Meal ideas for nights with the sitter

[isosmom]

I've just recently started pm clinicals and dh works nights, so I need some meal ideas that my sitter can handle with everything else they've got to deal with (homework, bedtime, stories, baths). Any ideas are welcome. Thinking some things I can make ahead of time and they can just pop in the oven, easy pastas, frozen from the store stuff? 

[onlyzombiecat]

Do you have a slow cooker? http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Soup is easy to make ahead, freeze, and reheat. My dd loves chili and minestrone.

burritos http://allrecipes.com/recipes/world-cuisine/latin-america/mexican/burritos/

lasagna or manicotti

meatball sandwiches

Most casseroles can be prepared in advance and just popped in the oven. http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Course/Dinner-Recipes/Casseroles
 

[ollyoxenfree]

I'll second the crockpot and casserole ideas. Stews, chili, soup....

Don't forget that sandwiches can work for evening meals, especially if you have soup or salad alongside. 

Stir Fries - I find you can re-heat a stir fry fairly quickly without losing too much quality, especially if the veggies weren't overcooked the first time around. 

[Mittsy]

We usually do either pancakes with fruit, or baked falafel with spinach.

[mumkimum]

We'll often do tacos as a favorite fast meal here.  Some kind of filling that's quick to heat up (so already-seasoned taco meat, or crockpot taco beans, or quick stovetop taco tvp) - and then toppings already cut up and in the fridge.  Same things work well for baked potatoes.

Cheese enchiladas are my kiddos favorite oven food - I've had good frozen from the store versions of them too.  Baked spaghetti or ravioli are also well-liked (would be easy to do in advance and have for reheating in the oven).  

English muffin pizzas or quesadillas (I usually have some cut up raw veggies with either of these).

My kids also love cooked cheese tortellini and warmed jar spaghetti sauce to dip them in (using toothpicks - you could also do pesto for dipping).