How to guides

5 Easy Caravan Kitchen Meals Using Minimal Ingredients

23rd Jan 2025
Brent Draper
Jayco Ambassadors

As a Jayco Ambassador navigating a hectic January (we just bought a cafe in Yeppoon!), I’ve rediscovered the art of creating delicious meals with minimal ingredients in our outdoor kitchen.

Storage space is precious around here and time is even more so, which is why I’ve perfected a system using versatile ingredients like pasta, chili oil, and pre-cooked meats from Coles to create satisfying dinners. The key to this has been choosing ingredients that can be transformed into multiple meals and focusing on items that pack a flavor punch.

The beauty of caravan cooking is all about simplicity. Our compact Jayco kitchen has taught me that you don’t need an extensive pantry to create tasty meals. A good quality chili oil, for instance, can elevate the simplest pasta dish into something special, while pre-cooked meats eliminate the need for lengthy cooking times and multiple pots and pans – winning!

Here are five tasty meals that have been keeping us well-fed this month:

  1. Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder Ragu – I start with a pre-cooked pulled lamb shoulder from Coles, warming it gently with some passata and dried herbs. Tossed through al dente pappardelle, this rich ragu transforms into a restaurant-worthy meal. The meat is already cooked, so dinner’s ready in just 15 minutes. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese adds the perfect finishing touch.
  2. Spicy Bacon and Broccoli Chilli Oil Pasta – This has become our weekly go-to. I crisp up diced bacon, toss in blanched broccoli florets, and finish with a generous drizzle of chili oil. Mixed through spaghetti, it’s a perfect balance of heat, salt, and freshness. The broccoli adds a nutritious element while keeping prep simple.
  3. Shredded Roast Chicken and Garlic Chilli Oil Linguine – Using a pre-cooked roast chicken from Coles, I shred the meat and warm it in a pan with garlic-infused chili oil. Tossed with linguine and a handful of baby spinach, it’s a meal in minutes.
  4. Braised Beef Cheek Penne Pre-cooked beef cheeks are a game-changer. I shred them and warm them in their own juices, adding a splash of red wine if we have it. Mixed through penne with a touch of chili oil, it’s pure comfort food. The rich, tender meat creates an instant sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
  5. Mediterranean Chicken and Olive Fusilli – Another pre-cooked roast chicken from Coles creation – I mix shredded chicken with marinated olives, a splash of chili oil, and fresh basil. Tossed through fusilli, it’s a taste of the Mediterranean with minimal effort. The olives add a briny punch that transforms leftover chicken into something special.

Caravan cooking doesn’t have to be boring; it can be absolutely delicious – and it’s all about being clever with your ingredients! I love how a few well-chosen staples can turn into so many amazing meals, without taking up precious storage space.

My top tip? Pick ingredients that are real multitaskers – things like chili oil that can jazz up any dish, or a roast chicken that can star in three completely different dinners. It’s amazing how creative you can get when you’re working with minimal space and ingredients!