Making a meal can be mentally and physically draining, especially after a long day. But this list of 31 recipes keeps things simple, delicious and customizable to your tastes and preferences.
Breakfast
Egg Sandwich
Ingredient #1: Egg (1)
Ingredient #2: Bagel or English muffin (1)
Ingredient #3: Meat of choice (3 ounces)
Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice (1 slice)
Ingredient #5: Condiment(s) of choice (1 tablespoon)
Directions: Toast bread of choice. Cook egg (either on stove or in microwave for 45 seconds). Assemble sandwich with all five ingredients.
Egg Cups
Makes 12 cups
Ingredient #1: Egg (12)
Ingredient #2: Ham (12 slices)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice
Ingredient #5: Vegetable(s) of choice
Directions: Line a cupcake tin with a slice of ham in each cavity. Add one egg, cheese, spices and/or veggies of choice to each. Cook at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Oatmeal
Ingredient #1: Instant oatmeal (1/3 cup)
Ingredient #2: Dried or fresh fruit (1-2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Milk of choice (2/3 cup)
Directions: Toast bread of choice. Cook egg (either on stove or in microwave for 45 seconds). Assemble sandwich with all five ingredients.
Smoothie
Ingredient #1: Milk of choice (1 1/2 cups)
Ingredient #2: Frozen or fresh fruit (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #3: Vegetables of choice (optional)
Directions: Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth.
Classic Pancakes
Makes 6-8 pancakes
Ingredient #1: Pancake mix (1 cup)
Ingredient #2: Water (3/4 cup)
Ingredient #3: Syrup (1-2 tablespoons)
Directions: Combine pancake mix and water. Put in skillet over medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear. Top with syrup.
Banana Pancakes
Ingredient #1: Banana (1)
Ingredient #2: Eggs (2)
Ingredient #3: Syrup (1-2 tablespoons)
Directions: Mash banana in a bowl. Add the eggs and mix. Put in skillet over medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear. Top with syrup.
Sides
Italian Roasted Potatoes
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Potatoes (1 pound)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Dry Italian Dressing (1 packet)
Directions: Dice potatoes into pieces approximately half an in square. Toss in olive oil and dressing. Put on baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Roast at 425 for 20 minutes.
Roasted Vegetables
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Vegetable of choice (1 pound)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Directions: Cut vegetables into bite size pieces. Toss in olive oil and spices of choice. Bake at 425 for 15-40 minutes (until cooked through).
Steamed Vegetables
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Frozen steamable vegetables of choice (1 bag)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice
Directions: Steam bag of vegetables per instructions. Add olive oil or butter, spices and cheese(s) of your choice.
Side Salad
Ingredient #1: Green(s) of choice (1 cup)
Ingredient #2: Vegetable(s) of choice (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #3: Protein of choice (3 ounces, optional)
Ingredient #4: Dressing of choice (2 tablespoons, optional)
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a bowl and toss.
Entrees
Baked Pork Chop
Ingredient #1: Pork chop (1)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Directions: Coat pork chop in olive oil and spices. Cook at 400 degrees for 7-21 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees).
Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredient #1: Chicken breast (1)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Directions: Coat chicken breast in olive oil and spices. Cook at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees).
Baked Salmon
Ingredient #1: Salmon fillet (1)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil or butter(2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice
Directions: Coat salmon fillet in olive oil and spices. Cook at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Spaghetti
Ingredient #1: Spaghetti noodles(the same diameter as a quarter)
Ingredient #2: Water (enough to submerge noodles)
Ingredient #3: Pasta sauce (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #4: Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons)
Directions: Bring water to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Drain. Add pasta sauce to pan until warmed through. Serve with parmesan cheese.
Tortilla Pizza
Ingredient #1: Tortilla (1)
Ingredient #2: Pizza sauce (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #3: Cheese(s)of choice (1/4 cup)
Ingredient #4: Topping(s) of choice
Directions: Bake tortilla in oven at 450 degrees for 4 minutes. Remove from oven and add sauce, cheese and toppings. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Quesadilla
Ingredient #1: Tortilla (1)
Ingredient #2: Cheese(s)of choice
Ingredient #3: Protein of choice (3 ounces, optional)
Ingredient #4: Condiments of choice
Directions: Combine cheese and protein. Put on half of the tortilla and fold tortilla. Cook in skillet over medium heat until both sides are browned. Dip in condiments.
Grilled Cheese
Ingredient #1: Bread (2 slices)
Ingredient #2: Mayonnaise (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Cheese(s) of choice
Ingredient #4: Condiments of choice
Directions: Put mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice. On uncoated side, place cheese. Cook in skillet over medium heat until both sides are browned. Dip in condiments.
Cheeseburger Bites
Makes 6 servings
Ingredient #1: Ground meat of your choice (1 pound)
Ingredient #2: Cheese(s) of choice
Ingredient #3: Spices of choice (3 ounces, optional)
Ingredient #4: Condiments of choice (2 tablespoons, optional)
Directions: Combine spices and ground meat. Put enough ground meat to cover the bottom of all 24 openings in a mini muffin tin. Add small piece of cheese. Cover with remaining ground meat. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Tacos
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Ground meat (1 pound)
Ingredient #2: Taco seasoning (1 packet)
Ingredient #3: Cheese(s) of choice (1 1/2 cups)
Ingredient #4: Lettuce (1 1/2 cups)
Ingredient #5: Shell of choice (4)
Directions: Brown ground meat. Drain. Add water and taco seasoning. Cook until warm. Put in shell with cheese and lettuce (and other toppings, if you’d like).
Southwest Chicken Soup
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Chicken breast (2)
Ingredient #2: Chicken broth (4 cups)
Ingredient #3: Corn (1 can)
Ingredient #4: Black beans (1 can)
Ingredient #5: Diced tomatoes and green chiles (1 can)
Directions: Cook chicken in skillet. Add all ingredients into a pot and cook until heated through.
Caprese Chicken
Ingredient #1: Chicken breast (1)
Ingredient #2: Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Tomato, sliced (1)
Ingredient #4: Balsamic dressing (4 tablespoons)
Ingredient #5: Mozzarella, sliced (1 ball)
Directions: Coat chicken breast in olive oil. Place tomato and mozzarella slices on top. Cover in balsamic dressing. Cook at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees).
Simple Stir Fry
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Rice of choice (2 cups)
Ingredient #2: Mixed vegetables (1 bag)
Ingredient #3: Soy sauce (1/4 cup)
Ingredient #4: Minced garlic (1 tablespoon)
Ingredient #5: Ginger (2 teaspoons)
Directions: Boil 4 cups of water. Add rice, mix, remove from heat and cover for 5 minutes. In a skillet, combine vegetables, soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Add rice once all is heated through.
Homemade Pizza
Makes 4 servings
Ingredient #1: Self rising flour (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #2: Greek yogurt oil or butter(1/4 cup)
Ingredient #3: Pizza sauce (1/2 cup)
Ingredient #4: Cheese(s) of choice (1/4 cup)
Ingredient #5: Topping(s) of choice (1/2 cup)
Directions: Combine flour and yogurt and form into pizza shape. Cover with pizza sauce, cheese and topping(s). Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes (or until cheese is melted and crust is cooked through).
Roll Ups
Ingredient #1: Tortilla (1)
Ingredient #2: Lunchmeat(s) of choice (3 ounces)
Ingredient #3: Cheese (s) of choice (1 ounce)
Ingredient #4: Vegetable(s) of choice (1/4 cup, optional)
Ingredient #5: Condiment(s) of choice
Directions: Place lunchmeat, cheese and vegetables on top of tortilla. Roll up tortilla. Cut into 1/2 in slices and dip in condiment(s) of choice.
Desserts
Frozen Banana Bites
Ingredient #1: Banana (1)
Ingredient #2: Peanut butter (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Chocolate chips (1/2 cup)
Directions: Cut banana into 1/4 inch slices. Put peanut butter between two banana slices. Dip halfway into melted chocolate. Freeze for at least one hour.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Makes 24 cookies
Ingredient #1: Peanut butter (1 cup)
Ingredient #2: Sugar (1 cup)
Ingredient #3: Egg (1)
Directions: Mix all ingredients until creamy. Roll into balls and place on baking sheet, creating crisscross pattern with forks. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Fruit Pizza
Makes 8 servings
Ingredient #1: Pie crust (1)
Ingredient #2: Cream cheese (1 brick)
Ingredient #3: Whipped topping (1 container)
Ingredient #4: Fruit of choice (2.5 cups)
Directions: Bake pie crust for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees (or until golden brown). Allow it to cool. Mix cream cheese and whipped topping until smooth. Put on pie crust. Top with fruit of choice.
Peanut Butter Bites
Makes 12 bites
Ingredient #1: Oats (1 cup)
Ingredient #2: Peanut butter (2/3 cup)
Ingredient #3: Honey (2 tablespoons)
Ingredient #4: Chocolate chips or dried fruit (1/2 cup, optional)
Directions: Mix all ingredients. Roll into balls. Chill in refridgerator for at least 30 minutes.
Appetizers
Sweet Dip
Ingredient #1: Greek yogurt (1 6 ounce container)
Ingredient #2: Peanut butter (3 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Whipped topping (1 container)
Ingredient #4: Honey (3 teaspoons)
Directions: Mix all ingredients together until creamy. Serve with fruit, pretzels and/or graham crackers.
Chili Cheese Dip
Ingredient #1: Cream cheese (1 brick)
Ingredient #2: Chili no beans (1 can)
Ingredient #3: Shredded cheese of choice (1 cup)
Directions: Spread cream cheese on bottom of dish. Layer chili no beans on top. Cover with shredded cheese. Microwave for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with corn or tortilla chips.
Mini Pepper Bites
Ingredient #1: Mini peppers (3)
Ingredient #2: Cream cheese (3 tablespoons)
Ingredient #3: Everything but the bagel seasoning (to preference)
Directions: Slice and remove seeds from mini peppers. Fill with cream cheese and top with seasoning.
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