Easy takeaway recipes to make at home
It’s 7:30 pm. You’re on your way home from after school commitments. The kids are grizzling in the back seat and you’re exhausted after a long day. The last thing you feel like doing is cooking. At this point, how many of you would be looking for the nearest drive-through? Takeaway can be convenient, but it isn’t always the best option. But what’s the alternative? Thermomix “Fakeaway!”
It’s easier than you think to swap your favourite takeaway for homemade fakeaway. Here are some of the benefits:
Thermomix Fakeaway can be quicker
There is a perception that takeaway is quick; we call it “fast food” after all. Yet, in the time it would have taken you to visit a drive-through, it’s possible to deliver homemade takeaway from your kitchen to your table.
If you’re resorting to takeaway because you can’t decide what to cook – consider meal planning. Create yourself some Cookidoo collections like “Quick dinners,” “Easy midweek dinners,” and “Friday night favourites.” Then, when you’re planning your meal choices for the week, you’ve already done some of the hard work and narrowed down the number of choices to pick from. If you need a refresher on the meal planning functions in Cookidoo, view these short tutorials.
If you’re resorting to takeaway because you’re time poor – consider meal prepping. When it comes to food prep, you have a few different options:
1. Batch cook and freeze meals
It can be quicker and easier to defrost frozen homemade meals, than to wait for your takeaway delivery. If you don’t feel organised enough to set aside a couple of hours on a weekend to batch cook for the week, start by making a double batch of your favourite meal next time you cook it. The Road to Loving my Thermo Mixer has a comprehensive list of suggestions and here are a few freezer friendly recipes on Cookidoo:
- Chickpea and Tomato Rogan Josh
- Chilli beef with lemon feta
- Easy satay chicken
- LCHF chicken Kievs
- Meatballs in red pepper sauce
2. Batch cook and freeze staples
If you don’t have freezer space to pre-make the full meal, you can at least keep some basics on hand for when you need them. For example:
- Curry powder to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
- Pizza dough – I par bake then freeze the bases. Just add toppings when ready.
- Taco seasoning to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
- Tandoori paste to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
- Tikka paste to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
- Thai red curry paste to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
- Thai green curry paste to make these recipes on Cookidoo and the Recipe Community
3. Prepare recipes up to a certain stage
Based on the cooking time, you might dismiss some recipes as too hard to make during the week, but always read the recipe steps before you make a decision. You might have time to prepare part of the recipe in the morning, or between shuttling kids to activities. Then it’s a simple matter to finish the last steps just before you are ready to eat. For example:
- Focaccia – prepare the dough and set aside to prove slowly in the fridge
- Mongolian lamb hot pot – prepare up to the marinade stage
- Smoky Mexican bean soup – make ahead (or skip) the Almond sour cream
- Sour cream and chicken enchiladas – prepare up to the stage ready for baking
- Thai beef salad – prepare up to the assembly stage
Thermomix Fakeaway can be healthier
Most takeaways rely on fat, sugar, salt, and additives for flavour. Savoury sauces and salad dressings, in particular, can be packed full of hidden sugar which reduces the nutritional value of your meals.
When you make your favourite takeaway dish at home, you’re in control:
- You know exactly what’s gone into it.
- You can easily adjust the fat, sugar, and salt (plus the spiciness) to your taste.
- You can make simple, healthy swaps, like a salad instead of fries or a burrito bowl instead of nachos.
- You can stick to healthy portion sizes.
Thermomix Fakeaway can save you money
The average Australian household spends one third of their food budget on eating out and takeaway. A single “premium” takeaway pizza or chicken curry would see you out of pocket $20. And that’s before you add any delivery fees. You could make the same pizza at home for half the price, using quality, fresh ingredients, while creamy coconut chicken curry with cauliflower rice only costs $3.20 per serve to make from scratch.
Meal planning helps you save money too. If you have a clear list of what you need to purchase for the week, you minimise the number of trips you make to the supermarket and the number of groceries you buy, but don’t need. When you meal plan in Cookidoo, it will generate a shopping list for you and you can even order your ingredients directly online.
Thermomix Takeaway Ideas
To help with the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question, I’ve put together a list of homemade takeaway favourites to get you started. There is a printable A4 version too for when you’re looking for last minute meal inspiration. Print on both sides of paper (remember to flip on the short edge), fold, and replace your other takeaway menus.
Pizza, burgers, curries, fried rice, fish and chips, kebabs… I tried to cover all of your takeaway favourites, but there was only room for so many recipes. Which takeaway favourite of yours did I miss? Share in the comments!
TM31 Fakeaway Recipes
BREAKFAST TO GO
Acai Berry Bowl – Good Food, Gluten Free, Australia
Bagels with Bacon Jam and Egg – Weekend Brunch, Australia
Coconut Green Chai Smoothie – Quirky Cooking
Hash Browns Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Mango Muesli – Eat Well, Australia
Pikelets – The Basic Cookbook
Plum and Raspberry Chia Puddings – Eat Well, Australia
MIXDONALD’S
– Recipe Community
Classic Beef Burgers – Barbecue, Australia
– Recipe Community
Creamy Iced Coffee – TM31 Everyday Cookbook, Australia
– Recipe Community
Hot Cacao Fudge Sauce – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Just like McDonald’s Apple Pie – Recipe Community
COLONEL THERMO
Coleslaw – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
– Recipe Community
Popcorn Chicken – The Road to Loving my Thermo Mixer
– Recipe Community
GREEN ROOSTER
All-in-one Chicken Dinner – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Dipping Sauces
- – Recipe Community
- Mayonnaise – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
- Tartare Sauce – Skinnymixers
- Thermobexta’s Tomato Ketchup – Thermobexta
Healthy Chocolate Mousse – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Herb and Garlic Pull-Apart Bread – The Basic Cookbook
– Recipe Community
– Recipe Community
ASIAN TAKEAWAY
Awesome Pad Thai – Recipe Community
Cel’s Delicious Honey Chicken – Recipe Community
Chinese-style Stir-Fried Vegetables – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Curry Laksa – Eat Well, Australia
Hoisin Pork Bowl – Nourishing Bowls, Australia
Honey Soy Meatballs – Recipe Community
Korean Barbecue Pork with Rice Salad – Barbecue, Australia
Mayonnaise sushi style – Recipe Community
Mixed Mushroom Congee with Pickled Eggs – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Mongolian Lamb – Recipe Community
Non-Fried Fried Rice – Recipe Community
Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce – Yum Cha, Australia
Pork San Choy Bau – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Prawn and Noodle Stir-Fry – Simply Delicious, Australia
Steamed Pork Buns (baozi) – Yum Cha, Australia
Sue-Ellen’s Singapore Noodles – Quirky Cooking
Sweet and sour meatballs with vegetables – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Thai Beef Salad with Noodles – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Thai Green Chicken Curry – Recipe Community
Thai Spring Rolls “Poh Pia” – Recipe Community
Thermomix Sushi – Recipe Community
Vietnamese Chicken Meatball and Noodle Soup – Recipe Community
INDIAN TAKEAWAY
Butter Chicken – Skinnymixers
Chicken Korma – Flavours of India, Australia
Chicken Tikka Masala – Flavours of India, Australia
Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry – Flavours of India, Australia
Garlic and Coriander Naan – Flavours of India, Australia
Goan Prawn Curry – Flavours of India, Australia
Onion Bhaji – Flavours of India, Australia
Samosas – Flavours of India, Australia
Seekh Kebabs – Flavours of India, Australia
ITALIAN TAKEAWAY
Almond Biscotti – Festive Flavour, Australia
Chunky Bolognese – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Creamy Tomato and Salami Fettuccine – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Garlic Prawn Linguine – Recipe Community
Lasagne – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Minestrone – The Basic Cookbook
Mushroom Risotto – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Pizza Dough – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Pumpkin Soup – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Ricotta Gnocchi – Focus on Ricotta, Australia
Spaghetti Carbonara – The Basic Cookbook
Steamed mussels with red wine and tomato sauce – Recipe Community
Tiramisu – The Basic Cookbook
MEXICAN TAKEAWAY
Black Bean Enchiladas – Eat Well, Australia
Chilli Chutney Quesadillas – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Chilli Con Carne – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Churros (oven baked) – Recipe Community
Guacamole – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Mexican Slow Cooked Beef – Recipe Community
Mexican Stack – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Nachos with Beans and Cashew Sour Cream – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Red Rice and Beans – Recipe Community
Refried Beans – Recipe Community
Shredded Beef for Tacos and Burritos – Recipe Community
Taco Seasoning – Eat Well, Australia
Warm Mexican Chilli Dip ‘Chilli Con Queso’ – Recipe Community
MIDDLE EASTERN AND MEDITERRANEAN TAKEAWAY
Doner Kebabs – Recipe Community
Falafel with Beetroot Hommus – Wholefood Cooking, Australia
Iraqi cheese pies (Cheese chureck) – Travel the Middle East, Australia
Keftethes (Greek Meatballs) – Postcards from Greece, Australia
Kofta and Cucumber Yoghurt – Recipe Community
Lamb and Feta Meatballs – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Lentil and Chickpea Burger with Tahini Dressing – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Lentil Moussaka – Wholefood Cooking, Australia
Spiced Lamb Flatbread – Travel the Middle East, Australia
Tabouli like the Kebab Shop – Recipe Community
Traditional Hommus – Authentic Lebanese, Australia
Turkish Pide – Recipe Community
Tzatziki Dip – TM31 Everyday Cookbook
Warm Mediterranean Couscous Salad – Thermomix Favourites, Australia
USA TAKEAWAY
BBQ Chicken Winglets – Good Food, Gluten Free, Australia
Buffalo Chicken Wings – Barbecue, Australia
– Recipe Community
Pulled Pork with Apple and Fennel Salad – Eat Well, Australia
“Subway” Cookies – Recipe Community
TM5 Fakeaway Recipes
BREAKFAST TO GO
Acai Berry Bowl – Good Food, Gluten Free, Australia
Bagels with Bacon Jam and Egg – Weekend Brunch, Australia
Coconut Green Chai Smoothie – Quirky Cooking
Hash Browns Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Mango Muesli Eat Well, Australia
Pikelets – The Basic Cookbook
Plum and Raspberry Chia Puddings – Eat Well, Australia
MIXDONALD’S
– Recipe Community
Classic Beef Burgers – Barbecue, Australia
– Recipe Community
Frappé Coffee – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
– Recipe Community
Hot Cacao Fudge Sauce – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Just like McDonald’s Apple Pie – Recipe Community
COLONEL THERMO
Coleslaw – The Basic Cookbook
– Recipe Community
Popcorn Chicken – The Road to Loving my Thermo Mixer
– Recipe Community
GREEN ROOSTER
All-in-one Chicken Dinner – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Dipping Sauces
- – Recipe Community
- Mayonnaise – The Basic Cookbook
- Tartare Sauce – Skinnymixers
- Thermobexta’s Tomato Ketchup – Thermobexta
Healthy Chocolate Mousse – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Herb and Garlic Pull-Apart Bread – The Basic Cookbook
– Recipe Community
– Recipe Community
ASIAN TAKEAWAY
Awesome Pad Thai – Recipe Community
Cel’s Delicious Honey Chicken – Recipe Community
Chinese-style Stir-Fried Vegetables – The Basic Cookbook
Curry Laksa – Eat Well, Australia
Hoisin Pork Bowl – Nourishing Bowls, Australia
Honey Soy Meatballs – Recipe Community
Korean Barbecue Pork with Rice Salad – Barbecue, Australia
Mayonnaise sushi style – Recipe Community
Mixed Mushroom Congee with Pickled Eggs – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Mongolian Lamb – Recipe Community
Non-Fried Fried Rice – Recipe Community
Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce – Yum Cha, Australia
Pork San Choy Bau – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Prawn and Noodle Stir-Fry – Simply Delicious, Australia
Steamed Pork Buns (baozi) – Yum Cha, Australia
Sue-Ellen’s Singapore Noodles – Quirky Cooking
Sweet and sour meatballs with vegetables – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Thai Beef Salad with Noodles – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Thai Green Chicken Curry – Recipe Community
Thai Spring Rolls “Poh Pia” – Recipe Community
Thermomix Sushi – Recipe Community
Vietnamese Chicken Meatball and Noodle Soup – Recipe Community
INDIAN TAKEAWAY
Butter Chicken – Skinnymixers
Chicken Korma – Flavours of India, Australia
Chicken Tikka Masala – Flavours of India, Australia
Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry – Flavours of India, Australia
Garlic and Coriander Naan – Flavours of India, Australia
Goan Prawn Curry – Flavours of India, Australia
Onion Bhaji – Flavours of India, Australia
Samosas – Flavours of India, Australia
Seekh Kebabs – Flavours of India, Australia
ITALIAN TAKEAWAY
Almond Biscotti – Festive Flavour, Australia
Chunky Bolognese – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Creamy Tomato and Salami Fettuccine – The Basic Cookbook
Garlic Prawn Linguine – Recipe Community
Lasagne Bolognese – The Basic Cookbook
Minestrone – The Basic Cookbook
Mushroom Risotto – The Basic Cookbook
Pizza Dough – The Basic Cookbook
Pumpkin Soup – The Basic Cookbook
Ricotta Gnocchi – Focus on Ricotta, Australia
Spaghetti Carbonara – The Basic Cookbook
Steamed mussels with red wine and tomato sauce – Recipe Community
Tiramisu – The Basic Cookbook
MEXICAN TAKEAWAY
Black Bean Enchiladas – Eat Well, Australia
Chilli Chutney Quesadillas – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Chilli Con Carne – The Basic Cookbook
Churros (oven baked) – Recipe Community
Guacamole – The Basic Cookbook
Mexican Slow Cooked Beef – Recipe Community
Mexican Stack – The Basic Cookbook
Nachos with Beans and Cashew Sour Cream – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Red Rice and Beans – Recipe Community
Refried Beans – Recipe Community
Shredded Beef for Tacos and Burritos – Recipe Community
Taco Seasoning – Eat Well, Australia
Warm Mexican Chilli Dip ‘Chilli Con Queso’ – Recipe Community
MIDDLE EASTERN AND MEDITERRANEAN TAKEAWAY
Doner Kebabs – Recipe Community
Falafel with Beetroot Hommus – Wholefood Cooking, Australia
Iraqi cheese pies (Cheese chureck) – Travel the Middle East, Australia
Keftethes (Greek Meatballs) – Postcards from Greece, Australia
Kofta and Cucumber Yoghurt – Recipe Community
Lamb and Feta Meatballs – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Lentil and Chickpea Burger with Tahini Dressing – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Lentil Moussaka – Wholefood Cooking, Australia
Spiced Lamb Flatbread – Travel the Middle East, Australia
Tabouli like the Kebab Shop – Recipe Community
Traditional Hommus – Authentic Lebanese Australia
Turkish Pide – Recipe Community
Tzatziki Dip – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Warm Mediterranean Couscous Salad – Thermomix Favourites, Australia
USA TAKEAWAY
BBQ Chicken Winglets – Good Food, Gluten Free, Australia
Buffalo Chicken Wings – Barbecue, Australia
– Recipe Community
Pulled Pork with Apple and Fennel Salad – Eat Well, Australia
“Subway” Cookies – Recipe Community
TM6 Fakeaway Recipes
BREAKFAST TO GO
Acai Berry Bowl – Good Food, Gluten Free, Australia
American-style Pancakes – The Basic Cookbook
Bagels with Bacon Jam and Egg – Weekend Brunch, Australia
Breakfast Burger – Better Burgers, USA
Energising Smoothie – Breakfast Smoothies, UK
Hash Browns – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Orange and Mango Chia Pudding – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
MIXDONALD’S
Baked Chicken Nuggets – 5 Simple Ingredients, USA
Chicken Burger with Yoghurt Sauce – Burgers, UK
Classic Beef Burgers – Barbecue, Australia
Classic Diner Burger – Better Burgers, USA
Frappé Coffee – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Hamburgers – Everyday Cookbook, USA
Hot Cacao Fudge Sauce – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Salted Caramel Ice Cream – The Basic Cookbook
COLONEL THERMO
Chicken ‘Fried’ Steak – Tex-Mex Cookbook, USA
Coleslaw – The Basic Cookbook
Southern-style Fried Chicken & Sweetcorn – Comforting Family Food, UK
Traditional Gravy – Savoury Sauces, Australia
GREEN ROOSTER
All-in-one Chicken Dinner – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Caesar Salad – Taste of Home, USA
Chocolate Chestnut Cheesecake – All-in-one Meals, UK
Chocolate Fondant Cake – The Basic Cookbook
Dipping Sauces
- Barbecue Sauce – Barbecue, Australia
- Mayonnaise – The Basic Cookbook
- Tartare Sauce – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
- Tomato Ketchup – The Basic Cookbook
Healthy Chocolate Mousse – Sweet Nourish, Australia
Herb and Garlic Pull-Apart Bread – The Basic Cookbook
Layered Chicken Dinner – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
ASIAN TAKEAWAY
Cha gio (Spring Rolls) – Vietnamese, Australia
Chiang Mai Noodles – Simply Delicious, Australia
Chinese Five Spice Beef Cheeks – Skinnymixers Classics, Australia
Chinese Pork with Vegetables – The Basic Cookbook
Easy Satay Chicken – Quick and easy meals, Australia
Hoisin Pork Bowl – Nourishing Bowls, Australia
Korean Barbecue Pork with Rice Salad – Barbecue, Australia
Mixed Mushroom Congee with Pickled Eggs – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Mongolian Lamb Hot Pot – The Basic Cookbook
Pad Kra Pow – Matt Sinclair, Australia
Pad Thai Noodles with Prawns – The Basic Cookbook
Pork with Black Bean Sauce – Quick and easy meals, Australia
Prawn and Chicken Laksa – Soups, Australia
Prawn and Noodle Stir-Fry – Simply Delicious, Australia
San Choy Bau – Matt Sinclair, Australia
Soba Noodle Mee Goreng – Plant to Plate, Australia
Special Un-Fried Rice – Meals in Under 45 Minutes, UK
Steamed Pork Buns (baozi) – Yum Cha, Australia
Sticky Sesame Chicken – Meals in a Flash, Australia
Sushi – Sushi, UK
Sweet and Sour Pork – Meals in a Flash, Australia
Taiwanese Sticky Rice – Made in Taiwan, Australia
Thai Beef Salad – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Vietnamese Mixed Meat Pho – Vietnamese, Australia
INDIAN TAKEAWAY
Chicken Jalfrezi – Slow Cooking, Australia
Chicken Tikka Masala – A Taste of India, UK
Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry (TM6) – TM6 Cooking Experience, Australia
Goan Prawn Curry – Flavours of India, Australia
Kid-friendly Butter Chicken – Wholefood Child, Australia
Lamb Korma – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Naan Bread – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Onion Bhaji – Flavours of India, Australia
Samosas – Flavours of India, Australia
Seekh Kebabs – Flavours of India, Australia
ITALIAN TAKEAWAY
Almond Biscotti – Festive Flavour, Australia
Bolognese Sauce – The Basic Cookbook
Chicken Cacciatore – The Basic Cookbook
Creamy Tomato and Salami Fettuccine – The Basic Cookbook
Garlic Prawns – The Basic Cookbook
Lasagne Bolognese – The Basic Cookbook
Minestrone – The Basic Cookbook
Mushroom Risotto (TM6) – TM6 Cooking Experience, Australia
Peanut Butter Gelato (Gelato Messina) – Our 15th Anniversary, Australia
Penne with Mussels – Fabulous Flavour on Every Level, Australia
Pizza Dough – The Basic Cookbook
Pumpkin Soup – The Basic Cookbook
Ricotta Gnocchi – Focus on Ricotta, Australia
Spaghetti Carbonara – The Basic Cookbook (green)
Tiramisu – The Basic Cookbook (green)
MEXICAN TAKEAWAY
Beef Brisket Chilli Con Carne – Slow Cooking, Australia
Beef Fajitas – Fakeaway Favourites, Australia
Beef Tacos – Fakeaway Favourites, Australia
Beef Tostadas – Viva México!, USA
Black Bean Quesadillas with Guacamole – Meals in Minutes, UK
Brisket Burrito – Tex-Mex Cookbook, USA
Churros – Entertaining with Dani Valent, Australia
Guacamole – The Basic Cookbook (green)
Kimchi Queso Dip – Plant to Plate, Australia
Mexican Stack – The Basic Cookbook
Nachos with Beans and Cashew Sour Cream – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Red Rice – Entertaining with Dani Valent, Australia
Refried Beans – Plant to Plate, Australia
Sour Cream and Chicken Enchiladas – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Tex-Mex Tortillas with Shredded Pork and Black Beans – The Basic Cookbook
MIDDLE EASTERN AND MEDITERRANEAN TAKEAWAY
Beef Koftas with Saffron Yoghurt – Barbecue, UK
Falafel with Beetroot Hommus – Wholefood Cooking, Australia
Keftethes (Greek Meatballs) – Postcards from Greece, Australia
Lamb and Feta Meatballs – Cooking for Me and You, Australia
Lamb Moussaka – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Lentil and Chickpea Burger with Tahini Dressing – Vegetarian Kitchen, Australia
Middle Eastern Chicken with Pearl Couscous – Meals in a Flash, Australia
Pistachio Cake – Calendar Favourites, Australia
Quick Gyros with Tzatziki – Fakeaway Favourites, Australia
Spiced Lamb Flatbread – Travel the Middle East, Australia
Spiced Moroccan Lentil Soup – The Basic Cookbook
Tzatziki Dip – Everyday Cooking for Thermomix Families, Australia
Warm Mediterranean Couscous Salad – Thermomix Favourites, Australia
USA TAKEAWAY
Buffalo Chicken Wings – Barbecue, Australia
Chocolate Chip Cookies – The Basic Cookbook (green)
Meatball Subs – Street Food, Australia
Pan Pizza – Everyday Cookbook, USA
Pulled Pork Burger – Slow Cooking, Australia
I saw a screenshot of this and it looks a lot better on the website
Thanks! I was a bit bemused when people started making screen shots of it. I would have thought the PDF with links was much more useful.
Wow. Someone just added the link to this in a facebook page and it’s brilliant! Thank you so much for providing the links to all the recipes
hi there Megan
I cam across your site and will definitely be using that menu – the only sad thing is I can’t seem to access it to download. I keep getting errors. Could you email me a copy?
Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Cynthia. I have updated the links.