Need dinner in a hurry? These are five meals you can whip up in under 30 minutes; perfect for when you just want to eat without spending all evening in the kitchen.

1. Fried Plantain & Eggs

This classic Nigerian combo is ready in just 15 minutes. Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan. Peel and slice 2 ripe plantains diagonally (look for ones with black spots for sweetness). Fry the plantain slices until golden brown on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). While that’s cooking, crack 3 eggs into a bowl and whisk with a pinch of salt, some chopped onions, and a handful of diced bell peppers (red and green give nice color). Pour out excess oil from the plantain pan, leaving just a little bit. Pour in the egg mixture and scramble until set but still moist. Serve the eggs alongside the fried plantain. For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of curry powder to your eggs while cooking.

2. Noodles with Veggies & Eggs

A filling meal ready in 15 minutes. Boil 2 packs of indomie noodles in a pot with enough water to cover them. While that’s boiling, chop half an onion, 1 tomato, and a handful of carrots into small pieces. In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and fry the vegetables for 2 minutes. Drain the noodles when they’re soft (about 3 minutes) but save half a cup of the water. Add the noodles to the vegetable pan along with the seasoning packets and the saved water. Stir well. Push the noodles to one side of the pan and crack 2 eggs on the empty side. Scramble the eggs until nearly cooked, then mix everything together. Finish with a sprinkle of crayfish powder for true Nigerian flavor.

3. Quick Yam & Egg Sauce

A filling meal that takes about 25 minutes. Peel and cube half a medium yam into bite-sized pieces. Rinse well and boil in water with a pinch of salt until fork-tender (about 15 minutes). While the yam cooks, make your egg sauce: chop 1 onion, 2 tomatoes, and 1 bell pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of palm oil in a pan (or vegetable oil if you prefer). Fry the onions until soft, add the tomatoes and peppers, and cook for 3 minutes. Crack in 4 eggs, add a teaspoon of curry powder, half a teaspoon of thyme, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently until the eggs are just set but still creamy. Drain the yam and serve with the egg sauce poured over.

4. Jollof Spaghetti

Nigerian-style pasta ready in 25 minutes. Boil half a pack of spaghetti in water with a little salt and a tablespoon of vegetable oil until almost done (about 7 minutes – it should still have a bite). Drain and set aside. In a pot, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and fry 1 chopped onion until translucent. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Pour in 1 cup of tomato sauce or blended fresh tomatoes with 1 chopped bell pepper. Add 1 seasoning cube, half a teaspoon of curry powder, a pinch of thyme, and salt to taste. Let this simmer for 5 minutes, then add the drained spaghetti. Mix well, adding a splash of water if it’s too dry. Cover and let it cook on low heat for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. For extra protein, you can add a tin of sardines or leftover chicken in the last few minutes of cooking.

5. Garri with Groundnut & Sugar (Emergency Style!)

The ultimate 5-minute Nigerian emergency meal! Pour 1 cup of cold water into a bowl. Gradually add 1 cup of garri (cassava flakes) while stirring to prevent lumps. The garri should float on top of the water. Add 2 tablespoons of groundnut (peanuts) – either whole or crushed. Sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of sugar on top according to your taste. For extra flavor, add a few cubes of coconut if you have them. This instant meal requires no cooking at all and is filling enough to keep you going when you’re super busy.

Simple, satisfying, and ready in no time. Each of these meals uses everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!

Tip: Keep these ingredients stocked in your pantry for emergency meals anytime.