“What’s for dinner?” Whether you’re a mom, a wife, or simply caring for yourself, “What are we going to eat?” is a necessary question we can’t avoid. For some, this task is daunting; for others, planning, preparing, and providing meals is complete dread.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Ezequiel Garrido
After working all day, shuffling kids to afterschool activities, sitting in traffic after a meeting ran late, the last thing you want to do is cook a meal. Especially when the drive-thru is so convenient, the pull so strong, grab and go, easy peasy. Sometimes, grabbing take-out is the only option, and I am grateful for this wonderful convenience in the modern world.
However, there are various simple, quick, and budget-friendly meal ideas for any woman, especially the woman who hates to cook. Let’s look at a few recipes to alleviate hunger pains with easy prep and quick clean-up. If the suggested sides don’t include a recipe, feel free to grab the canned, boxed, or grocery-store-prepared version.
It doesn’t get easier than this. In the past few years, there has been an increase in companies offering complete meal kits delivered directly to your home. You can choose the portion size, several meals, and the frequency of delivery. While these subscriptions can be more expensive than purchasing the ingredients on their own, many companies offer coupons and discounts.
The other positive is you don’t have to spend time scouring the internet for recipes, writing out a list, going to the grocery store, or prepping ingredients– these kits are a true time-saver. Each kit comes with a recipe guide that includes variations and step-by-step instructions. If you are looking for a way to streamline your meal-time routine, these options allow you to prepare a home-cooked meal without all the fuss.
A few meal-kit options: HomeChef, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh.
The slow cooker is by far the most used appliance in my kitchen. When we have a hectic week, these are my two go-to recipes that are crowd-pleasers and super easy. Each recipe serves around 4-6 people.
(a personal family favorite)
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies*
3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground coriander
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded cheddar cheese for serving
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large and deep non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes, then add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Pour onions into a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.
3. Return skillet to medium-high heat, add beef and occasionally cook, stirring until beef has browned.
4. Drain most of fat from beef, leaving about 2 Tbsp in with meat. (This is optional, but I think it adds flavor. However, you can drain it all if you'd prefer). Pour browned beef into slow cooker.
Next,
5. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cocoa powder, sugar, coriander, and season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Cover with lid and cook on low heat for 5 - 6 hours.
7. Stir in dark and light red kidney beans and allow to heat through about 2 minutes. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Optional Sides: Corn bread and salad
Ingredients:
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
3 bell peppers (color doesn’t matter, but add more flavor by choosing green, red, yellow)
1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced
1 Pack of Taco Seasoning ( Use 2 if you like your fajita’s spicer)
12- 6 inch tortillas
Cheddar cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and tomato for serving
Instructions:
Line the bottom of the slow-cooker with the petite diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Place the chicken breasts on top.
Add 2 cups water and taco seasoning.
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. Chicken should be cooked all the way through and vegetables tender.
Shred chicken with a fork and serve on warm fajitas (put in microwave for 30 seconds).
Optional Sides: Tortilla chips with salsa, roasted corn on the cob, black beans, or Spanish rice
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Soroush Karimi
Casseroles are a filling and mess-free way to get dinner on the table. I’ve cooked these for my family, friends, neighbors, and people in need. The ingredients are simple but classic! I have no doubt these will become a favorite in your household:
Ingredients:
1 lb spaghetti
1-1.5 lbs of lean ground beef
1 yellow onion chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 ( 15 oz) can of Tomato Sauce
1 (10.5 oz) of Tomato Soup
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9X13 with vegetable oil spray.
2. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than directions on the box.
3. Saute beef and onion together until fully cooked.
4. Mix salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, tomato soup, and sauce.
Next,
5. Add mixture to the beef and onion and mix in with the noodles.
6. Put half of the noodle mixture in the pan and top with half of the mozzarella cheese.
7. Add the remaining noodles and top with the rest of the cheese.
8. Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
To finish up,
9. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
Suggested Sides: Cesar salad and baked french bread
Ingredients:
1lb mild sausage (I prefer Jimmy Dean.)
1 chopped yellow onion
1 box Uncle Ben’s Wild Long Grain Rice original flavor
1 (10.5 oz) can Cream of Chicken
1 (10.5 oz) can Chicken with Rice
1 can water (use empty soup can)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
2. Saute until sausage and onion are fully cooked.
3. Mix rice with seasoning packet, soups, water.
4. Add sausage and onion mixture and cheese to the above mixture and mix well.
Then,
5. Place the mixture in the baking dish, and cover it with foil.
6. Bake for 45 minutes, uncover, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Suggested Sizes: Green beans, creamed corn, salad, biscuits
Ingredients:
2 pounds (32 ounces) 80/20 ground beef
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic
6 hamburger buns
Cheddar or provolone cheese
Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup for serving
Instructions:
1. Mix together the hamburger meat (cold and uncooked) with the spices and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Take about a handful of meat, roll it into a ball. (This amount of meat should produce about 6 burgers.)
3. Using your hands, flatten the burger to about 1 inch thick.
4. Heat grill to 450-500 degrees.
Then,
5. Place patties on the grill and cook to your desired doneness (see chart).
6. Place piece of cheese on cooked patties until melted.
7. Serve on warm buns (heat 30 seconds in the microwave).
Suggested Sides: Baked Fries, Coleslaw, Assorted Chips
Ingredients:
3-4lbs of chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
Olive Oil
2-3 cups of BBQ ( there are multiple varieties, choose your favorite)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the grill to 425-450 degrees.
2. Rub chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Rub oil on the grill and cook chicken for 10-15 minutes.
4. Flip chicken over and baste with barbecue sauce. Continue to cook, flipping the chicken every few minutes, basting with the sauce.
Next,
5. Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Suggested Sides: Pasta salad, baked asparagus, seasonal fruit
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Prostock-Studio