Back-to-school season means everyone is busier, with nutritious homecooked meals and snacks often sacrificed for more convenient, less healthy options. Take a look at these five-ingredient-or-less ideas designed to get delicious food on the table in around 30 minutes!
Tuna/Chicken Mac
Depending on which you like, this stovetop all-in-one dish can be made with either canned tuna or canned chicken. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken. To serve a larger crowd, just double the ingredients.
1 Box Macaroni & Cheese
1 Can Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can of Tuna or Chicken in Water, Drained
½ Small Bag of Frozen Peas or Mixed Vegetables
Milk
Prepare the macaroni & cheese in a 2-quart saucepan according to the box directions. Add the can of soup to the mac & cheese and mix well over low heat. Pour ½ cup of milk into saucepan and mix thoroughly. Allow the mixture to come to a low boil, then add the frozen peas or mixed veggies. Mix well and continue to simmer on low heat, being careful not to let it burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more milk until the consistency is smooth and creamy. When the veggies are heated through, the meal is ready.
To jazz this up when you have more time, add a little minced garlic, a touch of soy sauce, and put in a casserole dish topped with French-fried onions, then bake at 325 degrees until browned and bubbly (about 25-30 minutes).
Bubble-Up Pizza Pull-Apart
Let the kids put this one together – – they will love how fun and easy it is, not to mention yummy!
2 Cans Refrigerated Biscuits (10 biscuits in each can – – do NOT use Grands biscuits)
1-2 Jars of Spaghetti Sauce (24-25 oz.) (depending on how much sauce you like)
1-2 Packages of Sliced Pepperoni (depending on how much pepperoni you like)
1 Large Bag of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 13×9-inch casserole dish or bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray (bottom and sides).
Pop open the cans of biscuits and separate them so that you have 20 biscuits. Using kitchen shears, cut each biscuit into four pieces.
Place the cut up biscuit pieces in a large mixing bowl, then pour half a jar of spaghetti sauce over the top. Toss the biscuit pieces in the spaghetti sauce until well-coated.
Put half of the coated biscuit pieces in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish or bundt pan, spreading them out evenly. Pour about half of the rest of the spaghetti sauce on top of the biscuits (use more sauce if needed), then place half of the pepperoni slices over the top. Liberally cover with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Create a second layer with the rest of the coated biscuit pieces, more spaghetti sauce, the rest of the pepperoni, and more cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (or until the biscuits are cooked through and the mixture is browned and bubbly).
This recipe can be adapted for any kind of pizza you like by adding other toppings or simplifying it by just using sauce and cheese!
Build-Your- Own Taco Bar
Ok, this is more than five ingredients, depending on how many options you want to include in your taco bar. The point is that this is an easy to pull together meal that has something for everyone!
1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey, cooked in taco seasoning
1 package pre-made crispy taco shells
1 package shredded cheddar of Mexican blend cheese
Chopped tomatoes
Shredded lettuce
Diced onions
Sliced black olives
Ready-made guacamole
Sour Cream
Salsa or pico de gallo
Place everything on the kitchen counter (have the kids help!) and let everyone serve themselves.
Stone Soup
There is an old story about a young man who is making a pot of soup over an open fire. In the pot is just water and a stone. Everyone who meets the young man asks him, what are you cooking? When they find out he has only a stone and water for his soup, each person says something like, “Oh, I have an onion,” “I have a potato,” “I have a bit of chicken,” “I have a carrot,” and so on, until the pot is full of delicious, wonderfully smelling ingredients. The soup is then enjoyed by everyone who contributed.
While it is not necessary to actually start this soup with a stone and water, this is another fun way for everyone in the family to participate and add an ingredient of their choice until a hearty and delicious meal is simmering and ready to enjoy!
1 box container (such as Swanson’s) of broth (vegetable, chicken, beef, etc.)
Protein of your choice (to make things easier and quicker, consider using prepared, cooked options such as rotisserie/canned chicken, kielbasa sausage, heat-and-serve meatballs, deli-sliced roast beef, etc.)
Veggies of choice (fresh, canned, or frozen are all fine; however, if using canned, drain the fluid first to cut down on the sodium content)
Noodles, rice, or potatoes
Canned beans (cannellini, pinto, black, kidney, etc.), rinsed and drained
Place all of your chosen ingredients in a large stock pot or Dutch oven, mixing well. Season if needed with salt and pepper, garlic, or herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Taste as you add, remembering that the flavors will develop as they cook. Bring to a boil over medium heat. If the broth seems weak, add some powdered or cubed bullion (or a paste such as Better Than Bullion) until the broth is the strength desired. Continue to boil over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes. Serve with warm French Bread, bread sticks, or crackers.
Tip: For creamy soups, add a couple of cans of condensed cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, or cream of celery soup to the broth. You can also use creamed corn and milk or add a small amount of instant mashed potatoes.
Hot Dog/Kielbasa Sausage Casserole
1 Package of Hot Dogs or Kielbasa Sausage, boiled and set aside
4 Cups of Cooked Instant Mashed Potatoes
1 Package (16 oz.) Shredded Cheddar-Jack Cheese
½ Cup Sliced Green Onion
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Slice each hot dog or sausage lengthwise down the middle and place flat-side down in the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish until the bottom is covered. Spread the cooked mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the hot dogs/sausages, then top with the shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until the top is browned and the cheese is melty and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Top with the sliced green onions and serve.
Options: Mix bacon bits into the mashed potatoes for added flavor. If your family likes sauerkraut, this is especially tasty when making this dish with the kielbasa sausage – – just mix some well-drained kraut in with the mashed potatoes.
Categorized in: General
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