Dinnertime! Whether it is just you, or a family clamoring for the evening meal, sometimes it creeps up on us, and we need to get dinner on the table FAST! What to do? We have 13 hacks that will make you the speedy dinner star!
Rotisserie Chicken
We pick up a rotisserie chicken every week just so that we can have leftovers for quick meals on more than one day. Not all rotisserie chickens are the same. Try the different ones from the stores near you, figure out your favorite, and make it a weekly purchase. Click for Grab A Rotisserie Chicken On Your Way Home And Make Any Of These 18 Delicious Meals In Minutes
Breakfast For Dinner
How about breakfast for dinner? Omelets are the perfect vehicle four bits and pieces of whatever you have in the refrigerator. We are also huge fans of waffles for dinner, too, made even heartier with the addition of a poached or fried egg, and bacon on the side. Try our Savory Cornmeal Cheddar Waffles with bacon and fried egg.
Pasta For The Win
Pasta is a quick dinner standby. If somebody wants to whip up a batch of spaghetti and toss it with olive oil, Parmesan cheese and lots of pepper we will come running to the table. If you have pesto in the refrigerator, or cans of tuna in the pantry, you will be able to make a fast and hearty pasta meal. Get the recipe for Pantry Pasta with Tuna & Olives. And our 36 Low FODMAP Dishes You Didn’t Know You Could Make With Rice Noodles
Frozen Shrimp
If you have shrimp in the freezer, dinner can always be mere minutes away. Gently defrost in cool water – this will only take a few minutes – and then get creative with a stir-fry or you can even cook them in the air fryer with your favorite purchased dipping sauce. Try our recipe for Shrimp & Broccoli with Noodles. And 12 Of The Fastest Shrimp Dishes You Can Make
Planned Leftovers
For some people, when they hear the term “leftovers”, they cringe. But we think leftovers get a bad rap. In fact, we often plan ahead and make extra of whatever we’re cooking, just so that we can have leftovers the next day. Roast beef can be roast beef hash. A big ham can be turned into any manner of second meals, such as ham and cheese sliders, used in a big Cobb salad, tossed with pasta, and so much more. Next time you make rice, make extra, and you can do a quick stir-fry the next night using leftover rice. In fact, stir-fried rice is even better made with day old rice. Roast Beef Hash is hugely underrated! Check it out.
Get Grilling
Cooking on the grill might not seem like a quick hack at first, but we’re not talking about low and slow barbecue. We are talking about firing up the grill, propane for super-fast results, and grilling boneless skinless chicken breast or kebobs will just take a few minutes. Homemade or jarred barbecue sauce can come in handy with this approach. And cooking outside means less kitchen clean-up, too. Our Chicken & Vegetable Kebobs are a family fave. Also check out 15 Grill Recipes That Are Way Better Than Your Regular BBQ Fare
Frozen Pizza Crusts
We like to keep frozen pizza crusts around because they can help get dinner on the table fast, and they also spur creativity. If you have jarred tomato sauce around, and pre-shredded cheese, this will really take no time at all. But you can also get creative with shredded cooked chicken, dollop some barbecue sauce on top, crumbles of blue cheese, pepperoni of course, and any vegetables you might have in the refrigerator, can round out your pizza approach. Here is a standby roast chicken recipe, to make and have around for the week. Looking for more Pizza inspo? 10 Pizza Recipes for True Pizza Lovers
Sheet Pan Meals
There is no shortage of recipes for sheet pan dinners. If you haven’t discovered these yet, you are simply going to put your protein on a sheet pan, often along with a starch and vegetable, and throw it in the oven. It might take a little while to cook, but the prep is mere minutes. Try our Chicken, Potatoes & Vegetables. Or for more check out Easy Peasy Dinner and Dessert: 20 One-Pan, One Bowl Recipes for Busy Nights
Use That Microwave!
We think everybody should get to know their microwave. Microwaves come in different strengths, so it’s difficult to give you accurate directions, but we use our microwave to nuke russet potatoes all the time, for instance. Once your “baked potato” is made, you can stuff it with rotisserie chicken, cheese and vegetables and put it back in the microwave until the cheese is melted for a quick dinner. That’s just an example of course of how you can use this appliance known for its speed. We have a recipe for Double Stuffed Potatoes we know you will love.
Tacos & Nachos
If you have leftover proteins such as shredded chicken, pork, beef, shrimp (although whoever has leftover shrimp) they can be easily turned into tacos or nachos if you have corn chips or tortillas on hand. And we highly recommend that you do. With a little cheese, and maybe some vegetables and jarred salsa on the side, we have whipped up countless dinners in this manner. Try our Shrimp Tacos.
Grilled Cheese & Paninis
If you have fantastic bread and an assortment of good melting cheeses around, you can turn them into a satisfying dinner. A Panini is just a fancy way of describing grilled cheese. You don’t need a Panini press. We like to use our cast iron pan, the best bread and cheese we can afford, and sometimes will add sliced tomatoes or leftover ham or bacon to the inside of that sandwich. Or how about adding chutney – or – do what we do and slather mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter. Try it! Check out our Cream of Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons.
Sandwiches
And speaking of sandwiches, you could go an even shorter route and not heat up your sandwich at all. Two slices of bread and bits and pieces of this and that can end up creating a sandwich of your dreams, hearty enough for the evening meal. Need sandwich inspiration? We’ve got it!
Takeout
And if all else fails, there is takeout! Have those nearby restaurants on “speed dial”, tip your delivery person well, sit back and enjoy.
36 Dishes You Didn’t Know You Could Make With Rice Noodles
Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, but that isn’t the only reason to cook with them. They are delicious unto themselves, come in a variety of shapes, and are the noodle of choice in so many Asian-inspired recipes. But it doesn’t stop there! There are rice-based lasagna noodles, shells, manicotti, elbows…From soups to main dishes, casseroles, salads and summer rolls, we have 36 recipes for you to get you slurping with joy. Click for 36 Dishes You Didn’t Know You Could Make With Rice Noodles
30 Quick & Easy Recipes For A Happy Gut: Low FODMAP and Flavor Packed
At FODMAP Everyday® we define “Quick” as a dish that can be on the table, ready to eat, in 30 minutes or less. “Easy” recipes have 15 minutes or less of prep time. All of these recipes are low FODMAP and free of gluten so they can be served to tender tummies too! Click for 30 Quick & Easy Recipes For A Happy Gut: Low FODMAP and Flavor Packed
Grab A Rotisserie Chicken On Your Way Home And Make Any Of These 18 Delicious Meals In Minutes
Grabbing a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket is not “cheating” by any stretch of the imagination. Having cooked chicken ready to use is a great jump-start to all sorts of creative recipes – from salads to main dishes, lunches and dinners – and is a brilliant move, in our book. Click for Grab A Rotisserie Chicken On Your Way Home And Make Any Of These 18 Delicious Meals In Minutes
Easy and Tasty: 34 Sides to Serve with Rotisserie Chicken for a Stress-Free Meal
We buy a rotisserie chicken every week – and enjoy the bounty for days. But we like to mix it up; potatoes, veggies (hot and cold), pasta – there are many ways to enjoy that chicken and to turn it into a meal. Here are our 34 community favorites. Click here for Easy and Tasty: 34 Sides to Serve with Rotisserie Chicken for a Stress-Free Meal
