Easy Meal Ideas for the Rushed

Avocado Pasta

After a long day, it can be really tough to think of what to make for dinner, let alone cook dinner. Between work, kids, kids’ activities, and a social life,  it really comes down to time. What you need is a plan, and we’ve got a great meal plan for your busy week. Check out 5 days worth of easy and oh-so-tasty meal ideas that you can have on the table in 30 minutes or less. Scroll down to the bottom for your grocery list, then just follow the recipes and enjoy 5 less decisions you have to make this week.

Monday – Avocado Pasta

Is there any greater comfort food than creamy pasta? While inexpensive and simple to make, creamy pasta often gets a bad reputation for being fatty and unhealthy. With Avocados, you can enjoy the creamiest of pastas with the satisfaction of knowing you’re also eating healthy.

Ingredients

2 ripe avocados (peeled and pitted)

4 tbsp E.V.O.O (extra virgin olive oil)

2 garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)

4 servings of pasta (Linguine or Fettuccini or Spaghetti is recommended)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

In a food processor or blender, mix together the avocado, olive oil, garlic, and salt until smooth and creamy. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Save about ¼ cup of the cooking water when you drain the pasta. Toss together the avocado sauce and cooked pasta. Add in the pasta water and season with salt and pepper. Serves 4 *Vegan-friendly

Tuesday – Simply Savoury Chicken Wraps

You can pretty much stick anything in a wrap these days. A hit amongst children and adults alike, chicken + wraps = a satisfied family who got all the food groups together in one delicious shot.

Ingredients

½ cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

3-4 cooked chicken breasts

A few leaves of chopped lettuce

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 Orange or Yellow pepper, chopped

2 tbsp raisins

4 tortillas

Directions

Mix the yogurt (or mayonnaise) together with the mustard in a large bowl. Chop the chicken into small chunks and add to the mixture. Stir until coated.  Add the lettuce, cucumber, celery, pepper, and raisins to the chicken mixture. Mix well.Spoon the mixture into the tortillas, place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about 30 seconds on high. A bag of taco chips or a green salad completes this meal. Serves 4

Wednesday - Lasagna Cupcakes

When you think of homemade lasagna, quick and easy are not likely the first words you would use to describe it. That’s about to change. Taking just 35 minutes from start to finish, these are guaranteed to please.

Ingredients

1/3 pound ground beef (ground turkey works well too)

24 wonton wrappers (Usually in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores)

1 ¾ cups grated Parmesan cheese

1 ¾ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

¾ cup Ricotta cheese

1 cup Marinara sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Brown the ground beef in frying pan with salt and pepper. Make sure you drain the fat off the beef once cooked. Using a standard drinking glass, cut the wonton wrappers into circle shapes. Save time by cutting several at a time. Set aside ¾ cup each of the Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese. This will be used to top the lasagna cakes. Place a wonton circle in the bottom of each muffin tin. Sprinkle a little Parmesan, Ricotta, and Mozzarella cheese, and top with a little meat and pasta sauce. Repeat the layer again one more time and top with the cheeses you set aside.  Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are brown. Serve with a green salad and dinner is served. Serves 4-5

Thursday – Pork Tenderloin with Maple Pepper Coating

Pork is an inexpensive alternative to chicken, and is actually higher in protein. Almost anything you would make with chicken can be substituted for pork. This recipe is sure to satisfy with a sweet and tangy flavour. “No maples syrup, please” – said no Canadian ever!

Ingredients

2 Pork tenderloins (about 375 g each)

2 Tbsp Maple Syrup

3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Coarse ground black pepper

1 bag frozen veggies (brussel sprouts or baby carrots work wonderfully)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 ˚ F. Combine Syrup, Mustard, Olive Oil, and pepper and spread mixture over pork. Place the coated tenderloin in a shallow pan, lined with foil. Cook for about 25, minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160 ˚ F. Heat the frozen veggies in a microwave-safe bowl, according to the directions on the bag. Bon Apétit! Serves 6

Friday – Garlicky Broiled Salmon and Tomatoes

Friday is such a great day to eat fish. You’ve made it to the end of the work-week and fish provides a tonne of nutritional value, great flavour, and no heaviness to hold you back from your weekend plans.

Ingredients

4 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets (thawed)

4 medium tomatoes, halved

2 tbsp E.V.O.O

Salt & Pepper to taste

½ tsp Paprika

8 sprigs Fresh Thyme

4 cloves garlic (peeled and sliced)

Directions

Heat up the broiler in your oven. Place the salmon and tomatoes (cut side up), on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle the salmon with paprika. Scatter the thyme and garlic over the top. Broil until salmon is opaque, about 8-10 minutes.

These are all the things you’ll need for this week:

Pantry Items
Cooking spray
Tin foil
Salt & Pepper
Garlic Cloves
Raisins
Dijon Mustard
E.V.O.O. (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
Maple Syrup

Grocery List    

3-4 Chicken Breasts
1/3 pound Lean Ground Beef
2 Pork tenderloins (about 375 g each)
4 6oz salmon fillets (less expensive when bought frozen)
Pasta (fettuccini, linguini, or spaghetti)
1 pkg Tortillas
2 Ripe avocados
24 Wonton wrappers
1 Small plain Greek yogurt
Lettuce
4 Medium tomatoes
1 medium cucumber
1 stalk celery
1 Orange or Yellow pepper
8 Sprigs of fresh Thyme
1 bag frozen veggies (Brussels sprouts, carrots)
1 ¾ cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 ¾ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
¾ cup Ricotta cheese
1 jar Marinara sauce

Filed under: Tasty Yet Inexpensive Food by Jenna
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