I will say that I definitely do not have a plan all of the time. Some nights I open the fridge and stare into its cold light hoping it will shine some emotional support my way. I then start pulling out food that I can only hope is somewhat good together. These are the dinners I make in that exact mood: fast, flexible, and forgiving if you’re missing an ingredient or two. In all honesty, the main purpose is that none of this needs a special grocery run.
Contents
- 1) Pantry Puttanesca
- 2) Egg Fried Rice
- 3) Emergency Quesadillas
- 4) Tuna Melt Toasts
- 5) Tomato Soup And Grilled Cheese
- 6) Cacio E Pepe Spaghetti
- 7) Sheet Pan Sausage And Veggies
- 8) Chickpea Salad Wraps
- 9) Peanut Noodles
- 10) Breakfast For Dinner Omelet
- 11) Black Bean Tacos
- 12) Clean Out The Fridge Frittata
- 13) Upgraded Ramen
- 14) Garlic Butter Pasta
- 15) Rotisserie Chicken Bowls
- 16) Grilled Halloumi With Lemon
- 17) Creamy Pasta
- 18) Bagel Pizzas
- 19) Lentil Soup
- 20) Cottage Cheese Bowl
- 21) Easy Stir Fry
- 22) Loaded Baked Potatoes
- 23) Eggs In Tomato Sauce
- 24) Garlic Butter Shrimp
- 25) Rice And Beans Bowl
- 26) Quick Chicken Salad
- 27) Spinach Ricotta Toast
- 28) Butter Parmesan Tortellini
- 29) Pizza Toast
- 30) Warm Antipasto Plate
- 31) Chickpea Coconut Curry
- 32) Brothy Noodle Soup
- 33) Salmon Patties
- 34) Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- 35) Greek Style Salad
- 36) Loaded Nachos
1) Pantry Puttanesca
This is the dinner I prepare when my patience has just about run out. If you have some pasta, a can of tomatoes (or jarred marinara), and some olives and capers, you’re good to go. I’ve done it without anchovies many times and it’s still briny, punchy, and satisfying. Top it off with any “cheesy” thing you have, be it parmesan, pecorino, or the last bit of ricotta.
2) Egg Fried Rice
Cold leftover rice is basically a cheat code, but warm rice works too if you’re careful and let it dry a bit in the pan. Make sure to mix an egg with some chopped up vegetables (frozen peas work well here), and add some soy sauce or salt. Having sesame oil feels fancy, but not having it still makes it dinner. One time I put a handful of potato chips on top because I wanted some crunch, and it was surprisingly good.
3) Emergency Quesadillas
You’re never fully doomed with a house full of tortillas and any type of cheese that melts. Add some beans, leftover chicken, sautéed onions, or spinach. Basically anything that isn’t going to make it soggy. Cook it at a lower temperature so the tortilla gets properly crisp before the cheese turns into an all-consuming lava situation. I like to serve it with something sharp, like salsa or hot sauce, or pickled jalapeños to wake it up.
4) Tuna Melt Toasts
Don’t treat opening a can of tuna like an act of self punishment. Combine it with mayo or yogurt, mustard if you have it, and something crunchy like celery, pickles, or even chopped apple (sounds suspicious, but it works for most people). Pile it on toast, add cheese, broil until bubbly, and bam… tuna melt toast! This is the kind of dinner that makes it seem like you put in a lot of effort into planning and preparing it when in fact you didn’t.
5) Tomato Soup And Grilled Cheese
This combination improves mood. Use store-bought tomato soup, but if you have canned tomatoes and an onion, you can make a quick version with some broth. For grilled cheese, you’ll want to use low heat and be patient; if you use too high of heat, you’ll get burned bread and cold cheese, which seems a little personal. If you have a slice of ham or tomato lying about, put it in there, and call it an improvement.
6) Cacio E Pepe Spaghetti
This may seem simple, but in practice, it can clump together, especially if you feel rushed. However, this is worth trying since the recipe involves little ingredients like “pasta, pepper, cheese.” Use finely shredded Parmesan or pecorino cheese since pre-shredded can get weird. The trick is to use starchy pasta water and heat it gently: think silk, not glue. I have eaten an entire bowl while standing at the stove, with a fork in my hand like a raccoon with standards.
7) Sheet Pan Sausage And Veggies
Of all the types of cooking, I enjoy roasting the most since I can be the most hands off. Slice sausage (or use chicken thighs), toss with chopped vegetables, oil, salt, and something spicy if you like. Roast until the edges have browned and become a little sticky. Serve it over rice, toast, or pasta – whatever can soak up the juices without a fuss.
8) Chickpea Salad Wraps
Smash some canned chickpeas and mix in mayonnaise (or olive oil), lemon (or vinegar), a dash of salt and pepper, and any other crunchy additions. This salad is a weirdly comforting cousin to tuna salad. You can wrap it in a tortilla, slather it on top of bread, or dig straight into the bowl and pretend to do some \”tasting\”. If you have pickles, toss them in: they add personality.
9) Peanut Noodles
Stir peanut butter with soy sauce, a little hot water, and something acidic like lime juice or rice vinegar. If you want to have some fun, add garlic or chili flakes. Pair this with noodles: spaghetti, ramen, or really any other kind of slurpable long noodle will work. A cold, crunchy side vegetable (such as cucumber or shredded cabbage) makes the whole thing feel less like a tasty tantrum.
10) Breakfast For Dinner Omelet
Eggs are the fastest route from “nothing” to “meal.” Fill an omelet with cheese and leftovers: roasted vegetables, deli meat, wilted spinach, the final spoonful of salsa. If omelets cause you anxiety, just scramble everything and call it rustic. In my experience, I’ve never seen someone stay mad while eating a meal of eggs and toast.
11) Black Bean Tacos
Heat black beans with some cumin and chili powder, and a little water or broth. If you have lime juice, it’s great to add, but if you don’t a very small amount of vinegar can brighten it up. Put this mixture into tortillas and add onion, cheese, and whatever sauce you prefer. This is also a great way to use up cilantro if you have some that’s looking sad.
12) Clean Out The Fridge Frittata
In the case of not being able to deal with the dirty sink full of pots and pans, a frittata would be the option to select. While the oven is being preheated, the stove can be used to sauté any vegetables on hand, then pour beaten eggs to finish and add cheese if available. It can be used for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. The only real rule is to salt the eggs well, otherwise the frittata eats like polite regret.
13) Upgraded Ramen
Instant ramen should be treated like a base to start from and not something done. You could add a soft boiled egg, or if you’re feeling brave you can fry an egg, and add frozen corn or frozen spinach. If you have scallions you could add that as well. Sometimes I add a spoonful of peanut butter to the broth. It might sound chaotic but it really makes it richer. If you want, you can keep the seasoning packet. Just don’t feel obligated to use the whole packet.
14) Garlic Butter Pasta
Use stale bread or even a can of breadcrumbs, this will work. Toss some breadcrumbs in butter or olive oil with garlic and toast them until golden brown and aromatic, and then sprinkle them on the pasta. Feels more intentional than it needs to. If you have a lemon add some zest. If you don’t, it’s still a decent Tuesday.
15) Rotisserie Chicken Bowls
Rotisserie chicken is basically time travel: it gives you back an hour you didn’t have. You can have shredded chicken with rice, noodles, or greens, and top it with any sauce you like including ranch, salsa, teriyaki, and tahini. This is the point leftovers stop looking like leftovers. I have consumed this with a spoon directly from a mixing bowl. I have no shame for this, as it is an act of efficiency.
16) Grilled Halloumi With Lemon
For an even quicker dinner option, go for halloumi or any other cheese suitable for frying. Simply sear it until golden, squeeze some lemon on it, and serve it with any vegetable you can chop. If you want to add a sweet-salty contrast, drizzle some honey on it. This is the kind of meal that makes you feel sophisticated, even if you’re just wearing sweatpants.
17) Creamy Pasta
Cream cheese, sour cream, or even a spoonful of ricotta can elevate the offerings of a bare pantry. You may mix it into hot pasta (adding a bit of the pasta water to achieve creaminess) with some garlic or onion powder if that’s your reality, and then toss in some frozen peas, canned corn, or some chopped spinach to make it feel more nutritious or like a real meal. The texture is comforting in a “blanket fresh from the dryer” kind of way.
18) Bagel Pizzas
I enjoy pizza bagels because they make dinner seem more like a snack, and I appreciate that. Spread some sauce (or even salsa) on the bagel, place some cheese and add pepperoni or mushrooms if you would like. Toss it into the oven until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned. Make sure to eat them right away because they will not be good after sitting for a while.
19) Lentil Soup
Little miracles are when dried lentils are super simple to cook without any soaking, unlike other legumes, simmers them with onions, carrots, garlic, (and broth or water and salt) until tender, Throw in some cumin or smoked paprika for fuss free depth. I always feel I made ‘too much’ and then two days later end up vanishing.
20) Cottage Cheese Bowl
This is my simple dinner, the one I prepare when I don’t want to put effort into a project. The combination of cottage cheese, chopped tomato, salt, pepper and olive oil is easy to prepare but satisfies that creamy and salty craving. If you have herbs, feel free to add them. If you want to burn your taste buds, go ahead and add hot sauce. Adding toast makes it feel like you tried.
21) Easy Stir Fry
Frozen vegetables should not be viewed as a last resort. You can batch cook multiple servings by preparing a protein (for example, tofu, chicken, or shrimp) and mixing it with the frozen vegetables, along with a simple sauce that consists of soy, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of sugar. This can be served with noodles or rice, or even enjoyed as is. If you’re a sesame seed person, go ahead and add a large quantity!
22) Loaded Baked Potatoes
A baked potato is versatile and allows any topping of your choosing. You can add cheese, or sour cream, or even make it healthier and add beans or salsa, or even chili. If you like living on the edge, go for leftover chili! If you happen to have 10 minutes to spare, microwave the potato first, and then crisp the outside in the oven or air fryer. Either way, the potato will do the hard work!
23) Eggs In Tomato Sauce
Simmer a can of tomatoes with garlic, onion, and spices, then crack eggs into the sauce and cover until set. It may seem like brunch, but it’s definitely dinner, especially with the bread for dunking! If you have feta cheese, crumble some on top; if not, some Parmesan works fine too. Even though I have burned the bottom of the food once while answering a text, I still ate it and still liked it.
24) Garlic Butter Shrimp
Shrimp can be cooked from frozen quickly and thawed under cold water. It may seem annoying how quickly it can be cooked. To cook it, sauté it in butter with garlic and sprinkle it with chili flakes. If you have one, finish with lemon. Serve it over pasta, rice, or toast. Really, any starch will do to catch the sauce. Some people like shrimp cooked just until opaque. I can’t defend the overcooked shrimp which makes it bouncy.
25) Rice And Beans Bowl
This is my meal when I am in need of a win. I take warm rice and beans, add hot sauce or salsa, then top it with a fried egg (so that the yolk becomes a sauce). If you have them, add some chopped onions or cilantro on top. It is simple, filling, and, strangely, quite comforting.
26) Quick Chicken Salad
Chop chicken, stir in mayo or yogurt, add mustard, salt, pepper, and something crunchy. I understand if sweet-savory combinations aren’t your thing, but if you enjoy them, grapes or dried cranberries are a good fit. You can enjoy it in sandwiches, on crackers, or wrapped in lettuce leaves if you’re pretending to have a spa day. The secret is to add enough salt so that it tastes like food and not “healthy intentions.”
27) Spinach Ricotta Toast
Sauté spinach in a pan with some garlic, heap it on toast, and top with a dollop of ricotta or any soft cheese you have on hand. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes gives it a little kick. This meal is perfect for the “I have bread, but no plan” scenario. I find myself eating this meal standing up more than I’d like to admit.
28) Butter Parmesan Tortellini
Store-bought tortellini cooks fast and feels like you did something. For a bit of color and mild virtue, toss with butter, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and perhaps a handful of peas. If you have pesto, you can mix it in and pretend to act calm about it. This is the dinner I make when I’m too tired to prepare anything elaborate.
29) Pizza Toast
This is not pizza; this is toast with high aspirations. Spread sauce, add cheese, toss on whatever toppings exist in your orbit (olives, leftover veg, salami). Continue broiling the dish until the cheese bubbles and the edges become crispy. Take care while eating: hot cheese can be dangerous.
30) Warm Antipasto Plate
Some evenings I prepare dinner as if I am making a packed lunch for someone else who is far more put together than I am. Put out cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, sliced vegetables, maybe some deli meat. If possible, include something warm (toast, a microwaved baked potato, heated soup) to make it feel more like a dinner and not just grazing. It is strangely comforting, similar to getting the go-ahead for adult snack time.
31) Chickpea Coconut Curry
When combined with a can of coconut milk, any curry paste or powder can be used to create a meal in just 15 minutes. After adding some salt to and simmering some chickpeas in the sauce, you can include some spinach so that it wilts. This dish can be served with rice or flatbread, and the aroma will help you feel organized.
32) Brothy Noodle Soup
This can be made with any broth, whether it be boxed, homemade, or bouillon, and then add in some noodles and some thinly sliced veggies. For extra protein, crack an egg and stir it to make ribbons, or you can add leftover chicken if desired. Be sure to season it at the end to avoid over salting it as the broth reduces. This is what I call my comfort and hydration dinner.
33) Salmon Patties
Most people are surprised to find that canned salmon makes good patties when you bind it with egg and either breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. Once bound, you can pan-fry the patties until they’re crisp and serve them with sauces that you can prepare in a matter of seconds: mayonnaise and mustard, or yogurt and lemon. Include a simple salad or steamed vegetables, and you have a real plate of food. Be careful checking for bones in the salmon. Some people are sensitive to that and some people don’t mind.
34) Grilled Cheese Sandwich
I prefer grilled cheese to be a bit more adventurous. Try adding kimchi, pickles, and sliced tomatoes, or even leftover roasted broccoli (yes, really). Just keep everything thin or else the sandwich will collapse. It also helps to put lots of butter on the outside of the bread and cook it over a low heat for a while. The end result is salty, tangy, melty comfort with a bit of an edge.
35) Greek Style Salad
Chop the cucumbers and tomatoes. If available, add feta and dress with olive oil and vinegar or lemon. While optional, olives are nice to include; oregano, too. Pita or bread can be toasted to provide something to scoop with. It’s light, but not punishing, which is my favorite kind of salad.
36) Loaded Nachos
Nachos are what I turn to when I need to make dinner fun, and fast. Spread chips, add cheese, beans or leftover meat, then bake until melty and slightly browned. If you want to balance things out, top with salsa, hot sauce, or a quick chopped salad. Eat them while they are hot; cold nachos are a soggy, sad excuse for food.
