Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

5041 recipes found

One-pot cheeseburger pasta

One-pot cheeseburger pasta

This is my favorite weeknight dinner when I want something satisfying but don't have much time to spend cooking. All the flavors of a classic cheeseburger come together in one pot, which means less cleanup for you and me both. The beef provides plenty of protein to keep you full, while the tomatoes add a burst of vitamins and antioxidants. Everything comes together in just 35 minutes from start to table, making it perfect for busy nights when you still want to serve something homemade and delicious that everyone will actually want to eat.

35 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
One-pot tomato orzo

One-pot tomato orzo

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something comforting but don't have time for fussing around with multiple pans. Everything comes together in one pot in just 30 minutes, and cherry tomatoes packed with lycopene make it feel like a proper meal even though it's ridiculously simple. Just soften the onion and garlic, add your orzo and stock, and let it all bubble away while you relax. The result is creamy, flavourful, and honest food that costs pennies to make. Top with fresh parsley and parmesan, and you've got something that tastes like you've put in way more effort than you actually have.

30 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Big-batch pressure cooker bolognese

Big-batch pressure cooker bolognese

This is my go to recipe when I need to feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. By using the pressure cooker, I've cut the traditional simmering time down to just 35 minutes, which means you can have a rich, deeply flavored bolognese ready for dinner in under an hour. The mushrooms add wonderful umami depth while boosting the nutritional value with B vitamins and antioxidants. The whole thing comes together with minimal fuss, and honestly, this big batch is perfect for freezing portions so you've got homemade comfort food on standby whenever you need it.

1 hr 15 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Cheat's ramen noodle soup

Cheat's ramen noodle soup

When I'm craving authentic ramen but don't have hours to simmer bone broth, this is my go to shortcut. Using quality chicken stock as your base means you can have a deeply flavoured, restaurant worthy bowl on the table in just 40 minutes without any fuss. The ginger is packed with anti inflammatory properties and really lifts the whole broth, while the five spice and Worcestershire sauce add layers of umami complexity that taste like you've been cooking all day. It's honestly one of the easiest ways to impress yourself with dinner, and because you're mostly just heating and combining ingredients, there's minimal cleanup involved too.

40 mins
Dairy-FreeNut-Free
Hearty pasta soup

Hearty pasta soup

This is my go to recipe when I want something comforting but don't have much time. It comes together in just 40 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. The beauty of this soup is how simple it is to throw together, plus it's incredibly budget friendly since it relies on pantry staples and frozen vegetables. Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's great for your heart health. The creamy tortellini makes it feel indulgent while the fresh basil adds a bright finishing touch that takes it from ordinary to something special.

40 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Steamed bao buns

Steamed bao buns

Making steamed bao buns at home is easier than you might think, and honestly, it's so much cheaper than buying them from a restaurant. I've simplified the traditional recipe to get fluffy, pillowy buns ready in about an hour using just basic pantry staples. The beauty of this method is that you don't need any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. The rice vinegar adds a subtle tang that keeps the dough tender, while the plain flour provides satisfying carbohydrates to fuel your day. Once you master this simple dough, you'll find yourself making these regularly for quick lunches or impressive snacks.

1 hr 4 mins
VegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Puy lentil, spiced roast carrot & feta salad

Puy lentil, spiced roast carrot & feta salad

This is my go to salad when I want something that feels special but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen. The beauty of it is that the lentils come pre cooked, so you're really just roasting some spiced carrots and throwing everything together. Puy lentils are wonderful because they hold their shape beautifully and pack so much protein and fibre, making this genuinely filling as a main course. The warm roasted carrots with cumin seeds against the cool, creamy feta creates this perfect contrast that keeps you coming back for another forkful. Ready in under 45 minutes from start to finish.

40 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Slow cooker leg of lamb

Slow cooker leg of lamb

There's nothing quite like coming home to the smell of slow cooked lamb that's been gently braising all day. This is my go to recipe when I want something impressive but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. The beauty of using a slow cooker is that it does almost all the work for you, and the long, gentle cooking makes even an affordable cut of lamb incredibly tender and flavourful. Red wine and fresh herbs create a rich sauce that's absolutely delicious, while the lamb itself provides excellent protein and iron to keep you energised. Just brown the meat, throw everything in the pot in the morning, and dinner practically cooks itself.

8 hrs 15 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Thai pork & peanut curry

Thai pork & peanut curry

This Thai pork and peanut curry is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in just 40 minutes start to finish. The beauty of peanut butter is that it creates an incredibly creamy, rich sauce without needing multiple ingredients or complicated techniques. Plus, peanuts are packed with protein and healthy fats, so you're getting real nutrition alongside pure comfort. The tender pork cooks quickly, and everything simmers together beautifully while you prep a side of jasmine rice. It's an impressive meal that feels restaurant quality but costs a fraction of the price, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something genuinely delicious without the stress.

40 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Beef curry

Beef curry

This beef curry is my go to dish when I want something deeply satisfying and comforting. It's wonderfully simple to throw together, just a matter of browning your meat and building flavors with aromatics and spices. The beauty of this recipe is that braising steak is affordable and becomes incredibly tender during the long, slow cook. Ginger, one of my favorite ingredients here, is packed with anti inflammatory properties that make it as good for your body as it is delicious. Once everything is simmering away, you can practically forget about it for two and a half hours while you get on with your day. Serve it with warm naan or fluffy rice for the ultimate comfort meal.

2 hrs 50 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
West Indian spiced aubergine curry

West Indian spiced aubergine curry

This West Indian spiced aubergine curry is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it comes together in just 45 minutes from start to table. The beauty of this dish is how the warm spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric transform humble aubergine into something truly special, and turmeric itself is packed with anti inflammatory benefits that make this feel like proper nourishing food. What I love most is that you probably have most ingredients already in your kitchen, and it won't break the bank either. Served over fluffy rice with a dollop of cooling yogurt, it's genuinely restaurant quality but surprisingly simple to make at home.

45 mins
Gluten-FreeVegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Old Delhi-style butter chicken

Old Delhi-style butter chicken

This is my go to recipe for a restaurant quality butter chicken that's actually quite straightforward to make at home. The beauty of this Old Delhi style version is that you marinate the chicken while you prepare the tomato sauce, so there's minimal active cooking time. Greek yogurt in the marinade not only tenderizes the meat beautifully but also adds protein and probiotics that aid digestion. Once everything comes together, you'll have that rich, creamy, deeply flavored sauce that tastes like it took all day to prepare, yet comes together in just over an hour from start to finish.

1 hr 50 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free