I meal plan every week but that doesn't mean it goes to plan every week! A couple of weeks ago it was a bit of a disaster but it's OK, we just winged it and there's always plenty of food in so it's not like we're going to starve. We don't want to order a take away but everyone’s still hungry and needs feeding and that is where I turn to our go to dinners for when no one can be bothered!
These are the meals which stops us ordering a takeaway, take minimal washing up and are my families favourite!
Eggs on toast but make it fancy!
Eggs on toast sounds basic but it can be a masterpiece with just a tiny bit of effort. Fried, scrambled, poached add some cheese and maybe a few cherry tomatoes if you’re feeling fancy, or a splash of hot sauce for the spice lovers.
Beans on toast!
I love beans on toast, it's a classic, it’s simple, it's satisfying, and it’s basically the British comfort food equivalent of a warm bath and fluffy socks. Just toast, butter and a tin of baked beans. Maybe a sprinkle of cheese if we’re feeling posh. It’s one of those meals that always hits the spot and takes all of five minutes to throw together.
Freezer Tapas!
Also known as everything beige from the freezer chucked in the oven. Chicken nuggets, fish fingers, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, spring rolls and whatever odd bits are lurking in the freezer drawer. I shove them all on a tray, add some baked beans or a quick salad if I’m pretending to be healthy and call it tapas night.
Wraps!
Wraps are best for the can’t be bothered dinner! We keep a pack of tortilla wraps in the cupboard because they last forever and can turn almost anything into a meal. Leftover roast chicken, tuna and sweetcorn, cheese and beans anything can go in a wrap. No one complains, it’s minimal faff, and you can eat it with your hands!
Jacket potatoes!
The slowest fast food there is. I know they take a while in the oven but the beauty of a jacket potato is that once they’re in, you can walk away and forget about them for an hour while you get on with other things like scrolling on your phone or hiding in the loo for five minutes of peace. Then just top with whatever you’ve got beans and cheese, tuna mayo, coleslaw or even leftovers.
Pasta!
A family classic! Boil some pasta, stir in whatever sauce you’ve got, a jar of pesto, a tin of chopped tomatoes or even just a bit of butter and cheese and boom. Dinner! I sometimes throw in some frozen peas or sweetcorn for colour and to ease my veggie guilt.
Cereal or Toast!
This is dinner when I am at the end of my tether! On those nights when absolutely nothing appeals and the energy is on the floor we fully embrace cereal for dinner or toast. Fed is fed!
Cheat’s stir fry!
Grab a packet of ready chopped veg, chuck it in a pan with some soy sauce or whatever stir fry sauce that you have hiding, throw in some noodles or rice (microwave packets are good) and you’re done. It looks impressive and takes about ten minutes.
Soup and sandwich!
When it's cold or we're just all feeling a bit meh soup and sandwiches come to the rescue. A tin of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich is pure comfort food!
What's your go to meal when you can't be bothered?
These are good ideas and I love the word "faff" (that I had to look up the definition of again). One of my easy dinners is wraps. I, too, always keep tortillas in the pantry and use them in pinch for dinner.
ReplyDeleteWhat great inspiration here!! When all the kids were at home and I was "responsible" for dinner every night I would struggle with new ideas (and sometimes finding the time to prepare it all). . . .now that everyone is grown, my husband and I don't really eat dinner (he needs to eat before 4 p.m. so his digestive system can go to sleep by 9) and I don't miss it! I DO struggle for lunch on days that I work from home, though, and you have made it so easy with these ideas - yea, just throw something from the freezer in the oven, boil some pasta, or make a grilled cheese. Brilliant!! Sometimes just a little food in the belly and move on is all we need :)
ReplyDeleteThose are great meals to have so you don't have to really "cook". I always keep cooked chicken in the freezer that can be put in the air fryer if needed.
ReplyDeletePasta and sauce is definitely one of our "go to" meals, also in the summer burger/hot dogs on the grill, stir-fries are very popular as is breakfast for dinner-- this can be eggs and toast or it can be waffles or pancakes.
ReplyDeleteWraps are a good one. I love a pasta bake when I really can't be bothered! They have saved the day on many occasions. 😂 xx
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for a fast meal!
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