After a busy day at school, work, or even a workout, sometimes we don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen.
Most recipes require a long list of ingredients, take up too much of our valuable time, and require endless chopping, dicing, and stirring.
The good news is that some quick and easy meal recipes can be made without sacrificing taste or nutritional value. You have to know what you’re doing. Some are incredibly tasty, and you would not want to end the course of having it.
Some of them are filling and heavy to fit you as a lunch meal. It can also be so light that you can binge on it.
You also have to make sure that what you prepare and eat with passion is healthy as well. The nutrients in the dish render your body healthy and fulfilling as well.
Here are some fantastic yet simple ideas for those days when you want a hearty meal without compromising your health.
Easy Meal Ideas
We all want to eat healthier, but it can be hard to cook healthy meals when life is busy. Eating out isn’t the only way around it.
There are many easy meal ideas that you can make when you are in a hurry but don’t feel like eating junk food. Here are some quick and easy delicious recipes you can prepare quickly.
Order Out For Meal Kits
When it comes to cooking, especially after a long day at work, most of us are just too exhausted to do anything more than heat up some leftovers or order take-out.
A good option is to order pre-planned meal kits from Blue Apron. They ship all the ingredients to your doorstep, so you don’t have to go shopping for them yourself.
You have to follow their simple online recipes or on paper pamphlets included in the box. If you want something fast and easy yet still nutritious, meal kits for singles could be perfect.
Each meal plan has different recipes, but they are all healthy, easy to make, and do not require long hours of cooking preparation.
This is especially important when you come home tired in the evening after work and still need to prepare your food before going off to relax somewhere quiet. You can save all that time and energy for yourself while still getting a delicious and fresh meal.
You must follow the step-by-step instructions, heat your food in no time, and enjoy.
1. Pork Posole
What is posole exactly? It’s a Mexican stew that uses hominy as its primary ingredient. The dish dates back to the pre-Columbian era and has stood the test of time because of how tasty it is.
You can find ready-made posole at any Latin American food store – check the ingredients for low-fat content and salt.
Add your favorite meat, such as chicken or pork, and let everything simmer with spices, onion, garlic, pepper, and plenty of water for about 15 minutes until the meat turns tender.
Add some chopped chili peppers if you want your meal to be spicier. Another great thing about this recipe is that it can easily be adapted into a vegetarian version using beans instead of meat.
2. Beef Stew
When you think of beef stew, it probably calls for hours of simmering in front of the TV or cooking on a Sunday afternoon – plenty of time to contemplate your life and day.
What if we just told you that you could have beef stew at lunchtime? It’s true – this can be made with everyday ingredients most people already have at home.
It is effortless to prepare, tastes great, and there are so many variations that you will never get sick of it.
The best part is that it can be ready in less than 30 minutes, with only 5 minutes of hands-on prep work needed. All you need is meat or fish, potatoes, garlic, onion, parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
3. Tuna Steak With Creamy Sauce
This one is for all the seafood lovers out there. Tuna is a nutritious fish with many health benefits and can be prepared quickly. All you need is a tuna steak, onions, garlic, olive oil, white wine (or grape juice), lemon juice, and some salt and pepper to taste.
Fry it with olive oil or your chosen cooking fat until the tuna turns brown outside while staying tender inside. Place some sliced onions on top of the tuna steak and add spices of your choice on top of them – try out oregano and basil.
Pour in the wine/juice, then cover with a lid or foil, and let everything simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until cooked through. Some people prefer their tuna rare, but if you want it well done, add a little bit more cooking time.
4. Tortilla Pizza
If you’re looking for something quick and straightforward to make with minimal clean-up, tortilla pizza is your best bet.
All you have to do is place a tortilla on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and spread some tomato puree or passata on top of it, leaving an inch border all around the edge.
Let the oven preheat before adding cheese (mozzarella) and pepperoni slices on top of your pizza crust. Add eggplant to your pizza if you like grilled tomatoes because they combine nicely with other ingredients such as olives and mushrooms.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese turns golden and crispy.
5. Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti bolognese is another one of our quick and easy meal ideas that will hit the spot.
Despite its deceptive complexity, this meal can be prepared in no time – you need to use everyday ingredients such as minced beef, onion, carrots, celery sticks, passata, or chopped tomatoes and garlic.
The sauce enhances the flavor of spaghetti so much that it’s well worth investing in good-quality pasta for this dish. Feel free to add your favorite spices and herbs, such as basil and oregano, before adding salt and pepper to taste.
The secret ingredient here is cinnamon because it brings out all the other flavors, which are unique but delicious.
Conclusion
These are a few of the fast and straightforward meal ideas we have for you to choose from – they make life easier. If you’re looking for something quick and easy yet still nutritious, meal kits could be what you need this time.
The next time you don’t feel like cooking a whole meal or leftovers won’t do, remember these ideas and whip up a healthy plate that everyone would want seconds of.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is pork posole?
It’s a Mexican stew that uses hominy as its primary ingredient. The dish dates back to the pre-Columbian era and has stood the test of time because of how tasty it is. You can find ready-made posole at any Latin American food store – check the ingredients for low-fat content and salt.
How long does it take to prepare beef stew?
It is effortless to prepare, tastes great, and there are so many variations that you will never get sick of it. The best part is that it can be ready in less than 30 minutes, with only 5 minutes of hands-on prep work needed. All you need is meat or fish, potatoes, garlic, onion, parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
How do you make tortilla pizza?
If you’re looking for something quick and straightforward to make with minimal clean-up, tortilla pizza is your best bet. All you have to do is place a tortilla on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and spread some tomato puree or passata on top of it, leaving an inch border all around the edge. Let the oven preheat before adding cheese (mozzarella) and pepperoni slices on top of your pizza crust.
