luminamur kitchen
Main dishes: step-by-step recipes
Dinner mains: plov, homemade cutlets, buckwheat with meat, oven chicken, salmon, pasta and lasagne. Simple steps, clear temperatures and tips so nothing dries out.
Recipes: 32
130 min691 kcalUzbek beef plovMain dishes
45 min539 kcalRussian-style meat patties (kotlety)Main dishes · easy60 min533 kcalMerchant-style buckwheat with porkMain dishes · easy
30 min650 kcalNavy-style pasta with beef minceMain dishes · easy85 min475 kcalLazy cabbage rolls in the ovenMain dishes · easy
75 min779 kcalRoast chicken and potatoesMain dishes · easy
30 min413 kcalChicken breast in creamy garlic sauceMain dishes · easy
25 min470 kcalOven-baked salmon with lemonMain dishes · easy60 min375 kcalCod with carrot and onion marinadeMain dishes · easy
20 min850 kcalSpaghetti carbonaraMain dishes
150 min647 kcalLasagne bologneseMain dishes
90 min830 kcalSpaghetti bologneseMain dishes · easy
80 min181 kcalRatatouilleMain dishes · easy
35 min463 kcalChickpea curry with coconut milkMain dishes · easy
30 min307 kcalChicken and vegetable stir-fry with soy sauceMain dishes · easy
35 min312 kcalMashed potatoesMain dishes · easy35 min362 kcalBuckwheat with mushrooms and onionMain dishes · easy
35 min354 kcalRice with vegetablesMain dishes · easy
60 min131 kcalBraised cabbage with carrot and tomatoMain dishes · easy
120 min679 kcalHomemade pelmeniMain dishes
100 min658 kcalVareniki with potato and fried onionMain dishes
120 min478 kcalRussian beef goulash with gravyMain dishes · easy
35 min538 kcalBeef stroganoffMain dishes
60 min618 kcalMeatballs with rice in tomato sauceMain dishes · easy
30 min423 kcalChicken schnitzels in egg batterMain dishes · easy40 min743 kcalOven-baked mackerel in foilMain dishes · easy
30 min422 kcalPollock in batterMain dishes · easy
80 min664 kcalStuffed peppers with meat and riceMain dishes · easy
40 min513 kcalDraniki (potato pancakes)Main dishes · easy
45 min277 kcalJuicy oven-baked chicken breastMain dishes · easy50 min223 kcalVegetable ragout with courgettes and aubergineMain dishes · easy
40 min307 kcalWhite fish baked with vegetablesMain dishes · easyHow to plan dinners for the week
Sixteen main dishes can feel like too many to choose from, so sort them by effort. Fast (20–35 min): carbonara, salmon, stir-fry, creamy chicken, navy-style pasta, chickpea curry. Medium (45–90 min): cutlets, buckwheat with pork, cod in marinade, roast chicken, lazy cabbage rolls, bolognese, ratatouille. Weekend projects: plov and lasagne.
A realistic week has three fast dinners, two medium ones cooked in larger batches, and one slow dish for Saturday or Sunday. Plan for at least one night of leftovers so you are not cooking every single evening.
Think about sides too. Mashed potatoes, buckwheat, rice or a simple salad turn one main into a complete plate. If you cook a side once in a larger amount, three different mains can share it across the week.
Tips that make main dishes better
- Dry meat and fish with paper towel before searing: they brown instead of steaming.
- Do not crowd the pan. Fry cutlets or chicken pieces in batches so the pan stays hot.
- Rest after cooking. Five minutes under foil keeps roast chicken and salmon juicy.
- Save pasta water. A splash of starchy water helps carbonara and bolognese cling to the spaghetti.
- Cook sauces low and slow. Bolognese and ratatouille get deeper with time; a quick simmer is fine, a long one is better.
What to cook for dinner this week
- Monday: chicken and vegetable stir-fry.
- Tuesday: kotlety with mashed potatoes; cook a double batch.
- Wednesday: leftover cutlets with a fresh salad.
- Thursday: oven-baked salmon with lemon.
- Friday: chickpea curry with coconut milk.
- Sunday: Uzbek beef plov for the whole table.
Leftovers, batch cooking, kids and budget
Bolognese sauce, lazy cabbage rolls, cutlets and plov all freeze well in portions; lasagne can be frozen whole or in slices. Ratatouille is lovely cold the next day, or warmed with an egg cracked on top. Cook rice and buckwheat once and use them twice.
Kids tend to love navy-style pasta, cutlets and creamy chicken. The budget heroes are buckwheat with pork, navy-style pasta and chickpea curry: filling, simple ingredients, several portions each.
Frequently asked questions
Which main dishes here can I cook in under 30 minutes?
Spaghetti carbonara, oven-baked salmon, the chicken stir-fry, chicken in creamy sauce and navy-style pasta are all ready in about 20–30 minutes.
Which dinners freeze best?
Bolognese sauce, cutlets, lazy cabbage rolls, plov and lasagne freeze well; cool them fully, portion and label with the date.
How do I know chicken is cooked through?
The juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink at the thickest point; a kitchen thermometer should read about 75 °C.