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Last Updated on November 24, 2013 by
This Cooking From Scratch post is sponsored by Pillsbury and My Blog Spark but all opinions expressed are mine alone.
My kids have more activities to keep them busy than I can keep up with. Every day after school we tackle homework and whatever extracurricular activity is scheduled for that evening. Occasionally that means my husband and I are taking different kids in different directions and don't get to eat dinner til 7 PM. I like that my kids are active but I refuse to eat takeout and/or delivery on nights that we are busy. You might think that cooking from scratch is impossible on busy nights but I have learned a few ways to make cooking dinner for my family a little bit quicker. Cooking from scratch is much healthier and cheaper than hitting the drive through and you get to control the ingredients you put into your meal. Sometimes, cooking from scratch requires a bit of advanced planning, though, to make it work for a busy night. Here are a few ideas on how you can make cooking from scratch a little bit easier:
Cooking From Scratch Made Easy
1. Homemade soups are much healthier than the canned variety and are an incredibly easy, one pot meal. Skip the canned stock, too, by making up a batch of homemade stock and freezing it back on the weekends. Just add leftover bones from your latest roast, a few chunks of veggies like onion and carrots, and some herbs and seasonings. After a few hours of simmering you will be left with a low sodium, flavorful stock that you can freeze back in plastic containers or zip to lock bags for the next batch of soup you want to cook from scratch on a busy night.
2. Making a casserole? Try making TWO! If you invest in a couple of extra glass pans with fitted plastic lids it is easy to make up one extra casserole or pan of lasagna on a Saturday afternoon. Freeze one back for a night when you just don't have time to cook.
3. Do the dicing and chopping ahead of time: If you dice up several onions, bell peppers, celery stalks, carrots, etc you will have a lot less work to do the next time you pull out your favorite recipe. Use a hand held chopped to really get things going quickly and then store the leftovers in the freezer so you can cook from scratch without getting out your cutting board again.
4. Throw an extra chicken breast on the grill on the weekend. I love having leftover chicken in my fridge because it is so incredibly versatile! If you have the grill on anyhow, throw one or two boneless chicken breasts on. Use them on top of homemade pizza, in a stirfry, or as a top your own salad addition. All of those meals are much quicker when you don't have to worry about cooking the meat first!
5. Realize that semi homemade is still okay: Some things can be made quickly from scratch and others cannot. I learned long ago that ALMOST homemade is still better than fast food and takeout. I do not roll out my own homemade pie crusts when I make a quiche and I do not make my own pizza dough when I make homemade pizza. I COULD...but I rarely have that kind of time during the week. Thankfully, you can buy some great premade pizza crusts at the grocery store, including the Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain.
Making homemade pizza is a great way to use local and seasonal ingredients in your dinner. It is also very easy to make up your toppings ahead of time to help make dinner preparation quicker. With previously diced peppers and onions along with some leftover grilled chicken, I have a balanced meal for my family that is filling and quick to make. If you want a few ideas on how YOU can prepare homemade pizza for your family check out the Farmer's Market Pizza Ideas from Pillsbury. Also make sure to get the online coupon for $1.50 off one package of Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust.
The Giveaway
Want to try the new Artisan Pizza Crust and make your own Farmer's Market Pizza? My Blog Spark would like to give one of my readers a prize package that includes:
- A VIP coupon for one FREE Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust with Whole Grain
- 15.5" Farberware Pizza Pan
- Food Chopper with Storage Containers
- Silicon-grip Oven Mitt
- Retail Value: $64
This is a Giveaway Tools contest so follow the directions in the form below to enter to win.
Disclaimer: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Samantha D
For a quick dinner, we love to throw hamburgers or hotdogs on the grill!
Samantha D
dull2000 at cox dot net
Michele Brosius
My favorite quick go to dinner is quesadillas. I always have tortillas on hand and can fill them with any veggie or meat or both from the freezer.
Galina
some spaghetti:)
David
My go-to meal for a quick dinner is hot-dogs. Or if it is just me, several bowls of cereal.
Cynthia
my favorite quick dinner meal is quesadillas
Amber Faith
Anything Hamburger Helper. Yeah, it's unhealthy...but when I'm strapped for time, it does the job.
Sandy VanHoey
tacos is my favorite quick meal
Deb K
Spaghetti
rod jackson
pepperoni and mushroom
rod jackson
homemade pizza, pepperoni and mushroom
Ann Fantom
Spaghetti is my favorite quick meal
Jennifer
breakfast for dinner!
Audrey Griffis
we love to grill so easy foods liek hot doge or chicken on the grill add a few veggies and yum
Sarah Hall
I just throw together a salad with some veggies and cold chicken.......love it.
Wehaf
Scrambled eggs!
Nicole Newby
unsloppy joes! quick, easy, and delicious.
Rachel Pride
my favorite quick dinner meal is pizza
Katie K
Salads are my go-to quick and healthy meals
wendy rozema
Tacos!
Elizabeth J
A big salad is a quick and healthy dinner.
Virginia Rowell
My favorite quick dinner meal is my creamy chicken noodle.
Mary Beth Elderton
Our favorite quick dinner is "something with pasta"--the "something" is whatever I have on hand 🙂
Sue Ellison
spaghetti
kristen m
my favorite quick dinner meal is a turkey sandwich with a side of green beans!
Carol
My quick dinner meal is mac & cheese.
danielle lima
a frozen pizza
Penny Snyder
Sloppy Joes!!~
Suzanne M
grilled cheese!
Leona P
beans and hotdogs
Ttrockwood
I make a big salad with a veggie burger patty ontop
Kate F.
Spaghetti
Donna L
I make grilled cheese sandwiches.
Katherine Donovan
My quick meal is spaghetti & garlic bread.
Katie Roch
My favorite quick dinner is grilled cheese with tomato soup
Tari Lawson
My favorite quick dinner meal is gnocchi with crab.
kelly nicholson
mac and cheese..sometimes pizza
Rebecca Graham
spaghetti is quick and easy.
Peggy Greco
I like to cook hamburgers or a frozen pizza.
Janna Johnson
frozen pizza
Thanks! Janna JOhnson [email protected] Janna johnson on GFC
Shelia S
My favorite quick dinner meal is spaghetti or tacos. My family loves both of them.
Chrystal D
Mine is pasta!
PAIGE CHANDLER
Pasta and ragu...easy peasy.
Darlene Jones-Nelson
Spaghetti or Chicken Salad
Denise B.
Baked macaroni and cheese is my favorite quick and easy meal.
Mary Calabrese
Spaghetti is my go to meal.
carol
franks is my fastest and easiest meal
Connie Lee
A quick made sandwich, such as a ham or a banana sandwich
Jamie Brigham
I love hamburger helper and shells N cheese.
Noreen
Pancakes
Monique Rizzo
Tacos.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Meaghan F.
My quick meal is angel hair pasta with tomatoes.
Nancy
We like soup and a sandwich.
Brynn
Spaghetti and meatballs!
pu ye
My favorite quick go to dinner is quesadillas
steve weber
spaghetti every time.
Helen T
Macaroni and cheese
Allison Downes
Pizza and Salad
thanks for the great giveaway!
Margot C
Chicken and mashed potatoes
dan williams
spaghetti
Amanda Rauch
Usually for something quick I have make your own pizza night or baked ravioli. Both are really good and super simple and quick
lalaine hagler
pasta!!!
Jacob LaFountaine
Bean burritos
deana c
My favorite quick dinner meal is grilled chicken on a salad.
Kelsey Black
I love homemade pizza.
Wanda McHenry
Hamburger Helper
Stephanie Larison
Ham and cheese sandwiches
Denise S
Spaghetti or ordering pizza.
Katherine
Soup and sandwiches
Kelly D
I like pasta, especially Raviolis.
Storm, the Psychotic Housewife
My quick go-to meal is tacos.
Kathy Lane
Turkey burgers is our favorite fast meal.
Maria Iemma
I always have spaghetti sauce in the freezer so all I need to do is defrost in the microwave and boil pasta.
Linda Lansford
hotdogs
Lorena Keech
Breakfast, either biscuits and gravy or waffles.
Elle Thomas
Scrambled Eggs!
Georgia Beckman
If we need something QUICK, it's sandwiches & chips. But that is also expensive. Quick & cheap? Scrambled eggs, every time.
Cody Anderson
Chicken stir-fry
Tracie Trump
soup and sandwiches, [email protected]
April V.
Western Omelet!
tree
tempeh tacos!
michele
Thank you for the chance. Tacos are one of my quick, easy meals!
jen
my favorite quick dinner is tacos!
latanya
hot dogs
Desiree Dunbar
Pasta w/ Marinara sauce.
Ashley Morrow
Hamburgers on the grill and a salad.
Tara
sloppy joes
Allison
Our quick meal is Chicken Caesar Salads.
Erin Collins
Tacos
Julie
Spaghetti with jarred sauce
Paula Michele Hafner
Spinach Alfredo. I found a recipe for a quick sauce that's so good 🙂
takisha a.
my favorite quick dinner meal is tacos.
Lisa Garner
I love making easy Enchiladas.
Ellie W
Frito Pie and cornbread.
Brittney House
grilled cheese
Valerie Taylor Mabrey
burgers on the george foreman
vmkids3 at msn dot com
BusyWorkingMama
I like a quick cheese and black bean quesadilla when in a pinch.
tina page
i make homemade falafel and it is so quick as long as you don't forget to soak the beans. eat with some pita and fresh tzatziki. 🙂
Lesley F
Spaghetti and meatballs!
Debra Hall
hotdogs and french fries
kathy pease
I love shepards pie for a quick meal
Kari Flores
My favorite quick meal for dinner is BLTs.
Rebecca Peters
I like to make grilled cheese .. my kids love it
mary enshaw
In a hurry we do take out! OR I will get a rotissere chicken
Alice
Spaghetti is my favorite quick meal!
Liza E
Tacos
Daniel M
probably bacon eggs home fries toast
Nicole C.
My favorite quick meal is spaghetti.
Jackee
Toasted tuna sandwiches.
Coriander Warren
our family's favorite quick meal is hot dogs and baked beans.
Brooke Adametz
Veggie pasta with veggies from the garden!
Shallreb
It's always tacos.
Brenda Elsner
quick meal for us is usually frozen pizza
Ed Nemmers
I heart Chicken Caesar Salad!
Julie Murphy
burritos
Christine
Spaghetti is my favorit
s riches
My favorite is mac and cheese.
denise
For quick it's BLTs
Julieh
Tacos is my favorite
richelle bowers
sloppy joes
Kimberly Hilbert
pizza and tacos are our favorite quick meals.
Rebecca
broiled tilapia
Kayla
Hot dogs and fries!
Deb S
Grilled Cheese is quick and the kids love it
Jillian B
pancakes and applesauce! Or as my daughter would say "pannycakes and happy-sauce" 🙂
Jen Harriman
My kids favorite quick dinner is macaroni with a can of tomato soup poured over it and grilled cheese sandwiches
shanta spradlin
Hamburgers
Nancy Bobbert
I like spaghetti for a quick simple meal.
Laurie Emerson
Spaghetti and meatballs.
Beverly Metcalf
For a quick meal, I would probably make a pizza, or spaghetti. Thanks for this contest!
Samii Meyer
I can whip up a pretty quick homemade soup - takes about 20 minutes! 🙂
Jaque R.
My children's favorite is pizza, mine is probably soup and salad. 🙂 Thank you.
Carolyn Daley
Chicken & fries that we can just throw in the oven or chicken with instant mash potatoes.
Carolyn Daley
As far as cooking from scratch, we like to make mini pizzas with cheese and pepperoni.
Jane Squires
My favorite quick meal is roast, potatoes, and carrots in crock pot cooking while I'm at church - it's done when I get home.
My husband is diabetic so would love to wn this
Carla
A baked potato.
kristy
Spaghetti and meatballs is our go to easy meal
Derek Timm
Hamburger Helper!
Ronda Patrick
Macaroni and Cheese or the Lipton Noodle Packets!
cassandra
I would say spaghetti! or some sort of salad with chicken.
Sheryl
My favorite to make is tacos.
krystal wethington
mac & cheese
DeeAnn S
Spaghetti is always a quick meal. Thanks.
Stephani Taylor
Pizza is our goto quick meal!
Lisa
Mac and Cheese
Melanie Montgomery
I like porkchops
Seyma Shabbir
Basil Pesto pasta
susan smoaks
my favorite quick dinner meal is spaghetti, it's so quick and easy to make!
Gina Ferrell
My favorite quick dinner meal is hot dogs.
chelesa sims
tuna with macroni and cheese
Yona
For me, it's tacos!
gen
taco casserole and only one dish too
Jeff B
Spaghetti and sauce is my favorite quick meal.
Buddy Garrett
Spaghetti and Meatballs is my favorite.
Candice
Pasta! So quick and easy.
Connie black
Grilled chicken
mary gardner
fried rice with whatever leftover meat or vegetables we have
amy deeter
grilled cheese sandwiches
Robert Pyszk
Sloppy Joes
Lynne T.
I have a few: Bacon & Eggs, Hamburger Helper, Pasta with a no cook sauce.
Ann Council
Scrambled eggs and toast.
sheila ressel
tacos
Lori Walker
stir fry
Max Mam
Chicken Alfredo. just chop some chicken and veggies cook them real quick and make some pasta. mix all in and heat up alfredo sauce and thats it!
kelly
pasta is always an easy meal
Kelly Britton
Beanie Weenies!
Tim Moss
Some breakfast item like cereal or frozen pancakes can be a quick meal for me or just a protein shake.
Rachel H
pepperoni rolls using Pillsbury crescent rolls
jessica culver
would love to make this! looks delicious
laurie
pizza and salad
Sand
Omelets or quesadillas.
James Coyne
I like tacos
kelly g
frozen pizza
AEKZ2
Grilled cheese sandwiches or sloppy joes
shirley zolenski
Mine is spaghetti
DJ
Split-pea soup and a cheese sandwich.
heather c
Eggs and bacon. Yum.
Samantha
We love pasta as a quick meal!
danica
crescent dogs with cheese
Tim Anderson
Toss up hot dogs or sloppy joe's
Sarah L
spaghetti
Thanks for the contest.
virginia
Howdy! Corn meal chicken- chicken tender dipped in egg then covered with corn meal with salt and paprika. Then I throw it in a wok with hot oil and RED onion ( red onions rock cause their sweeter the brown) Viola! sprinkle more paprika as you serve them
Vikki Billings
Mine is Goulash
lindsay
my favorite quick meal is pigs in blankets.
Jane H
English muffing pizza with our own individual toppings. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Barbara Long
My favorite quick meal is black bean tacos.
[email protected]