10 Healthy 10 Minute Dinners Anyone Can Make
When I started university, I spent the first year living on Dominoes and microwaved meals. Since my second year, I’ve discovered a love of cooking and quick, easy meals to make after a long day of classes, or even just when I can’t be bothered. Here are a couple of my favourite 10 minute dinners that literally anyone can make!
1. Tuna Pasta
This was something I pretty much lived on in my second year, when I discovered I liked more pasta than just spaghetti. It’s simple and filling: all you need to do is get a pan of boiling water (speed things up by adding boiled water from the kettle and keeping it on a high heat) and add a pinch of salt. When the water starts to bubble, put in a couple handfuls of your choice of pasta shapes (I use penne pasta). While that’s cooking, open and train a can of tuna and mix with as much mayonnaise as you want – an optional extra is to add a couple spoonfuls of sweetcorn. Once the pasta’s done (it should be pale all the way through and be tender when you bite it), drain it through a colander, pour in a bowl and add the tuna.
2. Chicken Stir Fry
This is a basic stir-fry recipe, so feel free to make your own additions! I personally switch the egg noodles for rice noodles, switch thighs for diced chicken and tend to use the deals in supermarkets to get noodles, veg and the sauce (usually sweet chilli) for a good price. To switch things up, use beef or salmon as an alternative – or forgo the meat for a vegetarian alternative. Perfect for sharing with friends.
3. Veggie Burrito
Found this recipe on One Green Planet and I have to say that I love it. As it says, most of the ingredients are ready made – all you need to do is put it all together! Also, it comes with a bonus 9 recipes for you to try.
4. Omelette
If you need something quick but filling, omelettes are the perfect way to go. One of the best recipes I’ve found is here, in Nosh student cookbooks. You can add pretty much whatever filling you want, but my personal favourite is a simple ham and cheese.
5. Microwaveable Pita Pizza
Who says pizza has to be unhealthy? This recipe proves otherwise! It’s really simple, and you don’t necessarily have to make it BBQ chicken either! For a more traditional pizza, switch the BBQ sauce for tomato puree, and just add whatever toppings you want. Saves standing outside in the cold for ages waiting for Dominoes to arrive, and is perfect for making with friends.
6. Chicken and Avocado Wraps
I found these chicken and avocado wraps on Pinterest and they look amazing! Really nice and simple, they’d also be perfect if you need a quick lunch.
7. Tomato Soup
Soup is one of those foods that seem surprising easy to make from scratch. Admittedly, it takes a little more than 10 minutes, so anything that’s not from a can will probably need to be made ahead of time and heated up on the stove. But, when you’ve got a little bit of time, try this recipe from Mary Berry and warm yourself up this winter.
8. Creamy Vegan Bean and Aubergine Casserole
This casserole is packed full of protein, despite only having five ingredients! According to the website, it goes well with rice, mash or roast potatoes, and it can be stored or frozen so you have something for another night when you need something good but fast – definitely something I’ll be trying soon.
9. Lemon and Pea Risotto
A little something that’s quick to whip up while still very healthy, this lemon and pea risotto is perfect for keeping you going before a long library session. Switch the Parmesan for a vegan alternative.
10. Pad Thai
With this Pad Thai recipe, you’ll be able to save a little extra money for drinks, or even treat yourself to a nice hot drink and slice of cake at the Hive (I recommend the chocolate and orange cake). It can all be cooked in one pan as well, so that saves on the washing up and, like the stir fry or the burrito, is perfect for when you have friends over.
Have you tried any of these healthy 10 minute dinners!? Share your experience in the comments below!
Featured Image: Pinterest.com
