How to cook easy family dinners (when you're a tired new mum)

Let's be honest, cooking dinner after you've been up half the night with a newborn isn't anyone's idea of fun. In those early days of motherhood, even boiling pasta can feel like climbing Everest in slippers. But despite the chaos, we still want to nourish our families (and ourselves!) with something a little more exciting than toast or takeaway.

The good news? Learning how to cook easy family dinners doesn't have to be difficult. Here's how to make cooking easy, even with a baby on your hip, and why convenient solutions like HelloFresh are becoming a lifeline for new mums.

1. Ditch the Decision Fatigue

By 5pm, your brain has already made a thousand decisions: When did the baby last feed? Is that a rash or just fluff? Is it Wednesday? Choosing what to cook can tip you over the edge.

That's where meal kits like HelloFresh step in. With recipes already chosen and ingredients delivered, there's no last-minute panic - just step-by-step instructions and dinner on the table in as little as 15 minutes. When you're running on baby brain, having one less thing to think about is gold.

2. Prep Smart, Not Hard

Time in the kitchen needs to be efficient, especially when you're working around naps and cluster feeds. Aim for recipes with minimal chopping, fewer pots, and short cooking times.

HelloFresh recipes are designed with this in mind. Ingredients come pre-portioned, so you can skip the prep and dive straight into cooking. It's like having a sous-chef, minus the chit-chat.

3. One-Pot Wonders Are Your Best Friend

Let's talk dishes. Or more importantly, how to avoid them. One-pot or one-pan meals are game-changers for new parents. Think tray bakes, stir-fries, or hearty stews that cook all at once. Less mess, less clean-up, and more time to eat with two hands (rare, but possible).

 4. Batch Cook When You Can

If you do find a spare hour (or a rare grandparent visit), batch cooking can be a lifesaver. When you're figuring out how to cook easy family dinners on a busy schedule, doubling a recipe gives you dinner tonight and lunch (or another dinner) tomorrow. Soups, curries, pasta bakes, and chilli are great for freezing and reheating.

Bonus: many HelloFresh recipes are designed with generous portions, great for feeding hungry partners or saving leftovers for the next day.

5. Let Go of "Perfect"

Dinner doesn't have to be organic, gourmet, or Instagram-worthy. If your toddler eats a veggie, your partner gets a protein, and you actually sit down for five minutes - that's a win!

There will be days when dinner is scrambled eggs on toast or frozen dumplings tossed in soy sauce. That's okay. Feeding your family is not about perfection. It's about love, presence, and giving what you have.

6. Get the Family Involved (Even the Little Ones)

Even young toddlers love to help in the kitchen. They can wash veggies, tear lettuce, or sprinkle cheese - it might slow things down a little, but it builds connection, routine, and good eating habits.

Older kids can help unpack HelloFresh boxes, choose recipes, or set the table. When everyone contributes, dinner becomes a shared experience - not just another task for Mum. Teaching children how to cook easy family dinners from a young age creates lasting memories and valuable life skills.

7. Keep a Few Fail-Safes on Hand

Even with the best plans, some days go pear-shaped. Having a few reliable, 10-minute meals in your back pocket is a lifesaver - think omelettes, fried rice, or pasta with store-bought pesto. Stock your pantry with staples and your freezer with backups.

When you're truly done, let someone else do the thinking. A few HelloFresh meals each week can give you breathing space and restore a bit of joy to dinnertime.

Keep it simple – for your sake!

Motherhood is full-on. Feeding your family shouldn't add to the pressure. Mastering how to cook easy family dinners isn't about cutting corners - it's about making space for what really matters. More cuddles. Less chaos. More flavour. Less washing up.

You're doing an amazing job. Let dinner be the easy part.