Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

[AddictedScrapper]

I'm so sick of always making the same things so please share with me some of your favorite quick and easy dinner recipes (and I stress easy!) ;)

Things that your kids like the most as well, I struggle so much in making something that the boys will both eat. I swear most days they don't really eat anything :cursing: :thumbdown:

[BrattyMeg]

oh we had a big thread here with easy stuff not too long ago. Let me see if I can find it :)

[ditzyscrap]

I was just looking in my kaboodle yesterday for something different to eat...I found 3 recipes I'd bookmarked before that look good (and easy):

Mini Taco Bowls (http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/recipedetail.aspx?recipe_id=94542)

Crispy Salsa Chicken (http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/crispy-salsa-chicken-97994.aspx?)

Cheesy Cheddar & Ham Loaf (http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/recipedetail.aspx?recipe_id=83018)

[Misty Cato]

I use the croissant dough (the stuff that comes in a cardboard tube in the refrigerated section), roll it out, cut it into squares, but deli meat and cheese in each square, fold over, squish down the edges and bake. Pretty much my version of Hot Pockets. I serve them with tomato soup. I spend 15 minutes in the kitchen and dh and ds are happy campers.

[scrapmonkey]

My favorite, that's always a winner and I found it in a WW book, is homemade Macaroni and cheese. While you are boiling your macaroni, heat while stirring with a whisk 3/4 cup milk (skim) and 2 Tbsp flour until it starts thickening. Then add 8 ounces (1/2 pound) chunked Velveeta (light) and stir until smooth. By this time, the pasta is done. If you want it a little extra cheesy (especially for the kids), add in 1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together. How easy is that?

[lizzyfizzy]

soo easy.

bake a package of store bought biscuits, according to package.

then cut into cubes and cook about 4 chicken breats over a little olive oil, dryed thyme and black pepper...cook through

then add a package of frozen mixed veggies (greenbeans, corn, carrot and peas??...i think it has peas...mixture)

then add a jar of store bought alfredo sauce, a teaspoon of dijon mustard and salt to taste

let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes until veggies are steamed.

serve chicken mixture over biscuits. really good. the whole fam will love it and it take about 15-20 from start to finish. you can't mess it up!

[AddictedScrapper]

Ohhh the mini taco bowls look really yummy and maybe something the boys would even enjoy!

[AddictedScrapper]

Ohhh goodness this I'm definitely trying!

I use the croissant dough (the stuff that comes in a cardboard tube in the refrigerated section), roll it out, cut it into squares, but deli meat and cheese in each square, fold over, squish down the edges and bake. Pretty much my version of Hot Pockets. I serve them with tomato soup. I spend 15 minutes in the kitchen and dh and ds are happy campers.

[AddictedScrapper]

I LOVE mac & cheese (too much!) but for some reason either of my boys don't like pasta - weird for kids not to like pasta :blink:

My favorite, that's always a winner and I found it in a WW book, is homemade Macaroni and cheese. While you are boiling your macaroni, heat while stirring with a whisk 3/4 cup milk (skim) and 2 Tbsp flour until it starts thickening. Then add 8 ounces (1/2 pound) chunked Velveeta (light) and stir until smooth. By this time, the pasta is done. If you want it a little extra cheesy (especially for the kids), add in 1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together. How easy is that?

[AddictedScrapper]

Anything with biscuits, you have me sold!!!

I'm loving all of these, just what I need!

soo easy.

bake a package of store bought biscuits, according to package.

then cut into cubes and cook about 4 chicken breats over a little olive oil, dryed thyme and black pepper...cook through

then add a package of frozen mixed veggies (greenbeans, corn, carrot and peas??...i think it has peas...mixture)

then add a jar of store bought alfredo sauce, a teaspoon of dijon mustard and salt to taste

let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes until veggies are steamed.

serve chicken mixture over biscuits. really good. the whole fam will love it and it take about 15-20 from start to finish. you can't mess it up!

[Sharon Kay]

I'll get a couple of our favorites and post them...I have very picky boys too! Mine won't touch vegetables with a 10 foot pole...much less a fork!

I think we need to have a recipe challenge for something like this...so we can get our favorites into scrapped cookbooks. I did this for awhile when I hosted a recipe page swap (without the recipes...so you could put your OWN recipe on premade pages)...we did 6x6" pages...I have like 10 books started! lol

Do your boys like (to help me figure out what to post): bbq sauce? chicken? hamburger? pizza?

[lizzyfizzy]

another easy peasy fave in our house is fast and easy taco salad.

tortilla chips
store bought refried beans
lb of ground beef
taco seasoning
sour cream
taco sauce (taco bell brand is yummy on these)
shredded cheese
sliced olives
salsa
lettuce

k...so brown your ground beef add taco seasoning according to package
warm up beans
chop some lettuce

your done! it took 10 mins!

layer it all in a bowl...chips first, then beans, meat and all the other yummies.

so tasty!!

[AddictedScrapper]

You know I LOVE tacos and never ever think of picking up the stuff for them at the store - how easy they are to make too!

another easy peasy fave in our house is fast and easy taco salad.

tortilla chips
store bought refried beans
lb of ground beef
taco seasoning
sour cream
taco sauce (taco bell brand is yummy on these)
shredded cheese
sliced olives
salsa
lettuce

k...so brown your ground beef add taco seasoning according to package
warm up beans
chop some lettuce

your done! it took 10 mins!

layer it all in a bowl...chips first, then beans, meat and all the other yummies.

so tasty!!

[BrattyMeg]

Chicken Pot Pie (easy) (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=35321&Source=SearchResultPage)

Hands off dinner thread (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/community/showthread.php?t=8117&highlight=easy+recipe)

[AddictedScrapper]

Ohhh you're awesome Meghan, thanks for the link to that other thread!! I have to print out all the recipes!

[meems]

Mini Taco Bowls (http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/recipedetail.aspx?recipe_id=94542)those are soooo cute!

[Shawna]

I was just looking in my kaboodle yesterday for something different to eat...I found 3 recipes I'd bookmarked before that look good (and easy):

Mini Taco Bowls (http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/recipedetail.aspx?recipe_id=94542)

Crispy Salsa Chicken (http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/crispy-salsa-chicken-97994.aspx?)

Cheesy Cheddar & Ham Loaf (http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/recipedetail.aspx?recipe_id=83018)

I've made both the mini taco bowls and the cheesy cheddar & ham loaf & they are both really good (and easy to make)! They were in the Kraft mag here a few months ago! I :wub: the Kraft mag for easy recipes!

[Chels85]

i like BBQ Beef cups ( from Racheal Ray's Mag)

and Friday night is Taco Night here (easy don't have to think about what to cook for that day)

I'll be back... need to clean house and eat, been on the computer way too long today already lol

[lovely1m]

Oh, here's a favorite of my families. You take those refridgerated biscuits and line them up on the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Brown some hamburger and then mix it with pizza sauce. Pour it over the biscuits, cover it with shredded cheddar cheese, cover with tin foil and bake. You could mix in some veggies, too, if you like. :)

[EveRecinella]

I have been making homemade pizza's at least once a week lately. I buy the already made dough (I get the whole wheat kind), just unroll it throw on some toppings and bake. Other quick stuff we have is tacos, taco salads, nachos. I always cook double the meat and freeze hald then I always have some already cooked on hand. Pasta is also wuick, boil some whole wheat pasta or spaghetti and add pesto and shrimp or just a quick tomato sauce. One that everyone loves is tomato sauce, stir in some pesto and add a splash of cream..yummy!

[Sarah8914]

One of our favs is a simplified version of hawaiian haystaks.

We just cook up some chicken (cut up) and mix it with a can of cream of chicken and serve it over rice.

To make it fancy, you can add toppings... cheese, pineapple, coconut, tomatoes, corn, whatever. mmm I want this now. :)

PS Lizzy, I am soooooo doing that biscuit/alfredo/chicken thing. Yum!

[Sharon Kay]

Do any of you have the Campbells soup cookbook? It has quick and easy (especially if you cook up and dice your chicken ahead of time) recipes that taste like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Chicken paprika is our favorite: http://www.campbellkitchen.com/recipedetail.aspx?recipeSource=search&recipeID=24206&page=0&index=0&SearchText=%7c%7cpaprika&LastIndex=false

My campbells soup cookbook is losing it's pages it has been used so much...so I started scrapping our favorite recipes from it. I like the way the cookbook is set up because it says you need these MAIN ingredients...then your choice of meat, soup, accompaniment....so you tailor it to your tastes.

BTW we use sour cream and cream of chicken soup. 8-)

[AddictedScrapper]

That sounds really good!

[pbumbaca]

1 lb cooked cut up chicken breast
1 package frozen broccoli cooked
1 jar cheesewhiz
8 servings of stove top stuffing mixed but not cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Add all of these ingredients into a 9x13 baking dish and mix well. Cook at 350 for about 30 minutes.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Ohhh the mini taco bowls look really yummy and maybe something the boys would even enjoy!


We do these wtih canned biscuits sometimes, too. And fill the biscuits with all sorts of stuff - taco meat and pizza fixin's are the favs here.

[AddictedScrapper]

Ohhh those both sounds really great! I'm all for anything with cheesewhiz!! And well biscuits are like heaven on earth :)

[Chels85]

ok.. i'm back

BBQ Beef Cups
3/4 lb hamburger
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 Tsp Brown sugar
One can of bisuts
Chesse

Cook the hamburger, stir in brown sugar and sauce. grease a muffin pan, place biscuit dough in each cup, press it into a cup- like shape, put the hamburger mixture in the dough, sprinkle with chesse, bake for 10- 12 mins until done

[kscwgirl]

Love those Chels.. I think that might be dinner tonight. LOL

[AddictedScrapper]

OHHH YUM!

ok.. i'm back

BBQ Beef Cups
3/4 lb hamburger
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 Tsp Brown sugar
One can of bisuts
Chesse

Cook the hamburger, stir in brown sugar and sauce. grease a muffin pan, place biscuit dough in each cup, press it into a cup- like shape, put the hamburger mixture in the dough, sprinkle with chesse, bake for 10- 12 mins until done

[ditzyscrap]

My mom used to always pre-make sausage rolls for a quick dinner (she'd just pull them from the freezer and bake)...

Precook those breakfast sausages
Make biscuit dough (she usually put shredded cheese in, too)
Then roll out the dough and cut into squares, put a sausage in the middle of each square and roll it up, tuck the ends, then bake until brown

I didn't like them as a kid, but I didn't like the breakfast sausages she used. She's found some now that are WAY good (at a local butcher) so I bet I'd like them now.

She's serve them with ketchup to dip them in...can't remember what we had with them...maybe those Tasty Taters or something.

[schock77]

Ok.. I SO need this thread. I'm not a cook by any stretch... I CAN cook when I put my mind to it, but I don't LIKE to cook, so the easier the better.:)

[AddictedScrapper]

That's me exactly!

Ok.. I SO need this thread. I'm not a cook by any stretch... I CAN cook when I put my mind to it, but I don't LIKE to cook, so the easier the better.:)

[Shawna]

Tonight we're having Goulash, which I adapted from a Paula Deen recipe. Everyone here loves this & eats it up!

Goulash
1/2-1 pound ground beef or turkey
3 cups water
2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups dried elbow macaroni

In a skillet begin browning the ground beef or ground turkey over medium-high heat. While that is cooking combine water, tomato sauce, tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, soy sauce, and other seasonings in a big pot. Stir well. When no pink remains in the meat drain off the grease & add it to the big pot. Place a lid on the pot and allow this to cook for 20 minutes. Then add in the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid to the pot, and simmer for about another 20 minutes until macaroni is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. I usually serve with cornbread muffins and a veggie.

[isaacsmom]

I am loving this thread. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!! I will try to think of one to share and I'll be back in a bit.

[rach3975]

Lots of yummy ideas here! One of our key problems is that everyone in my house like different things (starting with me, the vegetarian). One of the few super-simple meals we all eat is bean burritos.

1-2 cans black beans, drained (refried beans are also yummy)
1 can corn (optional--if you omit it, use the 2 cans of beans)
flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings to add after cooking: lettuce, salsa or diced tomatoes, sour cream

Layer the ingredients above on the tortilla and stick them in the microwave until the cheese is melted. I find that 2 burritos take about 1 minute to cook, but it depends how much you pile on them. Then add your choice of toppings and eat.

My kids are young and have trouble keeping burritos together, so they prefer to have all the ingredients separate on their plates. I melt the cheese in a tortilla (30 seconds on 60% power, turn over and repeat if cheese is not fully melted) so that they have cheese quesadillas with a side of beans and corn.

[nesser1981]

Here are some of our favorites April.
Chicken Pot Pie

1 can cresent rolls
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans mixed vegetables
2 large chicken breasts, cooked & shredded

In a 9 x 13 baking dish, mix together cream of mushroom soup,
drain one can of mixed vegetables, add all of the other can
and chicken.

Open cresent rolls and break apart triangles. Place on
top of the chicken mixture.

Bake according to cresent roll package until nice and brown
on top.

Burrito Casserole

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
8 small (fajita-size) flour tortillas
2 cups refried beans
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups store bought salsa (medium for a spicier taste)
Optional: 1 minced fresh jalapeno pepper
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut 5 of the flour tortillas into strips,
about 1/2 inches in width and set aside. Line the bottom of a 9 by 13 casserole
dish with the remaining flour tortillas. Spread an even layer of refried beans over
the tortillas.

2. In a large skillet heat the canola oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and
beef to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes; breaking up the meat with a spoon,
until it is no longer pink. Pour off and discard any excess liquid, stir in the salsa.

3. Spread meat mixture over the refried beans, sprinkle on optional jalapeno peppers.
Top with tortilla strips and sprinkle on cheddar cheese. Bake in preheated 350 degree
oven until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes,
and chopped avocado on the side.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

INGREDIENTS


1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons butter, divided

1 cup stuffing mix

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, undiluted, divided

3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken breast

2 ounces thinly sliced lean deli ham, cut into strips

1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese


In a small saucepan, bring water and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil. Stir in stuffing mix.
Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a shallow 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray,
combine vegetables with 1/3 cup soup. Combine the chicken with remaining soup;
spoon over vegetables. Layer with ham and cheese. Fluff stuffing with a fork;
spoon over cheese. Melt remaining butter; drizzle over stuffing. Bake, uncovered,
at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 2 servings.

Sloppy Joe Bake
1lb ground beef
1 can sloppy joe sauce
2 cans cresent rolls
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon sesame seed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in skillet, drain.
Add sloppy joe sauce, heat until boiling.

Next unroll 1 can of cresent rolls in a 13x9 inch casserole dish.
(you can lightly spray with cooking spray). Press in the bottom and
1/2 inch up the sides of pan. Spread beef mixture over dough; sprinkle
with cheese. Unroll second can of cresents over the cheese. Sprinkle
with sesame seeds.

Bake 30 to 30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and dough is golden
brown. Cut into squares and serve. Makes 8 servings.

Beef Stroganoff Cassrole


1 can 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Mushroom Soup
1 can 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Chicken Soup
8 oz reduced-fat sour cream
12 oz uncooked egg noodles
1 pound lean ground beef
1/3 cup Parmeasn cheese, grated


Brown ground beef and drain. Boil noodles until tender and drain. Combine soups,
sour cream. Add beef and noodles, mix well. Cover with foil and bake in a 10 X 13
dish at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

Poppy Seed Chicken

Ingredients:
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can ff cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 8-ounce ff/ lf carton sour cream
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 ½ cups crushed Reduced Fat Ritz Crackers(40 crackers)
¼ cup butter melted

Combine first 4 ingredients; spoon into a lightly greased 8x8 baking dish.
Combine crushed crackers and butter, and sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake,
uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes.

You can double this and put it in a 13 x 9 pan

Italian Casserole
Servings | 6

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup bottled reduced-fat pasta sauce
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 1/2 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
8 oz Pillsbury Reduced-Fat Crescent(s)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Tbsp Land O Lakes Stick Light Butter

Heat oven to 375°F. In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat
for 8- 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Stir in pasta sauce; cook until thoroughly heated.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and sour cream; mix well.
Pour hot beef mixture into ungreased 8x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish. Spoon
cheese mixture over beef mixture.

Unroll dough over cheese mixture. In small bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and butter.
Spread evenly over dough.

Bake at 375°F. for 18 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown

[Priscilla]

Boil desired Pasta-
Cook desired Chicken
mix equal parts ranch dressing/Parm cheese
mix chicken and ranch mixture
pour over pasta

[Sharon Kay]

Does someone have a recipe I lost years ago...it was something like sloppy joes but you used lasagna noodles and cream cheese and baked it...I can't remember what it was except that it was ohhhhhhhhhhh so good. I think it was from a newspaper.

[AddictedScrapper]

There are some really awesome ones - you ladies rock! Thanks for helping out a girl in need :)