Six in 10 adults cook meals on a loop – with spaghetti Bolognese, roast dinner and a curry topping the list.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 53% are ‘stuck in a rut’ when it comes to cooking at mealtimes – with pizza, sausage and mash, and chilli con carne also go-to dishes.
Seven in 10 admitted they’d like to mix up their menu and add a twist to these repeated favourites.
While 48% revealed they’re ‘bored’ of having the same dinners day after day, with 61% keen to try new dishes.
The research was commissioned by Dolmio, which has teamed-up with actor, Tom Read Wilson, to launch a series of ‘Bolognese hacks.’
He 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.”
Switching up the menu:
The study also found 29% of those stuck in a dinnertime rut have been in one for a year.
With 46% believing it’s ‘difficult’ to switch up mealtime habits.
Barriers to introducing more variety to home dinners include lack of inspiration (41%), time (34%), and skills (21%).
It also emerged 83% of adults 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.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 23% cook seven different evening meals a week.
Almost half (49%) describe their dinners as ‘tasty’ and 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.”
Top 10 meals people keep on a loop
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Roast dinner
- Curry
- Pizza
- Stir Fry
- Sausage and mash
- Burgers
- Chili Con Carne
- Shepherd’s pie
- Lasagne