30-minute 'meal maths' recipe ideas

What is meal maths?

Our M&S meal maths recipes use a maximum of six ingredients (alongside pantry staples like olive oil, salt and pepper) and are ready in 30 minutes or less. This is all about 'assembly job' cooking – using a handful of hardworking ingredients and a few Foodhall shortcuts to get dinner on the table, fast.

M&S meal maths: family favourites edition

This month, we’re making family dinners simple with easy, comforting meals everyone will love. From a hearty sausage casserole and shortcut biryani to salmon Pad Thai noodles and a cheesy doughball bake, these fuss-free favourites make midweek mealtimes a breeze – something that's particularly handy during the busy festive season.

Speedy beef tikka masala biryani

Cook up a fragrant biryani without the faff. Quick-cooking beef mince, microwave pilau rice and tikka masala sauce make this flavour-packed dinner a speedy midweek win.

• Brown the beef mince, then stir in the Tikka Masala Curry Sauce, yogurt and water.

• Spoon into a baking dish, top with pilau rice and bake.

• Finish with toasted almonds, pomegranate seeds, and an extra dollop of yogurt.

One-pan tomato and chorizo doughball bake

Golden garlic dough balls stand in for pastry in this comforting six-ingredient bake. Smoky chorizo, peppers and chilli beans bubble away underneath, finished with melted cheddar for a cosy family dinner.

• Cook the peppers and chorizo, then stir in the tomato paste and Chilli Kidney Beans and simmer for 5 minutes.

• Top with the Garlic Butter Doughballs and cheddar.

• Bake for 10 minutes, until the dough balls are golden and the cheese is bubbling.

One-pot chicken sausage casserole

Chilly evenings call for proper comfort food. This easy six-ingredient casserole brings together herby chicken sausages, tender carrots and beans in a rich sauce, with handy flavour shortcuts helping you get dinner on the table in 30 minutes with no chopping whastoever.

• Brown the chicken sausages, then add the Soffritto Mix and cook for 2-3 minutes.

• Add the carrots, Red Wine Flavour Pot, water and Classic Tomato Saucy Beans, then cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes.

• Stir in Collection Sticky Figgy Mustard and cook uncovered for 5 minutes, until the sausages are cooked through and the carrots are tender.

Sweet chilli salmon pad Thai

Shake up your usual midweek dinner with this vibrant salmon Pad Thai recipe. Sticky mango and sweet chilli-glazed Scottish salmon meets saucy noodles and crunchy peppers for a fresh, flavour-packed family meal.

• Coat the salmon fillets in Mango and Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce and bake for 18-20 minutes until sticky and golden.

• Cook the Rice Noodles, then stir-fry the Sweet Pepper Medley until just tender.

• Add the noodles and Pad Thai Sauce and toss until piping hot.

• Top with the sticky salmon and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

Spiced chicken with mango salsa and pilau rice

Skip the takeaway and try this speedy Indian-inspired supper instead. Tender spiced chicken is served with fragrant pilau rice and a fresh mango salsa for an epic dinner that's on the table in minutes.

• Cook the spiced chicken thighs according to the pack instructions.

• Meanwhile, combine the diced cucumber, mango, red onion and chilli in a bowl. Add a drizzle of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

• Cook the Microwave Pilau Rice according to the pack instructions.

• Serve the butter chicken with the pilau rice and spoon over the mango salsa.

Sweet and sticky pork noodles

Switch up your go-to stir-fry with these epic pork noodles. Using our ready-marinated British Pork Strips in a sweet and sticky teriyaki-style glaze, this speedy dinner combines egg noodles, pak choi and bamboo shoots for a takeaway-inspired meal in a flash.

• Cook the pork strips according to the pack instructions.

• Meanwhile, cook the Fine Egg Noodles and drain.

• Stir-fry the pak choi and Sliced Bamboo Shoots for 2-3 minutes until just tender.

• Add the noodles and pork to the pan and toss everything together.

• Finely slice the chilli and stir through to taste.

• Divide between bowls and finish with fresh coriander and a splash of your favourite sauce, whether that's soy, sriracha, teriyaki or a drizzle of sesame oil.

One-pan steak and egg hash

Steak and eggs, but make it midweek-friendly. This one-pan hash combines juicy British Sizzle Steaks, golden mushrooms, spinach and runny eggs for a speedy dinner that feels a little more special. Served with crispy hash browns for scooping and dipping, it's packed with flavour.

• Cook the hash browns until crisp and golden.

• Sear the steaks, then set aside to rest.

• Fry the mushrooms, garlic and spinach in the same pan.

• Crack in the eggs and cook until just set.

• Top with sliced steak, cheddar and a drizzle of sriracha, if you like.

• Serve with the crispy hash browns on the side.

Speedy beef and pea curry

A quick, fuss-free curry that doesn't skimp on flavour. Lean British beef mince, sweet garden peas and our Jalfrezi Curry Kit come together in one pan for a speedy keema-style curry that's perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with wholegrain rice and a squeeze of lime for an easy family dinner that's ready in just 15 minutes.

• Brown the beef mince until golden.

• Stir in the Jalfrezi Curry Kit and garden peas.

• Simmer for a few minutes until rich and thickened.

• Heat the Microwave Wholegrain Rice and divide between bowls.

• Top with Coriander and serve with Lime wedges for squeezing over.

Beef meatballs and hidden veg spaghetti

A family-friendly classic made even easier. Juicy beef meatballs are served with spaghetti tossed in a rich hidden veg sauce, then finished with Parmesan and fresh basil for an effortless midweek dinner.

• Cook the Only 3 Ingredients British Beef Meatballs and Spaghetti according to the pack instructions.

• Meanwhile, heat the Tomato and Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce in a saucepan.

• Drain the spaghetti and stir through the sauce. Season to taste.

• Add the meatballs and divide between bowls.

• Finish with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, and garlic bread.