Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Mums: Getting Back Into Routine

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Easy Weeknight Dinners for Busy Mums

Getting back into routine after the holidays can feel like juggling knives – especially if you’re trying to keep everyone fed and sane at the same time. Between school runs, late work calls, and that never-ending pile of washing, dinner can easily become an afterthought. That’s why I’ve rounded up some easy weeknight dinners for busy mums – recipes that don’t take all evening, don’t require a degree in French cuisine, and taste far better than another takeaway. These are tried-and-tested family favourites that tick all the boxes: quick, hearty, and properly satisfying.

Getting back into routine after the holidays or a busy spell can be tough – especially when you’re juggling work, school runs, homework and trying to get dinner on the table. The trick is to have a few go-to meals that are quick, easy and still taste like proper food.

This list is full of simple, no-faff meal ideas that are perfect for working mums who need to feed the family fast without resorting to takeaways every night.

What is in this list?

There are quick pasta wins like creamy salmon pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, or a proper cupboard classic – marmite pasta. If you want something cold and ready to go, the pasta salad with cucumbers or keto tuna salad are great for prepping ahead and pulling out when needed.

Wraps are always a hit – try the chicken salad wraps, vegan wraps or some crispy fried chicken wraps – easy to make and great for lunchboxes too.

For something with a bit more punch, healthy chicken fajitas are quick to cook and full of flavour, and the quick tuna pasta is a brilliant one for when you have no time and a hungry crowd. Fried rice or a piece of fried fish is also a great quick meal and satisfying.

And if you fancy a little snack or something different, the blue cheese pinwheels are great warm or cold and take minutes to prep.

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Getting back into routine doesn’t mean giving up on good food – it just means being clever with your time and knowing a few solid recipes to fall back on.

FAQ: What Are the Best Quick Dinner Ideas for Working Mums?

1. What can I make when I’ve only got 20 minutes?
Go for a stir-fry, pasta dish, or Chinese fried rice. They’re all fast, flexible, and require minimal prep.

2. How can I save time on weeknights?
Prep ingredients the night before – chop your veg, marinate your protein, or even pre-cook some grains. It’ll make dinner a five-minute job instead of a full-blown event.

3. What’s a healthy but easy meal after work?
Fried or grilled fish with veg ticks the healthy box without demanding too much effort. Balance protein, fibre, and flavour – that’s the sweet spot.

4. Any tips to stop resorting to takeaways?
Plan three “go-to” recipes that you know you can pull together fast. Keep your pantry stocked with essentials like pasta, tinned tomatoes, Mayo and spices – then you’re never caught off-guard.