Easy Meals to Cook in Your Campervan

When you’re exploring New Zealand by campervan, nothing fuels a good road trip like easy, satisfying meals. You don’t need a full kitchen to eat well on the road, by the beach, or deep in the native bush. All it takes to bring your campervan cooking ideas to life is a good pan and a few clever ingredients.

At Big Little Campers, we’ve spent plenty of time on the road, so we know what works. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, here’s a list of easy, compact meals using ingredients you can grab at any Kiwi supermarket.

1) One-Pan Brekkie Fry-Up	Kick off your day with a hearty fry-up. Crack a couple of eggs into a hot pan with some baked beans, chopped onions, and cherry tomatoes. If you’ve got a fridge or chilly bin, throw in some bacon or breakfast sausages too. Serve it all up with toast or wrap it in a tortilla for a brekkie burrito you can eat on the move.
2) Instant Noodle Upgrade	Instant noodles are a camping classic, but with a few extras, they can be a substantial meal. Boil your noodles, then stir in a soft-boiled egg, a handful of pre-packed coleslaw mix or spinach, and a splash of soy sauce or sriracha. It’s quick, cheap, and a lifesaver after a big hike or surf session.
3) Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice or Noodles	You’ll find stir-fry veg mixes in just about every Four Square or Pak’nSave. Toss them in a pan with tofu or pre-cooked chicken and a packet of shelf-stable noodles or microwaveable rice. A dash of garlic, oil, and your favourite sauce (teriyaki, hoisin, or sweet chilli) brings it all together.
4) Tuna Pasta Salad	We recommend this quick recipe for hot days or long driving stretches when you don’t feel like cooking. Just cook some pasta (elbow or penne works well), then mix in canned tuna, corn, chopped capsicum, and a dollop of mayo or a drizzle of olive oil. It keeps well in a chilly bin, so make extra for tomorrow’s lunch.
5) Simple Wraps	Tortillas last longer than bread and are way more versatile. Fill them with scrambled eggs, canned beans, avocado, grated carrot, or whatever’s on hand. You don’t even need to cook anything, just fill, wrap, and eat. They’re perfect for roadside lunches or picnic spots with a view.
6) One-Pot Curry	Curries are surprisingly easy to make in a campervan. Use a ready-made curry paste, a tin of coconut milk, and canned chickpeas or lentils. Add in chopped kumara or pumpkin if you’ve got it, and simmer until soft. Serve over rice or with naan bread from the supermarket bakery section.
7) Fried Rice or Leftover Stir-Fry Rice	This is a good one for using up leftovers. Toss cold rice in a hot pan with frozen peas and corn, scrambled egg, and soy sauce. Add a splash of sesame oil if you’ve got some. It’s tasty, filling, and saves you from wasting food.
8) Camp Nachos	Top a layer of corn chips with canned chilli or beans, grated cheese, and salsa. Heat it all in a pan until the cheese melts, then add avocado or sour cream if you’re feeling fancy. It’s ideal for lazy dinners with a sunset view.
9) Pancakes or Pikelets	Pack a dry pancake mix or make your own with flour, baking powder, and sugar. Just add water or milk and fry them up in the morning. They’re great with banana, nutella, lemon and sugar, or maple syrup if you’ve splashed out.

Cook Well on the Road

You don’t need a full kitchen to eat well on a campervan trip. With a bit of prep, smart ingredients, and the right gear, you can make solid meals wherever you park up.When you Hire with Big Little Campers , our compact, fully kitted vans come with a gas cooker, quality cooking gear, and enough space to make it all work, even off the beaten track.

Load up your chilly bin, plan a few meals, and enjoy the flexibility of cooking on the road. It’s simple, practical, and part of what makes travelling by campervan a great experience.

When you’re exploring New Zealand by campervan, nothing fuels a good road trip like easy, satisfying meals. You don’t need a full kitchen to eat well on the road, by the beach, or deep in the native bush. All it takes to bring your campervan cooking ideas to life is a good pan and a few clever ingredients.

At Big Little Campers, we’ve spent plenty of time on the road, so we know what works. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, here’s a list of easy, compact meals using ingredients you can grab at any Kiwi supermarket.

1) One-Pan Brekkie Fry-Up	Kick off your day with a hearty fry-up. Crack a couple of eggs into a hot pan with some baked beans, chopped onions, and cherry tomatoes. If you’ve got a fridge or chilly bin, throw in some bacon or breakfast sausages too. Serve it all up with toast or wrap it in a tortilla for a brekkie burrito you can eat on the move.
2) Instant Noodle Upgrade	Instant noodles are a camping classic, but with a few extras, they can be a substantial meal. Boil your noodles, then stir in a soft-boiled egg, a handful of pre-packed coleslaw mix or spinach, and a splash of soy sauce or sriracha. It’s quick, cheap, and a lifesaver after a big hike or surf session.
3) Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice or Noodles	You’ll find stir-fry veg mixes in just about every Four Square or Pak’nSave. Toss them in a pan with tofu or pre-cooked chicken and a packet of shelf-stable noodles or microwaveable rice. A dash of garlic, oil, and your favourite sauce (teriyaki, hoisin, or sweet chilli) brings it all together.
4) Tuna Pasta Salad	We recommend this quick recipe for hot days or long driving stretches when you don’t feel like cooking. Just cook some pasta (elbow or penne works well), then mix in canned tuna, corn, chopped capsicum, and a dollop of mayo or a drizzle of olive oil. It keeps well in a chilly bin, so make extra for tomorrow’s lunch.
5) Simple Wraps	Tortillas last longer than bread and are way more versatile. Fill them with scrambled eggs, canned beans, avocado, grated carrot, or whatever’s on hand. You don’t even need to cook anything, just fill, wrap, and eat. They’re perfect for roadside lunches or picnic spots with a view.
6) One-Pot Curry	Curries are surprisingly easy to make in a campervan. Use a ready-made curry paste, a tin of coconut milk, and canned chickpeas or lentils. Add in chopped kumara or pumpkin if you’ve got it, and simmer until soft. Serve over rice or with naan bread from the supermarket bakery section.
7) Fried Rice or Leftover Stir-Fry Rice	This is a good one for using up leftovers. Toss cold rice in a hot pan with frozen peas and corn, scrambled egg, and soy sauce. Add a splash of sesame oil if you’ve got some. It’s tasty, filling, and saves you from wasting food.
8) Camp Nachos	Top a layer of corn chips with canned chilli or beans, grated cheese, and salsa. Heat it all in a pan until the cheese melts, then add avocado or sour cream if you’re feeling fancy. It’s ideal for lazy dinners with a sunset view.
9) Pancakes or Pikelets	Pack a dry pancake mix or make your own with flour, baking powder, and sugar. Just add water or milk and fry them up in the morning. They’re great with banana, nutella, lemon and sugar, or maple syrup if you’ve splashed out.

Cook Well on the Road

You don’t need a full kitchen to eat well on a campervan trip. With a bit of prep, smart ingredients, and the right gear, you can make solid meals wherever you park up.When you Hire with Big Little Campers , our compact, fully kitted vans come with a gas cooker, quality cooking gear, and enough space to make it all work, even off the beaten track.

Load up your chilly bin, plan a few meals, and enjoy the flexibility of cooking on the road. It’s simple, practical, and part of what makes travelling by campervan a great experience.