12 Little Hacks to Making Dinner Way Easier
A dozen ways to make dinner way easier? Umm...yes, please.
What a day. Between an early morning workout at the gym, dropping the kids off at school (and picking them up), not to mention working a full day and running errands, the last thing we may want to do after all of that is cook a homemade meal for dinner. Are we right or are we right? That is what we thought.
We have already covered little hacks to make breakfast and lunch easier, so do you think we would really leave you hanging without the last meal of the day? Of course not! Since a cold bowl of stale cereal does not count as dinner — sorry to break it to you — here are a dozen little hacks to make dinner way easier.
Breakfast for Dinner
Is it just us or does breakfast work for pretty much any and every meal of the day? Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, breakfast is just as delicious for the first meal of the day as it is the last. From whipping up a waffle or stacking up a short stack of pancakes, breakfast for dinner can be as simple as a toasted bagel with avocado and a fried egg served with a small side salad. (Okay, we’ll bite.)
Create and Cook Up a Casserole
Casserole dishes can range from baked lasagnas to mac and cheese or even meatloaf. Plus, they are super easy to make. Throw everything together in a casserole dish. Then, either chill in the fridge and place it in the oven when you come home, or bake it and freeze it so all you have to do is toss an individual slice or two in the microwave, and voila, dinner is served.
Get Your Grill On
If you plan on getting your grill on over the weekend, incorporate those grill master skills into your weekly meal prep. Grill up chicken breasts, turkey burger patties, and some steaks and keep them refrigerated or frozen for a quick and easy dinner time meal. All you have to do is select your sides and you have a complete dinner meal ready to go when you are ready to eat.
Make Your Own TV Dinner
Store-bought TV dinners may have some questionable ingredients, so skip the grocery store frozen meals and make your own DIY TV dinner instead. Purchase microwave-friendly storage containers that have individual compartments. Then get a grain, pick a protein, and top with a vegetable or two and freeze. Save yourself from the dreaded question of “What’s for dinner?” because dinner is already made. All you need is a microwave!
Order Take Out
Even with all of the meal prepping and recipe planning in the world, there are still some days when you do not want anything you have already baked or cooked. Hey, no judgment here. These are the days when it is A-OK to place an order for carryout. We do not recommend you do this every day because, let’s be real, our waistlines and our wallets will be better for it, so save ordering out for those days you really do not have it in you to prepare (or microwave) a home-cooked meal. Also, set aside a monthly budget so you already have a carryout budget in place. That way, you will not feel as guilty when you order out.
Pick Up a Rotisserie Chicken
One little hack to make meals easier is to pick up an already prepared meal, and that includes dinner. A super simple way to serve up an easy, yet delicious, dinner is to swing by the local grocery store and pick up a rotisserie chicken. While you are there, pick up two. That way you and the family can eat one and then you can freeze the other. That way you have meals ready to go for, not just one, but two dinners. (You’re welcome.)
Plate Up Some Pasta
Preparing grains like couscous, pasta, and rice are all easy ways to have dinner at the ready. Once or twice a week, bake up a batch of your favorite grains and then pre-portion them out into individual containers so you have grab-and-go meals ready to eat when you walk in the door. All you need to do is select a sauce and add a protein source like grilled chicken or homemade meatballs. Top with a light sprinkle of cheese and a pinch of crushed red peppers for an added layer of flavor.
Prepare a Panini
After a long day, many of us may opt for a cold sandwich or sub. Instead, prepare a few chilled sandwiches with your favorite fillings then pull out the grill press and enjoy a homemade panini for dinner. All you need to do is pick out your already prepared sandwich, press and eat. See? Dinner can be delicious and easy.
Pull Out a Frozen Pizza Crust
Instead of ordering a pizza, fill your kitchen freezer with already prepared frozen flatbread or pizza crusts. When you get home, all you need to do is select a sauce and add cheese and a smattering of your favorite ingredients, which should already be chopped, diced, and sliced from your once-a-week meal prep. Pop it in the oven, and by the time you change into your comfy sweatpants for the evening, you will have a freshly baked homemade pizza. (Can we snag a slice?) If preparing a pizza after a long day seems like a lot of work, then prep it the night before and place it in the fridge so all you have to do when you get home is bake it. Genius!
Snag Some Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are super easy to make, especially in big batches, which means multiple dinner meals for you and the family to enjoy. Pick some peppers, fill them with ground beef, chicken or turkey then mix in rice, tomato sauce and your favorite combination of seasonings and spices. Looking for an easy way to sneak in more vegetables? Swap out rice for cauliflower rice.
Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
When it comes to late evenings, it is easy to grab a grain or pick a protein, which means we usually ignore fresh vegetables. Instead, grab a sheet pan and roast an array of veggies you and the family can enjoy all week. Season with salt and pepper or toss in a family favorite like a mouthwatering marinade, savory sauce or vinaigrette for additional flavor. Your taste buds will thank you.
Slow Cooker Chili, Soups and Stews
Waiting hours for a homemade bowl of chili, soup, or stew to simmer can take all day, and with busy schedules and crazy calendars, who has the time? Instead, put the kitchen slow cooker to good use and create a handcrafted batch of chili, soup, or stew. Whatever you prefer! If chili is a family favorite, have an array of toppings available including avocado slices, crackers, and shredded cheese so everyone can create their own dish to their very own liking.
