Thursday, August 18, 2022

Easy Dinners in Minutes

 Happy Thursday my friends.  Today I am just going to throw out a few ideas for some very quick and easy dinners.  It doesn't have to be a major task to have a good meal.  We can easily have tasty meals for little money and little time and using just what you have on hand.

FRIED RICE
This is a great way to use up any leftovers you may have.  You can even add just tiny bits of meat - so it is a great way to stretch meat.  You can even make it meatless.  Rice, veggies, maybe an egg or two and meat if desired.  A little soy sauce or teriyaki seasoning - and you are good to go.

TACOS
Fry up a little ground meat add your seasonings and you have a great base for tacos.  Chop up tomatoes, lettuce, cheese or whatever you like.  Add salsa or sour cream if you have it on hand.  
Burritos are also super easy.  Such a wonderful way to make a yummy meals using  little.
*A tip is to add beans, rice or lentils to your taco meat to stretch it for more hungry mouths!

LOFTY SANDWICHES
You can make sandwiches as simple or complicated as you would like.  You don't have to keep it to a simple sandwich and chips.  Load those sandwiches up with all kinds of goodies.  Make your own Subway sandwiches at home - you can really throw on the veggies, or the cheese or the meat you desire.

DINNER SALADS
Salads are a great dinner.  You can keep them all veggie - you can add fruit and nuts, you can add meat or eggs, you can add cheese - you can add ANYTHING!  It is a great way to use up bits of chicken or steak or tuna.  You can make bean salads or pasta salads.  Salads are just so versatile, and you use what you have.  I love a chef salad!

BREAD BOWLS or HEARTY BREADS
Think about using hearty breads for a quick and easy dinner.  You can rip off chunks of bread and dip into anything.  Hummus, dips, fondue, soups, stews.  Dinner doesn't have to be a 5 course meal.  It is what you like - even if it is one thing!  Make some bread bowls and add soup, stew or even a great mac n cheese.  You eat the soup and then eat the bread and all its soaked up goodness!  You can really have a very filling meal using bread.
                            This makes my mouth water!!!!!!!  I am a mac n cheese junky!!!!!!!

BREAKFAST
Breakfast is always a fast and easy dinner.  It can be anything.  Pancakes topped with fruit, waffles , eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits/toast and gravy - anything.
I prefer breakfast foods for dinner.  I am not much for cooking eggs or bacon in the morning - later in the day is perfect.

STIR FRY
Just like with fried rice - this is a great way to use up all those leftovers in a new way.  Add any bits and bobs you have.  Season and serve over rice or pasta of any sort.  I like making a lo-mein dinner using up leftovers and adding spaghetti or fettucine noodles - a little soy sauce and YUM!

SOUP
Soups and stews and chili of any sort.  I know it isn't quick to make homemade soup on the fly - but you can have soups or stews leftover in your freezer or simply jazz up a can of soup.  You can add some pasta or rice to a can of soup - or serve it over pasta.  You can serve with hearty bread.  Sometimes a can of soup is what you have time or energy for!!!!!

CROCKPOT DINNERS
NO - they don't cook in a few minutes - but they can be easy to throw together, then turn on the crockpot and forget it.  It can be anything you want to put together.  Get creative.  Dump in the ingredients and then turn on the pot and go about your day.  Pretty darn simple and you can have a wonderful warm dinner.
I guess lots of people use Insta-Pots now (I don't have one) and I understand they are pretty quick as well.

So never feel overwhelmed that you can't provide a nice filling dinner for yourself or your family.  You CAN and you can do it cheaply and quickly.  Busy days don't have to keep you from a good meal.
Get creative and use what you have on hand!
Do you have a favorite easy and quick meal that you throw together?

Have a great Thursday!!!!

32 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Debby in Kansas USAAugust 18, 2022 at 9:15 AM

      What the heck?! Well, I survived COVID, but am still coughing my fool head off. That isn't unusual. Ever since I had pneumonia and then asthma, coughing is the gift that goes on and on like Celine Dion....

      That mac and cheese does look really delicious. I have a great crockpot recipe for it that I think I'll make tomorrow.

      My favorite go-to meal are tacos. Just a corn tortilla, shredded chicken, and fresh salsa. I could eat that every day.

      I've been entertained all morning by a pair of squirrels and a pair of blue jays. They're fighting over the bird bath. There are two, mind you, but they both want the same one! You should hear how loud they've been!!! I've heard sounds from the squirrels I've never heard before!! And you know how bossy the jays are....

      Delete
    2. I've been saying a few prayers for you and your hubby, Debby. Our oldest son had covid late last month. His cough is finally easing up.

      Would you mind sharing your crock pot mac-n-cheese recipe? --Elise

      Delete
    3. Well, I am hoping you are both recovering well. Coughing from anything can seem to last forever.
      I just love mac n cheese. Especially baked.

      Squirrels can get some chattering on!!! Yesterday while I was out doing some stuff in the yard - they were going nits. Not sure if they were yelling at me or each other. Jays yell at me when there are no peanuts for them. They sit up in the tree just waiting. I no more than turn my back and they fly down. They are amusing.
      Take care and feel better.
      YES, you can share your recipe if you are so inclined!!!!!
      HINT HINT

      Delete
  2. Thank you, Cheryl. Skillet dinners are a standby in my house; tonight's dinner will be the sausage, potato and apple skillet dinner (you can add onion and cabbage, or not). I have leftover cooked kielbasa and potatoes, so it'll take no more than 20 minutes. You can also use any leftover, cooked sausage + canned spaghetti sauce for a spaghetti dinner in 20 minutes or less. Add summer squash and/or tomatoes to the sauce if you want. Leftover of that can be put into a greased baking dish, topped with shredded cheese and you have baked "spagana".

    Off subject, but my morning started with one neighbor's dog making off with another neighbor's free range chicken in my front yard at dawn. I tried to stop it. The dog came over to the steps, licked me, and I thought all was well. Then he went after the chicken again (in spite of my yelling), got the chicken by the neck and ran off. Not exactly a peaceful country morning! Oh, well.
    --Elise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really love skillet dinners as well. You can throw so many things together for a great and hearty meal.
      Oh my goodness, what a way to start the day. Poor chicken. I guess animals do what comes natural, I just hate seeing it.
      Hope the rest of your day is peaceful!

      Delete
  3. My meals this week have included paninis with leftover chicken, homemade pesto, cheese & jarred roasted red pepper. Also, taco salad with premade taco meat. The crockpot was used for a batch of baked beans that I enjoy on toast morning, noon & night. I like Elise's skillet dinners as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YUM! Taco salad is a favorite of mine too - of course I like anything that resembles Mexican. Now that sounds very tasty - never did that with baked beans - but will sure try it now!
      I like paninis and also quesadillas. Smooth together any goodness and I am happy!!!

      Delete
  4. I am just grateful to you for helping me keep a better, deeper pantry. Keeping the freezer full of choices. All of it at the best price. We can all go in and pull out so many varieties of meals. It is just nice to know I can have anything I want at anytime. There is always something I can put together and make a dessert. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is just the best feeling ever! I love that all of us can do that - just pick and choose and make about anything.
      Glad that you have that pantry and freezer - is sure is lovely.

      Delete
  5. Fried rice is a go to for me. It's easy and fast. My son quite enjoys it and will the leftovers. And I love crock pot meals. I might be retired but it's so nice to put something in the pot to cook throughout the day. For some reason prepping meals in the morning is easier for me than waiting until later in the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really enjoy fried rice. Yes, making it and forgetting is really awesome. You can just go about your day and BOOM you have dinner. It smells good too!

      Delete
  6. Thanks for the suggestions. Always looking to switch things up. Following hubs passing, I knew I needed to eat something at least semi-healthy and that didn't require a lot of thought or time. I checked my crisper drawer and found part of a pepper, some onion, baby carrots, celery, and had some leftover broccoli in a container. I sliced the pepper, onion, celery, and carrots and sauteed them in olive oil and a little butter, stirred in the broccoli toward the end, all while I had spaghetti noodles boiling. Once done, I added the spaghetti to the pan, and mixed it all together, and then stirred in some parmesan cheese. I've since made this when I've got that "too tired to cook" feeling, and use whatever I have in the refrig, sometimes using mozzarella or shredded cheddar cheese. You get your protein and vegetables in a single dish. It's a dish that you could easily make your own, adding chicken, turkey, or leftover taco meat, and whatever cheese you've got on hand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree - it was really hard to get into the 'mood' to cook for just one. It is important to keep up our health. If there are any other newer widows out there reading this - it takes time - but you get back into cooking and being healthy.
      I love the sounds of that dinner - it sounds right up my alley. I have 2 or 3 meals that I fall back on.
      One I forgot to mention - loaded baked potato!!!

      Delete
  7. I love all of these ideas. I am back to really shopping the pantry. Use it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that is great - we can still be very creative and not have to shop.

      Delete
  8. We also prefer breakfast for dinner!

    I saw this recipe in an Ortega ad about 40 years ago. It is cheap, easy and fast! My son lived on them in college!
    HUEVOS RANCHEROS
    Briefly fry corn tortillas in hot oil; drain. Arrange tortillas on a baking sheet. Top each tortilla with a poached or fried egg, cover the yolk with a spoonful of salsa, then shredded cheddar or other cheese. Broil just until cheese melts.

    Also, we mostly gave up meat for a couple of years after my husband had a heart attack. (We went back to meat, but much less than before). I used to make tacos with black beans, salsa, lettuce and grated cheese. No need for taco seasoning or fresh tomatoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds pretty darn good. Really jazzes up eggs.
      I think most people eat too much meat. It should be a side just like everything else and not the main things. Many days I don't even have meat - and that is fine with me. Beans can stretch about any meal or be a meat substitute.

      Delete
  9. When I am not in the mood to cook or am sick, I open a can of Hormel's Roast Beef with gravy, open a can of green beans, and make a packet of mashed potatoes. The microwave does it all, and I am very content with the meal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually have some kind of leftover for those days. Either in the frig or freezer. The roast beef is good!

      Delete
  10. Thanks for the ideas. I was sitting here wondering what to make for dinner tonight. I think I will make an omelet as We finally got some of that canned ham we like and can use it in there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to have been of service! Omelet sounds good - I had to have some mac n cheese today. Talking about it yesterday got me in the mood!

      Delete
  11. Stir fry is my go-to for a quick meal. We bought some thinly sliced beef from Costco and then froze it on sheet pans and bagged it. It makes dandy sandwiches, is good with breakfast, and to add to stir fry. A baked potato with chili on top is pretty quick and definitely easy. Red beans and rice is always a good choice too. You mentioned quesadillas and that is always a favorite. We have some cilantro left from canning salsa and it needs to be used. Going to make some hamburger soup today, and yes I know it's gonna be warm, but soup is always good. We'll have enough for our Sabbath lunch tomorrow. I have some cooked tomatoes left from canning crushed tomatoes so will use those in the soup. Also canned pints of sweet chili sauce and had some left so may add a touch of that. Our potatoes are ready to be harvested so we will can those next week. The sweet potatoes have a long way to go and so do the lima beans.

    Enjoy your weekend! Looks like we may have a chance for some rain, which would be welcome. The Urban Farmer just planted some Egyptian walking onions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stir fry is just a simple and hearty meal. I am a baked potato fan - any kind of chili or cream of soup on top and Mmmmm.
      Your soup sounds like it will be good - love how you are using all those bits left from other projects. That will make it special. Enjoy it!
      Rain will be nice - hopefully no storms.

      Delete
  12. Great ideas. I hadn't even thought of bread bowls at home. When I start baking again. I want to remember that idea. I also haven't made fried rice in ages. It was a staple when I had little ones. Thanks for the reminder.
    Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We can have those fun foods like bread bowls at home as well. I love fried rice - it is so easy and versatile. Have a blessed day.

      Delete
  13. Those bread bowls look so good and I'm sure the kids would love them too. I need fast meals like this more towards the weekend when things get hopping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With kids and grands showing up on the weekends and people always doing stuff - it pays to have a few quick meal ideas!

      Delete
  14. MMM. Mac and cheese. I make it now and again and it's so good. Our quick dinner is soft tacos or burritos. Doesn't take long at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like lots of different things. I just love food - but anything Mexican like is a favorite! Love tacos and burritos - I do them often!

      Delete
  15. When nothing sounds good, fried rice is always so good. It sort of cleans the palette. It is one of our favorite meals.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Forgot to say that we (me especially) loves breakfast for supper.

    ReplyDelete