By the end of November, many of us feel like meals are just another thing on the endless list. Darker evenings, colder weather and busy schedules can make cooking feel like a chore whether you’re feeding yourself, cooking for two or trying to keep a whole family satisfied.
But meals don’t have to be complicated. With a few smart habits and simple approaches, you can take the pressure off mealtimes, save precious headspace and even turn cooking into something you enjoy rather than endure.
For me, it’s all in the planning. If I make time on a Sunday (doesn’t have to be a Sunday obviously) to plan meals, batch cook etc. I literally dance into the following week, I feel prepared and so much less stressed.
So, here are five sanity-saving ideas to try in the run up until Christmas:
1. Batch It
Cook once, eat twice (or three times). Make extra portions of soups, stews, or chilli and freeze them. This feels particularly wonderful on the nights when energy is low and the fridge looks bare.
2. Tray Magic
Minimal fuss, minimal washing up. Throw chopped veg, a protein of your choice, and some herbs onto a baking tray, roast, and serve. Dinner practically cooks itself while you reclaim some time for other things. There are so many tray bake recipes online that are brilliant for this.
3. Slow Cooker Wins
A slow cooker is like having kitchen back-up. Five minutes of prep in the morning (or the evening before) means dinner is ready when you walk in, no juggling pans after a long day. Again, lots of great recipes online – spend some time finding your favourites.
4. The Shortcut Shelf
Keep a small stock of quick wins in your cupboard or freezer – things like frozen veg, packet rice, fishfingers, packet sauces. They’re not “cheats,” they’re lifesavers when time is tight and you just need to get food on the table without fuss.
5. Meal Mix & Match
Take the pressure off by creating a short list of five go-to meals everyone (or just you) enjoys. Rotate them through the week so planning and shopping feels simple. When meals are predictable, you spend less time deciding and more time enjoying.
Protect your energy.
Quick meal ideas aren’t about cutting corners; they’re about protecting your energy. Whether you’re cooking for a family or for yourself, these small habits ease the daily pressure, free up headspace and create more space for calm in your evenings.
Give yourself permission to factor in a “quick meal” at least once a week. Pick a day that is a high-pressure day and take the pressure off dinner time. It can be a game changer!
