Quick, Budget-Friendly Dinners to Get You Through Busy Weeknights

You race in the door at dinner time. Everyone’s starving. Baths need to happen, homework needs supervising, and you’d love to avoid a mountain of dishes.
These quick, affordable meals use simple ingredients, minimal prep, and keep kids fed and happy.

1. Egg Pizza (5 minutes, 1 pan)

This is a fun way to get eggs and vegetables into tired kids after school.

How to make it:

• Whisk 2 eggs with 2 Tbsp milk.

• Pour into a small frying pan to form a “pizza base.”

• Let kids decorate with their choice of toppings.

Topping ideas:

• Frozen peas or corn

• Grated carrot

• Sliced capsicum

• “Broccoli sprinkles” (finely chopped florets)

Cook until set. Slice like a mini pizza.

2. Easy Homemade Meatballs (20 minutes, tray bake)

Simple ingredients, no frying, and enough leftovers for lunchboxes.

Ingredients:

• 500 g pork or turkey mince

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

How to make it:
Mix, roll into meatballs, and bake on an oven tray at 180°C for 20 minutes.

Serve with:

• Flatbread and chopped veg, or

• Spaghetti with any quick veg on the side

3. Throw-Together Frittata (hands-off cooking)

The ultimate “use what you’ve got” dinner.

How to make it:

• Beat eggs and pour into a lined and greased baking dish or cake pan. (2 eggs per adults and older child, 1 egg for younger kids)

• Add frozen veg, leftover vegetables, or leftover meat.

• Top with grated cheese.

• Bake until set.

Serve with quick veg:

• Chopped cucumber

• Cherry tomatoes

• A big tomato cut into wedges

• Shredded iceberg lettuce

(Everything takes less than 60 seconds to prep.)

4. Deconstructed Sushi Bowls (no rolling required)

All the fun of sushi, none of the fuss. Kids love building their own bowl.

How to make it:

• Scoop cooked sushi rice into individual bowls.

• Lay out toppings so kids can choose their favourites.

Topping ideas:

• Canned tuna

• Cooked, chopped chicken

• Grated or finely sliced carrot

• Sliced avocado

• Sliced cucumber or capsicum

• Crumbled nori sheet

• Sesame seeds

Dip on the side:

• A small amount of soy sauce

• A little mayonnaise

Perfect for “pick your own” nights.