Only two percent of Gen Z eat casserole for dinner, poll reveals

The classics are falling out of fashion!

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed only 12 per cent of the younger generation tuck into jacket potatoes or soup for their evening meals.

Classic staples like sausage and mash (13 per cent) and chilli con carne (nine per cent) are also declining among Gen Z, compared to much higher popularity among older generations.

That said, tradition hasn’t disappeared entirely, with 17 per cent still enjoying classic meals - often with a contemporary twist.

It also emerged 23 per cent of those born between 1997 and 2012 prioritise taste when deciding what to eat, with 39 per cent turning to TikTok for recipe recommendations – more than any other generation, while one in five admit to trying a dish simply because it went viral.

Rob Watson from Homepride, which commissioned the research, said: “Social media has completely changed how people approach cooking. Gen Z are discovering new cuisines and flavours online and bringing that inspiration straight into their kitchens.

“What’s interesting is that while people are experimenting more, there’s still a real appetite for nostalgic classics.

“People still want those satisfying, familiar flavours, but they’re looking for faster, easier ways to achieve them.

“That’s where cooking sauces can really help, making it simple to recreate both classic dishes and new favourites at home.”

Despite this growing appetite for variety, 74 per cent of Brits admitted they eat the same or similar meals each week as they enjoy familiar routines.

Time remains the biggest barrier to trying something new, as 42 per cent said they’re too busy to be more adventurous with their midweek meals, spending on average 35 minutes cooking them.

Meanwhile, 32 per cent are put off by recipes with too many ingredients and 30 per cent mentioned cost as a key concern.

As a result, one in five adults regularly use ready-made sauces when cooking midweek meals – rising to 30 per cent among Gen Z.

Of those, 66 per cent said they save time and 58 per cent think they make cooking easier.

To tap into these changing habits, Homepride has launched a new interactive quiz designed to reveal your midweek cooking personality.

Based on your go-to dinners - from the reliable favourites of a ‘Classic Comforter’ to the bold, globally inspired dishes of a ‘Bold Modernist’ - the quiz matches you to a cooking style and recommends tailored recipes using its sauces.

Rob Watson for Homepride added: “Midweek dinners don’t have to be time-consuming to be full of flavour. People are looking for quick, easy ways to cook meals that still feel satisfying and varied.

“With options like cooking sauces, it’s never been easier to explore different flavours at home without adding extra time or complexity - whether you’re sticking to a classic or trying something new.”

Top five mid-week meals falling out of fashion with Gen Z

1.            Casserole – two per cent (Gen Z) vs 19 per cent (Boomers)

2.            Jacket potato – 12 per cent (Gen Z) vs 28 per cent (Boomers)

3.            Sausage and mash – 13 per cent (Gen Z) vs 26 per cent (Boomers)

4.            Chilli con carne – nine per cent (Gen Z) vs 17 per cent (Boomers)

5.            Soup – 12 per cent (Gen Z) vs 18 per cent (Boomers)