This time of year always has a bit of a reflective vibe for me.

Summer has wound down and most of us are back to regular scheduled programming, reminiscing about long, languid days beachside while in the swing of weekly routine. Another familiar ritual that's back in full focus: the perpetual decision of what to make for dinner.

To help lighten the mental load, I scoured the Mamamia team's meal planners to find out what everyone's really cooking. The brief was simple — what's the dish you find yourself leaning on right now? This means high-rotation, easy execution and must taste great.

Here's what they said. I'll go first.

Courtney

Image: Supplied.

"I've made a tradition to make some kind of pasta (often spaghetti meatballs) every Sunday night, which also means great leftovers for Monday lunch (and sometimes even Monday dinner). When I've had a busy weekend and want to streamline the prep, I've been reaching for these Coles Made Easy Pork & Beef meatballs in tomato sauce. Slow-cooked goodness, only needs 25 minutes in the oven, and makes things so easy, giving me leftovers to take for lunch the next day. That helps me feel smug and organised on a Monday."

Pip

"I have kids, so mince is queen. Mexican (tacos, burritos), burgers, bolognese, meatballs... anything with mince. In short, mince."

Monisha

"I'm having some version of Greek salad almost every night in summer: the usual winners like feta, cucumber and whatever skewers of meat on rotation that week. Coles have these great Coles Made Easy Greek Lamb Kits (with thick tortillas), which are perfect for pairing with salad and are super easy to whip up. It's the most delicious slow cooked lamb shoulder, and ready under 30 minutes from the barbeque."

Demi

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"Chilli con carne is top of the leaderboard for 2026 so far. Just a few key ingredients that you throw into a pot, and most of the time you already have the spices and sauces needed to season as pantry staples. Trick it up with guac, sour cream and coriander for extra flavour. We like ours with corn chips and lettuce cups for extra crunch."

Georgie

"Crumbed chicken with a Green Goddess Salad Kit (my Coles favourite) is a winner. I add some avo, sliced almonds and parmesan cheese with some olive oil and balsamic. It's really filling and goes with lots of things."

Charlotte

"Fajita pasta was a regular for me for ages! Fajita seasoning, chicken, capsicums, onion, light cream cheese and pasta — IDEAL. My current hyperfixation right now is steak and veg, like any potatoes in the crisper, roast zucchini, red onion and capsicum, with a bit of salt, pepper and balsamic."

Michelle

"We just got an air fryer (only 5 years late on the trend), and love the Coles Made Easy Pork Belly Bites and Coles Made Easy Beef Bites, both from Coles, which are now our fun addition to the weekly rotation. They're Australian pork and Australian beef, they both just go straight into the air fryer, and 10 minutes later you look like you actually tried.

"We stuff whichever bites into any soft bun/roll with cabbage, corn, fresh lime, chilli and also pickles (I'm 33 and have only just discovered pickles??). For the toddler, I just chop the bites up small and serve with veggies like a corn cob on the side. Minimal brainpower for me, and it gives all the melt-in-the-mouth flavours of slow cooking without the wait. But everyone's eating the same thing, which is the true victory."

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Madi

"I am an air fryer gal through and through. Chuck some oiled and nicely seasoned veggies (on rotation is cauliflower, sweet potato, eggplant) in the air fryer, pan-fry chicken nicely, and then I'll either steam some broccoli on the stove and mix that with rice or a salad as the side.

"Another one is a crispy mince which I mix with zucchini and onion, and pan fry topping it with a yum, easy yoghurt dressing with Greek yogurt, oil, lemon, grated cucumber and plenty of seasoning."

Lauren

"For me, it's a super simple Thai red curry with chicken and whatever veggies I have, plus a can of coconut milk and some spice sauce with ghee to thicken it up. Also on heavy rotation has been baked stuffed sweet potatoes! It takes about an hour to fully cook in the oven, but it's worth it. I put anything on it: beef mince, tahini, beans, Mexican-style corn and beans — obsessed!"

Helena

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"For someone who doesn't really cook, this was a win for me. It's called Creamy Pan Seared Salmon from an online recipe and I love it. It's an easy and healthy meal prep: salmon, mushrooms, zucchini, vegetable broth, almond milk and parmesan cheese. I like a lighter meal in the nighttime."

Catherine

"I've been making rice paper rolls a lot lately, tofu ones mainly. They're quick, fresh and delicious, and the kids love making all different combinations."

Shop your dinner essentials at Coles in-store or online.

Featured image: Supplied.

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