Budget Sushi Bowls (with canned tuna)
Eating well on a shoestring budget is easy with these flavor-packed bowls, which conveniently rely on canned tuna. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal or packable lunch!
See Recipe
Speedy Mexican Pizzas
This speedy, customizable meal is a family-friendly dream when you don’t feel like cooking. It also happens to be a healthy, plant-based option that satisfies meat-eaters and vegetarians alike!
See Recipe
5-Can Weeknight Chili
A great bowl of chili is just minutes away thanks to a handful of economical pantry ingredients. Top with a simple sprinkle of cheese or load it up with chopped avocado, crushed tortilla chips, minced onions, etc.
See Recipe
Oatmeal Packet Mug Muffin
You choose the flavor in these healthy, protein-rich, single-serve muffins that can be made with just four easy ingredients!
See Recipe
Roasted Garbanzos…and other roasted beans
A simple technique and helpful hints for the best crunchy snack–that happens to be healthy, protein-rich, economical, and easy!
See Recipe
Masoori Dal (Nepali Lentils)
This “every day” South Asian dish is healthy comfort food at its best and requires just a short list of basic ingredients. The quick pickled cucumber recipe that follows adds something special. I quarter the rounds to incorporate more flavorful pieces throughout.Servings: 4-5 servings
See Recipe
Stretch-a-Can-of-Tuna Salad
Economical and so easy, this satisfying salad makes a protein-packed lunch or light dinner. Add a squirt of sriracha sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika for added oomph.
Yield: 2 servings
See Recipe
Yield: 2 servings
Cannellini Tomato Soup… with Grilled Cheese Croutons or Dippers
The unexpected addition of a simple can of cannellini beans provides protein and added creaminess when pureed into the soup…and nobody ever knows it’s there. Whether served with grilled cheese croutons or dippers, what kid (or adult) wouldn’t love it? Plus it’s easy to make with basic, inexpensive, pantry items.
See Recipe
Split Pea Soup with Ham
A mere quarter cup of dried split peas provides 13 grams of fiber, 12 grams of protein, and 10% of your recommended daily iron intake. They’re also high in Vitamin B1, folate, copper and a long list of other minerals. Here, they cook down into a thick, creamy soup so there’s no need to get out the blender. To make this soul-warming soup even heartier, you can add a diced potato along with the following ingredients.
See Recipe
Make-Ahead Savory Breakfast Bowls
Simple meal-prep provides wholesome, grab-and-go meals for the week that can customized and topped to taste. Great as a packable lunch or easy dinner, too!
See Recipe
Black Bean Dip (or Salsa or Salad)
The flavor of this easy dip/salad/salsa just gets better over time, so feel free to prepare it a day in advance.
Yield: 1+ quart or approximately 8 servings
See Recipe
Yield: 1+ quart or approximately 8 servings
Congo Bars
Congo Bars = the ultimate blondie! Perfectly chewy and so much easier to make than a batch of cookies, this foolproof recipe is a childhood favorite that has stood the test of time!
See Recipe
Martha Stewart’s One-Pan Pasta (and some riffs on the basic recipe)
This all-in-one meal is a versatile weeknight godsend. Once the water boils, the cooking time is a quick 9 minutes. (And there’s a spot-on gluten-free option for those who need it!)Servings: 4-5 servings
See Recipe
Tuna, Tomato & White Bean Salad
Pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients make this flavor-packed, protein-rich salad a breeze. Enjoy it as an easy lunch or pair with an ear of corn, piece of cornbread or a crusty roll for a light but filling dinner. (Leftovers taste great, too!)Servings: 4-5 servings
See Recipe
Popeye’s Baked Eggs
For quick and easy breakfasts, I often make this veggie-rich casserole the night before, allow it to cool, and then cover and refrigerate. Gently reheat individual portions, as needed, in the microwave or oven.
This meat-free dish is loaded with flavor and I usually prepare it precisely as described below. On occasion, however, I layer a half cup of finely chopped deli ham over the spinach. Optionally, cooked bacon or sausage could be added.
See Recipe
This meat-free dish is loaded with flavor and I usually prepare it precisely as described below. On occasion, however, I layer a half cup of finely chopped deli ham over the spinach. Optionally, cooked bacon or sausage could be added.
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken (with freezer bag option)
A good freezer bag meal will come to your rescue on busy weeknights and when cooking for a friend in need. Taco chicken is family friendly, endlessly versatile, and quick to prep. Last year I turned the bags into practical gifts for several friends, because who couldn’t use a healthy meal and a night off cooking amidst the busy holiday season?Servings: 4-6 servings
See Recipe
Spiced Pecan Chex Mix
This sweet and savory spin on the classic snack mix is easy to make and hard to resist. Perfect for gift giving too!
See Recipe
Leave a Reply