One Shop, 5 Dinners #2: Simple Weeknight Dinners
One trip to the grocery store. Five completely different dinners. No second stops, no specialty ingredients, no midweek panic about what to cook. That’s the concept behind One Shop 5 Dinners and this is the second edition.
If you missed edition one (meatballs, fish tacos, parmesan chicken, teriyaki stir fry and beef arayes), start there. This edition covers a completely different set of meals: a quick baked fish, a pasta night, the ultimate comfort food combo, a warming chilli and a Friday night burger that beats takeout. Every recipe uses everyday ingredients and the whole week comes from one shopping trip.
The 5 Dinners
Masala Baked Fish
A fragrant spice rub, a piece of fish and about 20 minutes in the oven. This is the lightest, fastest dinner of the week and a great way to start. The spices do all the work and the result tastes like far more effort than it actually was. Serve with rice and a simple salad or whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Pork Sausage Meatballs with Spaghetti
The shortcut here is using good quality pork sausages and squeezing the meat straight from the casings. The seasoning is already done for you: herbs, spices, all built into the sausage. Roll into balls, brown, simmer in a simple tomato sauce and toss through spaghetti. More flavorful than plain mince meatballs and half the effort.
Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
A rich, smooth tomato soup and a golden, buttery, crispy grilled cheese for dipping. It’s simple, it’s cheap and it’s one of those meals that punches so far above its weight in terms of comfort and satisfaction.
Meal Prep Tip: Make the soup, freeze it and just defrost and warm through on the night.
Chilli Con Carne with Jalapeño Cheese Bread
A rich, smoky chilli loaded with beef, beans and warm spices. Good on its own. Incredible with a crusty loaf studded with jalapeños and sharp cheddar for tearing and scooping. The combination of spicy, cheesy bread with a bowl of rich chilli is the kind of pairing that just makes sense.
Meal prep tip: Make the chilli and the bread ahead. The chilli lasts for up to 3 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer. The bread dough is best when it’s given at least 24 hours to cold ferment in the fridge.
Chicken Burgers with Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Peri peri marinated chicken, toasted buns, all the toppings, crispy air fryer wedges and a spicy mayo that ties the whole thing together. This is the Friday night takeout fake-out that’s better than the real thing and costs a fraction of the price. The wedges come out of the air fryer golden and crispy on the outside with a fluffy center that beats any fast food fry.
Meal prep tip: I marinated the chicken on Monday and popped them in the freezer. Friday morning I took them out and allowed them to thaw then threw them onto a hot grill pan. The wedges are quickly sliced and the air fryer does all the work. Effortless Friday dinner!
Tips for One Shop 5 Dinners
- Check what you already have. Before you write the shopping list, check your pantry for spices, oils, pasta, rice and canned goods. You probably already have half the staples these recipes need.
- Buy the proteins first. Fish, sausages, ground beef and chicken are the core of this week. Build the shopping list around them and fill in the vegetables, dairy and pantry items after.
- Prep what you can on Sunday. The chilli can be made entirely ahead and reheated (it tastes better the next day). The chicken can be marinated and frozen on Monday. The tomato soup can be made ahead and reheated. A little Sunday prep makes the actual weeknights significantly faster.
- Swap freely. If your family doesn’t eat fish, swap the masala baked fish for another quick protein. If you prefer beef meatballs over sausage, go for it. The framework matters more than the specific recipes. One shop, five dinners, your way.