We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Some seasons of the year are busier than others! Some evenings I don’t get home until the kids are past starving because of sports, play practice, music lessons…or maybe even a last minute trip to the store to get something for a science experiment! I need easy dinner ideas!
I try to plan ahead…but life can get chaotic! Sometimes I need some easy dinner ideas that are super easy to put together when I didn’t get something in the crockpot at lunchtime or pull anything out of the freezer in time!
Easy Dinner Ideas
-
Burritos:
My favorite quick and easy fillings are leftover meat, canned beans, cheese, quinoa (I usually have cooked quinoa in the fridge), avocados, and salsa. But I will use different combinations depending on what I have on hand! I can throw a salad mix together and call it dinner!
-
Salad Mixes:
I love salad mixes…they have been a lifesaver for me lately! They are so easy to throw in a bowl and mix together. I try to add some protein like some leftover chicken, canned beans, or tuna. Sometimes, I will wrap them up in a tortilla.
-
Quesadillas
Refried beans, cheese and tortillas…or whatever else I might have on hand. My kids love these with sour cream and salsa. I usually have some fruit I can throw in as a side dish!
-
Breakfast for dinner:
Pancakes and eggs come together quickly. Fresh fruit on the side finishes it up. I really like the Kodiak brand of pancake mix…it is healthier than many brands but still tastes great! Or sometimes I will add some pumpkin puree to my pancake mix…I love the taste and the extra boost of nutrition!
-
Pasta and sauce:
If my kids are lucky I will throw in some frozen meatballs while the pasta is cooking…If I cook some frozen broccoli or throw a salad mix in a bowl then I’m feeling pretty good!
Ingredients
If I have these ingredients…then I’m ready for 5 easy dinners when life gets a little crazy! The ingredients for these quick dinner ideas are shelf stable items or things that I usually always have on hand!
Dry Goods
tortillas, canned beans, refried beans, canned tuna, salsa, pancake mix, pasta, pasta sauce, Parmesan cheese
Produce
salad mixes, avocados, fresh fruit
Dairy
cheese, sour cream, eggs
Frozen
frozen veggies
Make it Happen
- Create your own list of dinner ideas you can make in a hurry…or use my list.
- If you want all of my meal planning printables…sign up here!
