5 Fast Dinner Ideas When You’re in a Pinch
Summer days aren’t meant to be spent in the kitchen. And after a fun day in the sun, sometimes cooking dinner is the actual, literal worst. Even if you have a well thought out meal plan, or maybe you don’t, sometimes life gets in the way and you’re left in a dinner pinch; everyone is hangry, and you need dinner now. Sure, going out to eat sounds easier, but it’s really just expensive, takes too long, and tired kids don’t make it enjoyable at all.
To help you prepare for the next time “oh no, what’s for dinner?” happens to you, I’ve got five fast dinner ideas you can whip up in less than fifteen minutes. Magic, right? I’ve been following the 2B Mindset program from Beachbody, so these recipes don’t include carbs. (Don’t worry, I still eat them during the day!) If your family needs them, make a quick side of rice, noodles, or bread, and you’re all set.
5 Quick Dinners in 15 Minutes or Less
Brussels & Bacon. Slice up two pieces of bacon, and fry until crispy. If there’s too much fat in the pan, drain some out. Toss in a small bag of washed, shredded brussels, season with salt and pepper, and cook until wilted. Simple and delicious!
Zoodles & Shrimp. It’s zucchini season, my friends! To make this dinner, start by spiralizing a fresh zucchini, or make it even easier by using pre-spiraled zucchini from the grocery store. Cook the shrimp in some butter and garlic, toss in the zoodles and cook for three to four minutes max (so the noodles don’t get soggy). Top with your favorite jarred tomato or pesto sauce, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Jumbo Cauliflower Burgers. Mix equal parts riced cauliflower and ground beef, and season with your favorite burger seasonings. I like Kinder’s Buttery Garlic Herb blend that I found at Costco. Mix it all up, make into patties, and cook on the grill or in a pan like you would a normal burger. Serve with a side salad or other veggies. The best part? My kids have no idea there’s cauliflower in there!
Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs. Cut a spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Season with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, then place cut-side down on a foiled baking sheet. Cook in a 400 degree oven for about thirty minutes, or until tender. When soft, use a fork to scrape out the insides (my kids think it’s so cool!), and top with store bought meatballs and jarred marinara sauce.
Cauliflower Fried “Rice”. This is the easiest, fastest, customizable meal on the list. All you need on hand is a bag of frozen cauliflower rice, frozen mixed vegetables, and some leftover protein like rotisserie chicken. No meat? Use black beans or scramble up some eggs and throw them in there! Toss everything in an oiled pan and cook for three to five minutes, or until heated through and most of the water cooks off. Season with fried rice seasoning, soy sauce, or whatever your family likes.
And there you go, five meals you can make in less than fifteen minutes, that are budget friendly, healthy, tasty, and made with my usual pantry staples.