Cooking delicious meals at home doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. This collection of easy Nigerian recipes and quick family meals brings together comforting local dishes and simple international favorites that you can enjoy any day of the week — perfect for lazy weeknights. Most of these recipes take 10 minutes to 1 hour to prepare and cook.
From authentic Nigerian soups like egusi, okro, and uziza soup to quick family favorites such as one-pot pasta, tortilla wraps, and shrimp stir-fry, these recipes use easy-to-find ingredients and simple steps. Whether you’re cooking for your family or looking for new meal ideas, you’ll find plenty of delicious options here.
Looking for more meal Ideas? Check out our 25 Easy Healthy Weeknight Dinner Ideas for the Family.
1. Easy One-Pot Beef Ragu Pasta Quick Dinner Recipe
This one-pot beef ragu pasta is rich, hearty, and perfect for busy days. The beef is slowly cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce, then combined with pasta in one pot for a satisfying meal with minimal cleanup. It’s comforting, filling, and great for family dinners.
Read full recipe: Easy One-Pot Beef Ragu Pasta
2. How to Make Tortilla Wrap in 10 Minutes
Making homemade tortilla wraps is easier than you think. This quick recipe shows you how to prepare soft and flexible wraps in just 10 minutes. They’re perfect for breakfast wraps, lunch rolls, or quick snacks.
Read full recipe: How to Make Tortilla Wrap in 10 Minute.
3. Air-Fryer Bole (Roasted Plantain)
This air-fryer bole is a healthier way to enjoy roasted plantain without deep frying. The plantains come out perfectly cooked, slightly crispy on the outside, and soft inside. It’s a simple and delicious alternative to roadside bole.
Read full recipe: Air-fryer Bole (Roasted Plantain)
4. Shrimp Stir-Fry Pasta – Quick Dinner Ideas for the Family
This shrimp stir-fry pasta is a fast and flavorful meal that comes together in minutes. Juicy shrimp, vegetables, and pasta are tossed together for a light but satisfying dish that works well for lunch or dinner.
Read full recipe: Shrimp stir-fry Pasta-Quick Dinner Ideas for the Family
5. My Homemade Meat Pie Recipe
This homemade Nigerian meat pie features a buttery, flaky crust filled with a rich and well-seasoned meat mixture. It’s perfect for snacks, parties, or as a make-ahead treat for the family.
Read full recipe: My Homemade Meat Pie Recipe
6. Pressed Unripe Plantain and Egg Sauce
Pressed unripe plantain served with egg sauce is a nutritious and filling meal. The plantain is cooked until soft, then paired with a flavorful egg sauce made with pepper, onions, and seasoning. It’s simple, budget-friendly, and satisfying.
Read full recipe: Pressed Unripe Plantain and Egg Sauce
7. How to Make Akara
Akara is a popular Nigerian breakfast made from blended beans fried until golden brown. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this recipe shows you how to make perfect akara at home with simple ingredients.
Read full recipe: How to Make Akara
8. Peppered Gizzard and Plantain (Gizdodo)
This spicy combination of peppered gizzard and fried plantain, also known as gizdodo, is packed with bold flavors. It’s a favorite for parties, small gatherings, or as a weekend treat.
Read full recipe: peppered Gizzard and Plantain (gizdodo)
9. How to Cook Boiling Egusi Soup
This traditional method of cooking boiling egusi soup produces a thick, rich, and flavorful soup without frying the egusi. It’s perfect when served with pounded yam, eba, or any swallow of choice.
Read full recipe: How to Cook Boiling Egusi Soup
10. Okro and Uziza Soup Easy Nigerian Recipe
Okro and uziza soup combines the natural draw of okro with the spicy aroma of uziza leaves. This soup is nutritious, comforting, and a favorite among lovers of traditional Nigerian meals.
Read full recipe: Okro and Uziza Soup.
11. Delicious Nigerian Chicken Stew
This Nigerian chicken stew is rich, smoky, and full of flavor. It pairs perfectly with rice, yam, plantain, or pasta and is ideal for batch cooking and family meals.
Read full recipe: Delicious Nigerian Chicken Stew .
12. Authentic Nigerian Uziza Spinach Soup
This uziza spinach soup is a deeply flavorful Nigerian dish made with fresh uziza leaves and spinach. It’s aromatic, satisfying, and perfect for traditional meals enjoyed with swallow.
Read full recipe: Authentic Nigerian Uziza Spinach Soup
Nutritional Information:
Please note that the nutritional content for these meals can vary based on portion size, ingredients, and cooking methods. These meals can be adjusted to your individual preference — for example, you can reduce oil, swap proteins, or add more vegetables to make them lighter or more filling.
FAQS About Easy Nigerian Recipes And Quick Family Meals You’ll Love
1. Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Yes! Most of these dishes can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for 2–3 days, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
2. Are these recipes beginner-friendly?
Absolutely! Each recipe uses simple ingredients and clear step-by-step instructions, so even new cooks can follow along.
3. Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
Yes. For example, shrimp in the stir-fry can be replaced with chicken or beef, and plantains can be baked instead of air-fried.
4. How long do these meals take to prepare?
Most recipes take between 10–55 minutes, depending on the dish. Quick meals like tortilla wraps or shrimp stir-fry are ready in about 10–30 minutes.
5. Can these recipes be made for a large family?
Definitely! You can easily double or triple the ingredient quantities to serve more people.
6. Are these meals healthy?
Yes. Many of these dishes use fresh ingredients, lean proteins, and minimal oil (especially recipes like air-fryer bole and one-pot pasta).
Conclusion
These easy Nigerian recipes and quick family meals make cooking at home simple, flavorful, and stress-free. From traditional favorites like egusi soup, okro and uziza soup, akara, and chicken stew to quick and convenient meals like one-pot pasta, tortilla wraps, and shrimp stir-fry, there’s something here for every home cook.
Will you try one of these recipes? Pick your favorite, give it a try, and let us know how it turns out in the comments!
