While the argument as to what is Australia’s national dish will always rage (is it roast lamb, green chicken curry or a barramundi burger)? One thing is for sure, zucchini slice is hands-down the national food of the home cook.Your lamb, barra and curry may turn up on the menu of a restaurant, but our favourite savoury slice never will. It’s too humble. It just moseys its way into lunch boxes, dinners and even canapes. There’s a reason zucchini slice is taste.com.au’s most popular recipe of all time - it’s simpler than a quiche, tastier than an omelette, and it just works.Why this is our favourite zucchini slice recipeThis particular zucchini slice recipe is without doubt the best we’ve tasted (and we’ve tried a lot over the years). Originally submitted by Artarmon Public School in Sydney, it not only has the endorsem*nts of more than 1,000 reviewers, but it’s also been tasted by school kids and the taste team’s tough food critics alike.It manages to pack a big flavour and protein punch with just a handful of ingredients - eggs, zucchini, bacon, cheese and a few other staples - proving it’s totally possible to make a meal that can feed a whole family from pretty much nothing.Want to get the best results from this recipe? When we make this zucchini slice (and between us we must've made it hundreds of times) we always ensure we squeeze out the moisture from the zucchini really well to prevent the slice turning out too moist or stodgy. Check out the notes at the bottom of this recipe for more no-fail tips on getting the best results.Want to change up your zucchini slice? Our vegetarian zucchini slice recipe is a great option if you're going meat-free. We've also got plenty of recipe ideas for zucchini slice with a twist to help you experiment with ingredients and flavours.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
The beauty of a creamy pumpkin soup (and this classic pumpkin soup recipe in particular) is that it’s so versatile and forgiving. It’s one of the easiest meals to make with just a handful of ingredients, and it’s almost impossible to mess up. We love easy soup recipes, and know our community of home cooks do too.The author, Valli Little, originally created this creamy pumpkin soup recipe way back in 2004 and it was passed on to us here at taste.com.au as one of the first pumpkin soup recipes we ever published online. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular creamy pumpkin soup recipes in Australia, with more than 350 rave reviews to date.What makes this our best easy pumpkin soup recipe?It’s creamy without being heavy, delicately spiced without being spicy, and hearty without being too rich. Pretty much everything we look for in a pumpkin soup (and we’ve tried a lot of pumpkin soup recipes over the years!).To get the most out of this creamy pumpkin soup, ensure you soften the onion and leek until they just start to release some of their juices and flavours, but don’t go so far as to let them caramelise. This gives the soup a subtle sweetness of flavour without any bitterness. While some recipes use coconut milk, in this recipe we use thin cream instead of coconut milk to achieve a luscious consistency. Serve pumpkin soup with a satisfyingly crusty piece of bread. If you like, you can sprinkle your soup with chilli flakes (or cayenne pepper) or a pinch of smoked paprika.If you're not sure how best to cut and prep your pumpkin (be it butternut squash or another time of pumpkin) for your soup, check out our video guide at the bottom of the method steps.We also have a flavourful vegan pumpkin soup recipe for those who prefer a dairy-free soup. Looking for more easy soup recipe ideas? Try our 15-minute chicken and corn noodle soup. You could also make pumpkin soup in a slow cooker.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Fried rice is a staple of Aussie takeaway. We love fried rice. And, while we might all have our favourite restaurant that makes Chinese fried rice just the way we like it, satisfying fried rice and egg fried rice is a dish that is easy to replicate at home.In this super simple version we use pantry and fridge staples, but the beauty of basic fried rice recipes is that you can always adjust the ingredients based on what you happen to have on hand at any given time.Have some sesame oil and oyster sauce on hand? Brilliant! (We've listed vegetable oil here, but sesame oil brings extra flavour to your plate, as does a splash of oyster sauce or fish sauce). A great way to use up leftover veggies and protein, fried rice recipes can be bolstered with plenty of healthy ingredients and can easily be made vegetarian or vegan.Of course, you can use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) or low sodium soy sauce instead and still create a flavourful fried rice. You could also jazz things up with kimchi to make a kimchi fried rice. We form an omelette with the eggs to mix through our rice, but you could always create a scrambled eggs texture, if you prefer.What makes this our best fried rice?Our best fried rice recipe contains only a handful of ingredients and ensures making fried rice is simple, which means that kids love it and can have fun cooking fried rice (making it a family-friendly dinner option). It's also a great way to use up any freshly cooked rice that's been leftover from the night before. If you'd like to make a low FODMAP version of this fried rice, check out our tips in the Notes section of this recipe.Once you've mastered how to cook fried rice and egg fried rice, explore more fried rice goodness and check out our best easy fried rice recipes and 15 fabulous fried rice recipes all in one place, including our healthy, oven-baked, one-tray fried rice and this healthy fried rice with egg, for your weeknight convenience!Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
A classic British and Irish dish that’s loved the world over, shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food.What's in a shepherd's pie?Made with lamb mince, a rich gravy and buttery, creamy mashed potatoes, this recipe has all the elements for a perfect slow Sunday dinner and is on the table in just over an hour. We love the addition of Worcestershire sauce as it brings a deep umami flavour and a sweet, tangy and spicy punch all at once. And, you get your vegies with shepherd's pie recipe, with frozen peas, carrot and celery dappled throughout. Bay leaves bolster the flavours further, and a dollop of tomato paste completes the well-rounded lamb meat mixture. The whole family is destined to be delighted by this classic and, dare we say, best shepherds pie recipe with its potato topping.This golden brown mash-topped dish is nearly impossible to resist. And, if you love a warming comfort dish, you'll love our variations on this classic recipe, too. Try our beef shepherd's pie, a vegetarian shepherd's pie (that's actually vegan too), our much-loved easy shepherd's pie, and these individual pies.
Don’t let the name deceive you: this ham and cheese quiche recipe is actually incredibly possible to make. Not all quiche recipes are created equal, and this impossible quiche recipe is simple, quick and full of nutritious, everyday ingredients.How does an impossible quiche recipe work?What we love about this impossible quiche recipe is that it requires no puff pastry base or pie crust. You simply mix all the ingredients together, pour the egg mixture into the pie dish and et voila, during cooking a quiche with golden edges forms as if by magic. No pie crust required! Making quiche needn't be hard, when you have a classic quiche recipe on hand. While quiche lorraine might be a go-to for many (and we love a quiche lorraine too), an impossible quiche recipe is even easier and speedier to make at home. And, while we love a good pie crust, a crustless quiche saves time and money. Win, win.Why is this such an easy crustless quiche recipe?For this reason, and the fact it needs only 10 minutes to prep and a handful of ingredients, this crustless quiche has easily become one of our favourite easy quiche recipe dinners, a brunch menu go-to, and best lunchbox fillers to make. What’s more, you can this dish ahead and freeze it for up to 2 months. What's not to love about an easy quiche recipe with grated cheddar cheese, onion and diced ham? Yum. Serve hot and golden brown, or cooled as a leftover lunch with salad.Cheddar cheese makes a great tasty addition to this crustless quiche recipe, which has received 5 stars from more than 270 home cooks. Minimal prep, 5 stars, on the table in under an hour? That's what midweek dinner dreams are made of. And, if you like a little extra kick, you can drizzle with hot sauce, sprinkle in green onions or add fresh herbs, Swiss cheese or goat cheese. It really is a great recipe, and incredibly versatile. Bake until golden brown and you have yourself a delicious meal at any time of day.For more quiche inspiration, check out our collection of best-ever quiche recipes, our best quiche lorraine recipe, and our sweet take on the impossible quiche with this butterscotch version.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Fall in love at first bite with our favourite lasagne recipe. With layer upon layer of ground beef mince meat sauce, pasta, and creamy cheesy sauce, this comforting lasagne (or lasagna, for those in the US) is a warm hug on a plate.Originally developed by Sarah Hobbs and re-tested by Alison Adams, this delicious recipe has been absolutely perfected.What's our secret to our best lasagne recipe?There are many good reasons this particular lasagne recipe has become so beloved. The addition of wine in the meat sauce makes it super flavourful, while the layering of pasta (or 'lasagna noodles' for those in the US!) with mozzarella makes for the perfect 'cheese pull moment' (watch our video to witness it in action). But if we were to pick one thing that makes this lasagne recipe stand out above all others, it’s the luscious bechamel. A good homemade bechamel base or 'cheese sauce' takes time, but it’s worth it for the extra depth of flavour it brings.The best thing about a rich Italian ragu lasagne is that it tastes even better the next day, even when heated in the microwave. This recipe is also freezer-friendly and will keep for up to 3 months in an airtight container. You can wrap individual portions in freezer wrap, ready to take out for a quick and easy dinner-for-one or to create some lunch envy in the workplace.This amazing lasagne recipe, with its rich tomato sauce, is an absolute favourite among the taste.com.au team (hence the name!), but don’t just take my word for it: our members are raving about it too. One reviewer even said she made it for her husband “who grew up eating lasagna his Italian mother cooked him” (no pressure!) and “he thoroughly enjoyed” it. Fewf (wipes brow). With a 4.5-star rating and multiple rave reviews, it’s safe to say this recipe is now an adopted Aussie classic.Feeding a crowd? check out the vegetarian lasagne recipe that even meat lovers will swoon over, and our collection of more delicious lasagne recipes.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Thai cuisine is one of contrasts and Thai beef salad is a perfect example. In the dressing alone, sweet meets salty, spicy and sour and in the salad intense chilli meets gentle aromatic herbs and cooling cucumber, all coming together in perfect harmony.A much loved and ordered restaurant item, this Thai beef salad recipe brings this heavenly dish into your own home. The secret? While most Thai beef salad recipes just season and grill the meat, this recipe uses the ingenious trick of marinating it in half of the dressing. This not only flavours and tenderises the meat, but the palm sugar in the dressing helps caramelise the surface. Known as yum nua, this Thai beef salad is easy enough to be cooked as a weeknight dinner, but also special enough to be served as part of a Thai banquet.
Retro is back, baby! At last, I can make my shameful curried sausages love public. As a meal, it has enough kick to know you’re alive, but it’s not too spicy for kids, making it an ideal midweek dinner for families – and it’s pretty easy on the budget too! There's a reason this curried sausages recipe has scored 5 stars from more than 130 people. It's absolutely delicious! Better yet, ingredients for curried sausages are easy to find in your pantry (we're looking at you, Keens curry powder), teamed with a handful of fresh ingredients including carrots and peas (and perhaps some creamy mashed potato, to serve).Why is this the best curried sausages recipe?When craving curried sausages, this is the recipe I always use. The natural sweetness of carrots coupled with the fruity chutney (the secret to our delicious tasty mild curry sauce!) is a perfect match for the piquant curry powder and hearty sausages. Curried sausages can be served with rice (as a nod to curry) or mashed potato (hello bangers)! My guilty pleasure, however, is serving it with the sausage already cut up, in a bowl, with thick slices of buttered bread, on the couch!Hungry for more curried sausages recipe inspiration? Try our budget-friendly French onion curried sausages recipe, this easy curried sausages tray bake recipe, these clever curried sausage rolls, and for the die-hard curried sausages fan, here's our curried sausages cob loaf recipe (take this to your next gathering!).
There’s nothing we love more than a speedy, easy and healthy dinner, which is why we’re always in the mood for a chicken stir-fry. Whether you’re short on time, looking to empty out the vegetables in your fridge, or you just want to eat cleaner, chicken stir frys are a great all-in-one staple meal that even the kids will love.What makes this such a great easy chicken stir-fry recipe?The best part about stir-fries is that anyone can make them, regardless of cooking abilities. But this chicken stir-fry recipe is one we find ourselves coming back to again and again when we crave a healthy, easy meal during the mid-week dinner rush. Ready in 30 minutes, our easy chicken stir-fry uses a range of colourful vegies, tender chicken breast, and a salty, sweet Asian-inspired sauce. Not to mention it has an 8.4 health star rating, making it great for those following a lower-calorie diet.For more speedy and healthy dinner inspo, try these vegie-filled vegetarian stir-fries, these easy chicken dinners and our top 100 healthy recipes of all time.And, see some delicious stir-fry recipe ideas for varying your dinners, in our recipe notes below.Additional recipe notes from Alison Adams - Recipes Editor and Food Writer
San choy bau is a dish embraced by all ages. Sweet, sour and salty flavours meet tender, crispy and crunchy textures all wrapped up like a present! Our san choy bau recipe brings this Chinese restaurant classic into your own home. Umami-rich oyster and soy sauces flavour soft and juicy pork mince and contrast against the tender-crisp pop of bean sprouts and crunch of peanuts. And who doesn’t love having to eat with your fingers! - Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
What is it about butter chicken (or murgh makhani in Hindi) that makes it loved by children and adults alike? Butter chicken sauce is like a big hug. A must-order item on an Indian restaurant menu, this home-cooked version has all the same complexity of flavour, yet it’s so simple to make yourself. Tender chicken bathes in a tomato sauce flavoured with sweet spices such as cumin, coriander and garam masala, and it’s finished with a generous slug of cream.So what makes our best butter chicken recipe such a delicious curry? In any authentic butter chicken, the chicken is left to marinate in a mixture of yoghurt and spices for hours before cooking. The yoghurt makes the chicken super tender, while the spices penetrate it and give it much more depth of flavour. Of course, butter chicken sauce isn’t made from just butter, it's made up of a beautiful blend of rich ingredients, the yoghurt from the marinade, stock, tomato and cream.I recommend serving this version of butter chicken the traditional way with steamed basmati rice and naan.If you love butter chicken, try out butter chicken pie, butter chicken pizza and creamy butter chicken served in a crispy roti.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Hear me out when I suggest pea and ham soup is the Ugg Boot of the soup world. It may not look the prettiest, but it provides warmth and comfort like nothing else. The holy trinity of onion, carrot and celery forms the aromatic base for this perfect pea and ham soup recipe. Tiny split peas slowly break down in water flavoured with the aromatics and an umami-packed ham hock. The secret ingredient here? Time. Simmering for more than 2 hours allows the hock to soften until fork-tender and falling from the bone. It also allows the starches in the peas to be released into the soup, creating a creamy taste and texture. This pea and ham soup is so tasty it’s enough to make you yearn for winter at any time of the year. You can also pop this set-and-forget slow cooker pea and ham soup on and come home to a warming bowl of ready-made soup. Seeking more soup ideas? We’ve gathered together 67 warming winter soup recipes that aren’t pumpkin based.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
We throw tradition to the wind with our speedy spaghetti carbonara recipe, with some sneaky shortcuts for time-poor cooks. It may taste exactly like the real deal, but this carbonara sauce has some secrets behind its glossy surface, proving some rules are just begging to be broken.What's the secret behind this easy spaghetti carbonara recipe?Beloved my many, our easy carbonara recipe is one of Australia’s most popular recipes, and we know exactly why it's become the stuff of weeknight legend. We do the thing your nonna told you not to: we add cream. And yet, although it breaks from the traditional Italian recipe, it’s all for a delicious reason. We promise. Traditional carbonara recipes require a degree of technique (for example, adding ingredients at just the right temperature and time) and quality (read: expensive) ingredients, which just aren’t ideal for regular weeknights. That’s why we like to add thickened cream to our carbonara recipe with cream. A cheaper supermarket ingredient that ensures a velvety, indulgent sauce that will rival a restaurant-made spaghetti carbonara, a splash of cream means dinner's ready in 12 minutes! This carbonara recipe is one of the quickest you’ll come across. Here's to making weeknights simpler (without compromising on flavour). Go on, break the rules. We won't tell.Here's some other old-school favourites we've made simpler. More time to spare? Try our slow-cooker carbonara recipe, too!Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Spaghetti bolognese, or spag bol, as it's affectionately known in Australia, is what most of us would consider to be the quintessential Italian meal. However, In Italy, the thick, slow-cooked Bolognese sauce is usually served with flat pasta or in a lasagne. This spaghetti bolognese recipe really is a great recipe. It's absolutely delicious, and here's why we love it so.Why is this our favourite spaghetti bolognese recipe?Our version starts with a soffritto mix of finely chopped onion, celery and carrot (plus garlic) and is flavoured further by diced tomatoes, oregano and nutmeg. This particular spaghetti bolognese recipe is diabetes-friendly, making it suitable for everyone's dinner. It's easy to make spaghetti bolognese at home on any night of the week, and you can freeze the ground beef meat mixture for future use. You'll thank yourself later! Our best spaghetti bolognese recipe (and yes, that's a big call) is one kids will love, adults will crave and ticks the nutritional boxes!If this classic spaghetti bolognese is a favourite in your home, you're bound to adore our easy spaghetti bolognese bake, this 5-ingredient bolognese rice bake (a total midweek saviour!), our cheesy spaghetti bolognese pie, our garlic bread spaghetti carbonara, and this collection of budget-friendly pasta recipes.
Along with minestrone, pumpkin and chicken, potato and leek soup is up there as one of the classics. And is it any wonder: it’s warming, nourishing and super easy to make. Unlike other potato and leek soup recipes, our version only requires a handful of ingredients. It starts with an aromatic base of garlic and onion (like so many traditional French recipes do), with potato, leek, stock and cream added after. Just remember, if you are making this ahead, only add the cream just before serving so it doesn’t curdle. We’ve provided two options and instructions for blending your soup - a blender and a stick blender - to help prevent it from going slimy. What we love about potato and leek soup is it’s a great way to up you and your family’s vegetable intake, as well as add your own variations (we even like to add bacon at times).
Nachos are one of the best comfort foods out there - the crunch of the corn chips, scooping up fragrant and flavourful ground beef and salsa, and who could forget about delicious, stringy pulls of cheese!It’s so tempting to just order from one of the many Mexican chains out there, but the cost per serve and delivery fees motivate me to make my own. Lucky for you, with this easy beef nacho recipe, you’ll be able to use a bunch of on-hand ingredients to make it and there’s only three steps before you can enjoy a big bowl for dinner!How do you serve nachos?Finish off your beef nachos with salsa, avocado, sour cream and coriander for the ultimate dinner winner. Of course, you can add heat with some jalapeños too. Put the tray of nachos on a heatproof board or trivet on your table and watch eyes light up at the ultimate share dish arriving.Taste.com.au is home to many enticing nacho recipes. Try our tray-bake nachos, easy tuna nachos, these loaded nacho fries for a fun twist, or our outrageous cheeseburger nachos. There are plenty of veggie versions too if ground beef isn't your style. Just don't forget the guac!Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Most of the classic Italian dishes are steeped in frugality. Known as cucina povera – meaning ‘peasant food’ or ‘poor kitchen’ - with this style of cooking nothing is wasted. Stale bread turns up in a panzanella, leftover cooked pasta is used in a frittata, and those jars or cans of tuna, capers and anchovies can be used to make a classic puttanesca sauce. This classic minestrone soup recipe is one for the ages. It's comforting, warming, full of healthy ingredients and is hearty enough to feed a crowd.What is minestrone?Minestrone soup is another fine example of this practical form of cooking. Laying somewhere between a soup and a stew, minestrone is more of a guide than a recipe. Always nourishing and simple to prepare, it opens itself to using whatever you have in the pantry or crisper drawer (see more about this below). Whatever you use, minestrone is a hearty, homey, bowl of goodness that costs next to nothing and is all cooked in the one pot. Our minestrone is also low in fat and high in fibre, making it nutritious as well as highly delicious and is ideal for dinners or a weekend lunch served with some crusty bread.Love a bulked-up, budget-friendly minestrone soup recipe? Try this vegetarian minestrone soup, our meatball minestrone soup recipe, this spring-inspired green minestrone with whipped lemon fetta and this cheesy, garlic-bread-topped version.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
I think of beef stroganoff as having the warm comforting taste of a slow-cooked stew with the cooking style of a stir-fry. In this beef stroganoff recipe, thinly sliced beef is sauteed until just sealed, but still rare (and never chewy!). Out of the pan it goes then in goes the onion and mushrooms, cooked until just tender. The beef stroganoff sauce flavours are then built up with tomato paste and mustard, and finished off with velvety tangy crème fraîche (but you can use sour cream, if you prefer). The result? Beefy, creamy deliciousness in only 25 minutes. What do you serve with beef stroganoff?Beef stroganoff was originally served with roast potatoes or mashed potatoes, but you can also serve beef stroganoff with buttery pasta or egg noodles, ready to soak up the gorgeous creamy sauce. Is time on your side? Why not try our slow cooker beef stroganoff so you can set and forget and it’ll be ready in time for dinner (our slow cooker beef stroganoff is one of our most popular beef stroganoff recipe). There are also plenty more beef stroganoff recipes to choose from, including healthy versions, of beef stroganoff, our enticing beef stroganoff rissoles and even a beef stroganoff cob loaf!Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
When done right, a beef burger is food for the soul, but so often the burger you order can be a massive disappointment: dense bread with a dry patty, limp lettuce and not nearly enough sauce. Take all the guesswork out of the equation and start making your own burgers at home. This is our fail-proof beef burger recipeWith this foolproof recipe we give you all the tips and tricks to creating mouth-wateringly good beef burgers every time. Lightly toasted buns are spread with piquant American mustard that anchors the lettuce and tomato, ready to be topped with a perfectly seasoned, juicy beef patty, covered with tangy cheddar cheese. The genius trick in this beef burger recipe is that the onion is grated, rather than chopped, before being added to the mince. The juice from the onion both seasons the mince while adding moisture. This prevents the burger drying out. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend barbecue, this basic beef burger recipe proves that true greatness often lies in simplicity. Want a beef burger but want to make it a little bit healthier? Our low-fat healthier cheeseburger has less fat and more fibre than the regular version, but it’s still big on flavour. We’ve also got loads more burger recipe ideas, so you can find the burger for you – whether it’s gourmet or basic, and for meat lovers or vegetarians.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
This simple & tasty chilli con carne dish makes for great leftovers the next day.
I love it when I have recipes in my repertoire that are easy enough for a mid-week meal, yet I can also serve it to guests (they don’t have to know it’s easy, right?). This is one of my favourites. First thing to love about this creamy chicken pesto pasta recipe is that it’s made in only one pan! The pasta is cooked, drained and then it goes straight back into the pot. In go the remaining ingredients and voila! Dinner is on the table. Another thing to love is that it uses ready-made supermarket ingredients; a roasted chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and bought pesto, yet when it’s all tossed together it tastes restaurant quality. Also, this is a really versatile recipe. You can double the pesto and get rid of the cream or serve it without the chicken for a hearty vegetarian main. - Alison Adams, Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Zucchini fritters are a delicious and easy way to use up your summer squash excess. These crispy fritters are a perfect side dish, appetiser, or even a light lunch. The shredded zucchini soaks up the herbs and spices to give you a bite that is just bursting with flavour.The best thing about this recipe is how simple it is to make. In just two steps you have gorgeous, golden brown zucchini fritters. And, while this recipe is guaranteed to work as is, feel free to add your own twist.Lots of our reviewers have already tried experimenting with some other ingredients: chilli flakes, oregano, ground cumin, paprika and corn - nothing’s off limits! What’s more, the ingredients are ones that you often find in your pantry, meaning there’s no need for a last-minute panicked dash to the shops!Love a fritter dinner? Here's 50 fantastic fritter recipes for your fritter fix. And, you could also try our air fryer fritters too.
A basic risotto recipe is a must in every cook's repertoire and this one tastes great - it's bursting with fresh herbs. Pour a glass of wine and sip while you stir until your risotto is creamy and al dente.
Packed with veggies, this lasagne makes a hearty weeknight dinner.
Get the kids to eat their vegetables in these tasty sausage rolls.
If there’s one meal that gets everyone’s approval in the family, it has to be corn fritters. It’s not surprising really: the sweetness from the corn and tang from the feta, the crisp edge after cooking and, of course, that fluffy, airy inside. What we love about our corn fritter recipe is that it’s the perfect base to add your own variations. You can replace the canned corn for creamed corn (keep in mind this may make the batter more liquidy) or use fresh corn straight from the cob. Some of our readers even like to switch out one can of corn for chopped capsicum and zucchini. When it comes to serving, the corn fritters pair perfectly with condiments like sweet chilli sauce and ingredients such as avocado and a sharp bite of rocket. - Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Whenever I got sick as a kid, Mum would always offer to make me a bowl of chicken and sweet corn soup. While some may say it’s a placebo effect, I believe that this bowl of soup is a miracle worker. The subtly salty chicken consomme is infused with sesame oil, soy sauce and ginger (which has numerous health benefits) and the flavour profile gets even more complex thanks to the sweet flavours of creamed corn and the addition of savoury egg whites and ham. To me though, it truly just tastes like nostalgia. One of my favourite things about this soup is how quick and easy it is to prepare, even with the added ingredients that aren’t usually found in a traditional chicken and sweet corn soup! Even when I’m not sick, I often find myself turning to this recipe when I need a bit of a pick-me-up.There’s a reason that so many people turn to chicken soup - it really does warm both your stomach and your soul.
I can see the purists out there raising their fists. Yes, I know, I know - carbonara recipes don’t traditionally have cream in them! But depending on my mood I sometimes like to add it. When I’m calm and focussed, I go the authentic route; where hot pasta is added to a mixture of egg and finely grated parmesan and gently tossed off the heat until a silky sauce forms, lightly covering the pasta strands. It’s not necessarily difficult, you just have to ensure the eggs aren’t over or under cooked.Some nights when craving the umami bomb that is carbonara without the guesswork I turn to this recipe. It’s perfect! The clever addition of cream stabilises the egg mixture, giving you the authentic taste with a safety net!Seeking further carbonara inspiration? Try this spaghetti carbonara next.
Ahh, tuna bake. Where would we be without it? Ticking all the boxes: simple, budget-friendly, family friendly and made from at-hand ingredients, this tuna bake recipe’s one of my favourites. It’s carby, creamy and cheesy but with a couple of substitutes that creates a better-for-you version. The milk and cheese are both low fat and the tuna is packed in springwater, not oil. And yet, full fat salted butter adds flavour, rounding out the other dairy products. This is a tuna bake for all the family. There are no vegetables for the fussy eaters, but you can serve it with a salad or a bowl of steamed greens. I love the way the tiny flakes of tuna find their way into the macaroni pasta and that it’s on the table in just over half an hour. This tuna bake also freezes perfectly and is excellent eaten hot or cold the next day for lunch. Love this recipe? Try your hand at these fabulous, kid-friendly pasta bakes to please all ages, this much-loved healthy tuna mornay bake or this better-for-you tuna pasta bake with tomato. Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Get a taste of Asia's south-east with every bite of this easy pad Thai recipe. Making pad Thai at home might just be simpler than you'd expect, and this pad Thai recipe has all the hallmark flavours of a traditional Thai cooking. It really is an amazing recipe - be it a weeknight delight or a dinner party pleaser.Why is this our go-to easy pad Thai recipe?This pad Thai recipe sees you get your Thai take-away fix at home! Few dishes boast the flavour of a tangy pad Thai sauce covering flat rice noodles. Combining chicken and prawns, this delicious noodle dish with its flavourful pad Thai sauce is jam-packed full of nutty, salty and sweet goodness, thanks to the addition of peanuts, brown sugar and fish sauce (the ultimate pad Thai sauce combination, in our humble opinions!).This pad Thai recipe includes chilli in the pad Thai sauce, but feel free to add as much or as little as you like depending on your spice preference!Love a flavourful noodle recipe? Try our sticky pork pad Thai, our vegetarian pad Thai recipe with firm tofu, this spicy prawn pad Thai for those who like it hot, our delicious pad Thai egg rolls, and our pad Thai rice recipe (complete with pad Thai sauce).
History is dotted with references to chicken soup. Since the 2nd century AD, different cultures simultaneously realised that chicken plus water and a handful of vegetables equalled flavour, comfort and a general feeling of well-being.What makes this our best homemade chicken soup recipe?With this express chicken soup recipe, we skip the simmering-a-whole-chicken-in-water bit, instead poaching thigh fillets creating a full-flavoured chicken broth in half the time. With spicy whole peppercorn and a final flourish of fresh parsley, this chicken soup recipe will warm the co*ckles of your heartDiscover more of our favourite chicken soup recipe ideas, including a wonderful chicken noodle soup, and dive into our slow-cooker chicken soup recipes (well, not literally of course).Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Growing up in the country, the Sunday roast was a year-round ritual. As the weather started cooling though, this roast would often be swapped for corned beef, or silverside as we called it. Mum would put it on early in the morning and let it simmer away as we did our Sunday jobs, preparing for another school week. These are the happy memories that play in my mind as I prepare this perfect corned beef recipe. It offers all the nostalgia I crave, fork-tender beef infused with a salt and peppery flavour, swimming in a rich and silky white sauce.New and improved corned beef recipeThere is a subtle twist in this corned beef. A whole head of garlic is halved and added to the cooking broth, where it simmers, gently infusing the stock with a subtle spicy taste. This flavour is carried over when the stock is added to the creamy sauce. We serve our corned beef with wintery turnips, but feel free to swap these for a buttery potato mash. Check out our recipe notes below the method to find out what you can do with your leftover corned beef. Want to set and forget? Try our slow cooker corned beef with mustard sauce. We’ve also got plenty of slow-cooked beef recipes to satisfy all your hearty dinner cravings.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
You had us at ‘garlic prawns,’ then we read ‘creamy’ (swoon) and, finally, we learnt this recipe takes only 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, and we were head over heels. We love learning from our readers and this recipe from Taste reader ‘KRISSSY86’ has become a favourite of ours. When it comes to enticing kitchen aromas, garlic sizzling in a pool of butter is top tier, and these two ingredients form the base of this restaurant-quality, creamy garlic prawns recipe. Then, we elevate matters with a splash of floral white wine and a generous pour of cream. No hard-to-find ingredients are required here – just a handful of chopped, fresh parsley to give the dish a final boost. The ease of this creamy garlic prawns recipe makes it suitable for a midweek meal, served simply with steamed rice. And yet, its elegance steers it into dinner party territory, perhaps tossed with angel hair pasta to create an indulgent entrée. We know how much our home cooks adore our prawn starter recipes. And, just a couple of extra ingredients transforms this culinary concept into a creamy Tuscan garlic prawn recipe.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester.
The perfect baked potatoes are slightly crispy on the outside and soft in the interior. Try them with these topping suggestions or try a few combinations of your own.
Paella is one of the most loved (and well-known) dishes of Spain, and for good reason; it’s packed full of flavour, it’s filling, and can be customisable depending on what proteins and vegies you have on hand. At its core, a homemade paella is a delicious rice dish loaded with all the good stuff: think capscicum, tomato, parsley and a gentle sprinkling of spices. We also use turmeric to give this simple paella recipe its signature yellow rice hue. Chicken and chorizo form the meaty components in this paella recipe, but once you have your simple paella recipe base, you can play with your choice of add-ins.Why is this our best easy paella recipe?We’ve simplified the traditional paella recipe a little to make it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. So if you want to get all the flavours of the Valencia-born recipe at home without any fuss, this one is definitely worth a try. Featuring chorizo, chicken thighs, white rice, and spices like turmeric and cumin, this hearty dinner will be ready to eat in under an hour. And don’t worry, you won’t be needing a paella pan. Though a paella pan is the traditional choice, any large pot or pan in your kitchen should do the job nicely.For a vegetarian variation, try our one-pan vegetarian paella, that's bound to please a crowd. We also have a nifty prawn-topped paella tray bake recipe, and our party-in-your-mouth chicken, chorizo and seafood paella. Plus, try these 17 recipes that will make you want to move to Spain, and these dinner ideas that use canned tomatoes (hello, budget-friendly bulked-up meals!).
My most memorable frittata experience was in Florence. Wandering through the streets I found a little hole-in-the-wall lunch place that had lines of frittata-stuffed panini on display. With just a lick of mayo and a sprinkling of rocket, I continued my journey, thinking this was the most inspired sandwich ever! I’ve been playing around with frittata recipes ever since and I’ve hit payload with this baked frittata recipe. It’s a chunky, cheesy, protein hit.Why is this such a great, easy frittata recipe?In this easy frittata recipe, the potato provides the carbs making it a nice, filling dinner and I love the fact that I can adapt it depending on what’s in my fridge. As long as I have eggs and cheese I’m set to go. What I also love about this frittata recipe is that it’s baked. That means the oven takes care of it rather than me having to tend to it on the stove top. And the leftovers from this baked frittata recipe are perfect for lunch, served in a panini if the mood takes you! It's absolutely delicious. You can enjoy this easy recipe served immediately, fresh and hot, serve warm, or at room temp. Leftovers make an enticing healthy breakfast too.Though we have a feeling this is the only frittata recipe you'll want to use from now on, if you love a basic frittata recipe, try our best frittata variations, including our favourite mini frittatas, this salmon frittata, our better-for-you frittata and this healthy frittata traybake.
Throw together a quick and easy weeknight dinner with Curtis Stone's 30 minute chicken, vegetable and noodle stir-fry.
India produces some of the best vegetarian recipes in the world. From onion bhajis and vegetable samosas to saag paneer and vegetable korma. When you have such intense flavours, meat often seems a bit redundant. One of the most popular staples of Indian cuisine is dhal (often spelt dal or dahl). While often served as a side dish in a restaurant, our lentil dhal recipe is a comforting meal in itself. With a rich buttery taste, the lentils are cooked down until super tender then spiked with sweet spices and a touch of chilli. Despite its diverse flavours, our favourite lentil dhal recipe is made entirely from easily sourced supermarket ingredients and is ideal for meat-free Monday or eat-on-the-couch Sunday (yes, it’s a thing). Need to bulk-up your dahl? Try our red lentil dhal with sweet potato for a robust meal. For more meat-free dinner ideas, allow our collection of Indian vegetarian dinner recipes to pique your appetite.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
When you think about it, savoury mince is an odd term as pretty much all mince dishes are savoury (unless you’re Rachel from Friends who got the pages of her cookbook stuck together and made a combination of trifle and shepherds’ pie for Christmas lunch). That particular dish aside, savoury mince is usually a warm and hearty dinner – and was a regular on the table for me growing up in rural Australia. Tender mince cooked with colourful crisp vegetables, thickened just enough to hold its shape when spooned over rice or on thick buttered toast. The word comfort doesn’t do it justice. And it’s not the only retro mince recipe making a comeback.While savoury mince is usually thickened with flour, the secret to our favourite savoury mince recipe is the addition of a couple of tablespoons of Gravox. This not only thickens the mixture but adds an extra beefy flavour. Despite being a family favourite, another great thing about savoury mince is that it’s easy on the budget, requires only ten minutes prep and you can add whatever is in the crisper drawer, making it a great use-it-up meal. Serve it on mash, wedges, polenta, rice or simply on toast.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Spinach and ricotta cannelloni is one of our go-to meals for those crazy busy school nights. Ticking all the boxes we require for an easy dinner - kid-friendly, a bit of veg, and guaranteed to result in empty plates at the end of the night - is it any wonder we have one on the go, and one in the freezer at all times? What we love about this recipe is that there is no need to fill individual cannelloni tubes (we use fresh lasagne sheets instead) so it cuts down on the prep time immensely. If you want to up the veg, add some salad leaves on the side, or for little kids, some chopped carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes. If you’re partial to the odd meat filling, like beef or lamb, we have plenty of variations on cannelloni - just check the note sections below for the link.
This is the chicken and vegetable soup recipe you need. While all soups offer a certain level of comfort, chicken and vegetable soup takes this to a new level. Chicken and vegetable soup is not just for the colder months. With its magically comforting, elixir-like qualities, this soup can be eaten all year round, whenever the body or soul needs a pick-me-up.Simmering bone-in chicken in store-bought stock deepens the chicken-rich flavour of this recipe, giving it a homemade taste. Slow simmering also brings out the sweetness in the carrot, celery and turnips. These vegetables have the double duty of providing the aromatic base of the soup as well as being ingredients in their own right. The addition of soup mix is the clincher here. Not only does it provide a heartiness in this chicken soup recipe, but it is also a nutritional powerhouse. This chicken and vegetable soup freezes beautifully, ready to be warmed up whenever the body craves it.And, keep the chicken soup inspiration coming with our collection of best-ever chicken soups you’ll be dreaming about until dinner time (like our hot and sour chicken soup with extra kick). Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Spread the word to your near and dear — this roasted classic makes for easy entertaining.
Pork ribs are a perennial favourite - these are slow-cooked so that they become a melt-in-the-mouth delight.
Gnocchi are bite size Italian dumplings made with potato, flour and egg. Making them from scratch does require some preparation, but once the dough is mixed and shaped into the signature ridged balls, they take just minutes to cook fresh homemade potato gnocchi. To master the art of making gnocchi, try this simple gnocchi recipe and read the helpful gnocchi recipe notes below.How do you make great homemade gnocchi at home?The key to light, fluffy gnocchi lies in the preparation of the potatoes. We recommend steaming, rather than boiling, as it prevents the potatoes retaining moisture before mashing and turning into gnocchi. We love this gnocchi recipe as we mix grated parmesan cheese into the dough before boiling, giving the dumplings a delicious umami flavour.If you're planning to make gnocchi, here are the gnocchi toppings you'll want to try. We love this gnocchi with prawns and chorizo, and this sweet potato gnocchi recipe, too.
From searing vindaloos to gentle kormas, Indian curries can be as challenging or comforting as your mood or palate dictates. This, our favourite, chicken curry sits somewhere in between. With the pop of spicy mustard seeds and heady fragrance of garam marsala, you can add as much chilli powder as you desire. Some Indian curries are made with a tangy tomato base and others on cream, yoghurt or coconut milk. This curry gives us the best of both worlds. Pieces of chicken are simmered in a spiced tomato sauce until tender and then finished off with rich and smooth coconut milk.Don’t be put off by the ingredient list here, there’s no complicated curry paste to make, instead the spices are simply spooned from their jars straight into the pan. This chicken curry recipe makes a generous batch. Leftovers can be frozen, or how about getting out the pie maker and making crispy little curried chicken hand pies?
We have the chef's secrets on crispy-skinned salmon. With our clever tips you won't have to go out for dinner!
Take your tastebuds on an exotic trip with this authentic Thai curry dish.
This slow cooker beef stroganoff which is simple to prepare and will warm you up when the weather gets cooler.
Beef up your weeknight menu with this hearty casserole. Perfect for cold winter nights.
Loved by children, always welcomed at a barbecue, budget-friendly, super versatile and the butt of everyone’s least favourite Dad joke (‘see you round like a…’), good old-fashioned beef rissoles are a family-friendly classic. Whether you pair rissoles with veggies for a simple weeknight dinner, eat them in a fresh white bread roll with tomato sauce (over your lap) at a gathering, or even add them to a salad, these round beef mince balls have become an Australian staple.There are so many delicious variations on the classic rissole recipe, and taste.com.au is full of well-rounded rissole ideas – from chow mein rissoles to chicken satay rissoles and even a surf and turf rissole tray bake. These days, you can make rissoles in an air fryer for a super speedy meal. Try out this easy rissole recipe then get creative with more rissole recipes.Additional recipe notes by Sonya Gellert, Recipes Editor and Food Writer
This chicken cacciatore recipe is nutritious and bursts with flavour. Make it ahead and freeze it for later.
This Greek-style roast lamb from one of our taste members is meltingly tender and so simple to make.
Loaf pan at the ready! Few dishes evoke nostalgia and comfort more than a delicious meatloaf recipe. When done properly it warms the heart, with flavourful juicy meat covered with a sweet and tangy topping, demanding to be served with a creamy mash. For those who may have had a disappointing experience, this is the super tender meatloaf recipe to change your mind.Why is this our best meatloaf recipe?We’ve swapped dry breadcrumbs for fresh and added pork and veal mince to the ground beef mince to ensure this homemade meatloaf recipe makes a soft and tender, yet firm enough loaf to slice without crumbling. And, while the sweet tomato sauce glaze (a delicious sweet and tangy glaze if ever there was one! Tomato sauce adds extra juiciness, but serving this meatloaf recipe with gravy takes it to another level. All the hallmark secret ingredients make this meatloaf recipe a winner: think brown sugar, whole grain mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Yum.What’s more, if you have any leftover cooked meatloaf in the loaf pan, they get a new life in a meatloaf sandwich with fresh white bread and loads of butter. Who doesn't love meatloaf sandwiches? But, we regret to inform you, we're almost certain that with this meatloaf recipe leftovers are unlikely.We have a collection of varied and absolutely delicious meatloaf recipe ideas! Try our hidden-veg family meatloaf and this creative spanakopita meatloaf!To get the absolute best from your meatloaf recipe (with moist, juicy results every time), read the tips in our recipe notes section below.
Move over, takeaway beef chow mein. This homemade beef chow mein recipe is easy to make (and even easier to eat!)Why do we love to make easy beef chow mein at home?Made with quick and easy supermarket ingredients, including fresh egg noodles (but you can also use dried if that’s what you have in your pantry), vegetables and a delicious sauce, made from soy and oyster sauce, is it any wonder chow mein is one of our most popular recipes on taste.com.au (and around the world)?Perfect for kids and adults alike, our beef chow mein recipe uses ground beef mince, so it’s cost-friendly, and has pak choy in place of cabbage, for extra crunch. Yum!If you love recreating Chinese food at home, give our sticky Chinese pork stir-fry a try, our toothsome Chinese barbecue pork, and check out our collection of crave-worthy Chinese recipes you can make at home.
Some things are just better together, and there's something to be said for the combination of juicy apricots and chicken. Apricot chicken is a classic recipe, and we'll likely never stop cooking it. But this apricot chicken recipe is our firm favourite for good reason. It's the OG, the best ever apricot chicken recipe and we won't be persuaded otherwise!Why do we love a classic apricot chicken recipe?Budget-friendly, easy to make at home and full of savoury meets fruity flavour, this apricot chicken recipe is hard to beat.The 1970s saw us getting pretty creative with our dinners, especially when it came to adding fruit to savoury dishes. Ham steaks Hawaiian (grilled ham with pineapple) was on high rotation in our house, my mother would set grated carrot in orange jelly and serve as a side at barbecues, and restaurants were serving up duck a l’orange. And then there was apricot chicken. Before the (brilliant) invention of ring pull cans, we were at the mercy of can openers. In the case of cans of apricot nectar, we used the pointy part of the can opener to pierce two holes on the top of the can to allow the thick syrup to glug into the frying pan. The remaining nectar was stored in the fridge where we’d sneak decadent sips straight from the can.This apricot chicken recipe is a twist on the one mum made, swapping the French onion soup for Moroccan spice mix to create a sweet and savoury apricot chicken sauce - this is the comfort food of my childhood with a bit of a grown-up edge. Thanks to recipes like this we’ll be eating apricot chicken for generations to come. We serve this one with couscous, but you can serve with rice if you prefer. You can also make this delicious apricot chicken recipe in the slow cooker. (See recipe notes below!)Looking for something speedy? Try our 10-minute sticky apricot chicken recipe. Try this crispy crumbed apricot chicken tray bake, and these 50 easy chicken dinner recipe ideas for time-poor cooks.Additional notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Chicken soup is like food for the soul and this one will give you an instant pick-me-up.
If Italians are famous for their lasagne, then the Greeks are famous for moussaka. A classic family-friendly dish from the Mediterranean, moussaka is classic comfort food, but we happily eat it all year round. It consists of layers of pan-fried eggplant, a thick, rich lamb-tomato sauce, and a topping of deliciously creamy bechamel sauce. Hot tip: many recipes call for eggplants to be salted and rinsed to draw out any bitter juices, but this shouldn’t be necessary if they’re fresh. If the seeds are too defined or feel hard, the eggplant may be old and should be salted.
Risotto is a dish that originates from northern Italy and is considered a staple meal on dinner tables across the region. We love this mushroom version as it has a big umami flavour with welcoming hits of garlicky butter - oh, we’re drooling just thinking about it. If you’re afraid to make this classic Italian dish because you’ve heard it’s complicated or you fear you’ll end up with a soggy porridge–like mess at the end, fear not, this fail-proof recipe is for you. We’ve tested it so many times to ensure the perfect rice-to-liquid ratio for creamy, silky risotto. Our best step is not to over-stir - you just want to ensure that no rice is sticking to the bottom of the pan - or overcook it. If you follow this advice, you'll end up with rich, creamy, al dente risotto every time.
There’s a curious thing about comfort food. It’s nearly always simple, budget-friendly and made from items you may already have on hand. Whether it be a mac and cheese, bangers and mash or even a classic bread and butter pudding it’s the simple things that seem to hit the spot when needing a bit of nurturing that can only come from certain foods. This tuna mornay recipe is no exception.Why is this our best tuna mornay recipe?Cheesy and creamy and on the table in just over half an hour, our tuna bake has the simple addition of celery which adds a nice crunch to the dish as well as a sweet and floral flavour. The other thing we love about this tuna mornay recipe, is that it’s made in individual servings, making it a fun dinner for the kids or a great meal prep and freeze-ahead meal for solo diners.Love tuna? Here’s every canned tuna recipe you need to try.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
Australia has a natural affinity with Thai cuisine. It may be a climate thing, but all I know is our laid-back lifestyle befits the idea of shared plates, fresh ingredients and easy to prepare dishes.Green chicken curry is at the essence of all this. While making your own curry paste is something everyone should do at least once, we now have the option of amazing supermarket versions, which means this authentic tasting dish can be on the table in just 30 minutes.Why is this our best easy green curry recipe?This recipe has everything you want in a Thai curry, a good spice kick from the curry paste, saltiness from the fish sauce, the mandatory sweetness from brown sugar and a final squeeze of lime juice balances the dish with its citric tang. Green chicken curry is a dish that knows no season. As welcome on a hot summer’s day as it is in the depths of winter, the combination of creamy coconut milk, tender chicken and as much spice as you care for makes it a family favourite – or serve it up for a dinner party or Thai banquet (see more in our notes, below)And, try these Thai desserts to finish your meal on a delicious note.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester
