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6 Easy Meals You Can Prepare When You Have Less Time

6 Easy Meals You Can Prepare When You Have Less Time

Are you stressed out? Are you feeling like you need to get something done but have no idea what? Cook dinner. Learn the six easy meals that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.

Written by Liz Bayardelle, PhD   |  See Comments   |  Updated 09/14/2021

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6 Easy Meals You Can Prepare When You Have Less Time

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Are you stressed out? Are you feeling like you need to get something done but have no idea what? Cook dinner. Learn the six easy meals that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes.

Steak and Rice  

One effortless meal is pepper steak and rice you can easily make in the slow cooker.

All you will need for this recipe is a couple of minutes to cook the meat, water, salt, pepper garlic powder. You'll also need about 20 minutes in the cooker.

The result is a delicious meal that comes together very quickly.

Oven-Baked Bread Pizza 

Another great meal you can make fast is oven-baked bread pizza. 

All you will need for this recipe is a couple of minutes to mix the dough and then some time in the oven, baking it into a delicious homemade pizza. 

Use toppings like sauce, cheese (such as mozzarella), veggies such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or tomatoes to make it healthier.  Serve with a side of salad or soup such as tomato basil to make it more filling and nutritious.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese 

You can prepare your instant pot mac and cheese in less than 30 minutes. It is the perfect meal when you are on a time crunch but still want to enjoy an easy dish. 

You can use your instant pot to make other easy recipes like mashed potatoes, rice pudding, or homemade applesauce. You'll be able to impress your family with these delicious dishes that only require a few ingredients but are still satiating and healthy.

Pan Sausage and Veggies 

If you're pressed for time and need a quick meal that doesn't require too much cooking, then this is the perfect recipe for you. You can prepare all of your veggies in minutes while your pan cooks up some sausage to go with it. 

Then use any easy-to-make drink recipes to complement the meal.

Chicken Soup and Bread 

If you're looking for a meal that is both comforting and easy to make, try the chicken soup with bread. First, sauté the vegetables in olive oil, then add water or broth (chicken or vegetable). Next, throw in your garlic powder and salt. Once the veggies are soft, pour everything into a pot, cover it up and simmer on low heat until done. 

If you have time, cook some rice separately while waiting for the other ingredients to become tender. 

Beef With Broccoli   

This meal is easy enough to make on a busy weekday night after work, but it's also delicious enough that you could serve it for dinner guests. All you need are some veggies and beef cutlets—which you can find cheaply at your local supermarket or grocery store butcher counter—as well as an array of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. 

You'll start by sautéing the meat in oil with chopped onions until browned before adding broccoli florets and cooking them together until they're tender-crisp. Then stir through soy sauce (or tamari), sesame seeds, or tahini if desired, along with any additional seasonings needed, then top with green onions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you want to take advantage of your time. You can save yourself some time when you cook meals that are easy and quick but still tasty. If you have a family, you can check some healthy options for your kids to accompany your quick meals. The above six recipes will help you in times where you need a meal quickly.

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About the Author

Liz Bayardelle, PhD

 Founder   |     Contributor

Liz (or Dr. Mommy, as her toddler started calling her after learning what a PhD was) is the happily sleep-deprived mom of a toddler (and professional raccoon noise impersonator), a sparkle-clad kidnado, a teenage stepdaughter, 200 cumulative pounds of dog, and herd of dustbunnies (if daily vacuuming doesn't occur). During nights and naptimes, she uses her PhD in business psychology as an author, speaker, and consultant. She also serves as an executive and principal for three companies, two of which she co-founded with her very patient (and equally exhausted) husband.

My Motto: All I can control is how hard I work.

Motto: All I can control is how hard I work.

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