Cooking a delicious meal for you and your loved ones is always a rewarding task, especially when you see them enjoying the dish you’ve created, but have you ever tried whipping up a storm in your caravan? Many people are put off by the idea of cooking in their holiday caravans, citing a lack of space and inspiration as some of their main reasons for choosing not to cook homemade caravan meals.
However, eating out every night can quickly add up and become expensive, especially if you prefer fine dining or are holidaying with a large party. Luckily, there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to caravan meals. It’s not really that much different from cooking in the comfort of your kitchen back home!
We’ve put together some of our favourite quick and easy recipes for a tasty homemade meal prepared in your caravan.
Pasta Bake
For a classic dinner that the whole family are sure to love, opt for a traditional pasta bake. You can easily chop and change the recipe, too, adapting it to add in your favourite sauce or seasonal ingredients. The end result is a delicious pasta bake ideal for everyone to share. Serve with crispy garlic bread or a simple salad – and enjoy!
Curry
Curries are both filling and warming – ideal for those chillier autum evenings. They’re also quick to make and don’t create a lot of washing up, which is perfect for avoiding those dreaded washing up disputes! We recommend using a jar of curry sauce to simplify things even further.
Stir Fry
A stir fry is super quick to make and offers plenty of options in terms of customising the meal to suit your personal tastes. Plus, you can choose to speed up the process even more and cut down on prep time by buying a fresh stir-fry mix of vegetables from the local shop or supermarket. Simply add your choice of meat (if required), some noodles, and a sauce to complete the meal.
Fried Breakfast
What better way to start the day in your holiday caravan than with a fried breakfast? Include all the staples – sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms and baked beans – for a real morning feast. The best part? All-day breakfasts are perfectly acceptable, so you can enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast whenever you like, totally guilt-free!
Baked Potatoes
Perfect for a quick and easy lunch or a simple tea, baked potatoes are both filling and delicious – the perfect combination! For the healthy option, serve with some tuna mayo or just a sprinkling of cheese, or go for baked beans or coleslaw. Alternatively, you could try making some spicy homemade chilli to accompany your baked potato!
Chicken Salad
A delightfully refreshing meal that is perfect for a light lunch or a healthy dinner to enjoy at the end of a long summer day, you can’t go wrong with a classic chicken salad. Think grilled chicken paired with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, spring onion, celery – the full works! Complete the dish with your favourite salad dressing, or for a more filling twist, add some couscous to keep the hunger pangs at bay.
Beans on Toast
Quick, easy, and child-approved, you really can’t go wrong with this classic snack! Beans on toast is both warming and filling, ideal for those nights when you just can’t be bothered to cook. Opt for thick-sliced farmhouse bread and lashings of spread for an extra indulgent touch.
Fish and Chips
Fish and chips are a much-loved seaside staple, but you don’t have to leave the caravan to enjoy a delicious taste of the sea! Depending on your level of culinary prowess and how much effort you’re willing to go to, there are several options here. Frozen fish and chips are a minimal effort (just put the food in the oven!) but opting for fresh, locally sourced fish will provide a real taste sensation. If you’re really feeling adventurous, why not try making your very own tartare sauce to accompany the fish?
Homemade Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza? Ditch the boxed supermarket pizzas and try something a little different – making your own homemade pizza! This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved and feeling creative, plus it’s a win-win situation as there will be no fighting over which toppings to choose! You can buy ready-made pizza dough, or alternatively, make homemade pitta pizzas for a lighter option. Top with tomato sauce, cheese, and any toppings you fancy, before cooking under the grill and enjoying!
Sausage and Mash
Another family-friendly meal, sausage and mash is a classic go-to meal – and for good reason! There’s nothing better than juicy, succulent sausages and creamy mash, and what’s more, it’s a really quick and easy choice for dinner, too. Once again, if you come across an independent local butcher near to your caravan, why not try locally made sausages?
Burgers
Whether you prefer classic beef burgers, crispy chicken burgers, or spicy veggie burgers, this simple meal comes in many different forms, making it easy to find one that everyone likes! Enjoy with a deliciously soft burger bun, your favourite sauce, and a slice of cheese or sprinkling of salad. Of course, if you really don’t feel like cooking in your caravan, why not fire up the barbecue and cook your food outside while enjoying the summer sunshine, instead?
Pancakes
Everyone loves pancakes – and they’re great as a delicious breakfast or an indulgent dessert. Whether you make your own from scratch or just pick up a pack of ready-made pancakes, this simple dish is great for adults and children alike. Why not give the kids a choice and let them pick their own toppings? From maple syrup to strawberry sauce, yoghurt, berries, chocolate drops, or even bacon for a breakfast treat, there’s certainly plenty to choose from.
Although these are just a handful of simple recipes and caravan meal ideas, there is no reason why you can’t get creative and try your hand at something a little more complex. Remember – cooking in holiday caravans shouldn’t be a chore. At the end of the day, you are on holiday, after all!
