10 Dinners I LOVE To Make When I'm Not Sure What To Cook

This list brings together some of my most-loved, most-cooked recipes, with a few proper viral favourites in the mix — including my Slow Cooker Beef Madras, Bang Bang Salmon Bites and Honey Mustard Chicken Traybake. Combined, these recipes have over 10 million views, and for good reason: they’re realistic, flavour-packed and designed for real life.

The theme? High-protein dinners under 600 calories that solve the everyday dinner dilemma. Expect a mix of:

• Midweek dinners when time (and energy) is low

• Fakeaways that beat the takeaway menu

• Comfort food that still supports your goals

• Meal-prep friendly dishes you’ll actually look forward to eating

Every recipe is minimum fuss, easy to follow and nutritionally balanced - no complicated steps, no hard-to-find ingredients, and no bland “diet food”. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family or just trying to stay on track without overthinking it, this list has you covered.

For under 400 calories and over 43g of protein per serving, this Slow Cooker Beef Madras is the ultimate fakeaway comfort food that basically cooks itself. Just add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the hard work. Rich, fragrant and packed with warm spices, tender beef and a fiery Madras kick, it solves the “I want a curry but not the calories or effort” problem — perfect for cosy weekends or hearty midweek dinners.

A proper midweek dinner traybake that delivers big comfort with minimal effort. Sticky honey, sharp mustard, juicy chicken thighs and golden roast potatoes all cook together on one tray — aka maximum flavour, minimal washing up. Coming in at under 650 calories with over 36g of protein, this is the kind of hearty, warming dinner that keeps you full and on track.

This speedy midweek dinner takes under 20 minutes in the air fryer and brings serious flavour. Crispy salmon bites coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce make this feel like a treat, while still clocking in at just 312 calories and 22.5g of protein per serving. Ideal when you want something quick, high-protein and way more exciting than another plain fillet.

A one-pan midweek pasta dinner that feels like date night but fits real life. Juicy prawns, garlic and cherry tomatoes come together in under 25 minutes for a dish that’s light yet indulgent. At 560 calories and 30.3g of protein per serving, it solves the “I want pasta without feeling stuffed” dilemma — simple, elegant and full of flavour.

If you love Salt & Pepper Chicken from the Chinese takeaway, this fakeaway changes the game. Crispy, spicy and unbelievably easy, it’s made in the air fryer in under 20 minutes. Juicy chicken thighs, crunchy peppers and that iconic salt & pepper seasoning deliver everything you crave - but lighter, cheaper and higher in protein than your usual order.

One of my all-time favourite comfort food meal-prep dinners. Smoky, rich and ridiculously easy, this is a dump-and-go slow cooker recipe that delivers big flavour with minimal effort. Perfect for cold nights, busy weeks and anyone who wants a cosy, filling dinner ready and waiting.

A smoky, satisfying one-pan midweek dinner packed with bold Cajun flavours. Spicy chorizo, tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice all cook together for maximum flavour with minimal fuss. At 514 calories and 32g of protein per portion, this is hearty comfort food that still supports your goals.

A flavour-packed midweek traybake that keeps things interesting. Juicy spiced chicken thighs roast over chickpeas, carrots and onions, then get finished with cooling yoghurt, fresh coriander and lemon. With 39.8g of protein and 598 calories per portion, it’s balanced, filling and anything but boring.

Classic comfort food, made high-protein and weeknight-friendly. These Swedish meatballs cook low and slow in a creamy gravy for a dinner that feels indulgent but still fits a high-protein lifestyle. With around 550 calories and over 40g of protein per serving, it’s cosy, satisfying and perfect for midweek dinners that feel like a treat.

A fresh, lighter midweek pasta dinner that still hits the comfort spot. Creamy from soft cheese, bright from lemon and packed with tender chicken and sautéed courgettes, this comes together in under 25 minutes. High in protein and full of flavour, it’s ideal for warmer evenings or when you want something satisfying without feeling heavy.