Spending hours in the kitchen is the last thing you want to do after a long day. It can seem impossible to find the time to cook a nutritious and filling supper with all of your obligations to your family, your job, and everything else. Don’t worry, though! With a few basic materials and a little imagination, you can still prepare delectable dinners in ten minutes or less.
Here are some quick and simple suggestions to add flavor and reduce stress to your midweek dinners:
1. One-Pan Veggie Stir-Fry
On hectic evenings, stir-fries come in rather handy. Heat some oil in a pan and add your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. Serve over noodles or rice and season with soy sauce and garlic. Add some precooked chicken or tofu for additional protein. You can make a healthful, colorful dish that everyone will like in about ten minutes.
2. Quick Chicken Caesar Wraps
Chicken Caesar wraps are an excellent choice when you’re pressed for time. Put some precooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is excellent for this), wrap it in a tortilla with romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese, and sprinkle it with a little Caesar dressing. If you’d like, you may add a few more vegetables. For a variation, you could even use tofu or grilled shrimp in place of the chicken.
3. Avocado Toast with a Twist
This is your chance to try avocado toast for supper if you haven’t before! Spread a ripe avocado on whole-grain toast after mashing it. Add a fried egg, salt, pepper, and a little red pepper flakes for a little spiciness on top. To add more greens, add a handful of arugula or spinach. In addition to being quick, this dish is plenty of protein and good fats to keep you full.
4. Quick Quesadillas
It’s easy as pie to make a quesadilla! Top a tortilla with cheese and your preferred contents, such as spinach, grilled chicken, beans, or even leftover cooked vegetables. After folding it in half, cook it for a few minutes on each side in a hot skillet. Serve with guacamole, salsa, or sour cream on the side for a decadent yet easy dinner.
5. Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil
You can prepare your favorite pasta dish in ten minutes if you’re a pasta enthusiast! While your preferred pasta is cooking—penne or spaghetti are excellent—heat some olive oil in a pan with red pepper flakes and garlic. After the pasta is cooked, throw it in the garlic oil mixture and garnish with a handful of fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Simple, yet incredibly tasty.
6. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Do you need something filling but light? A Greek yogurt-based chicken salad is ideal. Just combine Greek yogurt, chopped celery, onions, and a little mustard with shredded rotisserie chicken. You can add a handful of nuts for crunch and some grapes or cranberries for sweetness. Serve it in a sandwich wrap or on a bed of greens, and it will quickly become a filling supper.
7. Egg Fried Rice
Another immediate hit is egg fried rice. Cook the rice ahead of time or use leftovers, and then scramble a few eggs in a hot skillet. Stir in the rice, soy sauce, and any available vegetables, such as carrots or frozen peas. It’s quick to prepare and a terrific way to use up leftovers.
8. Caprese Salad with a Side of Bread
An all-time favorite for times when you simply don’t feel like cooking is a caprese salad. Add fresh basil on top, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and slice up some fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. A light but filling lunch that takes little work is served with a portion of crusty bread for dipping.