Jobs, studies, and handling your family at once can be very overwhelming and the thought of cooking an elaborate dinner meal after a long day is no less than a nightmare. Some workdays can be very tough, and all you want is fast food delivered to your doorstep. However, to make sure you are having a healthy and comforting dinner, you can actually make good dinner within half an hour. With this article, we are sharing 3 easy (and tasty) meals that you can make without spending hours in the kitchen.
#1 easy dinner recipe: One-Pan Chicken and Vegetables
The easiest dinner recipe is to throw everything together in the pan and let the flavors do their job. This one-pan chicken and vegetable recipe is full of colors, flavors, and incredible easy to make. You will cook everything in one pan, so you won’t have to worry about dishes either. The chicken will turn out juicy, and the veggies will be soft.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 cups of chopped vegetables (carrots, potatoes, broccoli, or bell peppers)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (oregano or thyme)
Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). While waiting, wash and cut your vegetables into small pieces. Place the chicken breasts and vegetables on a large baking tray. Pour olive oil over them, then sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs. Mix everything well so the chicken and vegetables are coated evenly. Spread them out so they are not crowded. Put the tray in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. When done, remove the tray from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
#2 easy dinner recipe: Creamy Garlic Pasta
If you want the comforting flavors, there is nothing better than a bowl full of creamy garlic pasta. Its umami flavor and creamy texture will bless your stomach. In addition, you can add mushrooms and sausages to it for a more filling dinner.
Ingredients
- 200 grams of pasta
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 1 cup of milk or cream
- 1/2 cup of grated cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- Optional: cooked chicken or mushrooms
Instructions
Begin by boiling water in a pot and adding a little salt. Cook the pasta until it is soft, then drain it and set it aside. In another pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook for about one minute until it smells nice. Pour in the milk or cream and stir slowly. Let it cook for a few minutes until it becomes slightly thick. Add the cheese, salt, and pepper, and mix well until the sauce is smooth. If you want, add cooked chicken or mushrooms now. Then add the pasta to the sauce and mix until all the pasta is covered. Serve the pasta hot.
#3 easy dinner recipe: Quick Vegetable Fried Rice
For people who wish there was protein in rice (we mean rice lovers), this is a great one. It’s quick and simple, and you won’t have to worry about the absence of flavors. The vegetable fried rice is full of color and you can add whichever vegetables you can find in the fridge.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 green onions (chopped)
Instructions
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble them until fully cooked, then take them out and set aside. In the same pan, add vegetables and cook them for a few minutes until soft. Add the cooked rice and mix well, breaking any clumps. Pour in soy sauce, salt, and pepper, and stir everything together. Add the eggs back into the pan and mix again. Finally, add chopped green onions and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and serve warm.
Tips for Easy Cooking on Busy Days
Cooking can be much easier if you follow some simple tips. These tips can help you save time, reduce stress, and enjoy your meals more.
· Plan the Meals
First, try to plan your meals ahead of time. When you know what you are going to cook, you do not waste time thinking about dinner. You can also prepare some ingredients earlier in the day, such as cutting vegetables or marinating meat.
· Keep the Kitchen Organized
Second, keep your kitchen organized. When everything is in the right place, cooking becomes faster and easier. You will not have to search for tools or ingredients while cooking. If possible, clean your kitchen before heading to work, so you won’t have to worry about an extra cleaning chore.
· Use Simple Ingredients
Another helpful tip is to use simple ingredients. You do not need fancy or expensive items to make a good meal. Basic ingredients can still create delicious dishes. Some of these ingredients include garlic and ginger powder, cinnamon, paprika, salt, black pepper powder, and herbs.
· Cook for Later
One of the best ways is to try to cook extra food and save it for later. Leftovers can be used the next day, which saves time and effort. For example, leftover rice can be used to make fried rice. In fact, if you are free on weekends, you can batch cook for the week.
· Clean Quickly
Finally, clean as you cook. Wash dishes or wipe surfaces while waiting for food to cook, so you don’t need to wake up early just to turn on the dishwasher in the morning. Also, this will make cleaning up after dinner much easier.
Conclusion
Making dinner isn’t hard, but it sure seems like that when you’ve had never-ending work during the day. We mentioned three amazing (and easy) recipes that will be easy to cook, and you won’t have to worry about bland flavors. Also, all these recipes are flexible, so you can change the ingredients as you go (don’t stress yourself with a grocery run!).
