TJ's miso-ginger broth
2 packages of frozen dumplings
veggies: green onions, shredded cabbage (bagged coleslaw mix in a pinch), frozen spinach, shredded carrots, canned bamboo shoots, whatever's handy
Add a shot of soy sauce, then a splash of sesame oil

Alternates:
Use noodles instead of dumplings, then add rotisserie chicken, leftover pork/beef, eggs, etc.
Stir in Korean garlic-chili paste, Sriracha, or ginger paste

Others have mentioned the greatest hits (quesadillas, spaghetti and frozen meatballs, breakfast, charcuterie and fruit) but this is why I also like making big batches and freezing some. It's nice to have something like homemade chili or butter chicken to pull out.

Others have mentioned - ramen! Great for using up leftover meat and veg, get out all of the Asian sauces you have in your fridge and doctor it up.

Breakfast for dinner
Make your own grilled cheese or quesdadiillas.

One if my go to’s is a cheater soup
Miso packets or bouillon cube
When boiling add TJ frozen dumplings or some left over cooked protein & frozen mixed veg
Finish with sliced green onion, a splash of soy and a splash of sesame seed oil.
Easy& yummy
Google sheet pan chicken (salmon, pork chops)

Trader Joe’s frozen aisle option with a side of rice. (Fried rice with diced pineapple, peas, chicken; any of the Chinese chicken items; an incredibly unhealthy but delicious apps dinner - pigs in a blanket, mozzarella sticks, potatoes, spring rolls…) essentially beefing up anything from their frozen aisle.

French loaf for homemade subs (meatball, mozzarella, Brie, prosciutto, etc.) you can get 3 great subs for under $15.

Soup and good bread.

2nd the idea about the frozen chicken cutlets in the air fryer. I put them on a brioche roll with lettuce and tomato and a salad on the side so it’s not that unhealthy. If you shop at Aldi the ones in the red bag are really good and taste kind of like CFA). Barely a LOT on frozen chicken. The Kirkland breaded chicken bites are really good.

Also, do you have an Instant Pot? I make all sorts of one pot meals in there and they’re so easy. You can literally dump pasta and sauce with some water and seasonings in there and top with cheese for “baked ziti.” It takes 2 minutes to put together.

We always have frozen pizza and salad stuff. Occasionally I'll roast broccoli instead of salad.

We also usually have Trader Joe's frozen Indian food. For a family of 3 I make 2 butter chickens, 1 palak paneer, 1 pack of veggie samosas, a package of garlic naan, and serve with a plate of fresh raw veggies (snap peas, cucumbers, cilantro) and some plain yogurt and some sweet chili sauce. It's so similar to Indian takeout and so very good. I'd add another entree or two for more adults.

I also try to keep Trader Joe's frozen burritos or taquitos on hand, as well as rice, enchilada sauce, and a container of guacamole (which stays fresh for a while until you open it). I put the frozen Mexican food in a casserole dish with red enchilada sauce and cheese on top and bake it. Serve with rice and traditional toppings (for us that's lettuce, cilantro, sour cream, guac, salsa or fresh pico, and jalapeños).

Sandwiches for dinner can be delicious. You do have to go to the store to get deli meats and breads, but you can get your regular choices and add something fun like salami or ham or a new cheese. The bread is fresh, and you have sandwich stuff for a few days. Serve with chips and various pickles and something fun like fruit salad or deviled eggs.

Sometimes just switching up the boring lazy food helps. Instead of pasta with marinara, I will make pasta with garlic, oil, butter, parm, and pepperoncini. Usual or a veg.

Also get a good panini maker and you can do grilled cheese or grilled deli sandwiches or even leftover meat from the previous evening sandwiches.

Baked potato bar. Everybody puts their own toppings on. If you are really lazy the put the potatoes in the microwave. My kids love it!

Pasta with garlic and broccoli

Cereal (but not an entire box, and not with an entire carton of milk)

Popcorn and a movie

-ramen with Trader Joe’s precooked pork belly and drop in few eggs while you cook your ramen over the stove to get soft boiled eggs

-chickpea salad (spinach, chickpea, tomato, cucumber, avocado, red onion, feta cheese + olive oil and salt and balsamic); super easy and can forgo various ingredients as needed

-20 mins at 400, salmon filets. Drizzle with salt and honey before you bake. Simultaneously cook some rice. Dinner done in 25.

-PBJ sandwiches for a really tough night

-Brie and ham on Costco croissants — baked for a few mins if you have the energy. Can add fig too.

-boil spaghetti + warm up store bought sauce; combine once spaghetti is ready.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been spending entirely too much on takeout and vow to eat out less next month. But sometimes I just don’t want to cook. I don’t want to clean. I don’t want to do anything but throw away a paper plate, at most. I’m looking to alternatives to eating out that don’t require ANY effort or energy in the kitchen. **NOT PIZZA!** We already have a rotating pizza night.

I’ve considered those Costco prepared meals, but they aren’t exactly “cheap”, and some of them take planning (like an hour or more to bake the pot pie/meatloaf, etc.)

Cereal night is another idea but in the past, everyone is still hungry later. And, cereal isn’t cheap either! And nobody enjoys the same cereal. If I’m spending $6 a box, we might as well get Subway.

Help!!!

You are in dire need of a math class.

Subway! Yikes

What could possibly be wrong with Subway? I can’t wait to hear.

Eat Fresh!

Get me an Eat Fresh Refresh. I’ll take a turkey and provolone on wheat, with lettuce, tomato, pickle, black olive, and mayo. Baked Lays and a Coca Cola.

When I don't want to cook because I'm swamped at work and am struggling with cooking time, I lean into things like rotisserie chicken with a boxed rice side and frozen green veggie, shop the Trader Joe's frozen aisle, and buy my once annual bags of chicken nuggets and tater tots.
When I don't want to cook because I feel like I'm in a rut, I am for one special meal a week, and get by with easier things that are still hot and nourishing - breakfast for dinner (not cereal), chicken and veg w a jarred simmering sauce, etc.

I've been making BLT's on good bread lately or those stir fry kits and I add the meat.