While I love cooking meals that take a little prep work and time to cook, sometimes I need a meal that I can get on the table in a short amount of time. Sometimes we may be in the busy season that includes after school sports practices and recitals. Other times we know we will be getting home from work late and don’t have time to cook a big meal for our family. And let’s admit it – sometimes we are just tired and don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. However, we want to serve something a little more nutritious than Top Ramen.
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I am here to save the day! These are my favorite go-to meals when I don’t have a lot of time to make dinner. I have included a link to each recipe which you can get to by clicking on the recipe title.
Easy chicken quesadillas
I usually have all the ingredients for these on hand so I can whip them up at a moment’s notice. We also love these as a weekend dinner.
Easy Cheeseburger Wraps for Busy Weeknights
These Cheeseburger Wraps have all the flavor of a traditional cheeseburger, but in a delicious wrap. They are one of my family’s go-to meals for busy weeknights.
Easy Cheeseburger Wraps for Busy Weeknights
Crockpot teriyaki chicken
This meal takes a little prep work, but the chicken will cook all day and be ready when you get home. You can serve this with rice, or with a side of oven roasted potatoes and a quick veggie. The great thing about this teriyaki chicken is that it’s very versatile.
Whole30 Chipotle Chicken Skillet
Don’t let the name fool you. While this dish may be healthy, it is absolutely delicious. I use white rice in my family’s version, but to make it healthier, you can use cauliflower rice like the original recipe creator did. You can also make it less spicy by omitting the chipotle powder. Either way, this is one of my family’s favorite quick and easy dishes.
Whole30 Chipotle Chicken Skillet
Kielbasa Sausage and Potato Hash
If you are looking for something a little different to add to your menu, this kielbasa sausage and potato hash might just hit the spot. This dish is full of flavor and comes together in 30 minutes. It’s great for a quick dinner or brunch.
Kielbasa Sausage and Potato Hash
Quick and Easy Chicken Alfredo
Chicken Alfredo is one of my go-to quick and easy meals when I need to get dinner on the table fast. My family loves it too. This recipe has a delicious homemade Alfredo sauce that’s the key to making it taste so good.
Quick and Easy Chicken Alfredo
Simple and easy burritos
The great thing about these burritos is they only have a few ingredients. They are super easy to put together and get on the table quickly. Enjoy them as is, or with some of your favorite toppings like sour cream or salsa.
One Pan Bacon Ranch Garlic Parmesan Pasta
This dish is one of my family’s favorites and my kids ask for me to make it often. It is so creamy and delicious. I add chicken to mine for added protein.
One Pan Bacon Ranch Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Chicken stir fry
This stir fry recipe is quick and easy to prepare as is, but you can make it even faster by using a pre-made teriyaki sauce and a bag of stir fry veggies. Either way it is delicious!
BLTA sandwich
I love this sandwich as a quick and easy summertime meal, but it tastes great any time of the year. If you are a fan of Red Robin’s BLTA Croissant, you will love this sandwich.
Do you have a favorite go to meal when you don’t have a lot of time to cook dinner? Let me know in the comments!
Kitchen accessories used to make some of these recipes:
Thanks Alison!
One quick and easy dinner I love, and it only requires pantry ingredients (plus whatever fresh or frozen veggies I have on hand, for the side): Chicken Fettucine Alfredo. Only 3 ingredients: a package of whole-wheat pasta (fettucine, linguine, spaghetti, etc), a jar of alfredo sauce, and a large can of chicken (from Costco). Cook and drain the pasta, drain the chicken and mix with the sauce, and stir it all together. It’s a hit with the kids too! (Of course, if you have leftover cooked chicken from a previous meal, that’s even better than canned.)
Yes! Chicken alfredo is another one of our favorite quick and easy meals. 😊
Great idea and so helpful to have quick and easy meals. Thanks for sharing.