5 Super Easy Dinner Ideas
These 5 super easy dinner ideas are so easy, they don’t even need a recipe. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook. I love to chop fresh vegetables, with high quality meat, and use a variety of fresh herbs and spices. Eating is something I thoroughly enjoy, which is probably what fuels my love of cooking. I like to try new things. There are times I will go on a cooking “kick” and I will cook like crazy. I will look up all sorts of recipes that are super healthy, with amazing ingredients. I love when I am motivated and energized to do this, because the food is amazing.
Easy meals fast
But…. there are there times when I do not have the time or the energy needed to do these recipes. Sometimes, the budget is tight and getting 10 different ingredients for one meal just doesn’t make sense. For those times- here are some very basic, simple ideas for things to cook.
1. Spaghetti
Get a box of spaghetti noodles, a jar of Classico spaghetti sauce, and a pound of beef. Boil the noodles as directed on the box. Drain them and toss them in olive oil.
In a separate pan, brown the beef and then add the jar of Classico spaghetti sauce and heat it up as directed on the jar. Plate the noodles and top with the beef/sauce mixture. Voila!
2. Tacos
Get a taco box meal kit, a pound of beef, cheese, and taco toppings that you like. I prefer Old El Paso brand. Brown a pound of beef, add the seasoning packet and water from the box kit.
Warm up shells in the microwave by fanning them out on a plate (hard shells) and heating for about 30 seconds. For soft shells, wrap in a wet paper towel- usually it takes a couple paper towels to be large enough to wrap around the stack of tortillas- and then heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Fix tacos with desired toppings such as cheese, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, guacamole, etc.
3. Hamburgers
For another one of our super easy lunch/dinner ideas, grab a pack of buns and two pounds of ground beef. Also, make sure you have on hand any condiments or toppings you may want.
Make the beef into patties by pinching off some and making a ball on the palm of your hands, best set the ball on a flat surface, like a clean cutting board and slap it down. This will make nice round, hamburger patty.
Next season with salt, pepper and onion powder (if desired) and cook in a pan for about 5 minutes per side. Flip a few extra times if desired. Press down with a spatula and keep cooking until the juices that come out run clear. You can also check doneness with a meat thermometer.
Place the patties in a bun, top as desired and serve. A super easy side would be chips. If you have a little more time, you can make homemade French fries.
4. Chicken and Noodles
Boil a couple of chicken breasts (can go straight from frozen) for about 45 minutes. Then add noodles- I like elbow or seashell noodles and cook according to the time on the noodle box.
Keep the chicken broth in the pot, but if there is too much of it, you can drain some off.
Next add butter to taste. 2-4 tablespoons for the pot works well for me. Let the butter melt, stir it in, and serve. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
For a side with this, if time allows you could make our Southern Homemade Biscuits.
5. Cheese Quesadillas
Get a pack of tortillas and a bag of shredded cheese.
Spray a pan with Pam olive oil spray. Place tortilla on heated pan and let it brown.
While the tortilla is browning, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of tortilla. Fold in half and cut into triangles.
Serve with salsa and/or guacamole.
Stay ready
I hope these 5 super easy dinner ideas will help you stay ready to get food on the table. Also, if you keep your pantry stocked for these, you can make dinner with little to no prep.
Have more time? Check out this delicious Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe! It’s a recipe that my whole family enjoys.
