Dinner Ideas

Family dinners the whole table will enjoy — simple, hearty and gluten free.

Sunday Roast

Sunday Roast – Roast Beef, Veg & Yorkshire Puddings

Prep 25 minBeef 180°C · 1hr 30Yorkshires 220°C
4servings

Ingredients

  • Yorkshire Puddings
  • 140g gluten free plain flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 200ml milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Oil for the tray
  • Roast Dinner
  • Beef roasting joint
  • Roast potatoes
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Peas
  • Gravy (gluten free)

Method

  1. Add the gluten free flour and salt into a bowl.
  2. Crack in the eggs.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
  4. Leave the batter to rest for at least 20 minutes.
  5. Add a small amount of oil into each hole of a muffin tray.
  6. Place the tray into a very hot oven until the oil is sizzling.
  7. Carefully pour the batter into the hot tray.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes — do not open the oven door while cooking.
  9. Cook until golden, puffed and crispy.
  10. Roast the beef and vegetables alongside, following your usual timings for the joint size.

Nanny Bea says: lots of people think Yorkshire puddings can't be gluten free, but they absolutely CAN! The secret is hot oil and not peeking in the oven.

Gluten Free Tuna Pasta Bake

Gluten Free Tuna Pasta Bake

Prep 15 min180°C / 20–25 min
4servings

Ingredients

  • 300g gluten free pasta
  • 2 tins tuna, drained
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 300ml milk
  • 30g butter
  • 30g gluten free plain flour
  • 150g grated cheese
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove
  • Handful sweetcorn
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Cook the gluten free pasta according to the packet instructions.
  3. In a saucepan melt the butter.
  4. Stir in the gluten free flour to make a paste.
  5. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth.
  6. Add half the grated cheese and stir until melted.
  7. Add the tuna, tomatoes, onion, garlic and sweetcorn.
  8. Stir in the cooked pasta.
  9. Pour everything into an ovenproof dish.
  10. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  11. Add gluten free breadcrumbs if using.
  12. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Nanny Bea says: tuna pasta bake is one of those cosy dinners that makes everybody come back for seconds — a sprinkle of cheese on top makes everything extra yummy!

Chicken Nuggets & Chips

Chicken Nuggets & Chips with Rainbow Salad

Prep 20 min200°C / 25–35 min
4servings

Ingredients

  • Chicken Nuggets
  • 500g chicken breast, cut into chunks
  • 2 eggs
  • 100g gluten free breadcrumbs
  • 50g gluten free plain flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chips
  • 4 large potatoes, cut into chips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt
  • Rainbow Salad
  • Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grated carrot, sweetcorn, red & yellow peppers, purple cabbage

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan / 220°C / 425°F.
  2. Place the chips onto a baking tray, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt.
  3. Bake for 30–35 minutes, turning halfway through.
  4. Place flour into one bowl, beat eggs in another, and mix breadcrumbs with paprika in a third.
  5. Dip chicken pieces into flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture.
  6. Place onto a lined baking tray and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  7. Wash and chop all salad ingredients.
  8. Arrange the colours into sections or rainbow shapes and serve with dips.

Nanny Bea says: homemade chicken nuggets are crunchy, tasty and so much fun to dip — rainbow salads make dinner bright, colourful and healthy too!

Gluten Free Macaroni Cheese

Gluten Free Macaroni Cheese

Prep 15 min180°C / 20 min
4servings

Ingredients

  • 300g gluten free macaroni pasta
  • 50g butter
  • 50g gluten free plain flour
  • 600ml milk
  • 250g grated cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Cook the gluten free macaroni according to the packet instructions, then drain.
  3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour to make a paste.
  4. Slowly whisk in the milk until thickened.
  5. Add most of the grated cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
  8. Pour into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Nanny Bea says: macaroni cheese is warm, cheesy comfort food that makes everybody smile — the crispy cheesy topping is always the best bit!

Gluten Free Crispy Taco Shells

Gluten Free Crispy Taco Shells

Prep 20 min180°C / 15 min
4servings

Ingredients

  • 8 gluten free taco shells
  • 500g beef or chicken mince
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning (gluten free)
  • 100ml water
  • Grated cheese, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, cucumber, sour cream, salsa, guacamole

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Cook the onion in a frying pan until soft.
  3. Add the mince and cook until browned.
  4. Stir in the gluten free taco seasoning.
  5. Add the water and simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Warm the taco shells according to the packet instructions.
  7. Fill the taco shells with the cooked topping.
  8. Serve immediately while crispy!

Nanny Bea says: taco night can get very messy, but that's part of the fun — the crunchier the taco shell, the better!

Gluten Free Pizza Faces

Gluten Free Pizza Faces

Prep 20 min200°C / 12–15 min
4mini pizzas

Ingredients

  • 4 gluten free pizza bases or pitta breads
  • 4 tbsp tomato pizza sauce
  • 150g grated cheese
  • Pepper slices, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, black olives, mushroom, pineapple, ham, pepperoni — use your imagination!

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan / 220°C / 425°F.
  2. Place the pizza bases onto baking trays.
  3. Spread tomato sauce over each base.
  4. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
  5. Create funny faces using the toppings.
  6. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
  7. Leave to cool slightly before eating.

Nanny Bea says: pizza night is extra fun when everybody makes their own silly face — there are no mistakes with pizza faces, the sillier they look, the better!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Prep 20 min180°C / 30 min
4servings

Ingredients

  • Meatballs
  • 500g beef mince
  • 1 egg
  • 50g gluten free breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • Sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tins chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tsp mixed herbs
  • To Serve
  • 300g gluten free spaghetti
  • Grated cheese & fresh basil (optional)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 200°C / 400°F.
  2. Mix beef mince, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  3. Roll into small meatballs and place onto a lined baking tray.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes until browned.
  5. Heat olive oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and garlic until soft.
  6. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato purée and herbs. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  7. Add the cooked meatballs into the sauce.
  8. Cook the gluten free spaghetti according to the packet instructions and drain.
  9. Serve topped with meatballs and sauce, sprinkled with cheese or basil.

Nanny Bea says: spaghetti night is always a fun night in our house — rolling meatballs is messy, squishy and brilliant fun for children to help with!