When looking at our schedule for this week, I noticed that I have something going on every night. It’s all fun activities, but still a bit overwhelming. Who else can relate to suddenly facing a night where you don’t have the time or energy to cook up a crafty dinner?
Luckily I have had ample practice at keeping dinner simple and quick, while still remaining healthy. I used to think that I could only resolve these types of situations with fast food pit stops, take out menus, bowls of cereal, plain old pasta, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Bland, boring, and/or not the most balanced choice out there.
Over time, I got fed up with the same old habits. I realized that as a self-proclaimed impatient diner (and with the Hangry Boy as my child), pretty much every night in the Reale household needs quick meals. Here are some of my standby ways to make quick dinners happen:
Meal Plan Quick Options
Whole Wheat Pasta with Artichokes, Tomatoes, Olives, Mushrooms, Onions, and Feta Cheese
When planning my weekly meals, I always plan in a couple of quick fix recipes to whip up on nights I suddenly run out of time for dinner. It never fails that at least one night per week I realize I don’t have the time to cook what I intended. It is such a stress relief to already have back up options available.
Use quick cooking methods.
Eat your veggies either raw or slightly steamed. Go ahead and use my best friend the microwave for quick cooking. If eating meat, cook up ground beef or turkey or thinly slice your chicken breast before cooking. Use eggs! You can cook breakfast for dinner, since those meals tend to be less time consuming. Make a “kitchen sink” salad where you just toss together things you have at the ready in your fridge or pantry. If you know it will be a busy night, prep the slow cooker in the morning for a ready-to-eat meal at night. After tonight’s outing we will come home to some of that delicious chili pictured above all ready to eat. 
Don’t feel bad for using packaged.
Sure, fresh foods are better. We all know that, but sometimes there is a need for frozen or canned products like Kashi pizzas, Morningstar/Boca/Quorn products, Amy’s Organics burritos and meals, bags of frozen vegetables, canned soups, etc. I do try to choose the option with the best stats and shortest ingredient lists, but there is a time and place for these things in our lives. And sometimes they are a dinner saver. My favorite? Annie’s Shells + a bagged salad mix. Yum!
And last night’s dinner saver…LEFTOVERS!
This recipe is a favorite of mine and we usually end up with an extra serving or two leftover, which I felt very thankful for last night. I posted this recipe on the old blog, but it’s worth sharing again.
Mexican Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 8 oz package button mushrooms, trimmed & quartered
- 1 small zucchini, chopped into 1/2” pieces
- 1/2 small onion, chopped into 1/2” pieces
- 1 cup yellow corn
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used about 1 Tbsp)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- course salt & ground pepper
- 15.5 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 8 corn tortillas, halved
- 2 cups marinara
- 4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, onion, and corn to pan. Cook until softened, approximately 7 minutes. Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt & pepper. Add black beans and stir to combine. Cook until beans are warmed through.
Arrange 5 tortilla halves in an 8×8 baking dish. Top with half the bean & vegetable mixture and 1/2 cup marinara, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese. Repeat with another layer (5 tortilla halves, other half of the bean/veggie mix, 1/2 cup marinara, 1/3 of the cheese). Top with remaining tortillas, salsa/marinara, and cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, until cheese bubbles. Serve and savor…despite its non-photogenic qualities.
Leftovers are the best! Our favorite options for leftovers are any type of casserole dish, soups, roasted veggies, meats cooked in the slow cooker to easily shred/chop to add in other meals, and pasta dishes.
So those are my quick fix meal ideas…but, let’s face it, a bowl of cereal or a stop at Subway sometimes is just fine too. 
How often do you resort to quickie meals? Any suggestions you can share?
Welcome to Best Body Fitness! I'm Tina - a wife, mother, runner, lover of sweets, recovered binge eater, woman of faith, and fitness aficionado. I believe a strong, healthy, and fit body is the best body we can hope to have. Let's reach ours together! 
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not that great at quick meals – especially since I usually cook two versions of whatever I choose – one with meat and one without.
Since I’m unemployed at the moment, I’ve been doing lots of cooking, but back when I had a job, I relied on quick meals all the time. Tortilla/pita pizzas were one of my go-to easy meals.
I am allllll about quickie meals. I would make myself cereal or something if it were only me, but I feel I “need” to feed the hubs something more substantial. We both don’t get home until 6 pm, and since we’re both starved and cranky, it has to be quick & easy.
We always have quickies on hand, but they aren’t super creative. Last night, for example, I threw together whole wheat penne, jarred mushroom marinara and frozen turkey meatballs. Hubbs loves it and the ingredients are always on hand
I love that casserole, I’ve made it a few times. I do a lot of quinoa salads, pasta, chicken for quick meals.
I have fallen in love with quinoa for quick cooking meals!
I feel you on the busy schedule – I looked at my calendar and had NO idea how every night filled up!
Quickie meals are a must – I re-purpose leftovers, make giant grain bowls quite often. One way I like to change up flavors is to use a sauce like hummus (thinned with cider vinegar) or the pesto I made today. It take 5 mins to throw together and you can add it to anything!
I love my slow cooker. Put the food in in the morning and then go about your day. By dinner time its ready and so yummy. http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ is a great website for meal ideas. Another thing I love about it is I can cook large chunks of meat and then get two meals out of it. Last night I did a large pork loin with potatoes and carrots and tonight we are going to have shredded pork tacos with the meat. Another fast fav in our family is breakfast for dinner…pancakes/waffles and eggs. By the way…love your new website.
Thanks, Lenae! Both for the support and for the link to that crockpot site. I’m always looking for great ideas to use it for. It’s seriously the best kitchen tool.
I am ALL about quick dinners…most of our meals take 20 minutes or less to cook!
I’m all about quickie meals!! We have them once or twice a week – always on Wednesdays because we have church, and then sometimes one other day if I’m feeling lazy or we’re in a rush for something. I’m a huge fan of using up leftovers, stovetop or microwave quesadillas, or grilled sandwiches.
quick meals are my favorite to throw together! these are awesome tips!
I have two boys under the age of three. If it’s not quick, it’s not getting done!!! I’m big into my crockpot lately. I’ve also started meal planning (yuck) but it has been really effective in making sure that I’m getting healthy meals on the table for the kids! I always have quinoa or couscous on hand- easy to throw in a can of chick peas, some spices and call it a meal!
I am usually home every night after 7 so I’m always looking for quick meals. I’m a big fan of using the ‘kitchen sink’ method and seeing what I can make with the stuff I have in my fridge. Pasta dishes, like the first one you have pictured, are usually a staple, because it fills us up while giving us awesome flavors from all of the different things we add to it!
I get exhausted trying to find something for just me to eat, I can’t imagine a whole family! Good tips!
Im all about the quick meals even on weekends when I do have time on my hands. Fortunately they are just as delicious as elaborate meals! Love that tortilla recipe!
Hehe, I was thinking quickies in a completely different manner, not that I thought you would blog about *that* ;-P
I am a pro at quick dinners too! I get home late from barre n9ne, so the quicker, the better!! Leftover homemade soup is a fave, had that last night (curried corn soup! and grilled cheese!).
You should have seen one of the replies I got on Twitter…
“nooners are the best quickies” Bahahahaha!
I love making big batches of soup or chili! They are so quick to make and you have leftovers for the week! Great recipe
I’m all about quickies these days. Between work, studying, the holidays and the boys…there is no time for anything. We do a lot of omelets for dinner since we can get a lot of veggies in the boys that way too. Casseroles and the crockpot are my new best friends!
LOVE omelets for dinner. They are so easy and, like you said, great way to sneak in extra veggies.
After seeing the picture of the tortilla caserole, I am soo hungry. Look so good!
As much as I love to cook a good meal, quickie meals are a fact of life. I always keep whole wheat tortillas, cheese, black beans and salsa on hand to make quick quesadillas or taco salad (I always have a bag of salad). I’m also a big fan of a frozen bag of veggies, some pasta, and frozen shrimps.
I have 3 quickie dinners that I always have the stuff on hand for in case I just do not feel like cooking. Frozen tortellini, fried rice, and fancy grilled cheese with tomato soup. I make at least one of those every week and there’s no shame in it.
Tuesdays and Thursdays I have nutrition class until 5:15 and let me tell you, nothing makes me hungrier than sitting through 3 hours of nutrition before dinner time! My go to meals are savory crepes, easy veggie soup, and grilled sandwiches!
You titled this post for me, didn’t you?
You knew my mind would go there.
Hehehehe. I like to have fun with plays on words.
I used to hate leftovers! But as I’ve gotten older, I get excited when I have them. I don’t have to think about dinner when they are around
LOVE quick easy dinners. Especially on those crazy nights. Eggs are my go-to meal on nights like that but I often love make-ahead like casseroles or soups.
I’m all about the quick meals! I do love to cook, but making something elaborate every night just isn’t in the cards. I try to always keep staples on hand that can combine for quick meals (like whole wheat pasta and frozen veggies). The slow cooker is another go to!
I almost always make enough for two meals (which is only 4 servings in our house), because I love the convenience for leftovers! So it’s either 2 days of lunch or a dinner & lunch the next day – much easier than cooking all the time and still tasty!
These all look soo good. I am all about quick meals! Sometimes there is just not enough time to do a full on recipe for a couple hours.
Yum! I can’t wait to try that Mexican casserole. It looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Great tips, Tina! If I need quick meals during the week, I’ll make a casserole on the weekend and just freeze individual portions to take out and eat throughout the week. I also love soups because they’re quick, easy, and filling.
P.S. Love love love the new blog. I’m so excited for you about this new journey.
Those recipes look great! With two Ida, I always need quickie meals! Pasta is usually quick and easy.
I totally thought you were talking about the other type of “quickie”, and I would be proud! We always have leftovers in the cooper fridge! I still haven’t learned to cook for 2, I usually cook for 3 or 4 by “mistake”!
Egg sandwich is my go to quickie!!
Am I the only one who laughed at this title? PLease say no!??
We have “quickies” at least once a week, more often though twice. I use pasta a lot and just add a ton of veggies that I always have on hand. Nothing easier and quicker than cooking pasta!
Great tips and that pasta with the artichokes….yummy. I agree, packaged isn’t ideal, but if you choose the right product then there is no need to feel guilty. I’m actually going with a quickie dinner tonight. Sometimes you gotta do yourself that small favor.
We nearly always have to have quick meals in our house because by the time we get home from work, we’re all too tired and hungry to spend an hour in the kitchen cooking. Also, having hungry kids always makes getting something cooked quickly is key.
I sometimes buy a rotisserie chicken and make enchiladas, salads, sandwiches, or chicken tacos with it. Oftentimes we get two days of meals from this bird. I also like to fancy up sandwiches by adding more gourmet ingredients and grilling them. And roasting frozen, chopped veggies is just as nutritious without all the work of chopping.
I am getting better at quick meals. Tonight was my favorite kind of quick meal–frozen! I need to find more freezable meals so I can make 2 dinners in one night. Eat one and freeze the other. The night when all I have to do is thaw and reheat a meal is freaking amazing.
I love making extra soup and storing the rest in a freezer bag. That way, when I’m busy, I can just defrost it in the fridge starting in the morning and simply heat it up when I get home.
Your quickies look so much more delicious than mine! Sadly, mine usually involve a takeout menu or a PBJ. Tucking these ideas away!
These are all great ideas, Tina! Since I’m a single gal, I typically only have to worry about myself, meaning that most of my meals are quickies. To make things easy, I always keep eggs, spinach, frozen veggies, frozen chicken breasts, salmon burgers, several varieties of cheese and beans on hand. It’s amazing how many different meal combinations you can whip up from these items in 15 minutes or less!
I LOVE cheesy Mexican casseroles, so I’m planning on trying your recipe! I’ve recently discovered that I can freeze portions of casserole and reheat one on a particularly crazy night. Have you ever tried freezing this one? I know some hold up better than others.
This one holds up pretty well to reheat after being frozen. The texture gets slightly different, but still really good. I’m also very anal about food texture so it may not even be noticeable to people who aren’t picky about textures.
I absolutely do quickies – although like you in the past, I have tended towards cereal etc. Though I have learned recently, with a new job, that quickies can be balanced, healthy and green! Like, for rushed days, I like buying packaged vegetables (very rare for me to do this) that I can pop in the mocrowave, and make sure I have some frozen salmon I can grill up while the greens cook. I always have some packaged salad in the fridge, to have with either a frozen Amy’s meal, kidney beans on toast (love this fast feed), and I also keep some ready-to=eat grains in the cupboard – you can just heat in the microwave for two mins and eat – they’re amazing, albeit a little pricey!! I just add hummus or tinned salmon, and a big salad, and I have fast food in a flash!
xyx PS: LOVE your new look! <3
Isn’t it amazing how good quick meals can be? All it takes is a little thought, pre-planning, and you’re good to go. Your options sound fabulous.
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