QOTD: 10/07 Quick Meals
 

This was a busy wkend with all the DSD fun! I didn't cook much at all over the wkend, so I could spend more time online and scrapping. So today's question is....

When you want something quick for dinner....what are some quick meals you can put together (not takeout or ordering in but made at home)?

Tacos or Burgers are our quick go tos

One of my go-to meals that is relatively quick is frozen chicken strips cooked in the toaster oven for 20 minutes, put into a big salad with peppers and tomatoes.

Another one I make a lot is cooked ground beef/turkey spiced with cajan/mexican blend and served over 2 minute cheesy rice mix for hubs and frozen diced cauli for me that I pan fry with mushrooms.

Usually something marinating in the fridge for hubby to grill... that's the quickest thing (for me) possible!

I also do this pasta a lot, it's a family fave.
Boil a box of penne. While it's boiling slice a pint of grape tomatoes, a handful of kalamata olives, dice up a ball of fresh mozzarella, and set aside. Drain a can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and add to the pasta water for the last minute of boiling. Drain pasta & beans and in the warm pot stir in cheese, tomatoes and olives. Stir in a few dashes of red wine vinegar, 1 TB of jarred pesto (I always have a jar in the fridge), 2 TB EVOO, and several pinches of thyme. S&P to taste. Serve immediately.

I know it may sound complicated, but it's dinner in 10 minutes! I always have the ingredients on hand for a night when I need something quick. It makes a ton of leftovers, too.

I had to cook pre/post game meals for our hockey players we're billeting this last weekend, so I tried to do some quick ones so I could get back to DSD festivities! ;)

One of my go-to for both us & the boys: pan grilled chicken tenderloins with rice. I put the rice in the rice cooker & turn it on the quick rice setting (love that thing since these boys eat rice like I've never seen before!) For the chicken, I just season with a bit of paprika, salt/pepper, garlic & onion powder and cook in a pan on the stove with a bit of olive oil. Since they're tenderloins, they cook in less than 15 mins. We usually have soy sauce or bbq sauce with the rice/chicken & a salad for veggies. Tenderloins are so easy to change up to any flavor too- sometimes we have them for chicken caesar salad, with pasta & pesto or alfredo.

Another we do for quick dinners is Tacos (either ground turkey or burger)- easy, fast & can make everyone happy (boys like soft tacos, I make mine into a big salad, hubby & kids like hard shells!)

I did a quick dinner tonight. Pasta (any kind will do really) with some pesto sauce and grated parm topped with yolky eggs :wub:

Meatball subs. Meatballs in sauce and lettuce and other veggies added to the hogie bun. Also I always keep a frozen pizza on hand just in case haha

throw a couple chicken breasts, a can of black beans, a can of corn and a big can of Rotel tomatoes in the crock pot. Shred up the chicken once it's cooked...and YUM

Most of our meals are super quick. I hate cooking (hate is not a strong enough word really) and refuse to spend extra time doing so!

Some things we make often when I'm even more crunched on time are spaghetti, white chili, chicken strips with mashed potatoes and peppered gravy, chili dogs (using canned chili), Frito chili pie is fast, parmesean broiled tilapia...

Since it's just hubby and I and I am trying to lose weight (and he does not need to lose weight) we often eat different things. For me: rotisserie chicken and rice cooked in chicken broth with veggies. For hubs: leftovers or pasta!

Tuna & cannelini bean salad in 5 min -- drain tuna, drain & rinse beans, chop a red onion (usually already have this done) & a handful of basil. Mix & add some olive oil, lemon juice (i rarely use lemons in our current location, though & it's fine) salt & pepper, and done!

Fried rice is also a quick go-to here, IF we have rice in the fridge. I add canned salmon (can't get salmon here) or just eggs.

Scrambled eggs...my 8 year old learned how & loves to make for us!

I'm a crock pot and instant pot girl... I hate cooking...especially after a long day with my littles...

My son has celiacs so it we do frozen meals or pasta I have to make two meals...

Chicken fiesta in my crock pot....chicken breasts, canned corn, can of diced tomatoes, can of black beans, a packet to taco seasoning. When cooked, shredd chicken, then serve in a taco shell or over white rice.

BBQ chicken....chicken breast and BBQ sauce in crock pot when cooked shred and have sandwiches.

We will also do breakfast for dinner...omlets, or a breakfast casserole.

For me, any stir fry veggies, e.g. broccoli; toss olive oil, crushed garlic, a bit of chicken bullion, salt, pepper, a bit of water and cut broccoli in a pot, cover and cook over a small heat for a few minutes until the color changes, then stir.

Or eggs; omelettes (I can always put some mushroom, spring onions, etc. in it), fried eggs. My son & DH love them, so I can't go wrong with eggs.