Dinners for people that hate cooking and don't have time to do it

[Anonymous]

I’m the same way, OP. We do easy things like quesadillas, pasta, crockpot bean or chicken dishes with rice, baked fish and steamed veg, prepared meatballs from the store, and my kids’ favorite is “hodge podge” dinner which is just whatever assortment of fruit, veg, nuts, cheese and crackers. When I’m going all out I’ll make quiche (get premade crust). Follow Kids Eat In Color on Instagram. She’s a dietitian and mother of two young kids. Lots of ideas. Although the one recipe I tried of hers was gross but the ideas are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried those meal delivery kist that come with ingredients and recipes that you prepare?

Make something big on Sunday like a stew or casserole, left overs on Monday, meal kit for Tues, Wed, Thursday. Make something easy Friday night. Have another family member cook on Saturdays or get take out.

I tried blue apron once and it was a hundred times more work than any cooking I’ve ever done for an Applebee’s quality meal. Terrible.

[Anonymous]

The planning is tiring. I also dislike cooking and try to keep it simple.

Pasta with sauce (meatballs, sausages, alfredo, carbonera)
Tacos (frozen shrimp is really good)
Pulled pork (instant pot)
Stir Fry (soy vay jar sauce is super easy)
Grilled/baked salmon (bake in oven at 450 for 12 mins)
Steaks (when we are splurging)
Panko-crusted frozen tilapia from Costco (surprisingly good)

Veggies are roasted or stir fried. Spinach is super fast. Carrots are a pain b/c I have to peel them first.

I'll make a salad if I have stuff.

[Anonymous]

Burgers are easy and not garbage when made at home. You can use turkey if you're worried about beef fat. Turkey bugers, a veg, a starch, done.

Panko-breaded oven-baked chicken is fast and easy, and gives you that crunchy chicken taste. Not as good as fried, but what is?

Season the panko with whatever you like, brown it in a little butter or oil. Then season your chicken with whatever and brush on a very very light coat of mayo. Dip chicken in panko and bake on a baking sheet on a wire rack. If you're grossed out by mayo (you use very little and can't taste it) you could use a dijon or something, and it adds flavor.

Veggies and starches are easy. Any vegetable is palatable if you season it well and toss with a bit of butter or olive oil. Roast in oven instead of steaming or blanchin for extra flavor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried those meal delivery kist that come with ingredients and recipes that you prepare?

Make something big on Sunday like a stew or casserole, left overs on Monday, meal kit for Tues, Wed, Thursday. Make something easy Friday night. Have another family member cook on Saturdays or get take out.

I tried blue apron once and it was a hundred times more work than any cooking I’ve ever done for an Applebee’s quality meal. Terrible.

I felt this way too! It was expensive and took me 3-4 x as long as most cooking, plus I couldn’t really do anything else while I was making the meals. But my husband loved it. He had never really cooked before, and he made most of the meals that came through Blue Apron. I think it gave him a lot of confidence that he could actually make a nice tasting meal.

[Anonymous]

Are you in the DC metro area? Order Territory Foods prepped meals. It's healthy and you just reheat. Good for those who hate to cook but want to eat healthier than take-out. Just plate it and sit down to the table like you made it.

[Anonymous]

When I'm feeling "off" of cooking, I think of nutrition blocks and just create plates that cover those bases. It doesn't have to be a planned and prepared "meal."

Protein
Veggies of 2 colors
starchy carb

That could be:

Cheese, crackers, nuts, and sliced carrots and cukes.
Burger on a bun with frozen peas.
Cold leftover chicken, 90-second rice, grape tomatoes and broccoli
cous cous in bone broth, cauliflower, sliced peppers, almonds

[Anonymous]

I’m with you on not liking or having the time to cook! Some of my go-to’s:

- tacos using ground beef or turkey. I use hard shells or tortillas for the kids, put over romaine lettuce to make taco salads for adults
- same droll as above but instead throw some chicken in instant pot with a little water & taco seasoning for shredded chicken tacos
- dump a bottle or jarred marinara over chicken breasts, bake in oven, sprinkle mozzarella over chicken a few min before taking out of oven. Serve with pasta.
- bake bone in chicken breasts with olive oil, salt & pepper. Rub BBQ sauce on at the end and serve extra sauce for dipping (my kids love this one). Serve with a veggie and Mac and cheese or frozen sweet potato fries.
- cook chicken breasts with a jar of enchilada sauce (I use Whole Foods), in instant pot. Layer corn tortillas, chicken, sauce, cheese for enchilada casserole (another kid favorite).
- you can use this chicken (or taco beef, turkey or chicken) for burritos
- marinade chicken breasts in store bought Italian dressing. Grill chicken.
- make a pot roast- chuck roast in instant pot. Add onions, carrots and celery and either a jar or marinara or canned of diced tomatoes.

[Anonymous]

Here are some easy recipes...

Beefy Noodle Casserole (I use ground turkey instead of beef): http://www.mamawhatsfordinner.com/beef/beefynoodlecasserole.html

Pork Chops and Orange Rice (I hate this one, but my husband and kids love it... Grandma's old recipe. I do not put in the carrots, and I use 3-4 thicker bone-in chops): https://www.cooks.com/recipe/rg1jz2hc/baked-pork-chops-amber-rice.html

Spinach Lasagna: https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/spinach-lasagna-recipe/#tasty-recipes-65032

Butternut Squash Soup: http://www.saramuellerdesigns.com/2011/07/gwyneth-paltrows-cookbook-butternut-squash-soup.html

Baked Chicken Leg Drimsticks: https://thekitchengirl.com/simple-baked-chicken-leg-drumsticks/

Samin Nosrat's Buttermilk Chicken: https://jessicaseinfeld.com/recipes/samin-nosrats-buttermilk-chicken

Salsa Chicken Over Rice: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a30519954/crockpot-salsa-chicken-recipe/

[Anonymous]

Op uou said you like sandwiches, there is nothing wrong with sandwiches for dinner a couple of times a week. If your kids don't eat full sandwiches, give them it separated. My kid doesnt love sandwiches, but if i put a piece of baguette on her plate with some cheese, sliced chicken, and some tomatoes she will eat that quite happily. Nutritionally its fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burgers are easy and not garbage when made at home. You can use turkey if you're worried about beef fat. Turkey bugers, a veg, a starch, done.

Panko-breaded oven-baked chicken is fast and easy, and gives you that crunchy chicken taste. Not as good as fried, but what is?

Season the panko with whatever you like, brown it in a little butter or oil. Then season your chicken with whatever and brush on a very very light coat of mayo. Dip chicken in panko and bake on a baking sheet on a wire rack. If you're grossed out by mayo (you use very little and can't taste it) you could use a dijon or something, and it adds flavor.

Veggies and starches are easy. Any vegetable is palatable if you season it well and toss with a bit of butter or olive oil. Roast in oven instead of steaming or blanchin for extra flavor.

Every time I try to do this the panko slides off. Can you explain what I might be doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

We often do sandwich melts in the oven.

Sliced bread, a little mayo, turkey, avocado, a slice of muenster cheese and then broil for 3 min or so (watch carefully so it doesn't burn). You could also use roast beef and cheddar or ham and swiss or chicken and havarti or whatever. I love adding in roasted bell peppers too.

Serve with those colorful root veggie chips and some fruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burgers are easy and not garbage when made at home. You can use turkey if you're worried about beef fat. Turkey bugers, a veg, a starch, done.

Panko-breaded oven-baked chicken is fast and easy, and gives you that crunchy chicken taste. Not as good as fried, but what is?

Season the panko with whatever you like, brown it in a little butter or oil. Then season your chicken with whatever and brush on a very very light coat of mayo. Dip chicken in panko and bake on a baking sheet on a wire rack. If you're grossed out by mayo (you use very little and can't taste it) you could use a dijon or something, and it adds flavor.

Veggies and starches are easy. Any vegetable is palatable if you season it well and toss with a bit of butter or olive oil. Roast in oven instead of steaming or blanchin for extra flavor.

Every time I try to do this the panko slides off. Can you explain what I might be doing wrong?

Are you browning the panko first and letting it cool? Too much mayo or other coating? Not enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op uou said you like sandwiches, there is nothing wrong with sandwiches for dinner a couple of times a week. If your kids don't eat full sandwiches, give them it separated. My kid doesnt love sandwiches, but if i put a piece of baguette on her plate with some cheese, sliced chicken, and some tomatoes she will eat that quite happily. Nutritionally its fine.

And you can switch things up by toasting the sandwich. I use a George Foreman grill or a cast iron pan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you on not liking or having the time to cook! Some of my go-to’s:

- tacos using ground beef or turkey. I use hard shells or tortillas for the kids, put over romaine lettuce to make taco salads for adults - tacos take a long time. Browning the meat takes at least 20 minutes, drain some grease, add taco seasoning and simmer, in the meantime drag out all the toppings and wash/drain, cut up and but in serving dishes, then heat up the taco shells - whole process easily takes 45 minutes. Please don't start with the - your wrong! your doing it wrong! I am superior! most people never, ever bother to time how long it really takes them so they way underestimate
- same droll as above but instead throw some chicken in instant pot with a little water & taco seasoning for shredded chicken tacos - I don't own an instant pot and if I did, I would have to run to the store after work to pick up chicken and there would be some other stuff of course, come home, unload groceries, wipe out the insta pot, unpackage chicken and if pieces are different thicknesses, decided if I am gone to smash them or not so they cook more evenly, wait for chicken to cook and in the meantime prep all the other stuff, chicken done, have to get it out, put in serving bowl and attempt to shred
- dump a bottle or jarred marinara over chicken breasts, bake in oven, sprinkle mozzarella over chicken a few min before taking out of oven. Serve with pasta. - repeat process above about going to the store and unpacking groceries, if pieces are different thicknesses, decided if I am gone to smash them or not so they cook more evenly, while they are baking make some rice or vegetables or a salad. But rice takes at least 20 minutes
- bake bone in chicken breasts with olive oil, salt & pepper. Rub BBQ sauce on at the end and serve extra sauce for dipping (my kids love this one). Serve with a veggie and Mac and cheese or frozen sweet potato fries.
- cook chicken breasts with a jar of enchilada sauce (I use Whole Foods), in instant pot. Layer corn tortillas, chicken, sauce, cheese for enchilada casserole (another kid favorite).
- you can use this chicken (or taco beef, turkey or chicken) for burritos
- marinade chicken breasts in store bought Italian dressing. Grill chicken.
- make a pot roast- chuck roast in instant pot. Add onions, carrots and celery and either a jar or marinara or canned of diced tomatoes.

For YEARS I bought into the belief that I could really make dinner during the week nights in 30 minutes. That has only happened if I did quesadilla, grilled cheese or salad and sandwiches, See above for why