Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

10053 recipes found

Basil pesto

Basil pesto

Making basil pesto at home is one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts. Fresh basil is packed with antioxidants that are wonderful for your body, and this vibrant sauce comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish. What I love most is how affordable it is to prepare, especially if you grow basil in a sunny windowsill or garden. A few simple ingredients transform into something so delicious that you'll wonder why you ever bought the jarred version. Whether you're tossing it with pasta, spreading it on sandwiches, or swirling it into soups, this homemade pesto tastes infinitely better than store bought and costs a fraction of the price.

20 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganEgg-Free
Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal

Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in under an hour and tastes absolutely delicious. The combination of warming spices, creamy lentils, and vibrant spinach makes it feel like proper comfort food, but it's actually packed with plant based protein and fiber. Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness and are loaded with beta carotene, which is brilliant for your immune system. Best of all, it's incredibly budget friendly and uses ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard. Serve it with rice or naan, and you've got a meal that feels restaurant quality without the fuss.

45 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeVegetarianVeganNut-FreeEgg-Free
Healthy tikka masala

Healthy tikka masala

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something truly satisfying yet genuinely good for me. Tikka masala doesn't have to be heavy or laden with cream, and this version proves it beautifully. By using ground almonds instead of cream, you get all that lovely richness plus a real nutritional boost, since almonds are packed with protein and healthy fats. The whole thing comes together in just under an hour, making it perfect for busy evenings, and the ingredient list is straightforward enough that you probably have most things at home already. Serve it over fluffy brown basmati rice and you've got a restaurant quality meal that won't leave you feeling sluggish afterward.

1 hr 5 mins
Gluten-FreeEgg-Free
Tuna, caper & chilli spaghetti

Tuna, caper & chilli spaghetti

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I need something quick and satisfying. The whole thing comes together in just 25 minutes, and honestly, it's so simple you barely need a recipe. I love that tuna is packed with omega 3 fatty acids which are brilliant for your heart and brain. The capers and chilli give it this incredible punch of flavour that makes you feel like you've spent ages cooking, and the lemon juice ties everything together beautifully. Plus, it's incredibly budget friendly since tinned tuna is always in my cupboard. Serve it with some fresh rocket or spinach and you've got a proper meal that tastes like you've made an effort.

25 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Chicken pasta bake

Chicken pasta bake

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners when I want something comforting but don't have hours to spend cooking. Chicken pasta bake comes together in just 75 minutes total and uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home, which keeps costs down. The tomatoes are absolutely packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's even more beneficial when cooked. I love how you can prep everything ahead and just pop it in the oven, making it perfect for busy evenings. The creamy mascarpone sauce combined with melted cheddar and mozzarella creates pure comfort food magic, and honestly, it tastes like you've spent way more effort than you actually have.

1 hr 15 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Speedy lentil coconut curry

Speedy lentil coconut curry

This speedy lentil coconut curry is my go to weeknight dinner when I need something wholesome on the table fast. With just twenty minutes of cooking time, it comes together quicker than you'd think, and the best part is it relies on simple pantry staples and frozen veg so there's minimal prep involved. Green lentils are packed with protein and fiber, making this a genuinely nourishing meal that keeps you satisfied, and the creamy coconut milk balances the warming spices beautifully. Serve it over brown rice with a dollop of yogurt for pure comfort in a bowl.

25 mins
Gluten-FreeVegetarianNut-FreeEgg-Free
Fajita-style pasta

Fajita-style pasta

You're going to love this one because it tastes like you've spent hours in the kitchen when really it comes together in just 35 minutes. I've taken all those amazing fajita flavours you get at restaurants and turned them into a creamy pasta dish that's honestly become a weeknight staple in my house. The chicken is lean protein that keeps you satisfied without weighing you down, and those colourful peppers add a real nutritional punch along with the warm spices. Best part? It's budget friendly and uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, so there's no fancy shopping list to worry about.

35 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Meatball black bean chilli

Meatball black bean chilli

This meatball black bean chilli is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something satisfying and genuinely quick to pull together. The beauty of it is that you're building incredible depth of flavor in just thirty minutes, with pantry staples doing most of the heavy lifting. Black beans are packed with fiber and protein, so this dish keeps you full without feeling heavy, and honestly it costs very little to make. The meatballs add richness while the cumin and smoked paprika create that warm, complex chilli taste you'd normally simmer for hours. Serve it over rice and you've got a complete meal that tastes like you've been cooking all day.

40 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake

Creamy salmon, leek & potato traybake

This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because everything cooks in one tray, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Salmon is packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are brilliant for your heart and brain, and when you roast it with creamy leeks and tender potatoes, it becomes something really special. The whole thing comes together in just 40 minutes, so it's perfect when you want something restaurant quality without the fuss. A simple rocket salad on the side rounds it out beautifully, and those capers add a lovely sharp bite that cuts through the richness.

40 mins
Gluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Veggie sausage casserole

Veggie sausage casserole

This veggie sausage casserole is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in just 80 minutes and honestly feels like comfort food at its finest. The beauty of this dish is how straightforward it is to make, and it's genuinely budget friendly since you're probably already stocking most of these ingredients. Butter beans are the star here, packed with fiber and plant based protein that keeps you satisfied long after dinner. I love how the smoked paprika and fennel seeds give the sausages an almost meaty depth, while fresh pesto stirred through at the end adds a bright, fresh finish. Serve it with warm crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that gorgeous tomato sauce, and you've got yourself a meal that feels way more impressive than the minimal effort required.

1 hr 20 mins
Nut-FreeEgg-Free
Chicken, leek & brown rice stir-fry

Chicken, leek & brown rice stir-fry

This is one of my go to weeknight dinners when I need something nutritious on the table fast. The beauty of it is that everything comes together in under twenty minutes, and those microwave rice pouches mean there's barely any extra washing up. I love loading it with kale because it's packed with iron and keeps me feeling full, while the chorizo adds serious flavor without needing much seasoning. The chicken stays tender and juicy when you slice it thin, and the leeks become sweet and mellow as they cook. It's genuinely one of those meals that feels indulgent but actually leaves you feeling great.

19 mins
Dairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-Free
Roasted carrot & whipped feta tart

Roasted carrot & whipped feta tart

This is one of my go to tarts when I want something that looks impressive but doesn't require much fussing around. Roasted carrots get sweet and tender while you prep everything else, and the whipped feta is so creamy you'd never guess it's actually quite good for you with all that protein and probiotics from the yogurt. The whole thing comes together in about an hour and uses just a block of puff pastry to do the heavy lifting, so there's minimal skill required. It's perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping, and honestly tastes even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to get cozy together.

1 hr 20 mins
Vegetarian