30-Minute Quick Meals for Busy Creative (aka the 9-5 Hustler Comfort Food)

30-Minute Quick Meals for A Busy Creative (aka the 9-5 Hustler Comfort Food)

I’ll be honest—after a long day of work, whether it’s emails, lesson planning, photoshoots, or just surviving life in Japan’s rush-hour trains, the last thing I want is to wrestle with a chopping board or be emotionally available for a demanding recipe. And as someone who’s still in the middle of writing a cookbook (yes, I know, it’s been a long time coming), I often find myself questioning whether I’ve done enough or if I need to add more. But maybe that’s just me overthinking—classic Jez. So while the final draft simmers on the back burner of my mind, let me share some of the quick 30-minute meals that have saved me on my laziest days.

First up is what I fondly call my “Meghan Markle pasta.” Don’t ask me how it got that name—just know it’s royal in flavor and commoner in effort. It’s a dreamy one-pot pasta where the pasta, tomatoes, and your favorite Italian spices all cook together in one pot. That’s right, no need for separate saucepans and complicated steps. I simply throw in some olive oil, garlic, and a handful of cherry tomatoes with dry pasta, pour in enough water to cover, and leave it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the pasta has softened and the tomatoes have melted into a rustic sauce, I toss in some fresh spinach and basil. A generous grating of cheese seals the deal. What comes out is creamy, comforting, and absolutely divine. It tastes like effort—but took none.

Another go-to of mine is creamy mashed potatoes with roasted chicken. Now here in Japan, the convenience stores and supermarkets have mastered the art of making life easier. I often grab already cut veggies or pre-seasoned meat because, let’s be honest, sometimes I just can’t deal with the emotional labor of chopping onions. For this meal, I throw my potatoes in a pot to boil, and once soft, I mash them with milk, butter, and a bit of cheese until they’re smooth, fluffy, and silky. While that’s working its magic, I roast some chicken—drizzled with some oil and sprinkled with whatever spices are calling my name that day—and let it roast. The result is a hearty, delicious meal that doesn’t require a culinary degree or a ton of energy.

One last dish that deserves an honorable mention is the humble one-pot stew. It’s the kind of meal that cooks itself while you unwind. I just toss everything into a pot—veggies, meat, herbs, and a little broth or tomato base—and leave it to simmer into something warm and nourishing. It fills the house with the kind of smell that makes you believe everything is going to be okay.

If you’re a busy professional like me, juggling passion projects and a 9-5 grind, here’s a little advice from my kitchen to yours: try batch cooking on Sundays. I like to cut and portion my ingredients ahead of time and freeze them. Trust me, nothing feels more like winning at adulthood than opening your freezer to find everything prepped and ready. It’s also worth investing in simple kitchen tools like a slow cooker or even a good non-stick pan—sometimes these little things make the biggest difference.

I’ve also learned to romanticize my time in the kitchen. I’ll light a candle, play some soft gospel or jazz, and treat cooking as a gentle way to end my day instead of another chore to check off the list.

Because honestly, you don’t need a Michelin star to feed your soul.

Sometimes, all you need is a spoonful of creamy mash and twenty minutes of peace.

So while my cookbook continues to marinate, I hope these little meal ideas bring you some warmth, ease, and maybe even a little joy at the end of your hectic day. Let me know if you try any—bonus points if you eat them in your comfiest pajamas.

With love and lazy meals,

Jez