Help - I need fast, easy, good meals

By dinner time, I’m worn out, and I have little strength to prepare a meal. I use to be able to pull out of my mind fast meals - but not now. Tasha (older daughter) came over last night, I asked her to bring 2 of those frozen pizzas. I have not done this in years, always made pizza from scratch. At times, I don’t feel like eating and Tommy can’t. Tommielynn really needs good meals not cereal and noodles and sandwiches. She is learning to cook, but has not yet master making a whole meal yet. She has been a wonderful help to me.
So I’m asking for fast, easy, good recipes.
Thank you,
Becky

October 30, 2008 - Posted by Becky recipes recipes 10 Comments

10 Comments »
Becky -
Do you have a crockpot? If so I can pass along a few recipes that we save for really hectic days.
Linda
Comment by Linda October 30, 2008

For non crock pot recipes…
My son has been able to cook these meals for years, they might be something that Tommielynn could handle:
Scrambled eggs with cheese added, toast with jelly, juice and milk
Spaghetti and meatballs (made with frozen meatballs and jarred sauce) with buttered bread and a side salad or veggie
Chicken taco bake…mix together…2 cans of chicken (drained), 1 cup of salsa, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 to 1 cup of cheddar cheese, 1 can of tomato soup, 6 flour tortillas cut up in bite sized pieces. Pour into a casserole dish and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Top with more shredded cheddar (1/2 to 1 cup)and enjoy! This isn’t the most nutritious meal in the world, but it can all be mixed together and just thrown into a baking dish…super easy…and it has become one of my son’s favorite “throw-together” meals.
Chili-Mac.. Boxed macaroni and cheese made according to directions. Add one can of chili and heat through.
Tuna Noodle Bake…Boxed macaroni and cheese made according to directions. Add one can of tuna (drained) and 1/2 can of peas (drained). Heat through.
Do you have any canned vegetable soup that she could pair with grilled cheese or grilled ham (or turkey) and cheese sandwiches? I know you prefer to cook completely from scratch and avoid processed foods, but now may be the time to turn to processed food for a while.
Linda
Comment by Linda October 30, 2008

Thought of another possibility…baked potatoes with all kinds of toppings…chili, broccoli and cheddar cheese, bacon and cheese. Served with soup or even veggies and applesauce and it would be a pretty healthy meal!
Comment by Linda October 30, 2008

Spaghetti is one of my favorite quick meals!Hot dogs with a salad or green veggie as a sideSmoked sausage and cabbageLoaded baked potatoes (you can place potatoes in microwave!)Breakfast dinnerSoups!! and a grilled cheese or peanut butter sandwich! (Mom and Dad lived on soups when Dad was sick! There are so many flavors!)Ground beef with gravy(or open a can of cream of mushroom soup to be the gravy) over toast or mashed potatoes
My brain is coming up empty now. I will think on this some more!!
Comment by Wendy October 30, 2008

for the things you’d like your daughter to eat but she isn’t capable of making, possibly making and freezing something during a high-energy period (early mornings or 1 day a week) she could pull out and microwave when you’re feeling not up to cooking.
a big batch of burritos, breakfast burritos, casseroles frozen in serving size containers, meatloaf, meatballs. Lots of once a month cooking recipes and websites out there… these saved my life during low energy periods (late pregnancy, illness, etc.)
Comment by FW October 30, 2008

Seems like if you can prep some stuff early in the day, it isn’t so overwhelming to finish the rest at meal time.Thaw out meat in fridge the night before. Peel potatoes and leave in cold water to cover. Grab a jar of your home canned veggys. AS it gets closer to meal time - Cook your meat while you’re waiting for potatoes to cook. Skip fancy and just use the seasoning you like. Still better than cereal, noodles, sandwiches.Take the opportunity to give the friends and family the OK to bring over food and help with chores. Freeze extra if you get too much.Borrow a crock pot. Most people don’t use theirs often and won’t miss it.
Comment by Sheila October 30, 2008

Some of my quick, easy dinners:
sandwiches with lunchmeat, cheese, and/or whatever is in the fridge and sounds good. Raw vegis, pickles, fruit are all good side dishes.
Scotch BeefChopped onion (as much or little as you like. I use 1/2 a med onion)2 T Butter1 lb Ground beef2 T Flour1 t salt1 t pepper1 can Evaporated milk1 can peasToast or biscuits
Saute onion in margarine for 3 min. Add ground beef. Brown and drain extra fat. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Stir in mil. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens a boils, abt. 1 min. Stir in peas, juice and all. Serve over toast or biscuits or just eat it plain.
Any kind of pasta and spaghetti sauce or alfredo sauce. (I can make it, but when I’m in a hurry I just use the jarred kind.)
And my absolute favorite:
Popcorn (made in a pan, not microwaved) with salt and butter (I love to do this one when my husband has an evening meeting and sit down and watch a movie or show with the kids while eating our “dinner”.)
Comment by DeeAnn October 30, 2008

This one is my favorite. I like it because I can change it at any time and get a different flavor out of it. one time Mexican and another Italian.One Pot Meal1 lb hamburger, Left over taco meat or1 Med. chopped onion1 Lg can tomatoes1 can whole kernel corn, with liquid1 can sliced olives if you have them1 1/2 tsp chili power (or not)1 clove garlic or garlic salt (or not)6 oz fine uncooked noodles or rice or bothfry hamburger and add onions and saute’ until onions are clear. add the remaining ingredients and cover simmer for about 30 min can be topped with cheese.
But my favorite is to empty my fridge. I take the left over taco meat instead of the hamburger and put in what ever I have available. I have used tomato soup instead of canned tomatoes and have added other vegetables. Left over spaghetti w/sauce, use it instead of the tomatoes, onions and noodles. Just mix it up and it works. and it is fast too if you use the left overs.
add bread and butter and you have dinner.Make a great left over for heating up later.
Comment by Karen October 30, 2008

Crockpot Saucy Scalloped Potatoes
4 cups thin sliced potatoes1 can cream of mushroom soup12oz can Pet milk (evaporated milk)lg onion, sliced (I use onion powder)2 TBSP butter1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper
Spray crockpot with non-stick spray. Combine potatoes with other ingredients and mix well - pour into crockpot. For thicker sauce, sprinkle 2 TBSP flour in between potato layers. Cook on high for one hour, then reduce to low for 4 to 5 hours until potatoes are tender.
For a one dish meal, add 1 1/2 cups chopped ham to the mixture. I also top with shredded cheddar cheese a few minutes before serving.
Comment by arksoaper October 31, 2008

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup (this freezes well also)
1 onion, chopped1 (16oz) can chili beans, Ranch style beans, or pinto beans1 (15oz) can black beans1 (15oz) can whole kernel corn, drained1 (8oz) can tomato sauce1 can chicken broth1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes (could use 1 or 2 cans Rotel if you wanted)1 pkg taco seasoning3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Place all ingredients in crockpot, place chicken breasts on top and press down into the mixture. Allow to cook on low for 7 hours.
Before serving, remove chicken and shred/dice, add back to the crockpot.
Serving options:riceshredded cheesesour creamcrushed tortilla chips
I like this best served over rice with cheese on top, but hubby prefers chips and cheese.
Comment by arksoaper October 31, 2008