Sometimes there are days when I just don’t want to have to think about what to make for dinner. It’s the end of the day, there is no “meal plan,” and I just need to put something on the table in 30 minutes or less. (Are you with me?) That is where these 7 super easy, back-pocket meal ideas come into play. I call them “unrecipes” because they’re hardly worth calling recipes, more like just a bunch of ingredients I’m throwing together to make a meal.
The best thing about most of these meal ideas is that you can buy the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the pantry and/or freezer to have on hand when you need a quick meal. I like to have at least 2 or so on hand at all times “for emergencies.” Then it’s there when you need it and you can avoid the stress of trying to figure out what to make or having to get takeout again.
Easy Meal Ideas in 30 Minutes or Less
Here are 7 ideas for SUPER simple, last-minute meals:
1. Tacos
This is one of my favorite meal ideas because it is quick, relatively healthy and super yummy. I like to make tacos with ground turkey to keep it on the healthier side. To make it even easier, I like to use the Jenny-O taco-seasoned ground turkey. (If you don’t buy the pre-seasoned turkey, or you decide to use beef, I like to mix in a packet of taco seasoning before cooking to give it that taco flavor.) Then all you have to do is brown it in pan, chop up some tomatoes and lettuce and you are good to go! Add the cooked taco meat to your tortilla of choice, (these are my favorite) then top with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese and sour cream. Ole!
Ingredients:
- Taco meat (ground beef or turkey)
- Tortillas (your choice of corn, flour, or hard shells)
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream and/or salsa (for topping)
Sides: Beans, Rice
2. Pasta
Pasta is a great back-up meal option because technically you only need two ingredients: pasta and pasta sauce. Pasta is also great because there are so many varieties and ways to switch it up. For instance, you could make spaghetti with red sauce and meatballs, angel hair with butter, tomatoes, and shrimp, or penne with pesto sauce and grilled chicken. Some of our go-to toppings are ready made or frozen meatballs, sliced chicken sausage, and leftover cooked chicken and vegetables. Once you decide on the type of pasta and sauce, you can add a side salad or garlic bread to go with it for a complete meal.
Ingredients:
- Your choice pasta
- Your choice pasta sauce
- Optional toppings: grilled chicken, shrimp, meatballs, tomato and basil, etc.
Sides: Salad, Garlic bread
3. Chicken Sausages
Ok, so I never promised anything fancy. But this is a super-easy, quick meal idea in a pinch. I like the chicken sausages because they are a bit of a step up from your average hot dog, they are healthier, and the grocery store offers a variety of delicious options like apple, cheese and artichoke, or Italian, just to name a few. If you want to up your game a little more, you can add some sauteed onions and bell peppers on top. Or maybe chili and shredded cheese? Pair it with chips or fries and veggies to round out the meal, and call it a day. (*Side note: sliced chicken sausage makes a great topping for your pasta recipes, too!)
Ingredients:
- Hot dog buns (or sandwich rolls)
- Hot dogs/chicken sausages/sausages/bratwurst (whatever suits your fancy)
- Optional toppings: Mustard/Ketchup, Grilled onions and bell peppers, chili and cheese
Sides: French fries (just keep in the freezer and bake as needed), chips, salad, veggies
4. Chicken Tenders or Fish Sticks
I think of chicken tenders as the meatier, upgraded version of chicken nuggets. Chicken tenders are bigger, more substantial strips of chicken, NOT the ones shaped like dinosaurs. You want them to be meaty enough that 2-3 could feed one person. Mostly they are breaded, but you can find grilled chicken strips if you prefer, or even ones with some added flavor like BBQ. Same goes with fish sticks. We are looking for the slightly upgraded, more “adult” version. But it doesn’t get much easier…choose your chicken or fish of choice, add a side or two, and voila! Instant dinner.
Ingredients:
- Literally just a frozen package of chicken tenders or fish sticks (“ingredients” seems a little overkill here)
Sides: Mashed potatoes or french fries, veggies or salad. Tartar sauce for fish sticks.
5. Chicken Tender Cobb Salad
Here’s another way to use those chicken tenders (or leftover–or rotisserie–chicken) to add yet another variation to your quick dinner repertoire. With the chicken and hard boiled eggs, it’s a protein-packed, hearty meal, made up of ingredients you are likely to already have. The most time-consuming part of the recipe is heating up the chicken and hard boiling the eggs. After that, it’s chopping everything up and tossing them together in a bowl. Healthy and delicious!
Ingredients:
- Chicken tenders (or can use leftover chicken)
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes, chopped
- Hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- Avocado, chopped
- Shredded Cheddar cheese
- Ranch or Bleu Cheese dressing
Sides: French bread or dinner rolls
6. Homemade Pizza
Skip the added cost and calories of delivery by making your own pizza, customized the way you like it! DIY pizza is so fun and easy, plus, this is a great recipe to help get the kids involved! Simply start with a store-bought dough, then add your favorite sauce and toppings.
I like to use Boboli pizza crust because you can store it in the freezer and it defrosts quickly when you’re ready to eat. Sometimes you can buy it in a 2-pack that includes sauce packets. But if not, a jar of your favorite marinara works just as well…actually better if you ask me. You can also usually find fresh pizza dough at the grocery store if you’re feeling a little more fancy. Or, if you’d prefer a gluten free alternative, I really like the Caulipower cauliflower pizza crust, which doesn’t taste anything like cauliflower, and has a nice, crispy crust.
After the sauce, add shredded mozzarella cheese and then whatever toppings your heart desires (or whatever you have in the fridge). One of my go-to toppings is cheese and turkey pepperoni. It’s a healthier version that still gives you the classic pepperoni taste but with fewer calories. My other favorite is basil and sliced tomatoes. During the summer, I almost always have a little potted basil plant growing in the kitchen window, which makes it so fun and easy to add to recipes. Other possible toppings are: bell peppers, mushrooms, sausage, onions, olives, or try some more creative options like ham and pineapple or bbq chicken. Quick, easy, and delicious…it’s a win-win!
Ingredients:
- Ready-made pizza crust or fresh dough
- Marinara sauce (alternatives: pesto, bbq sauce)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional toppings: pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, sausage, olives, ham, pineapple, chicken, tomatoes, basil, etc.
Sides: Salad
7. Frozen Asian Meals
One of my kids’ favorite meals is orange chicken with rice and vegetables. This is another great last-minute dinner idea because everything can be stored in the freezer and pantry! Orange Chicken is probably their favorite, but we also sometimes switch it up with Beef & Broccoli or Cashew Chicken. Literally any frozen asian dinner entree available at your grocery store will work here, so choose your favorites. These are all pretty much one pan meals that you either bake in the oven or heat up on the stove. I also like to get a package of frozen stir fry vegetables to add some greens and round out the meal. Frozen is easy because you can store it for a long time, but fresh also works. Then, all that’s left is to make some rice and dinner is ready!
Ingredients:
- Frozen Orange Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, etc.
- Stir-Fry Veggies
Sides: Rice
Easy Meal Ideas Printable Pack – Free Download
If you’d like to have a handy way to reference these meal ideas at home, click here to download a FREE printable of the Unrecipes Meal Guide PLUS a weekly meal planner and dinner ideas organizer!
You Got This, Mama
I hope these easy meal ideas and free printable pack help make meal planning and feeding your family just a little bit easier. When life gets bus, easy back-up meals are a life-saver! Do you have any favorite go-to meals to share? If so, please comment down below…I’d love to hear them!