21 easy bakes for those busy winter nights

The cooler weather is here, but don't relegate a comforting, baked meal to weekends. Warm yourself from the inside seven nights a week with these 21 recipes.

Tray-bakes are a gift for busy folk. Minimal preparation, a warming, scrumptious meal and limited cleaning required on the other side: yep, we've got your winter sorted. So, dust off your trusty baking tray and enjoy the wonders of warm winter meals!

Winner winner, chicken dinner

French doesn't have to mean complex, and this is a great example. Toss everything in your baking tray and a great winter meal is on its way.

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It's hard to believe that something that looks, and tastes, so good can take only 10 minutes to prepare. Coat the chicken and haloumi with the herbs, place in a tray, drizzle some lemon and olive oil, bake and done. No, seriously. That's it!

Baked chicken with haloumi (kotopolulo sto fourno me haloum)
Source: Alan Benson

Coated with delicious Indian spices, this bake will fill you up and warm you up! 15 minutes prep makes it the perfect dish to put together after a long day.

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Got 5 minutes? You've got yourself a dinner! This one couldn't be easier to prepare, just shake everything up in a container the night before, leave in the fridge, and tomorrow's meal just needs to be whacked in the oven!

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Don't worry, that last one can be left out if you're on that side of the debate! This one really goes to show that a few simple ingredients can do wonderful things. Taking just 15 minutes out of your day, it's the perfect weeknight fix.

Sumac roasted chicken wings
Source: Bentio Martin

Baked chicken is a winter staple. Keeping the seasoning simple yet delicious, the smell will get you wishing you'd started cooking it earlier!

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Mix it up 

So easy, yet so impressive. This is definitely one to pop on the table and serve this one straight from the pan.

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If the colour of this one is impressing you, wait until you smell and taste it. What's better, for all that this dish packs, it'll only set you back 20 minutes. Winter nights don't sound too bad now, do they?!

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Yes, gnocchi. On a list of easy meals. But this is a bit different, Roman gnocchi is much easier than the more common type from further north. Very easy to put together, just send it oven-bound when the hunger kicks in.

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Quite possibly the ultimate comfort food, this easy bake has stood a long test of time. Serve hot from the oven and you'll be feeling warm in no time.

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Pasta fare

Swapping the white sauce for sour cream makes this mac 'n' cheese just as tasty (if not more so) and easier to prepare. No food scraps tonight!

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A hearty bake with soft pumpkin and that unmistakable taste of pine nuts. Perfect for a chilly winters night in.

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Don't forget dessert

19. Classic baked custard with macerated prunes

Leave room for dessert without having to leave hours of your time. Get the prunes ready the day before (easily done) and thank yourself the next night.

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Simple and bursting with flavour, this is the perfect sweet way to warm up. Just because it's a weeknight, doesn't mean you can't enjoy your dessert!

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Baked rhubarb is the unofficial mascot of winter desserts. Taking only 25 minutes of your weeknight time, this dish will warm you up on the coolest of cool nights.

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food

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