In most busy households, quick dinners are a top priority. But in an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle, many families are forgoing the fast food and delivery pizzas in favor of homemade meals. Home cooking doesn't have to mean endless ingredient lists and hours of prep; keeping your kitchen stocked with a few staples can help you prepare tasty and nutritious meals in minutes.
Calzones
Calzones are a top dinner choice when convenience is a priority. They're easy to prepare, they cook quickly and you can use almost any ingredients you have on hand. Start with about 1 lb. of uncooked pizza or bread dough, divided into four equal pieces, and roll out each section on a lightly floured surface. Cook your favorite meat and vegetable ingredients in a pan until cooked through; you can try ground beef, pepperoni, sausage or shredded chicken along with chopped broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, onions or tomatoes. Season the mixture according to your tastes, then spoon about 1/2 cup onto one half of each dough surface. Top each one with 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, then fold the dough over and pinch the ends to seal. Bake the calzones on a greased baking sheet for about 15 minutes in a 425 degree oven. Serve with marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping.
Stir-Fry
Stir-fry is easy to customize to suit your family's tastes, and it's a quick way to use up any vegetables you have around. Heat 2 tbsp. vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dice the meat and vegetables of your choice into bite-sized pieces and place in in the skillet. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp. flour, then add 2 tbsp. teriyaki sauce and stir to coat the meat and vegetables. Season with garlic powder, black pepper, ginger and any other seasonings that appeal to you. Meanwhile, prepare instant rice in the microwave or on the stove. Stir the meat and vegetable mixture frequently, cooking until the vegetables are tender and the meat is fully cooked. Serve over the hot cooked rice.
Pasta
Keeping a box of pasta and a jar of spaghetti sauce on-hand guarantees you an easy and comforting meal in minutes. Set a large bot of water to boil on the stove, and heat a jar of pasta sauce over medium heat. To add flavor and nutrition to the sauce, add diced garlic, onions and other vegetables you have on hand; zucchini, carrots and spinach are good options. Heat until the sauce is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Finish off each plate of pasta with fresh Parmesan cheese and basil, and serve.
Pizza
When you have the help of a pre-made crust, pizza is actually one of the quickest meals you can make. And since you control the ingredients, you can make it as healthy or indulgent as you choose. Pour 1 tsp. of olive oil on the pizza crust and use a small spoon or clean fingers to spread it over the entire surface. Then add 1 cup of pizza or pasta sauce, smooth it over the crust and sprinkle with 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. At this point you can add any diced vegetables or cooked meats that you like. Top your pizza off by sprinkling dried basil and oregano evenly over the top and baking at 425 degrees for eight to 12 minutes or until the crust is crisp and cheese is melted.
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