Spaghetti Bolognese, roast dinner, curry, and pizza have topped a list of meals – that Brits tend to cook on rotation, a study has found.
Over half of Brits (53%) admit they are “stuck in a rut” when it comes to mealtime inspiration – with stirfry, burgers, and sausages and mash other go-to dishes that they cook on a loop.
And the poll of 2,000 adults found that 48% are “bored” of always having the same food for dinner – but 46% claim it's “difficult” to change up their mealtime habits.
Chili con carne, shepherd's pie, and lasagne complete the top 10 meals that Brits will cook time and time again – with 29% saying they have been stuck in such a rut for at least a year.
But 61% are keen to try new dishes, with seven in ten saying they would like to mix up their menu by adding a twist to their repeated favourites.
The research was commissioned by Dolmio, which has teamed-up with actor, Tom Read Wilson, to launch a series of “Bolognese hacks”.
The Celebs Go Dating star said: “With more people cooking at home than ever, now is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen.
“I get excited about unexpected twists to home comforts – the crazier the better!
“Bolognese in a bao bun or baguette might initially sound curious, but the fusion is delicious. I’m looking forward to inspiring the nation with these dishes.”
It emerged that barriers to introducing more variety to home dinners include lack of inspiration (41%), time (34%), and skills (21%).
And the study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed that 83% of adults now struggle to afford to dine out due to the cost-of-living crisis – and this might partly explain why 35% now cook all their dinners at home.
Nearly a quarter (23%) cook seven different evening meals a week, with 49% describing their dinners as “tasty” – although 39% use “convenient” to describe them.
Sian Gavin, of Mars Food, which produces Dolmio products, said: “With our research showing that there is a taste explorer in all of us, we want to inspire people with fresh takes on our classic Bolognese.
“We want to galvanise people to say yes to whatever happens to be their favourite twist on an at-home dinner.
“It might start with a different way to serve Bolognese, or a spice to season – and before you know it, you have changed your meal-time menu for good.”
Tom Read Wilson will reveal the Bolognese hacks in St Ann's Square, Manchester, on July 6, and Shoreditch High Street, London, on July 7 – from 12pm on both dates.
TOP 10 MEALS BRITS KEEP ON A LOOP:
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Roast dinner
- Curry
- Pizza
- Stirfry
- Sausage and mash
- Burgers
- Chili con carne
- Shepherd's pie
- Lasagne
