Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

5115 recipes found

Chickpea Laksa

Chickpea Laksa

My absolute favorite weeknight dinner is this chickpea laksa, and I'm so excited to share it with you. This aromatic Thai inspired soup comes together in less than an hour and costs just a few dollars to make, which is perfect for busy evenings. The best part is that chickpeas are packed with protein and fiber, keeping you satisfied long after dinner. The creamy coconut broth infused with red curry paste and fresh ginger creates restaurant quality flavors right in your own kitchen. Trust me, once you master this simple recipe, you'll be making it constantly.

45 mins
Dairy-Free
Chickpea Pho

Chickpea Pho

This chickpea pho is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something warm, aromatic, and totally satisfying. Traditional pho takes hours, but this version comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights. The best part? Chickpeas are packed with plant based protein and fiber, so you get a truly nourishing meal that keeps you full. Since everything relies on pantry staples and affordable ingredients, you won't break the bank either. The fragrant spices like star anise and cinnamon create that authentic pho essence, while fresh herbs bring it all to life. Trust me, once you make this, it becomes a kitchen favorite.

45 mins
Dairy-FreeVegan
Herb Empanadas

Herb Empanadas

These herb empanadas are one of my go to recipes when I want something impressive but honestly simple. Fresh spinach and herbs make them wonderfully nutritious, and spinach is packed with iron to keep your energy up. What I love most is how quick they come together in just 45 minutes total, and they're incredibly budget friendly since you probably have most ingredients at home already. The filling is bright and herbaceous, with a creamy ricotta base that makes each bite so satisfying. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding friends, these little pockets never disappoint.

45 mins
Vegetarian
Chilli Nachos

Chilli Nachos

My go to recipe for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen, these chilli nachos come together in just 45 minutes flat. Ground beef simmers with kidney beans, tomatoes, and warm spices to create a flavourful base that's loaded with fibre and protein from those beans. Layer everything on crispy tortilla chips and finish with melted cheddar, cool soured cream, and bright jalapeños for a seriously impressive dish that costs almost nothing to make. Everyone always comes back for seconds, and honestly, it's become my secret weapon for easy entertaining.

45 mins
Chargrilled pepper salad with spiced chicken

Chargrilled pepper salad with spiced chicken

This chargrilled pepper salad with spiced chicken is one of my go to weeknight dinners when I want something that tastes impressive but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen. The whole thing comes together in about 35 minutes, which means you can have it on the table on even the busiest evenings. I love how the warm spiced chicken sits on top of cool, smoky charred peppers and fresh herbs, creating this wonderful contrast of temperatures and flavors. The peppers are packed with vitamin C, which is brilliant for your immune system, and the lean chicken keeps things light and protein rich. Best of all, it's made from simple ingredients you probably already have at home, so there's no need for an elaborate shopping trip.

35 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Crispy seabass  with preserved lemon yogurt

Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt

This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in just ten minutes flat. Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt is that perfect balance of impressive and effortless, with tangy Greek yogurt and zingy preserved lemon creating a sauce that feels restaurant quality but tastes like home. The seabass gets beautifully golden and flaky while the freekeh provides substantial whole grains packed with fiber and protein. It's the kind of meal that makes you feel like you're treating yourself without any fuss.

10 mins
Gluten-FreeVegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Estonian-inspired haddock & mushroom gratin with dill & paprika

Estonian-inspired haddock & mushroom gratin with dill & paprika

This Estonian inspired haddock and mushroom gratin is one of those wonderful dishes that looks impressive but honestly couldn't be simpler to put together. The beauty of it is that you prep everything in just 15 minutes, then the oven does most of the work while you relax. I love how the earthy mushrooms and tender haddock nestle into creamy layers with potato, all warmed through with paprika and fresh dill. The soured cream and double cream create this luxurious sauce that's so comforting, and here's the bonus: haddock is packed with lean protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which are wonderful for your heart and brain. It's the kind of meal that feeds a crowd without fuss, using everyday ingredients that won't break the bank.

1 hr 30 mins
Gluten-FreeVegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Slow-cooked pork shoulder with peas & mint

Slow-cooked pork shoulder with peas & mint

This is one of my favorite dishes to make when I want something truly special without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of slow cooking a pork shoulder is that you simply set it and forget it, letting the oven do all the heavy lifting while you get on with your day. Fennel and caraway seeds give the meat an incredible depth of flavor, while fresh mint and peas brighten everything up at the end. Peas are wonderfully nutritious too, packed with fiber and protein to keep you satisfied. The whole thing comes together in just four hours, making it perfect for a relaxed weekend dinner or meal prep.

4 hrs 20 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Malloreddus pasta with no-cook tomato sauce

Malloreddus pasta with no-cook tomato sauce

Here's my favorite way to enjoy malloreddus, that wonderful ridged pasta from Sardinia. On warm evenings when I can't face turning on the oven, this is exactly what I make. The beauty of this dish is that you literally just cook the pasta while your sauce comes together in a bowl, so you're sitting down to eat in about twenty five minutes flat. Fresh tomatoes and basil make all the difference, and the olive oil carries such bright flavor. Plus, all that raw tomato means you're getting lycopene and vitamin C without any cooking destroying those nutrients. It's simple, it's quick, and it tastes like summer.

25 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Turkey meatballs with green couscous

Turkey meatballs with green couscous

Here's a recipe I absolutely love making on busy weeknights because it comes together in just forty minutes. Turkey meatballs with green couscous is one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for guests but honestly couldn't be simpler. The ground turkey keeps things light and lean, so you get all that protein without feeling heavy afterward. I combine it with crumbly feta and warm spices like allspice, then serve everything over fluffy couscous studded with peas, fresh herbs, and peppery rocket. The whole thing is nutritious, budget friendly, and requires barely any skill. Your kitchen will smell incredible, and you'll have a complete meal on the table before you know it.

40 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Linguine with ham hock, dill & fresh peas

Linguine with ham hock, dill & fresh peas

This is honestly one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in just fifteen minutes. The pulled ham hock does all the heavy lifting flavor wise, so you barely have to think about it. I love pairing it with fresh peas, which are packed with fiber and protein to keep you satisfied. The dill and mustard sauce brings everything together beautifully, while the courgette adds a lovely freshness. It's the kind of meal that tastes like you've fussed over it for hours, but really you're sitting down to eat before you know it.

15 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Spiced red lentil, turmeric and spring greens soup

Spiced red lentil, turmeric and spring greens soup

This vibrant soup has become my go to weeknight dinner because it's ready in under an hour and costs just pennies per bowl. Red lentils are packed with protein and fibre, making this a genuinely nourishing meal that keeps you satisfied for hours. The warm spices, turmeric in particular, give it an earthy comfort that feels like a proper hug in a bowl. Fresh spring greens add a peppery brightness at the end, while a squeeze of lime and swirl of yogurt lift everything beautifully. It's simple enough for a busy Tuesday but impressive enough to serve to friends.

50 mins
Gluten-FreeVegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free