STEPH CLAIRE SMITH: 'Your whole family will love these 20-minute dinner recipes.'

You know those days when 6pm rolls around, your mental capacity is at its absolute limit, and not only do you have zero ideas for a tasty dinner, but you're also running out of time to actually cook it? I feel like this has been my reality lately!

In moments like this, I need something quick, easy, and totally delicious that I know the whole family is going to love.

Here are three of my go-to no-fuss favourites straight from the Kic app to help when the mental block hits…

Watch: For if you need an easy dessert too…. Post continues below.

Merging the best of both worlds, our Cheeseburger tacos are guaranteed to be a hit with the whole fam. They've got all the flavour of a classic burger — juicy, cheesy, a little saucy — but wrapped in a taco for a fun twist.

Thai basil chicken and rice is a one-pan wonder that's perfect for busy midweeks. It's a super flexible recipe too, making it easy to tweak for fussy eaters or swap ingredients based on what needs to be used in your fridge.

And finally, the tortellini pasta salad is one of my go-to midweek saviours. It's fresh, full of flavour, and on the table in just 10 minutes (and it's packed with hidden veg!).

Cheeseburger Tacos.

Serves 4 | Under 30 minutes.

Yum… Image: The Kic app

Ingredients

• 1x spray extra virgin olive oil

• 400 grams extra lean beef mince

• 1tsp onion powder

• 1tsp paprika

• 0.5tsp garlic powder

• 0.5tsp cracked pepper

• 1tsp dried oregano

• 0.5tsp salt

• 60 grams mayonnaise

• 20grams ketchup

• 10 grams dijon mustard

• 20ml pickle juice

• 8x tortillas

• 2x cos lettuce

• 8x cheese slices

• 500grams cherry tomatoes

• 80ml Peri peri

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add mince, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, pepper and salt. Cook, stirring regularly, for 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked. Meanwhile, finely shred the lettuce and slice the cherry tomatoes into quarters.

2. In a clean bowl, add the remaining 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and pickle juice. Mix to combine, then set aside for serving.

3. To assemble, place the tortillas on the lined baking tray and spoon the beef evenly over one half of each tortilla, followed by cherry tomatoes and a slice of cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and brush both sides with the store-bought peri peri sauce. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, or until crisp. Once cooked, add shredded lettuce, drizzle the burger sauce over and serve.

Thai Basil Chicken & Rice.

4 serves | Under 30 minutes

Delish! Image: Kic app

Ingredients

• 15ml olive oil 

• 600g chicken mince 

• 1 x bunch of Thai basil 

• 1 x red chilli 

• 1 x white onion 

• 2 x garlic cloves

• 200g mushrooms 

• 30ml soy sauce

• 15ml fish sauce

• 190 grams basmati rice 

Method

1. Finely dice the white onion, garlic and red chilli (de-seeded to preference) then sautee in a frypan with some olive oil. Dice mushrooms and set aside. 

2. Add the chicken into the fry pan and break up the mince meat, once chicken has broken up add in mushrooms. 

3. 1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce and then add to the chicken, stirring for 1 minute, then add 1/3 cup water. 

4. Cook rice as per packet instructions - we suggest microwave rice if you're looking to speed things up in the kitchen!

5. Add basil to chicken and vegetables, toss through right before serving over rice.

Tortellini Pasta Salad

3 serves | Under 30 minutes

Yes please… Image: Kic app

Ingredients

• 565 grams veggie filled tortellini

• 200 grams cherry tomatoes

• 1x garlic clove

• 30 grams basil leaves

• 90grams baby bocconcini

• 10ml extra virgin olive oil

• 0.5tsp Salt

Method

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook tortellini as per packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and transfer to a large bowl.

2. Slice cherry tomatoes in half, mince garlic and roughly chop basil leaves. Add to the tortellini, along with the bocconcini, olive oil and salt.

3. Toss to coat, then divide between plates and serve.

If you're craving more, there are over 900 dietitian-approved recipes in the Kic app, which you can access for free with a seven-day trial at kicapp.com.

Feature: Instagram @stephclairesmith / Kic app.