[DeChRi]

SO a thread about What's For Dinenr popped up in our Due Date Club. It prompted me to start this one. I think of how many nights I leave work, pick up my daughter from school, get home and people are wanting to eat and I feel like I have been run over by the pregnancy bus.<br><br>
I have been cranking out spaghetti about every other day..lol.<br><br>
What are your favorite quick and healthy dinners for when your fam is hungry and you are borderline disfunctional? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Miny20]

The Crock Pot is my friend these days... I have the most energy in the mornings so putting something in there when I'm not feeling so run down is a lifesaver!

 

[~Demeter~]

Typically if I want a nice homecooked meal without a lot of fuss I make my ravioli lasagna, it takes like 5 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. In the July ddc we have a recipe thread and the recipe is in there if you're curious. Last night I made ground beef, egg noodles and gravy.. sorta like a stroganoff, it went over pretty well and was not a lot of fuss either.

 

[queendom lady]

I'm just making easy dinner for myself tonight but .... black bean and cheese quasadillas with sour cream and salad. Add veggies to make a little healthier, onions, peppers, corn, tomatoes, etc... It's a whatever's around kind of night here too.

 

[mtn.mama]

Sloppy Joe's!

 

[momuveight2B]

Well there is always 911-Pizza <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
I try to put something in the crock pot each morning that way there is at least a main course to come home to.<br><br>
There is nothing wrong with PBJs for supper either.<br><br>
When I do cook I usually have leftovers for the next night. One night this week I did pot roast with gravy in the crockpot. The next night the leftover meat got used up with a few additions for beef stroganoff.

 

[Novella]

Two ideas:<br><br>
Fake Chicken Cacciatore<br>
Super-easy b/c it all goes into the microwave in one go! Cube up fresh or frozen (defrosed) chicken breasts. Chop up 1/2 or 1 onion. Throw in 1 can tomato soup and 1 drained can of mushrooms. Add a good tablespoon of brown sugar, pinch salt, some pepper and about a tablespoon of vinegar. Stir it all together, put the lid on the casserole dish and pop it in the microwave. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring it a few times during. Cook some rice while this is cooking. All done. Tastes good. Easy b/c doesn't need much for fresh ingredients - you can have all the stuff on hand. Extremely low-maintenance while it's cooking.<br><br>
Crepes<br>
Make a thin batter with flour, milk, eggs and salt. Fry crepes in pan, thin and CRISPY. Spread with warm jam, roll and eat. Higher-maintenance during cooking because you make them one at a time, but very fast from starting to cook until beginning to eat. Cheap! For a change: fry the crepes thicker (1/4") and when cooked chop and bang them into bits with the spatula/flipper. Throw all the cooked bits in a bowl to keep warm. Serve it with a sprinkling of sugar, or jam, or stewed up apples. Ya, doesn't exactly cover the 4 food groups, but satisfying and good in a pinch.

 

[Lexi_029]

Broccoli soup... we have a really easy recipe where you boil 4 buillion cubes to every head of broccoli you use, then toss in a family sized can of cream of mushroom soup, a bit of milk, and let it simmer for 45 minutes or so.

 

[OTMomma]

Bean burritos is our quick and easy meal here- just warm the can of refried beans and tortillas- add some shredded cheese and salsa with chips if you want, and its dinner. And super cheap.

 

[pixiesmommy]

Tacos/taco salads have been a hit for me lately.<br><br>
The only thing you have to cook is the meat- I have alternated chicken and ground beef (you could also used ground turkey.) Fry it up and add some water and some seasonings and simmer it til it's just juicy and not watery.<br><br>
Buy pre-shredded lettuce in the bag, pre-shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, canned sliced black olives, a can of refried beans, and jalepenos or canned green chilis if you want.<br><br>
You can either make tacos with soft tortillas, hard shells, or just buy a bag of tortilla chips and let everyone make their own. My 6.5 yr old daughter even loves this- she wraps hers in a soft tortilla and puts the meat and cheese on the bottom so the heat from the meat melts the cheese.<br><br>
When you prepare it, put it all into containers that have lids so you can just pop the leftovers in the fridge without much cleanup.

 

[aidanmama]

I second the taco salads. But to make it even easier, I use a store bought rotissiere chicken and just shred it. I also make a quick dressing out of bottled italian dressing, salsa and lime juice.<br><br>
I really do simple meals during the week. Grill chicken or steak, broiled fish etc., steam veggies like broccoli, asparagus and spinach and throw some rice in the rice cooker and it is quick simple and still pretty healthy.<br><br>
I am also really lucky to have a grocery store with lots of pre-made meals that are actually pretty good, so when all esle fails, I can just warm up something from there.

 

[AmyLouise]

What about a crockpot meal?<br><br>
Amy

 

[Racecar]

Ravioli, I love Ravioli! Ravioli, it's the best for me! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue"><br><br>
So easy, yummy, *intentional*!

 

[LilMomma83]

I have started doing most of my cooking on the weekends and then we just have to re-heat food real quick when it is dinner time!

 

[Pippi Langstroemp]

Salmon salad -- I make a salad with whatever veggies and lettuce we have and add a can of salmon and maybe a boiled egg. Or, if I'm feeling really on top of things I'll make a potato onion fritatta. Slice a potato and an onion and throw it into a pan with some crushed chili. When it's cooked, I pour some beaten eggs of it. Cover and cook until done.<br><br>
Now, getting my husband to do the dishes so I can do it again the next day...that's an even greater challenge! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[cal195]

We get packages of indivually frozen salmon steaks, flounder or cod loins, or chicken breasts from Sam's Club. They're fantastic for those nights when you dont' feel like cooking--they thaw quickly and can be grilled, baked or roasted in the toaster oven, conventional oven or on the grill outside. Throw a salad together or steam some veggies, and you're good to go.<br><br>
Catherine

 

[artgoddess]

do they have <a href="http://www.dreamdinners.com/main.php?static=index" target="_blank">Dream Dinners</a> near you? I swear by the place.

 

[twilight girl]

Pad Thai!<br><br>
We just had it last night. Just have everything prepped (i.e. chopped), and once you turn on the skillet or wok, it's ready in 10 minutes.<br><br>
If you buy a bag of Roland brand rice noodles, or pad thai noodles, their recipe on the back is great! Once you have all the ingredients, it's super easy to throw together. Very yummy, and pair it with a salad bag (we love the Asian salad mix) and it's a pretty healthful meal.

 

[Aeress]

Lazy Stir Fry<br><br>
Frozen veggies (i buy the bags that have mixed veggies, broccoli, sugar snap peas) in a pan or wok with a little garlic, onion, soy sauce, rice vinegar and some ginger.<br>
or add all of the above and ketchup, and hot sauce.<br><br>
cook until all warmed through. super fast in the wok<br><br>
serve over rice (which I usually make a big batch of and then save for the next night)<br><br>
I also found that aldis has good prices on frozen egg rolls, wonton and other yummy sides.

 

[Taerna]

My favorite "easy" meal.....<br><br>
On the way home from work -- Stop by Winn Dixie and pick up a rotisserie Chicken , a pouch of ready rice and a little bag of frozen veggies <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br><br><br><br>
Christy