Need a break from cooking tonight but just can’t hit up that drive-thru again? These dinner shortcuts will leave you feeling like the kick-ass mom you are with zero feelings of guilt.
You’re juggling all the balls! Motherhood, work, LIFE! Don’t beat yourself up for getting dinner on the table—if it’s not take out or drive-thru, then take the win.
These 5 simple dinner shortcuts make your goal of getting dinner on the table possible. Getting a quick, easy and healthful dinner on the table is NOTHING to feel guilty about.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT? (*sigh*)
You want to feed your family healthy(ish) food, I know. But, let there be NO mistake: if you’re a working mom, then your stress level is high. This is especially true at dinner time.
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do IT ALL. Dinner is one thing, but healthy…yikes. #missionimpossible
I’m a mom of two young boys juggling a brand new career. Life gets crazy & stays that way!
What you need to do is take the help where you can find it. Shortcuts don’t have to include the drive thru, take out, or frozen pizza. There’s a better way that’s just as quick.
READY MADE MAIN INGREDIENTS
That’s where these beautiful readymade main ingredients rush in to save the day. This is one dinner shortcut you need to make a priority.
If you want to accomplish your goal—which likely involves avoiding the drive-thru or sticking to your budget by steering clear of delivery—then readymade main ingredients are the way to go.
Embrace the world of precooked rotisserie chickens, microwave ready pulled pork, and oven ready meatballs. One of these premade ingredients combined with a few fresh ones means a healthy(ish) dinner CAN be made in minutes.
ADDED BONUS: There’s no doubt these ingredients are a huge time saver. That’s great. But, ya know what’s even better? These are like the gateway drug for kitchen beginners.
That’s right, girl. This is how you get your partner involved in dinner prep.
I mean, he can heat up some pulled pork and slap it on a bun, right? Bam. He just made dinner.
READY MADE SIDE DISHES
If you’ve made a meatloaf or roasted a chicken, kudos! Now, get out of the kitchen and stop trying to kill yourself over the sides. Also, if you’re just trying to get something on the table fast, then premade sides are the way to go.
Bagged salad or pasta salad from the produce section is an easy choice. You can even add amazing dips and spreads (think guacamole or tzatziki sauce) can turn a meh dish into a TOTAL winner. Check out my Veggie Taquitos or Asian Pulled Pork Tacos to get the full picture!
FROZEN VEGGIES
Y’all. I keep a healthy stock of all types of frozen veggie products in my freezer at all times. Dinner shortcuts don’t have to be expensive or bad for you. Frozen veggies are an amazing way to add badly needed veg into the dinner rotation without breaking the bank. The trick about using frozen veggies is to just not overcook them.
Green peas are my veggie BFF. I put those things in everything. Check out this super quick (and easy) Green Pea Pesto Pasta Salad. It all starts with a bag of those little green beauties! Also, frozen corn. Lord, I put it in a ton of recipes.
But, more than just plan old veggies, you can buy amazing kid friendly veggie sides like tots made from carrots, squash, or broccoli. You can also get things like cauliflower gnocchi, or fun spirals of any veg nowadays.
These are your friends. Embrace the frozen. Your kids will thank you.
LEFTOVERS
The oldest kitchen shortcut of all time—leftovers. I have a very territorial position over my leftovers. Just ask my hubs. I pity the fool who snags that left over hunk of Italian sausage I was saving for my homemade pizza night.
I’m a HUGE believer in freezing just about any amount of leftover I have. Because that’s work I put in, and by God I’m going to squeeze every last ounce of use out of my hard work.
I mean, seriously. I freeze everything. If it’s cooked, then I freeze it for later. It saves me time, plain and simple.
Only two tacos worth of seasoned beef left? Freeze it.
That’ll go on my taco pizza or in a taco dip. Only one grilled chicken breast left? Freeze it.
Add it to black beans and corn for soup, tacos, or a casserole.
One of my favorite things to save is sweet potato or butternut squash. If you’ve done all that roasting, then save the cooked squash in a bag. That can go in a quiche, muffins, or quesadillas. I’m telling you, leftovers don’t have to be blah.
CREATE THE HABIT
What is the ultimate secret weapon that working parents MUST have to get dinner on the table all week long? Habit. Honestly, it’s that simple.
You decide that eating at home is what you want to do. Make it a priority.
If you’re struggling to get home from work, put dinner on the table, AND have time to manage the rest of your life, then Rush Hour Dinners are what you need.
Simple, quick, ready-made dinner recipes that combine pre-made main ingredients with fresh veggies. It’s not rocket science, but learning how to make the most of ready made ingredients certainly takes the pain out of the nightly dinner hustle.
Hop on our email list & I’ll send it to you for FREE. And, I promise: It’ll help you survive the weeknight rush.
Added Bonus: it’ll help your hubs or partner get used to making dinner. I mean…they’re NO COOK RECIPES. “I can’t cook” isn’t gonna work with these😊
Sign up now & get it tonight!
I’m telling you–the BEST dinner shortcut in the world is getting your husband to take on his share of dinner time duties.
Ready to divide & conquer now?
My Dinner Plans Starter Kit is the best path to sharing the load of dinner duties & making meal time enjoyable with your family–even when time is tight, nights are rushed & work has been grueling.
Dinner Plans Starter Kit is more than a meal plan. It’s more than easy cook & no cook recipes.
It’s permission. It’s permission to divide & conquer a task that has usually been plopped in the laps of moms.
Sound like something you need in your life?
Then RUN–don’t walk & start using it today! Check it out HERE!
5 GUILT FREE DINNER SHORTCUTS
These are hands down my favorite kitchen shortcuts. These 5 simple dinner shortcuts make your goal of getting dinner on the table possible.
And, ladies, help IS necessary to accomplish your goal. Timesavers don’t equal unhealthy.
Ready made main dishes and side dishes are just the easiest way to take the time out of the equation. If time isn’t on your side, then this is where you need to focus. Frozen veggies are an amazing underused shortcut that can add a lot more variety (and veggies) to your routine. Then, the beloved leftover.
Finally, create the habit. Start creating the habit in your house. Grab Rush Hour Recipes & make it easy!
Or, go even further & plan out your meals with your partner TODAY with Dinner Plans Starter Kit!
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