Even the most dedicated and enthusiastic home cooks have days when they don't feel like setting foot in the kitchen. While it's tempting to order a takeaway or pick up a ready meal, those aren't the only options. Here, we round up some 'throw it all together' recipes that prove you can eat delicious home-cooked food every night of the week, even if you're short on time or just feeling a little lazy. Our simple suggestions look and taste great, and – best of all – they'll be on the table in 15 minutes or less.

From curries to stir-fries, salads to soups, and plenty in between, scroll through our gallery to discover the meals you can throw together in next to no time, counting down to the tastiest of all. 

How does a filling dinner that's made almost entirely from store-cupboard ingredients sound? A vegetable and bean–packed chilli is just the thing for a busy weeknight; use canned beans for speed and serve with brown rice for added fibre (buy a pre-cooked pouch, which you can microwave in minutes). You can also always jazz the dish up with sour cream, chopped spring onions and grated cheese.

While we’d never claim this is an authentic version of the popular Mexican breakfast, this simple idea certainly delivers on both flavour and texture, and is perfect for any meal. To try it, scramble eggs in a large pan until just set. Remove the pan from the heat, then add grated Cheddar and finely chopped fresh chillies to taste. Stir in crushed tortilla chips and tuck in as is, or pile the mix into warm tortilla wraps. Serve with fresh salsa and hot sauce on the side.

Think of a quesadilla as a fancy fried cheese sandwich. You can fill your tortillas with all manner of different ingredients (though cheese, whether dairy or plant-based, is essential), and they're a great vehicle for using up leftover cooked meat, too. Vegetables, or even fruit, add a satisfying crunch – both sliced apples and red peppers work well.

Peanut butter is a store-cupboard staple, but have you thought about using it to form the base of an easy satay sauce? To do so, combine the nutty spread with soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil, then fold through noodles (use the straight-to-wok variety to keep things really speedy). You could also add Tenderstem broccoli and sugar-snap peas, for extra crunch.

Cooking a great-tasting steak is surprisingly easy if you follow a few simple rules: choose high-quality meat, oil the steak (not the pan) and make sure your pan is really hot. Once your steak is cooked to your liking, leave it to rest for at least five minutes before topping with garlic butter. Complete the meal with a crisp green salad and some fries or chunky chips – from frozen, they'll take 12-15 minutes in an air fryer at around 200ºC (400ºF). Spray with a light coating of oil first, and shake vigorously once or twice while cooking.

Wafer-thin savoury pancakes or crêpes can form the base of many a speedy supper. First cook your pancakes (make the batter with plain flour, rather than a mix of plain and buckwheat, so you don't need to rest it), or simply buy some ready-made crêpes. Then load them with your favourite fillings. We like ours stuffed with soft goats’ cheese, slices of ham, grated cheese and fig jam – a combination that, happily, needs no cooking.

Despite being simple to prepare, this soup tastes wonderfully luxurious. To make enough to feed four, bring around 24fl oz (700ml) whole milk to a simmer in a large saucepan. Season generously with salt and pepper, then add the finely chopped florets from a large head of cauliflower. Increase the heat and cook, without allowing the milk to boil, for 10 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Add a small knob of butter (a drizzle of truffle oil wouldn’t go amiss either), transfer to a blender and blitz to a thick purée. Divide among bowls and top with chunky croutons to serve.

This Mexican classic is traditionally a breakfast dish, but it works just as well (and is satisfying enough) for a quick evening meal. There are many variations, but all should include eggs and some kind of tomato. We like to add re-fried beans (you can buy them in a can) and serve our huevos rancheros on corn tortillas with avocado and fried eggs.

There's no need to order a takeaway when you can rustle up a chicken curry in no time. Fry a finely chopped onion in oil until softened, then add diced chicken breast and continue to cook for three to four minutes, until sealed. Stir in enough good-quality curry paste to coat the meat generously – it's up to you whether you choose mild korma or fiery madras – then add coconut cream and chopped tomatoes. You want enough liquid so that the chicken simmers, but isn't drowning, in the sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, then finish with a scattering of fresh coriander and serve with naan breads. 

This thrifty, filling salad might be simple to prepare, but it delivers big on flavour. To make enough to serve two, first whisk together a dressing of 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, a squeeze of lemon juice, 1 tsp honey and 3 tbsp olive oil. In a large bowl, combine an 8.8oz (250g) pouch of pre-cooked Puy lentils with a 5.6oz (160g) can of drained tuna, two large handfuls of halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 finely sliced red onion and a small bunch of chopped parsley. Pour over the mustard dressing, mix well and serve. 

These satay chicken lettuce wraps make a great light lunch or nibble, and can easily be turned into a more substantial meal when served with noodles or rice. To make yours, prepare a simple satay-style dressing by mixing peanut butter with soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and zest, and sesame oil. Fold this mix through diced cooked chicken. Arrange iceberg or butter lettuce leaves on a platter, fill each one with a large spoonful of satay chicken and scatter with sliced spring onions. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

This dish is perfect for a Friday night in, or as part of a party spread. Cut pittas (one or two per serving) into triangles, arrange on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in a hot oven until golden (around five to eight minutes). Meanwhile, cook some lamb mince (a standard packet should make enough for two to three people) in a dry frying pan over a medium-high heat, until crisp around the edges. Pile the pitta bread crisps onto a large platter and spoon the warm lamb mince over the top. Add sliced cucumber, red onions and tomatoes, crumble over feta cheese and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.

Having a pack of gnocchi in the fridge is a real bonus when you're pushed for time. Not only does it cook very quickly, it makes a nice change from pasta, too. You could stir pesto and cream cheese through blanched gnocchi, or coat with a tomato and basil sauce. Alternatively, fry your gnocchi until golden and crisp, then drizzle with melted butter infused with rosemary.

Here’s a crowd-pleasing dinner idea if there ever was one. Fill tacos with a decadent cream of avocado whizzed up with sour cream, lime and garlic, add some oven-baked fish fingers, and top with a crunchy, piquant salsa. You could swap the fish fingers for juicy, cooked prawns or even chicken goujons – or use tacos as a vehicle for leftovers like roast chicken, cooked white fish or roast vegetables.

Simplicity and speed are key when it comes to cooking tuna; leave the fish in the pan too long and it has a tendency to become dry and tasteless. Rub tuna fillets with a little olive oil, then coat with sesame seeds. Add to a very hot pan and sear for two minutes on each side. Remove from the pan, drizzle with soy sauce and serve with stir-fried greens and rice (or any other sides you'd prefer).

We're always singing the praises of frozen peas, not least because they happen to make a mean soup. For two people, sweat a large onion in a little oil, add 7oz (200g) frozen peas and 10fl oz (300ml) vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for five minutes, then blend with a stick blender, season well and stir in 3 tbsp double cream. You could also finish the soup with fresh basil, extra blanched peas, crispy bacon or cooked ham.

Practically effortless to make and hugely tasty, these fish kebabs are perfect served with fluffy white rice and a crunchy cucumber salad. Cut 14oz (400g) white fish fillets into bitesize pieces and place in a bowl. Whisk together 3 tbsp Thai red curry paste, 6 tbsp coconut milk, and the juice and zest of 1/2 lemon. Pour over the fish, turning to coat. Preheat the grill to medium-high and thread the fish onto skewers, alternating the fish pieces with lemon slices. Grill for six to eight minutes, turning halfway, until the fish is just cooked through.

Bringing an abundance of flavour and colour to the table, these 15-minute poke bowls couldn’t be easier to put together. Microwave white rice according to pack instructions, then fluff up, drizzle with a little rice vinegar and divide among bowls. Top with diced smoked salmon, avocado and cucumber slices, shredded cabbage and carrot. Drizzle with a dressing made from equal parts soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and lemon juice, and scatter with sesame seeds and coriander leaves before serving. 

Here's how to rustle up a noodle dish in no time. Cook 7oz (200g) rice noodles according to pack instructions. Stir-fry 7oz (200g) prawns, 3.5oz (100g) bean sprouts and five sliced spring onions. Then add 5oz (150g) frozen peas, 3 tbsp peanuts, and 2 tbsp each chilli sauce and soy sauce. Increase the heat, add the noodles and two beaten eggs and fry until the eggs are just cooked through. Scatter over 2 tbsp chopped coriander to serve. 

A frittata is really just a thick, chunky omelette with extra ingredients added to the egg mixture. Take the dish up a notch by adding smoked salmon trimmings or flaked smoked haddock, along with blanched asparagus spears. Pour into a frying pan and cook over a medium heat until nearly set, before finishing under the grill. Cut into wedges and serve warm with a green salad doused in a creamy, lemony dressing.

It's always worth having a bag of peas in the freezer – they're just so incredibly versatile. For a super-quick pasta dish, fry pancetta and onions until the pancetta is crisp and the onions soft. Stir in frozen peas, add mint and Parmesan to taste, then cover with stock and simmer for three to four minutes, until the peas are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, stir well and serve. For a vegetarian dish, you could easily omit the pancetta, adding pesto at the end instead.

Teriyaki chicken is always a hit, and happily it's really straightforward to make. Fry cornflour-dusted chicken breast pieces in a pan until golden, then coat with ready-made teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with straight-to-wok noodles tossed with cooked greens such as spinach or Tenderstem broccoli.

For a simple yet seriously tasty meal, you can’t go wrong with chilli spaghetti with garlic and parsley. This dish really is as easy as it sounds. Fry sliced garlic and chilli (as much as you like!) in plenty of olive oil until softened, then fold in cooked spaghetti, along with plenty of chopped parsley. Serve the pasta drizzled with good-quality extra virgin olive oil and garnished with grated pecorino.

Looking for something new to do with salmon? Try this Asian-inspired glaze. To serve four people, mix together 4 tbsp mirin, 3 tbsp soft brown sugar and 4 tbsp soy sauce. Place four skinless salmon fillets in a shallow dish, add the sauce and leave for three to four minutes, turning the salmon halfway. Fry the fish in a hot non-stick pan for a couple of minutes on each side, then remove. Add the marinade to the pan with 2 tbsp rice vinegar, return to the heat and allow to bubble, then pour the glaze over the fish. Serve with rice.

Omelettes can be a lifesaver when you're short on time, and you can still take the dish in a decadent direction by choosing luxurious fillings. Try stuffing your cooked omelette with smoked salmon and herby cream cheese, or add chorizo, roasted red peppers (from a jar) and goats’ cheese. You could also fill it to bursting with creamy garlic mushrooms and wilted spinach.

A soothing, hearty soup doesn’t have to take hours to prepare. To serve two, fry five sliced spring onions and 5.2oz (150g) chopped mushrooms in a saucepan over a medium-high heat until the onions are starting to turn golden. Stir in two crushed garlic cloves and cook for a minute more, then pour over 24fl oz (700ml) good-quality chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, add two large handfuls of frozen peas and 11oz (300g) leftover shredded roast chicken. Warm through and scatter with chopped parsley to serve.

Now that the majority of mussels are farmed on rope, they're very clean and don't require lots of scrubbing, saving you time in the kitchen. To make this classic dish for two, sweat off a large onion in butter in a big pan, then stir in twp cloves crushed garlic and around 5fl oz (150ml) white wine. Increase the heat and add 32oz (900g) mussels. Cover with a lid and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, for three to four minutes until most of the mussels have opened. Discard any broken mussels, then stir in chopped parsley and a little cream. Serve with crusty bread for dunking.

Punchy, flavour-packed puttanesca is a perfect simple meal on any night of the week. To serve four, fry a finely chopped onion and two crushed garlic cloves in oil until softened, then stir in 1/2 tsp chilli flakes. Add a 14oz (400g) can chopped tomatoes, five finely chopped anchovy fillets, 4 tbsp pitted black olives and 2 tbsp drained capers. Simmer for 10 minutes while you cook 300g dried spaghetti according to pack instructions. Drain the pasta, toss with the sauce and serve.

It's not often you find comfort food that's both quick and healthy, but miso ramen bowls deliver on all counts. Simply simmer your noodles with a selection of veggies – broccoli, peas, asparagus, shredded carrots and peppers – and add miso paste to the cooking water. Leftover chicken, beef or pork can go in, too, and a jammy soft-boiled egg is the perfect finishing touch.

Scallops and chorizo are a great combination, and are super quick to cook. Fry sliced cooking chorizo in a hot pan until crisp, then remove using a slotted spoon. Return the pan to the heat and cook the scallops in the oil from the chorizo for one to two minutes on each side – don't overcook them, or they'll turn rubbery. Return the chorizo to the pan, add chopped parsley, and serve with crusty bread and a green salad.

Combine strips of cooked ham with honey, mustard, spring onions and a little pasta cooking water to make a pasta sauce with a difference. Mix with linguine or spaghetti, then top with a poached egg. This super-simple meal will taste even better when generously dusted with freshly grated Parmesan. 

For an easy, vegetarian stir-fry, first briefly marinate diced tofu in honey and soy sauce. In a wok, fry green vegetables of your choice until tender yet crunchy, then add the tofu (with the marinade) and fry until the tofu is crisp and light golden brown. Spoon the tofu and vegetables over cooked rice or quinoa, and finish with chopped coriander and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce.

For a delicious dinner for two, cook two large handfuls of orecchiette pasta until al dente. Set a frying pan with 1 tbsp olive oil over a medium heat, add two sliced garlic cloves and cook for three to four minutes. Stir in a generous drizzle of single cream and a handful of Parmesan. Season and simmer for one minute, then fold through around 4oz (120g) baby spinach. Drain the pasta, reserving a little cooking water. Add the orecchiette to the pan with the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine and serve with more grated Parmesan, if you like.

Now discover these dishes that are so easy they don’t even require a recipe