There’s something lovely about arriving at a holiday cottage, unpacking the car and knowing you’ve got a few days away ahead of you.

The only problem? By the time you’ve travelled, unpacked and settled in, the last thing you usually want to do is spend hours cooking.

As holiday cottage owners, we know that the best first-night meals are easy, comforting and made with ingredients you can pick up on the way. So here are five simple ideas for your next self-catering break.

1. Easy pasta bake

A pasta bake is perfect after a long journey. Pasta, a jar of tomato sauce, grated cheese and whatever extras you fancy — chicken, vegetables, pepperoni or mozzarella.

Add some garlic bread and a bag of salad and dinner is sorted.

2. Loaded baked potatoes

Pop some baking potatoes in the oven while everyone gets unpacked. Then put a few toppings on the table and let everyone make their own.

Cheese, beans, tuna mayo, coleslaw and leftover chicken all work well. It’s particularly handy when everyone likes something different.

3. Pesto pasta with tomatoes & Parmesan

This is one of those dinners that’s barely a recipe.

Cook pasta, stir through pesto and add cherry tomatoes and Parmesan. Add cooked chicken if you want something more substantial.

Minimal ingredients and very little washing up — exactly what you want on holiday.

4. Pizza, salad & something nice to drink

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making your first night ridiculously easy!

Pick up a couple of good pizzas, add a big salad and garlic bread, and you’re done. It’s quick, everyone usually likes it and you can be sitting down enjoying your cottage rather than cooking.

5. A simple cottage grazing supper

If you’ve arrived later in the evening, you might not want a full meal at all.

Put together some nice bread, cheese, crackers, chutney, cold meats, fruit and crisps. It’s easy to pick everything up before you arrive and makes a lovely relaxed first-night supper.

Make holiday meals easier

One thing that makes a self-catering holiday much easier is deciding what you’re going to eat before you leave home.

I’ve created a simple Holiday Meal Planner to help you plan meals and organise your shopping before your trip.

Planning a cottage break in Scotland?

Take a look around Wellhouse Farm Cottages and discover a peaceful countryside escape in Dumfries & Galloway.