20 Easy Recipes for Slow Weekends at Home

When it comes to long weekends, we’re dreaming of slow brunches in the sunshine, picnic blankets in the park and easy dinners shared with friends. Whether you’re hosting family, heading outdoors or simply taking things a little slower, the last thing you want is to spend the whole weekend in the kitchen.

We know that cooking for people can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special. These recipes are simple, fresh and full of vibrant vegetables - designed for easy hosting, laid-back gatherings and those moments when everyone ends up gathered around the table for longer than expected.

From colourful salads and picnic favourites to effortless brunch ideas and crowd-pleasing mains, these are the recipes we’ll be making all weekend long.

Light soups

Summer Gazpacho With Avocado Salsa
Mains
5 mins

Summer Gazpacho With Avocado Salsa

A go-to for hot summer days, this refreshing gazpacho is full of flavour and is healthy too — it’s packed with vitamin C and delivers two of your five-a-day. Enjoy it chilled, topped with creamy avocado salsa.

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Lemongrass & Ginger Miso Noodle Soup
Mains
15 mins

Lemongrass & Ginger Miso Noodle Soup

Every mouthful of this punchy noodle soup tastes deliciously healthy. And it’s super speedy — ready in just 15 minutes. Soft, comforting udon noodles and crunchy veg are combined with fragrant lemongrass, zingy lime, ginger, red chilli and moreish miso stirred through to finish.

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Vibrant curries

Creamy Coconut Dhal
Mains
50 mins

Creamy Coconut Dhal

This hearty budget meal is a great choice for using up store-cupboard ingredients such as red lentils. Creamy, comforting and full of flavour, you can’t go wrong with this warming winter dish.

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Summer Jackfruit & Chickpea Curry
Mains
45 mins

Summer Jackfruit & Chickpea Curry

Looking to serve up dinner for friends in under an hour? This nutritious summer curry is packed with vegetables, topped with a light and refreshing mango cucumber salad and really delivers on flavour.

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Golden Sweet Potato Dhal
Mains
40 mins

Golden Sweet Potato Dhal

Looking for a simple and healthy store-cupboard dinner? This warming, nourishing bowl is one of our go-to spiced suppers — it’s easy to make, has simple ingredients, is freezer-friendly and full of flavour.

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Yellow Summer Curry
Mains
50 mins

Yellow Summer Curry

This yellow curry is fresh and flavoursome. It's delicious served on warm days with a cold rice salad or on cooler days with a side of brown rice. If you don't have all of the vegetables, mix through any roasted vegetables that you have at home.

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Salads that don't feel boring

Speedy Green Goddess Salad
Mains
15 mins

Speedy Green Goddess Salad

15-minutes, one pan, tons of greens. This simple herby salad with garlic croutons is a perfect speedy summery lunch; especially when you’re WFH and need something quick and nutritious. The super green dressing boosts the salad’s plant power — you’ll get 10 plants in the recipe overall — and the croutons give the perfect crunch (once you’ve tried them, you’ll be adding them to everything!).

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Creamy Bruschetta-Style Salad
Mains
20 mins

Creamy Bruschetta-Style Salad

Creamy, crunchy, sweet and spicy, this speedy salad has it all. Sweet roasted tomatoes, crunchy sourdough, fresh basil and butter beans are layered onto a bed of creamy, garlicky yoghurt, then finished with a drizzle of balsamic and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.

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Peanut & Wild Rice Rainbow Salad
Mains
30 mins

Peanut & Wild Rice Rainbow Salad

Try this colourful salad with crunchy raw vegetables, topped with a creamy peanut dressing, roasted peanuts and punchy pickled chilli. Full of incredible textures, bold flavours and minimal fuss, it makes for an easy lunch or supper.

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Bright pastas

Lemony Broccoli & Walnut Orecchiette
Mains
20 mins

Lemony Broccoli & Walnut Orecchiette

This is one those simple pasta dishes we find ourselves making time and time again. The broccoli and peas keep it fresh and vibrant, while the toasted walnuts add richness and a boost of omega 3. It’s quick, comforting and perfect for busy evenings.

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Garlicky Summer Veg Rigatoni
Summer Recipes
35 mins

Garlicky Summer Veg Rigatoni

We’ve been making this pasta dish on repeat this summer! Made with just a handful of simple summer ingredients – silky aubergine, courgette, tender tomatoes and fresh basil – it’s perfect for an easy midweek dinner. To add a source of protein, try adding a tin of chickpeas, lentils or beans.

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Easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Mains
25 mins

Easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad

We know how much you all love our orzo recipes, so wanted to make you a super summery, veggie-packed version full of delicious Mediterranean flavours. It makes a perfect simple summer supper, and the leftovers work great for lunch the next day. We’ve added tofu for extra protein, but feel free to swap it for beans or lentils.

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For those 3pm moments

Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Chickpea Blondies
Sweets
40 mins

Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Chickpea Blondies

Chickpea blondies are having a moment so we've given our original recipe a glow-up. These are filled with juicy raspberries, toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with glossy dark chocolate. Perfect for a picnic or getting cosy with a cup of tea.

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Victoria Sponge
Sweets
60 mins

Victoria Sponge

In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, may we present the ultimate almond Victoria sponge. This recipe was known as the ‘MaE cake’ in the deli, so if you’ve been wanting to make it yourself, look no further. I know many people worry about baking cakes, or think that they're not ‘natural bakers' but vegan cakes are brilliantly simple — there's no need for any complicated beating or whisking, just stir all of the ingredients together.

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Easy Berry Flapjacks
Sweets
35 mins

Easy Berry Flapjacks

Easy to make and ready in half an hour, these fruity flapjacks are the perfect afternoon treat or lunchbox snack for the week ahead. Top tip: make sure you do use porridge oats for these, if you use jumbo oats they won’t stick together

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