10 Must-Try Dinner Recipes That Are Always in My Rotation

I’ve pulled together 10 must-try dinner recipes I genuinely make on repeat in my kitchen — the ones that never fail to hit the spot on evenings when you want something easy, comforting, and actually worth the calories. From midweek dinners and fakeaways to rich, cosy comfort food, these are the meals I know I’ll come back to again and again. Each recipe is packed with flavour, simple to make, and high in protein, so you can enjoy dinners that feel indulgent but still fit your weeknight routine.

If you love sticky, golden chicken with a little crunch, my Air Fryer Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken is a must-try fakeaway. Coated in a sweet and savoury honey sesame glaze, it’s crispy and indulgent but lighter thanks to the air fryer. With 45g of protein per serving and ready in under 20 minutes, it’s a high-protein midweek dinner that delivers all the comfort of takeaway without the oil or calories.

For a plant-based, high-protein dinner, my Slow Cooker Sri Lankan Red Lentil & Spinach Dhal with Greek Lemon is a dream. Red lentils simmer in coconut milk and warming spices, finished with fresh spinach and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Each portion packs 21.7g of protein and 387 calories, making it a hearty, nourishing, slow-cooker-friendly meal that’s perfect for meal prep or freezer-friendly dinners.

If you’re looking for a comforting, high-protein midweek dinner, this Italian Pesto Gnocchi Traybake is my go-to. Soft gnocchi, roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan, and a creamy pesto drizzle come together in one tray for minimal washing up and maximum flavour. Each serving is under 500 calories, satisfying, and perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty yet effortless.

My Thai Red Prawn Noodle Soup is the ultimate midweek comfort food that’s quick, easy, and high in protein. Juicy prawns, aromatic herbs, slurpy noodles, and a creamy coconut broth create a warming, flavour-packed bowl ready in under 20 minutes. With 34g of protein per serving, it’s perfect when you want something satisfying but still light enough to fit your weeknight goals.

After falling in love with the flavours in South Africa, I created this Slow Cooker South African Cape Malay Beef Curry to bring that sunshine into my kitchen. Tender beef simmers in a rich coconut sauce with ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices, delivering a comforting, high-protein meal with 40g of protein per serving. It’s perfect for set-it-and-forget-it cooking, freezer-friendly, and ideal for cosy dinners when you want depth of flavour without the fuss.

If you’re after something fresh, indulgent, and high-protein, my Creamy Lemon Orzo Chicken is the perfect midweek dinner. Tender chicken, soft orzo, zesty lemon, and a creamy sauce come together in one pan, creating a bright, satisfying meal in under 25 minutes. With 43.9g of protein and 697 calories per serving, it’s simple, comforting, and ideal for when you want dinner to feel special without the hassle.

This Creamy Sausage & Cavolo Nero Pasta is my ultimate winter comfort dinner. Fennel sausages, tender cavolo nero, and a creamy sauce make a hearty, high-protein meal that’s perfect for midweek evenings. With 25.3g of protein and 597 calories per portion, it’s a satisfying, indulgent dish that’s quick, budget-friendly, and a reliable favourite in my kitchen.

This is my Greek Lemon Chicken & Potato Traybake, a firm favourite for easy midweek dinners. Juicy chicken thighs roast alongside golden potatoes with tangy lemon, herbs, and garlic, creating a simple yet flavourful high-protein meal. With 30.8g of protein and 433 calories per serving, it’s a family-friendly dish that’s quick to make and keeps everyone satisfied.

My Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry is rich, creamy, and effortless. Tender chicken cooks slowly in coconut milk with warming spices for a comforting, high-protein midweek dinner. Each portion contains 35g of protein and 430 calories, making it ideal for set-it-and-forget-it cooking, meal prep, or whenever you want a fuss-free, nourishing curry.

This is my quick and easy One Pan Sticky Hoisin Beef, perfect for a midweek fakeaway dinner when you want something high-protein without overthinking. Glossy hoisin-coated beef, ginger, garlic, and chilli all cook together in one pan for maximum flavour, and it’s ready in under 20 minutes. Each portion is under 400 calories and packed with 24g of protein, making it an easy meal prep favourite or a speedy midweek dinner that feels indulgent.