It's getting to that point in everyone's calendar year where even the basics like cooking and cleaning are slipping through the cracks. We're all busy with work, family and trying to keep up with our social lives (and all just before we hit the busy holiday season), so it's only natural that we feel a yearning for simplicity elsewhere.

Anywhere in our lives where we can cut a corner right now, we will – and that includes our weeknight meals. When you're not sharing the burden of cooking with a parent, partner or housemate, this can be a particularly taxing part of your day – so we thought we'd round up some of our favourite quick and low-maintenance weeknight meals that still pack a nutritional and delicious punch.

1. Miso butter salmon

@christianpetracca_5 Miso butter salmon Recipe by @tiffycooks Ingredients: 450g salmon Salt & pepper to season Miso butter: 4 tbsp butter (unsalted) 1 tbsp sriracha 1 tbsp miso paste 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped Juice of one lemon 1 tsp lemon zest 2 cloves of garlic Method: Mix room temperature butter with miso paste, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic in a bowl. Pat fry the salmon and season with salt & pepper In a pan, add oil and turn heat up to medium high. Once pan is hot, add in salmon and pan fry on each side. Add your Desiree amount of miso butter, put lid on and let cook for another 3 minutes or until cooked through. Serve with rice and vegetables of choice, I used Bokchoy. #salmon #misosalmon #recipe ♬ Chill Day - LAKEY INSPIRED

AFL player Christian Petracca is always a go-to for easy, healthy weeknight meals that still feel achievable. Salmon is a great source of protein, iron and B12 after a long day – and this miso butter salmon recipe is super simple, delicious and satiating.

2. Rice cooker dumplings with bok choy

@thehealthyhophead Simple Dumplings & Bok Choy made in the Rice Cooker ✨ I love making this recipe when im too tired or down in the dump. It’s effortless, balanced & nutritious! (Recipe below!) & don't forget to check out my new book, Compact Cooking for pre-order on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, & Target! The link is also in my bio Recipe: Ingredients- 5-6 dumplings 6 leaves of baby bok choy 1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp water 1 tbsp chili crisp 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp chopped green onions 1 tsp sesame seeds Directions- 1. To a rice cooker, add the olive oil, water, bok choy, and dumplings. Cover & press the button to cook for 10 minutes. 2. Remove the cover & add chili crisp, soy sauce, green onions, & sesame seeds evenly across the dumplings and bok choy. Press the button again to cook for 5 minutes, uncovered so the bottom of the dumplings get crispy. 3. Enjoy! #food #foodtiktok ♬ Oogum Boogum Song - Brenton Wood

The versatility of your rice cooker cannot be overstated, and this simple recipe for rice-cooker dumplings with fresh bok choy is literally a 10-minute way to create a restaurant-worthy dish. You can use whatever kind of frozen dumplings you might have in your freezer, and there's only one dish to clean up afterward.

3. Creamy vegan capsicum pasta

@sezzy.brown Creamy Capsicum Pasta 🫑 Full recipe in my bi0 An all time fave dish! I realised after making this video that I have been pronouncing capsicum like capsicin my whole life hahaha Ps. I made this video last year when i was vegan and i am no longer vegan #creamypasta #creamypastarecipe Summer Place" - Percy Faith And His Orchestra" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Theme-from-A-Summer-Place-6731812431519025153?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith And His Orchestra

Sometimes vegan dishes can take a little longer to prep, but not this one! Simply sauté some chopped onions and capsicum, then blend with some cashews and nutritional yeast. Et voila – a delicious and dairy-free take on something similar to the classic pasta a la vodka.

4. Slow cooker beef curry

@ash.cooks.dinner It shouldnt taste this good out of a slow cooker! YUM #crockpot #slowcook #delicious #easyrecipe #dinner #beef #curry ♬ original sound - Ash.Cooks

The humble slow cooker is back in our good books – and this simple, cheap and delicious beef curry recipe is the way to our hearts on a busy weekday. Simply throw together your ingredients in the morning before you leave for work (or head to your WFH desk), and arrive home to a beautiful ready-to-eat curry that won't disappoint.

5. Pesto ravioli with asparagus

@emilymariko♬ original sound - Emily Mariko

If it's good enough for the domestic goddess of TikTok, Emily Mariko, then it's good enough for us. This recipe is a great way to spice up a pre-made ravioli pack with a little bit more flavour courtesy of a good-quality pesto and some asparagus (you could also sub for green beans or another stalky green vegetable of your choice).

Image credits top to bottom: Bon Appetit, NYT Cooking, Bon Appetit, NYT Cooking, EyeSwoon.