Cheap, easily prepared and able to travel dinners?

[Anonymous]

This week we are all being pulled in different directions, and I want to NOT spend a small fortune on take-out, nor do I want to waste money on cuts of meat or ingredients that won’t reheat/travel well. I plan to cook these things mid-day while I work, and package them up for everyone to either eat later or take in a cooler.

Any ideas other than Basic Casserole?

[Anonymous]

Ive put hot dinners (crockpot, rigatoni bc its easy to poke with fork, etc) into a casserole dish and put it into my insulated bag. Then siblings and I eat said meal on the sidelines during other kid's sports practice, scouts, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Biryani in casserole.

[Anonymous]

Pick up meals from Costco. Wegmans also has a good selection but more expensive.

[Anonymous]

We do this a fair amount. I’ll do pesto tortellini or minestrone soup divided up in individual containers. Turkey or Caprese subs toasted and stored in foil. Hummus pitas with a grain salad of couscous tomato and cucumber. Quiche is also easy and can be eaten at room temp.

[Anonymous]

Burrito bowls (or burritos, which will stay reasonably warm wrapped in foil)
L

[Anonymous]

Tortellini pasta salad with lots of veg and cheese and salami

Texas caviar to serve with crushed tortilla chips

Arayes and chopped salad

I would lean into things that dont have to be hot to be good. Much easier to transport and pack up.

[Anonymous]

Pasta salad, which DCUM considers tacky, is the best answer. Unlimited options for ingredients, easy to package in individual portions, good cold or room temp, filling. Complete meal in a Tupperware.

I like Greek inspired pasta salad -- feta, chicken, olives, red pepper, cucumber.

You can also do rice instead of pasta. I did a really good Southwest rice salad with black beans, chicken, veggies and cumin/lime vinaigrette.

[Anonymous]

I would just make some sandwiches