One of the best ways to spend less time in the kitchen is to have a collection of surefire recipes and meal ideas that are so easy you can prepare them in your sleep (but please don't!). These 'recipes' are more a collection of ingredients, combined and heated or chilled. The secrets to these recipes are convenience products available in every grocery store.
Make a special trip to your local supermarket and look for new foods. Make a note of the ones that pique your interest, then think about ways to combine them to make updated versions of your family's favorites. Then stock your pantry, fridge and freezer with these ingredients and no matter how tired you are when you get home, you can have a great dinner on the table in minutes.
The Easiest Meals
- Tortellini and Peas
Cook one package of frozen cheese tortellini according to the package directions. Meanwhile, place 2 cups frozen baby peas in a colander and drain the cooked tortellini over the peas. Return to saucepan and add a few tablespoons of butter and some Parmesan cheese. Cook and stir until the peas are heated and the cheese is melted. - Fish Veracruz
Combine frozen unbreaded fish pieces in a skillet with some chopped garlic, sliced bell peppers, a can of tomato sauce, and some salsa. Cover skillet and simmer until fish is cooked through. Serve over couscous. - Tuna Melts
Toast split English muffins. Combine drained canned tuna with a bit of ranch salad dressing, sour cream, and chopped celery and place on muffins. Top with tomato slices and sliced muenster or Havarti cheese. Broil until cheese melts. - Chicken Caesar Wraps
Prepare packaged Caesar salad mix and toss with some cooked chopped chicken. Add more Parmesan cheese and a spoonful of mayonnaise along with sliced mushrooms and roll up in heated tortillas or soft pita bread folds. - Taco Dogs
Combine hot dogs and salsa in a skillet and cook until hot. Serve in hot dog buns with chopped tomato, lettuce, crumbled taco chips, chopped green onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream. - Tortellini Soup
Combine canned tomato soup (diluted with water according to package directions), frozen peas, and refrigerated or frozen tortellini. Cook until tortellini are tender. Sprinkle with Colby cheese and serve topped with garlic croutons. - Ham a la King
Heat together chopped cooked ham, bottled four cheese Alfredo sauce, and frozen baby peas or green beans. Serve over hot cooked biscuits or heated refrigerated prepared mashed potatoes combined with some Parmesan cheese and sour cream. - Ravioli and Meatballs
In glass baking dish, combine frozen fully cooked meatballs, frozen ravioli and prepared pasta sauce. Add 1/2 cup water to the pasta sauce jar, close, and shake; pour this mixture over meatball mixture. Make sure ravioli is covered by sauce. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, stirring once halfway during cooking. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve. - Chicken and Fettuccine
Cook fettuccine according to package directions, adding frozen broccoli florets or green beans or mixed vegetables during last three minutes of cooking time. Drain well and add chopped cooked chicken, some heavy cream, and a can of drained Italian diced tomatoes. Heat well and serve with Parmesan cheese. - Turkey Marinara
Heat bottled marinara sauce with cooked turkey from the deli, some chopped green onions, and some sliced bell peppers. Meanwhile, cook penne pasta according to package directions. Serve turkey in sauce over pasta or hot cooked rice and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. - Swiss Vegetable Soup
Combine a can of condensed onion soup with frozen mixed vegetables and water according to package directions. Simmer until thoroughly heated, then stir in 1/2 cup bottled four-cheese Alfredo sauce. Top each serving with shredded Swiss cheese and some garlic croutons, and serve.
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