogurt sauce. While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the sauce. Put the yogurt in a small bowl and season it with salt and pepper. You can keep it very simple, because the point of this meal is exactly that: simple ingredients, no extra fuss.
6. Check for doneness. The potatoes are ready when they are golden and you can easily pierce them with a fork. If you want crispier edges, leave them in the oven for a few more minutes.
7. Serve. Spoon the roasted potatoes onto plates and serve the yogurt sauce on the side or over part of the potatoes, depending on how you prefer it.

Tip: always give the potato pieces a bit of space on the tray. That is how you get better colour and better texture.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • THURSDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 20–25 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Creamy pasta with ricotta and garlic

Thursday is here for anyone who wants something softer and creamier without making a complicated sauce. Ricotta creates a mild, gentle coating, garlic brings flavour, and a little pasta water helps everything come together. The result is a quick lunch that feels warm, homemade and far more put-together than the effort it actually takes.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 200 g pasta
• 150 g ricotta
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Before draining it, save some of the cooking water, because that will help make the sauce smooth instead of heavy or dry.
2. Prepare the garlic. Peel the garlic and chop it finely or slice it thinly. If you chop it finely, the flavour will be a little stronger. If you want a milder result, keep it in thin slices instead.
3. Start the pan base. Heat the oil in a large pan over low to medium heat and add the garlic. Cook it briefly, just until fragrant. This usually takes about a minute. Do not wait for it to brown.
4. Add the ricotta. Spoon the ricotta into the pan and gently stir it with a spatula or wooden spoon. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. The ricotta will begin to loosen and turn into a simple creamy sauce.
5. Adjust the texture. If the sauce seems too thick, add a bit more pasta water. If it seems too loose, keep it on low heat for another minute or two. You are not looking for a heavy sauce here, just something smooth and lightly creamy.
6. Add the pasta. Transfer the cooked pasta into the pan and toss it well with the sauce so everything is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve. This dish is best served straight away while still warm. If you like, finish it with a little extra black pepper or a bit of lemon zest for freshness.

Tip: a little lemon zest at the end makes the ricotta feel fresher and lighter, but the dish works perfectly well without it too.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • FRIDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 25–30 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Baked polenta with cheese

Friday is a good day for something a little different from pasta or rice, while still staying easy and affordable. Polenta often gets overlooked, but it is very useful, gentle on the budget and makes a great base for a warm lunch. Once baked with cheese, it turns into something soft in the middle and nicely golden on top.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 150 g polenta
• 500 ml water
• 80 g cheese
• salt to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the dish. Heat the oven to 200 °C. Get a small baking dish or oven-safe pan ready. If you want easier cleanup later, lightly grease it first.
2. Cook the polenta. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and add salt to taste. Once the water boils, slowly pour in the polenta while stirring continuously. This helps prevent lumps from forming.
3. Stir until thick. Keep stirring as the polenta cooks. Follow the package instructions, or cook until it becomes thick and smooth. If it feels too thick, add a little water. If it is too loose, cook it for another minute or so.
4. Transfer to the baking dish. Spoon the cooked polenta into the dish and spread it out evenly. Scatter the cheese over the top. You can grate it or cut it into small pieces, whichever is easier.
5. Bake. Put the dish into the hot oven and bake for about 15 minutes. The cheese should melt and the top should take on a little colour. If you want more browning, turn on the top heat for the last minute or two.
6. Let it settle. Once out of the oven, leave the polenta to sit for a minute or two. It will set slightly and be easier to serve.
7. Serve. Spoon it onto plates while still warm. It works well on its own, but if you have yogurt or sour cream, a small spoonful on the side is also nice.

Tip: polenta is at its best while still warm. If it sits too long, it becomes firmer, so serve it soon after baking.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • SATURDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 30 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Chicken rice (one pot)

Saturday can stay simple too. This is a good example of a dish where one pot gives you almost everything you need: a little meat, rice, onion and basic seasoning. It works because it is straightforward, filling and leaves you with less washing up than many other lunch options.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 200 g chicken
• 150 g rice
• 1 onion
• 2 tbsp oil
• 500 ml water
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Prepare the ingredients. Cut the chicken into small chunks or strips so it cooks quickly. Peel and chop the onion into small pieces. If you like, rinse the rice briefly before cooking.
2. Cook the onion. Heat the oil in a large pan or pot and add the onion. Cook it for a few minutes until it softens and turns slightly translucent. It does not need to brown deeply.
3. Add the chicken. Add the chicken to the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until the pieces start to take on some colour. They do not need to be fully cooked yet at this point.
4. Add the rice. Stir in the rice and mix it well with the onion and chicken. Let it sit in the pan for about a minute so it warms through and picks up some of the flavour already in the pot.
5. Add the water. Pour in the water and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir, bring it to a simmer, then lower the heat and partly cover the pot. Let it cook for about 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Check for doneness. After about 15 minutes, check whether the rice is tender and whether most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the rice is still too firm, add a little more water and cook for a few more minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked with no pink remaining inside.
7. Finish and serve. Once everything is cooked, gently stir the dish and taste it. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Let it rest for a minute before serving so the rice can settle and absorb the final bit of moisture.

Tip: if you see the pan getting too dry too early, add a splash of water before the rice starts sticking to the bottom.

Back to top ↑

• DAILY RECIPE • SUNDAY

Serves: 2
Time: 20–25 min
Very easy

Quick lunch: Chickpea stew with tomatoes and seasoning

Sunday deserves something spoonable, filling and comforting, but not something that takes all morning. Chickpeas and tomatoes are a very useful combination because together they create a stew that feels substantial without being heavy. It is a simple recipe, but it still gives you a bowl that feels like a real meal.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 can peeled tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Build the base. Peel and chop the onion. Heat the oil in a pot and add the onion. Cook it for a few minutes until softened and lightly translucent. This creates the base flavour for the whole dish.
2. Add the tomatoes. Tip in the canned tomatoes. If they are in large pieces, break them up with a spoon while they cook. Let the mixture bubble gently for about 5 minutes so the flavours begin to come together and the tomatoes lose their raw edge.
3. Prepare the chickpeas. Drain the chickpeas and rinse them briefly under water. This helps keep the flavour cleaner and removes the slightly starchy liquid from the can.
4. Cook the stew. Add the chickpeas to the tomato base and stir well. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes over medium-low heat. If you want a thinner stew, add a little water. If you want it thicker, keep it uncovered so some liquid can cook away.
5. Season. Add salt and pepper to taste. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you happen to have smoked paprika at home, a small pinch works nicely here, but it is not essential.
6. Adjust the texture. For a thicker, more stew-like texture, gently mash a small portion of the chickpeas against the side of the pot with a spoon or fork. This makes the whole dish feel more cohesive.
7. Serve. Serve hot. This is also the sort of dish that reheats well, and many people find it tastes even better the next day.

Tip: if you want the meal to feel more substantial, serve it with a slice of bread. Very simple, but it makes a big difference.

Back to top ↑

• BONUS RECIPE • SWAP OPTION

Serves: 2
Time: 30 min
Very easy

Bonus recipe: Baked pasta with cheese

This is a useful backup plan for any day when you want something warm, more baked and slightly more comforting without making a complicated meal. Pasta, egg and cheese are simple ingredients, but once they go into the oven together, the result feels fuller and more substantial than plain boiled pasta.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 200 g pasta
• 100 g cheese
• 1 egg
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta. Bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just tender. It is actually better if it stays slightly firm, because it will continue cooking a little in the oven.
2. Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 190 °C. Prepare a small baking dish or any ovenproof dish. If you like, lightly grease it first.
3. Make the mixture. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Add the egg, grated or chopped cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well so the ingredients are distributed evenly.
4. Transfer to the dish. Spoon the mixture into the baking dish and level it out lightly. If you want a more golden top, save a little cheese and sprinkle it over at the end.
5. Bake. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top looks golden and the cheese has melted nicely. If you want extra colour on top, leave it in for another minute or two.
6. Let it rest briefly. Once out of the oven, let the pasta sit for 2 to 3 minutes. This helps it settle and makes it easier to serve.
7. Serve. Serve warm. It is one of those recipes that is especially useful when the fridge is looking a bit empty but you still want a proper meal.

Tip: if you have small leftover bits of different cheeses in the fridge, this is a perfect place to use them.

Back to top ↑

• BONUS RECIPE • SWAP OPTION

Serves: 2
Time: 20–25 min
Very easy

Bonus recipe: Creamy vegetable frittata

If you have eggs, cooking cream and some frozen vegetables, you are already most of the way there. A frittata is a very practical bonus recipe because it is adaptable, quick and beginner-friendly. All you really need is a pan, a few simple steps and a little patience while it sets properly.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 4 eggs
• 100 ml cooking cream
• 1 cup frozen vegetables
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the vegetables first. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the frozen vegetables. Cook them over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes until thawed, slightly softened and with some of the excess moisture gone. If you skip this step, the frittata may end up watery.
2. Prepare the egg mixture. While the vegetables cook, crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them well. Add the cooking cream, plus salt and pepper to taste. Whisk again until the mixture looks smooth and evenly combined.
3. Combine in the pan. Spread the vegetables out evenly across the pan, then pour the egg mixture over them. Gently move the pan from side to side so the mixture spreads evenly.
4. Cook on the stove. Lower the heat and cook the frittata gently for about 5 to 7 minutes. The bottom should set slowly. Do not use high heat here, because the base will brown too quickly while the top stays too wet.
5. Finish in the oven or under a lid. If your pan is oven-safe, place it in a preheated oven at 180 °C for another 5 minutes. If not, simply cover the pan with a lid and continue cooking very gently until the top is set.
6. Check doneness. The frittata is ready when the middle is no longer liquid but still looks soft and moist. Try not to overcook it, because eggs dry out quickly.
7. Serve. Let it cool slightly, then cut it into pieces and serve. It is good warm, but it also works nicely when just slightly cooled down.

Tip: if you have cheese at home, you can add a little to the egg mixture or sprinkle some on top before the final stage of cooking.

Back to top ↑

One more useful shortcut for the week

If this kind of weekly menu helps you, save this article or send it to someone else who asks the same question every week: what can I cook that is quick, normal and does not turn into a production?

This week was intentionally built around recipes with overlapping basics. That means less confusion when shopping and a much better chance that the same ingredients actually get used more than once.

Back to top See more quick lunch ideas

Frequently asked questions

What can I cook this week that is quick and simple?
Focus on meals built from basics like pasta, rice, eggs and vegetables. Dishes like garlic pasta, fried rice or chickpea stew are quick, filling and require minimal effort.

Are these meals budget-friendly?
Yes. The recipes are designed around low-cost ingredients that can be reused during the week, which helps reduce food waste and keeps shopping simple.

Can beginners follow these recipes?
Absolutely. Each recipe is written step by step with clear instructions, so even someone with little cooking experience can follow along without stress.

What if I don’t like one of the meals?
You can swap any day with one of the two bonus recipes. The plan is flexible, so you can adjust it to your taste without breaking the structure.