You need to plan ahead to make fast weeknight meals.You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes if you make meal plans and shop on weekends.It is possible to make it even easier on yourself by preparing some ingredients on the weekend and choosing meals that are quick to cook.
Step 1: You can check your local ads.
It's possible to check the local ads as you plan your meal.You can use what's on sale into your menu to save money and eat better.If you don't get your grocery stores' ads in the mail, you can look online to find the ads for the places you shop most.
Step 2: You can compare the ads to your typical recipes.
You should compare the recipes you normally fix to the ones on sale.When you're fixing something new, you won't be able to have dinner on the table in 30 minutes.You don't want to skip meal planning if you add it to your schedule.
Step 3: Don't be afraid to be a little boring.
To keep things simple, you don't have to try new things every week.You can assign one thing to each day of the week, such as "salad Mondays, taco Tuesdays, etc."You can assign a specific recipe to each day of the week, such as "tuna salad Mondays, beef taco Tuesdays."It shouldn't be a problem if they're recipes you and your family like.It's possible to get a little crazy on the weekends when you have more time.You can have dinner on the table in record time if you stick to your recipes.You don't need to keep the same recipes all year.Try to change them out by the season.Pick recipes that are different from one another so that you don't get sick of them.
Step 4: Ask your family for input.
No one is going to agree on every meal.They are more likely to eat what you fix if you ask for family input.Take suggestions from your family into account when planning meals.
Step 5: Take care of your shopping list.
You can make a list based on the meals you've planned.Make sure you have everything you need to make the meals, including condiments and pantry items.Before shopping, it's a good idea to check your cupboards.
Step 6: You should go shopping.
You only need to shop once a week once you're organized.You don't need to run out for extra ingredients because you have everything you need on hand.Don't be afraid to substitute if you can find a better deal.
Step 7: Prepare veggies by washing and chopping them.
It's possible to wash and chop veggies on the weekend.If you're chopping half an onion for one dinner, chop the rest for another.You can get dinner on the table faster if you do some prep work ahead of time.You can buy fresh or frozen vegetables that have already been chopped for you.
Step 8: Spice mixes can be created.
Premix your spices on the weekend to save time.You can make a special jar of seasoning for that dish if it's a dish you make all the time.Small baggies or empty jars can be used to hold the mixture.
Step 9: It's a good idea to cook common ingredients.
Saving time during the week can be accomplished by cooking a few ingredients on the weekend.If you know you're going to make several dishes that need rice, you should cook a lot on Sunday for the rest of the week.If several dishes take onions, you can saute an onion or two up for the week.It is possible to cook other whole grains and beans ahead.You can save smaller portions for later if you make a large batches of them.
Step 10: You can make a lot of roasted vegetables.
It's a good idea to make a lot of roasted vegetables over the weekend to keep you full and healthy.You can either do all root and starchy vegetables, like carrots, parsnips, beets, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, or you can do a mixture of green vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, mushrooms and bell peppers.You can spray a roasting pan with cooking spray.Cut the veggies into small pieces.The pieces being roughly the same size is more important than the specific size.Sprinkle with salt, pepper and your favorite seasonings.Cook at a high temperature.Some vegetables can take as long as an hour to cook, depending on how many you have in the oven.
Step 11: It's a good idea to cook whole meals ahead.
You can cook and freeze meals if you have time.beef stew is a soup that does well in this capacity.You can make a big batches and then freeze them.A double batches of casserole can be made, one to eat and the other to freeze for later.You can thaw your meal in the refrigerator, microwave, or in some cases casseroles, when you need to use your freeze-ahead meal.
Step 12: When you walk in the door, preheat the oven.
When you come in the house, turn the oven on if you know you're going to use it.It will be ready when you're ready to heat something up, and it will give you a few minutes to prepare.
Step 13: Precooked food can be used.
Chickens that are cooked are less expensive than chicken that is raw.Pull the meat from the chicken and serve it in casseroles, soups, stir fries, salads, and more.Shrimp and grilled chicken strips can be found in the frozen and fresh sections.
Step 14: Go vegan.
The meat in your meal takes more time to cook than anything else.It is possible to save time by skipping the meat on some nights.You can cook up a dish like an omelet with eggs if you use canned beans.
Step 15: Put the microwave to use.
Your microwave can help you cook faster.You can thaw food to make it cook faster.nuke foods for a few minutes to give them a head start before you finish cooking them.
Step 16: Vegetables and foods are easy to prepare.
You can get dinner out faster if you pick foods that take less time to prepare.If you want to add something to your meals, try using the bagging and washed spinach.You can cook whole potatoes and sweet potatoes in the microwave, all you have to do is wash them and prick them.
Step 17: Pre-made sauces can be used.
You already use jarred sauces like spaghetti sauce.Other sauces can bring a meal together.Adding teriyaki sauce to chicken and vegetables can be used to cook a stir fry.You just have to find the sauces you like.It's possible to make batches of sauce yourself over the weekend.You can use them over the week or portions later.
Step 18: Clean up after yourself.
A dirty kitchen can deter you from making dinner.It slows you down.You can start fresh the next day if you clean up after yourself.Your future self will thank you for that.
Step 19: Don't forget about fish.
One of the fastest cooking substances is fish.Because they are so thin, fish can be cooked quickly in a pan.Fish is a good source of nutrition.You have a meal if you add a simple side.It's possible to bake fish fillets with vegetables, but you'll need to give the vegetables a head start.
Step 20: You can add sandwiches or simple burgers.
There's always going to be a night when your dinner takes longer than 30 minutes, and you can make that happen.Simple sandwiches, grilled paninis, and baked turkey burgers are great for fast, delicious meals.
Step 21: Have breakfast and dinner.
Breakfast foods are usually meant to cook quicker than dinner foods.If you want to make scrambled eggs and toast a delicious dinner, you should add a bit of sauteed spinach to the eggs.It is possible to go for more sugar with pancake night.
Step 22: Have some emergency food.
You might not be able to cook some nights.canned soups, frozen entree, and frozen pizza are some of the foods you can have on hand.Chicken salad can be made to keep in the fridge for the week.Other good options to have on hand are canned meats.
Step 23: You can make pasta a staple.
If you stick to the whole wheat variety, pasta can be good for you.You can have a quick meal with some frozen vegetables and some pesto.
Step 24: Easy sides can be created.
You don't need to go crazy on your sides once you have a main dish.You can make a salad with pre-washed leaves, dressing, grapes, and almonds.You can serve whole fruits with yogurt.You can serve one of the vegetables as a side if you buy the frozen vegetables that allow you to steam them in the bag.