Quick and Easy NZ Dinner Ideas: 5 Delicious Meals To Try

Happy Kitchen is dedicated to empowering New Zealanders to rediscover the joy of cooking at home. We believe that with the right recipes, tips, and tools, home cooking can be healthy, affordable, quick, and fun.

This post is not sponsored by any of the supermarkets or blogs linked; it simply highlights our favourite products and recipes from other fantastic chefs.

Contents

• The Best Quick & Easy NZ Dinner Ideas

• 1. One-Pan Kumara and Chickpea Curry

• 2. Beef and Veggie Stir-Fry with Hokkein Noodles

• 3. Miso & Veggie Ramen Soup

• 4. Speedy Taco Bowls with Wattie’s Mexican Beans

• 5. Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado Salsa

• Tips for Quick & Easy NZ Dinners

• Summary

The Best Quick & Easy NZ Dinner Ideas

Do you often find yourself stuck for last-minute dinner ideas? Tired of the same few meals on rotation? Look no further—we've scoured the internet and tested various recipes so you don't have to, and tailored them for the best NZ options.

Our goal was to find dinner recipes that are quick to cook, easy and require minimal prep, and go beyond the usual go-to’s (sorry, we skipped the classic NZ hack of pre-cooked chicken and coleslaw in buns—although it's a good one!). These ideas are perfect for easy and quick dinners, meal prep, potlucks, and still taste great as leftovers - plus all recipe ideas use easy-to-find NZ ingredients as much as possible.

All dishes are referenced for one serving - simply multiply for your family or number of meals required! The simple versions of each recipe are shown below, but if you're feeling daring, hit the links to the external blogs below each picture!

1. One-Pan Kumara and Chickpea Curry

One-Pan Kumara and Chickpea Curry

Image from Jessica in the Kitchen - check out her website for an alternative version of this recipe!

For a wholesome, warm meal ready in just 20 minutes, try this one-pan (plus rice) kumara and chickpea curry. The natural sweetness of kumara (a Kiwi staple) pairs perfectly with the mild spiciness of curry. And here’s the best part – it’s all done in one pan, so cleanup is super easy!

Ingredients:

• 1 large kumara, peeled and diced

• 1 can chickpeas (Pams or Woolies brands work great)

• 1 can coconut cream

• 2 tbsp red curry paste (try the Exotic Foods brand)

• Spinach, to serve

• Fresh coriander, to garnish

• Rice

Instructions:

1. Place desired amount of rice (1 serving = 1/2 cup) in rice cooker with water. For white rice, place 1 cup rice to 1.5-2 cups water.

2. In a large pan, sauté the diced kumara in a splash of olive oil until slightly tender.

3. Add the curry paste and chickpeas, stirring until everything is well-coated.

4. Pour in the coconut cream, cover, and let simmer for about 10 minutes until the kumara is soft.

5. Stir in the spinach until wilted, garnish with coriander, and place with rice. Enjoy your easy, tasty curry!

   
   

Why it works: This dish is vegetarian, packed with protein and fiber, and uses pantry staples you probably already have.

2. Beef and Veggie Stir-Fry with Hokkein Noodles

Beef and Veggie Stir-Fry with Hokkein Noodles

Image from Recipe Tin Eats - check out her website for an alternative version of this recipe!

For a fast dinner that feels like a treat, this beef and veggie stir-fry hits the spot. It’s a great way to use any leftover veggies in your fridge, and you can pick up pre-cooked Hokkein noodles from brands like Countdown's Fresh range, which is much quicker and saves loads of time.

Ingredients:

• 250g beef strips (we like Silver Fern Farms)

• 1 packet Hokkein noodles

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• 1 red capsicum, sliced

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce

• Spring onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat a bit of oil in a large pan or wok and cook the beef strips until browned. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, add broccoli and capsicum, cooking until just tender.

3. Add the noodles, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce, stirring until everything is well-combined.

4. Return the beef to the pan and stir until heated through. Garnish with spring onions and serve.

   
   

Why it works: This stir-fry is a complete meal with protein, veggies, and carbs. It’s also versatile – switch out the beef for chicken or tofu, and use whatever veggies you have on hand for a perfect dinner!

3. Miso & Veggie Ramen Soup

Miso & Veggie Ramen Soup

Image from Half-Baked Harvest - check out their website for an alternative version of this recipe with crispy mushrooms!

On a chilly evening, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm bowl of ramen. This miso and veggie ramen is super easy to whip up, and you can find miso paste at most supermarkets (we love the Fukuyama Miso Paste from Woolies).

Ingredients:

• 1 packet ramen noodles (any plain variety will work)

• 2 tbsp miso paste

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms

• 1 carrot, julienned or grated

• 1 cup spinach

• 1 boiled egg (optional but delicious)

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring about 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the miso paste and stir until dissolved.

2. Add the mushrooms and carrots, cooking until tender.

3. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions.

4. Stir in the spinach at the end, then top with a boiled egg if you like.

   
   

Why it works: This ramen is cozy, filling, and can be customized with whatever toppings you prefer – seaweed, corn, or even a dash of hot sauce!

4. Speedy Taco Bowls with Wattie’s Mexican Beans

Speedy Taco Bowls with Wattie's Mexican Beans

Image from Bit Of The Good Stuff- check out their website for an alternative version of this recipe!

Taco bowls are all the fun of tacos without the mess! Grab a can of Wattie’s Mexican Beans for an easy flavor boost, and build your bowl with fresh ingredients. The beans themself pack a taste punch, but adding optional mince really adds to the flavours and provides additional protein for a healthy dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 can Wattie’s Mexican Beans

• 1 cup cooked rice

• Shredded lettuce

• Diced tomatoes

• Grated cheese

• Sour cream and salsa, for topping

• Optional: 150g mince, Maggi Mexian seasoning packet

Instructions:

1. Heat the Mexican beans in a pan or microwave.

2. In a bowl, layer the rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.

3. Top with sour cream, salsa, or your favorite taco toppings.

   
   

Why it works: This taco bowl is fast, full of flavor, and perfect for meal prep. Plus, it’s a great way to get a bit of everything in each bite – veggies, grains, and protein!

5. Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Image from All The Healthy Things - check out their website for an alternative version of this recipe!

For a quick and easy restaurant-worthy dish that’s also healthy, this pan-seared salmon with avocado salsa is perfect. You can use fresh New Zealand salmon from your local supermarket – Countdown and New World both have quality options.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1 small red onion, finely diced

• 1 lime, juiced

• Fresh coriander, chopped

Instructions:

1. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and pan-sear in a hot skillet until the skin is crispy and the flesh is just cooked through.

2. In a bowl, mix the diced avocado, red onion, lime juice, and coriander.

3. Serve the salmon topped with the avocado salsa for a fresh and zesty dinner.

   
   

Why it works: This dish is quick to make and feels special, yet it’s loaded with healthy fats and fresh flavors. A great option when you want something light but satisfying.

Tips for Quick & Easy NZ Dinners

Cooking at home doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen.

Here are a few quick tips to speed things up:

• Use Pre-Cut or Frozen Veggies: Supermarkets like Countdown and New World have a wide selection of pre-cut or frozen veggies, which can save tons of prep time.

• One-Pan or One-Pot Meals: The fewer dishes, the better. Look for recipes that use just one pan or pot to save time on cleanup.

• Mix and Match Ingredients: Keep versatile ingredients like rice, pasta, or wraps on hand – you can create many meals by pairing them with whatever protein and veggies you have.

Bonus idea - We've recently posted a blog post focused on making the most crispy crispy roast veggies, perfect as the base for any dinner or lunch. Check it out here.

Summary

With the right recipes, tips, and tools, home cooking can be healthy, affordable, quick, and fun. We hope these recipe ideas inspire you to try something new and make dinner prep a breeze!

If you're feeling creative or have specific macronutrient goals, these recipes are super easy to customize by adding or swapping ingredients to make them your own!

If you're looking for premium kitchen utensils to assist with your cooking journey, check out our range of smiley olive wood spoons, spatulas and rices spoons here.

For other helpful health and cooking tips/ideas, check out our other blog posts!

Happy cooking!