When your kids need extra school supplies and fall clothes at the same time, and schedules get crowded with school, sports, and other activities, you're probably as short on money as you are on time. So, it's time to simplify—and that's where one-dish dinners come in.
With one-dish dinners, you can prepare a few on the weekend, freeze, then reheat and eat during the week. Most one-dish dinners freeze great, and when you know you have a delicious meal waiting for you in the freezer at home, you'll be less likely to spend money on costly fast food. Make sure to pack any leftovers into lunches for the next day to stretch your dollar even further.
So how do you make one-dish dinners a reality? First, make a detailed list of the ingredients you need, so you don't overbuy at the grocery store. (Be on the lookout for coupons and special offers to help save!)
Then, get creative and enjoy. To help, we've given you a few recipe ideas so you can prepare a fall full of fabulous one-dish dinners.
Nearly every mom has a go-to casserole in her cooking arsenal. Casseroles are a great way to get all of the major food groups into one tasty meal without the cost or the effort of preparing them separately. Prepare Turkey and Rice Casserole for a comfort-food classic. Or, change it up and add some zesty flavor with a Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Nothing is more filling than a hearty stew—and it's a great way to sneak some vegetables into your family's diet. Plus, your entire house will smell delicious while the stew is cooking. Get the kids involved, and let them help you chop up all of the ingredients for this Beef Stew.
Normally, you can't convince your family that a salad constitutes an entire meal. But, taco salad is a whole different story. Bring south-of-the-border flavor to your home with this Fiesta Taco Salad. You can serve it up in a tortilla chip bowl (sure beats doing dishes), or have fun crushing up chips for some crunch.
Bring a taste of the Orient to the dinner table with a stir-fry or Asian-inspired salad or casserole. It's a great way to incorporate vegetables and fruits into a one-dish dinner. It's also a great way to maximize leftovers. This Asian Beef Noodle Salad has a spicy kick and vibrant colors; or try new Asian Inspired Healthy Choice® Café Steamers™—the new Asian cuisine you prepare in your own home.
When your family has particular tastes, it can be hard to find one dish that suits everyone. So, you can create a base meal such as Beefy Cowboy Chili and serve all the fixings buffet-style. That way, all members of your family can customize the dish with as much cheese, crackers, onions, sour cream, chips, or whatever, to make the dish their very own. And, it saves you the time and money of making each person a different meal.
