Resolutionize: verb Enacting a mini revolution on your New Year’s Resolution. Small action with big impact.
I like eating out, but not when it means an unplanned trip through the drive-thru for so-so food that is expensive. I know I can make much better food at home for less money. And a good meal doesn’t have to take a long time to fix.
Here are a few tips for super quick meals:
- Keep a list of quick meals and recipes inside your pantry door or near your calendar.
- Keep the ingredients for those meals in your pantry and fridge.
- A freezer stocked with cooked chicken and hamburger helps speed dinner to the table.
- Pasta and egg dishes are often fast meals. As a bonus, they’re inexpensive too.
And now for the list of 25 meals that can be made in 20 minutes or less. I’ve also added a list of quick side dishes to round out your meal.  As a bonus, if you subscribe by email to Eat at Home you will have access to 5 more meals that can be fixed in 15 minutes. These 5 meals have printable recipes that include several variations on each meal to take into account what you may have available in your pantry.
- Bean and Bacon Soup (providing you have the bacon/onion in the freezer)
- Scrambled Eggs, Ham and Muenster Skillet
- Scrambled Eggs and Peppers
- Italian Sausage Pasta Sauce
- BBQ Ham Steak on the Grill
- Pesto Tomato Pizza
- Chicken Quesadillas (if the chicken is cooked and frozen)
- Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce with Two Cheeses
- Easy Meatball Subs
- Bread Eggs
- Whole Wheat Pancakes
- Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes
- Gina’s Club Sandwiches
- Mac & Cheese and Mac & Tomatoes
- Super Simple Asian Noodles with Stir Fry Veggies and Chicken (if chicken is cooked or use other type left over meat)
- Chipped Beef Gravy over Cornbread
- Mexican Beans and Rice
- Nachos (if you have ground beef cooked and frozen)
- Scrambled Egg-wiches
- Hamburger Stroganoff
- French Bread Pizza
- Chicken Tortilla Soup (if chicken is cooked and frozen)
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs over Rice
- Italian Sausage and Bean Soup
- Vietnamese Style Chicken Noodle Soup (if the chicken is cooked)
When you’re in a hurry, you need a quick side dish or two to round out your meal. Here are a few ideas to try.
- Carrot sticks or baby carrots
- Salad. Try fixing a big salad when you bring home the groceries so you have it ready for the rest of the week.
- Frozen veggies that can be quickly steamed.
- Fresh fruit. Apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, pears etc. Stir a few together for fruit salad or serve them individually.
- Canned fruit or apple sauce
- Cranberries and Oranges
- Vanilla Fruit Salad
- Pasta with cheese. We like bowties with shredded cheddar. If you’re in a big hurry, angel hair pasta cooks in about 3 minutes.
- Rice. Jasmine is my favorite because it cooks in about 15 minutes. Stir in some cheese or cook it in broth for more flavor.
- Cornbread
- Bread and butter. An old-fashioned way to stretch a meal.
- Popcorn. We like it with sandwiches instead of chips or fries.
Great post! I am trying to create a go to list of pantry meals for my family this year. I just added a few from your list! Love the new series.
Thanks for a great list!
I’ve never considered popcorn as a side dish! I will say it is one of the cheapest snacks for a group of teens.
Andrea, I never considered popcorn for a side either until one night when we really ran out of time for anything else and everyone was hungry. It’s actually really good with a sandwich! Can you tell I”m not a perfectionist 😉 Some nights you just have to get everyone fed!
Wow Tiffany, Love the list. In fact I’m going to try some of your recipes. They look delicious.
Thanks for all the great ideas!! I look forward to trying many of these recipes!
This is a great post, Tiffany. I’ve been working on a list like this. We went out for $5 pizzas too many times last semester when the schedule went crazy and we needed a quick dinner. I don’t plan to let that become a habit.
Love the new look on your blog. Looking forward to trying out some of your quick supper ideas!! Jan. is a crazy month for us!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Excellent list for any family!
All of these sound really good, thanks for such a great list!!
Taco Soup is another one that can be done in 20 mins, even if the beef or chicken hasn’t been grounded. 2 cans whole kernel corn, 2 cans stewed toms, 2 cans kidney or black beans, 1 lb ground beef or chicken, 1 packet taco seasonings.
Grounded? Um browned. EEK!
Are there any meals other than the super quick side dishes, are there any dishes that can be made without cooking?
I’m thinking of doing a series this summer on main dishes that are no-cook. But as a start, there’s always salad with meats and cheeses added.