Introduction
There are days when you just don’t feel like cooking. Maybe you’ve had a long day at work or you want to spend your time doing something else. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to have some meal ideas that don’t require too much effort. This article will provide some creative solutions for what to cook when you don’t feel like cooking.
Create an Easy Meal Plan
One of the best ways to make sure you always have something to eat is to create an easy meal plan. This doesn’t have to be complicated – just pick out some quick and easy recipes that you can whip up in no time. Here are some examples:
- Stir-fries with pre-cut vegetables and a store-bought sauce
- Tacos with pre-cooked proteins and ready-made toppings
- Pasta with jarred sauce and frozen vegetables
- Quesadillas with pre-shredded cheese and leftover vegetables
- Salads with pre-washed greens and canned beans
Takeout Alternatives
If you’re craving takeout food but don’t want to order delivery, why not try making it yourself? There are plenty of recipes online for recreating your favorite restaurant dishes at home. Here are some examples:
- Homemade pizza with store-bought dough and frozen vegetables
- Fried rice with pre-cooked proteins and frozen vegetables
- Burritos with pre-cooked proteins and canned refried beans
- Nachos with pre-shredded cheese and salsa
- Egg rolls with pre-shredded cabbage and carrots
One-Pot Meals
One-pot meals are a great option when you don’t feel like cooking. These recipes usually require minimal prep and clean-up, so they’re perfect for those nights when you just want to get dinner on the table quickly. Here are some examples:
- Soups with canned beans and pre-chopped vegetables
- Stews with frozen vegetables and pre-cooked proteins
- Chili with canned beans and frozen vegetables
- Pasta dishes with jarred sauce and frozen vegetables
- Rice dishes with pre-cooked proteins and frozen vegetables
Prep Ahead
You can also save time by preparing meals ahead of time. Make a big pot of chili or soup and freeze it in individual portions. You can also make a double batch of lasagna and freeze one for later. Here are some other ideas for make-ahead meals:
- Casseroles with pre-cooked proteins and frozen vegetables
- Meatballs with pre-cooked proteins and jarred sauce
- Enchiladas with pre-cooked proteins and canned sauce
- Baked potatoes with pre-cooked proteins and canned beans
- Sandwiches with pre-cooked proteins and jarred spread
Leftover Makeover
If you have leftovers, don’t throw them away! Get creative and turn them into something delicious. Use leftover cooked meats to make tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or salads. Freeze leftover cooked grains to use in soups or casseroles. Here are some other ideas for using up leftovers:
- Grilled cheese sandwiches with leftover cooked vegetables
- Fried rice with leftover cooked proteins and vegetables
- Omelets with leftover cooked proteins and vegetables
- Quiche with pre-made crust and leftover cooked vegetables
- Frittata with leftover cooked proteins and vegetables
Conclusion
When you don’t feel like cooking, there are still plenty of options. Create an easy meal plan, try some takeout alternatives, make one-pot meals, prep ahead, or makeover leftovers. With a little bit of creativity, you can find a delicious solution for any night of the week.
