Go-To Recipes for Busy Days

Posted by Christine | 0 comments

A.  I am a homeschooling mom.

B.  We don’t have tons of money for eating out.

C.  I need some recipes that are easy, quick and require few ingredients for busy homeschooling days.

If A and B, then C.

I am always on the lookout for family-friendly recipes that are convenient for our activity-laden weeknights.  I seek out low-cost meals with lots of flavor, variety and appeal, but that are so easy they require very little thought.  I enjoy cooking and love to take tons of time to make something involved and gourmet, but those meals are for weekends or holidays, when my husband is home and my to-do list is slim and scrawny.

Of course, that doesn’t happen very often at this phase of my life.

So here are a few of the recipes that I use on a regular basis.  I usually keep the ingredients on hand just in case my meal plan falls apart and I need something spur of the moment.

Dressed-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

imported provolone cheese

pumpernickel or rye bread

butter. softened

jarred pesto or raspberry jam

Heat up a skillet or grill pan.  Put a layer of either jam or pesto on the bread, top with a couple slices of provolone and another slice of bread.  Butter the top of each sandwich and then place in the skillet.  While they are grilling, butter the top-facing side of bread.  Flip when browned; cook till melted and browned.

We serve these with fruit salad in the warmer months, or tomato soup in the colder months.

Easy Swedish Meatballs:

(This recipe originally came from allrecipes.com)

3 lbs frozen Italian meatballs

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 can condensed french onion soup

1 cup sour cream

egg noodles

Mix last 3 ingredients.  Put meatballs in slow cooker, top with sauce.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Cook egg noodles and then top with meatballs.

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken and Potatoes:

1 5-6 lb roaster chicken

butter

lemons

potatoes

Italian seasonings

salt and pepper

1 can chicken broth

Clean chicken and place in crockpot.  Put pats of butter under the skin of the chicken in a number of places.  Cut each lemon in half and then quarter each half.  Squeeze the lemon pieces over the chicken and then put them inside and around the chicken.  Quarter the potatoes and place around the chicken.  Sprinkle a generous amount of spices, salt and pepper on the outside of the chicken.  Pour 1/2 can or more of broth around the chicken (I find it keeps the chicken more moist than just allowing the chicken to make its own liquid).  Cook on low about 5-6 hours or until done.

Easy Pasta with Pink Sauce and Feta:

1 lb of pasta

jar of quality four-cheese pasta sauce (or make your own)

heavy cream

feta cheese

pulled chicken (from the roast chicken) or julienned ham (optional)

Cook pasta according to directions.  Heat sauce on stove and then add 1/2 c or more cream to the sauce.  Stir and add cream until it is a pleasing orangey-pink color.  Top pasta with sauce and then add a generous helping of feta cheese crumbles and chicken or ham.

Beef Empañada:

This recipe came from a presentation by a local caterer when he showed some busy moms a few easy meals.  It takes a bit longer to bake but no time at all to prepare.

1.5 lb ground beef, browned and drained

2 cups medium chunky salsa

5 large tortillas

2 cups sour cream

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar

Place two overlapping tortillas in a large quiche dish or round stoneware (I find my stoneware makes a much better dish).  Mix salsa with beef and then put half of the mixture on the tortillas.  Spread evenly.  Top with 1 cup of cheese and then another tortilla.  Mix together sour cream and spices.  Top tortilla with half of the sour cream mixture and the rest of the beef, spread evenly.  Top with 1 cup cheese and one more tortilla.  Top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese.  Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

Serve with an easy side dish of heated refried beans topped with cheese.

I hope these recipes give you some new ideas for easy and delicious meals for your busy family!

Christine Hiester is a Christian, homeschooling mom to three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 10 to 3 years old. She is a musician by trade, eclectic in homeschool style, and continues to grow and learn along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. Visit her blog at Fruit in Season.