Cheap easy family meals for those who hate to cook.

[lucigo]

Confession time. I need help. I hate to cook. Hate it. We get take-out way too often, box meals and frozen meals. I go to the grocery store several times a week and can't plan on dinner more than a day or two at a time. I work at home so I guess I use it as an excuse to get out of the house. Am I alone?

I REALLY want to cut down on how much we are spending on food. Do you have a favorite very simple easy to prepare meal that your family will actually eat?

My family consists of a 19yo college student whom you never know if he will be home or not, but he is out of money for the semester so more often now, a 15yo who just got braces, DH who works very long hours and will devour whatever is left when he gets home, and myself. I have a 7yo with autism who eats the same thing everyday so not included in this equation.

Did I mention how bad I hate to cook? LOL Help!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I'd suggest cooking with a crockpot.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Rosemary-Chicken-with-White-Beans

 

[Cruise]

Do you have a crockpot? For me, it's one of the easiest ways to cook. But I have to admit.... I'm a lazy crockpot cook. Anything that requires too much prep before it goes into the crockpot isn't easy crockpot cooking for me. This has, by far, become by favorite recipe because it is so easy. I got it from another thread on the board about crockpot cooking. It literally involves opening cans.

Originally Posted by ekatiel

Crockpot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese:

Ingredients
4-5 frozen boneless chicken breasts

2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans

2 (15 ounce) cans corn

1 (15 ounce) jar salsa, any kind

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

Directions
1)Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot.
2)Add 2 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 2 can of corn drained.
3)Keep in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.
4)Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour. (I leave the crocpot on high during this time)
5)Mix up, all done and enjoy!

I've served it just like it is, over tortilla chips, over rice, or wrapped in a tortilla.

I tend to buy chicken breasts in bulk, so once I get them home, I just open them up and throw 4 or 5 (depending on size) into a quart size freezer bag and throw them in the freezer. Then one bag is perfect for this recipe.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was "moved" by cost. I don't "hate" to cook...but I had a very misguided view of how long it really took.

Crock pot meals are a good start. There are even recipes that use FROZEN meat.

You can cook a frozen chicken or even a frozen roast.

Basically our meals are simple:

Meat (if a a non-vegetarian meal), starch, greens....and go from there.

So in my freezer from sales, I have whole chickens, chicken parts, ground beef, steak, and pork butt roast.

What to do with these?

Simple--know which simple basic seasonings go with which items.

I tend to favor the italian spices including italian seasoning (a mixture), oregano, basil, etc + salt and pepper plus olive oil. That makes a nice basic.

IF that is too fancy for you---

Cheat:

Italian dressing makes a good marinade (and no you don't have to actually "marinate" for any period of time).

Shake N Bake, sold in a box--breaded seasoned chicken--delish!

MOST THINGS--will only take you about 30 minutes for prep and cleanup plus cooking time.

I hate cleaning--and that is less time that it takes to wash, fold, and dry a load of laundry. Perspective!

I actually don't like crock pot food--but there are some wonderful recipes out there.

Cooking is a chore, just like any other. If you invest a little time learning the basics, it won't be that much more difficult than opening a box and chucking a frozen dish into the oven. It gets easier with practice. I don't spend hours in the kitchen, and I am not the greatest cook--but over time, I have gotten creative. Tomorrow we are making chicken soup from scratch...just because. Our crock pot will help with that.

Our biggest challenge is remembering to take stuff out so that it can defrost. I took the chicken out yesterday for tomorrow. It seems everything thaws horribly slow in our fridge.

For a while...we had spaghetti, baked pasta dishes...a lot!

Box of pasta, ragu, and cheese served with a salad. Much better than stouffer's.
Shake N Bake Chicken/Shake N Bake Pork chops with a salad in a bag and cherry tomatoes.

Steamer veggies by Birds Eye and Green Giant are AWESOME! I only by those that have no added seasoning or sauce so that it is healthier and anyone will eat it.

Hamburger patties in a box--we have a panini press and sometimes we will cook it in that...both sides get cooked in a jiff. ( I don't suggest buying the press though unless you will actually use it often--we just happen to have it).

For homemade mashed potatoes, I Don't even peal them--but I do cut them into small pieces and put in water and set it to boil...fresh mashed taters in no time. Just use a mixer to beat it to your desired texture add, once that is done then add a little bit of milk at a time until you get it to your desired creaminess. Easy peasy!


I'll add more as I think of them.

 

[lucigo]

My DH doesn't care for crock pot meals, however I do torture him infrequently. He will eat chili, which is pretty easy so thats on my list, however my kids won't eat it. (The story of my life.) Today I have a roast in the crock pot.

I like the chicken in the crock pot idea, don't know if anyone will eat it but me, but its worth a try. My problem comes when no one likes it, but I guess you have to try new things if you are ever going to find a winner!

Shake-n-bake pork chops are definitely one we can do, everyone likes it. I can also do a pasta although once again, the kids won't eat it.

I think part of the reason I hate to cook is that its so hard to find something that everyone will eat!

 

[jakoky]

I am right along with you...i HATE cooking, i dont enjoy it at all...I just made, for my second time, "baked potato soup" in my crock pot...it is a huge hit with my family and so simple...it made enough for two days...

6 or 7 potatos-cut bite size
large onion-chopped small
4 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper

It calls for 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, but didnt have any...

Put in crockpot on low for 7-8 hours or, like me, on high for 4...

After its done, add 1 cup of cream or half and half..I actually did 3/4 cup half and half, and 1/4 cup 1% milk...put a 1 cup grated cheddar cheese...mix and let sit til cheese is melted...

Put in bowls and top with sour cream, extra cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chives...YUMMY!!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I also suggest a crock pot. Buy the 5 ingredient crockpot cookbook to get you started on ideas.

 

[npmommie]

I'd suggest cooking with a crockpot.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Rosemary-Chicken-with-White-Beans

yes I also say crockpot will be your friend.
I made lasagna the other day in mine and it was a huge hit

I used regular lasagna noodles and I did not precook them

just layer your ingredients in the crock set on low and about 3 hours later its done.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I would suggest that you get a showtime Rotisserie and a George Forman grill. I LOVE my rotisserie and cook all kinds of meat in it.

If not roasting a chicken in the oven is the easiest thing to do. If you are super intimidated get the Renyolds oven bags.

Learn to make basic white rice first. One cup of rice 2 cups of water bring to a boil and cover then reduce the to a simer. Let it cook for 25 minutes and do not lift the lid!! Once you have perfected that you can substitute chicken broth for the water, add chopped veggies, use chicken stock and a couple table spoons of ren enchilada sauce for spanish rice.

Stri-fry strips of boneless chicken breast with onion and red and green pepper, serve over rice with some bottles tertaki sauce on top.

Recreate the things you get when you go out. If you order a French dip out, make it at home with deli roast beef warmed in can beef broth and put into split French Rolls.

Since it seems like it's just the 2 of you most of the time try this website.
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/cooking-for-two

Once you get better it's lots of fun! But the clean up still sucks

 

[Cruise]

My DH doesn't care for crock pot meals, however I do torture him infrequently. He will eat chili, which is pretty easy so thats on my list, however my kids won't eat it. (The story of my life.) Today I have a roast in the crock pot.

I like the chicken in the crock pot idea, don't know if anyone will eat it but me, but its worth a try. My problem comes when no one likes it, but I guess you have to try new things if you are ever going to find a winner!

Shake-n-bake pork chops are definitely one we can do, everyone likes it. I can also do a pasta although once again, the kids won't eat it.

I think part of the reason I hate to cook is that its so hard to find something that everyone will eat!

Not to sound too much like a mom, but... if they won't eat it, then they don't eat.

If you hate cooking, and they're picky eaters, there's gonna be problems. If that's the case, I'd tell them they could either eat what I make or have a bowl of cereal. Or they can cook for themselves. You'll be doing something you hate all day long if you try to cook 4 or 5 different meals so everyone is "happy."

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Anything with Chicken Breast...they are super easy to cook. You can do them as one pan meals..

I do chicken breast simmered in diced tomatoes and topped with provolone or mozzerella. (1 pan) and Mashed potatoes (1 pot)

I like chicken breast with cream of chicken soup simmered in a pan and then over rice (i put creole seasoning on mine. Again one pan and one pot.

Pork Chops in the toaster oven. Season stick them in for 20 minutes and they are done. No flipping no messing around no preheating.

Make up ground beef (seasoned) then drain. You can put it in the fridge or freezer and use it for a variety of things..Hamburger Helper, tacos...whatever.

I like cooking but I dont like the time it takes and I really dont like Dishes LOL

 

[kkmcan]

Not to sound too much like a mom, but... if they won't eat it, then they don't eat.

If you hate cooking, and they're picky eaters, there's gonna be problems. If that's the case, I'd tell them they could either eat what I make or have a bowl of cereal. Or they can cook for themselves. You'll be doing something you hate all day long if you try to cook 4 or 5 different meals so everyone is "happy."

I totally agree with you but this never worked with my kids. They either went to bed hungry or if given the choice of pb sandwich, they ate that instead.

They are 13 and 10 and they never came around to eating what we eat unless it's pizza, chicken or hotdogs. They will eat some of the side dishes though. They don't eat casseroles, tacos, chili or any kind of steaks, roasts or chops.

 

[lucigo]

I am right along with you...i HATE cooking, i dont enjoy it at all...I just made, for my second time, "baked potato soup" in my crock pot...it is a huge hit with my family and so simple...it made enough for two days...

6 or 7 potatos-cut bite size
large onion-chopped small
4 cups chicken broth
salt and pepper

It calls for 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, but didnt have any...

Put in crockpot on low for 7-8 hours or, like me, on high for 4...

After its done, add 1 cup of cream or half and half..I actually did 3/4 cup half and half, and 1/4 cup 1% milk...put a 1 cup grated cheddar cheese...mix and let sit til cheese is melted...

Put in bowls and top with sour cream, extra cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and chives...YUMMY!!!

This kind of made me laugh because I "never" cook and yet a couple of days ago I made my daughter zuppa toscana just like Olive Garden's. It was really good and I declared myself a "cooker" LOL Of course only she and I ate it but that was actually fine...more for us! (Her mouth is very sore from just getting the braces so I've been trying to be supportive!)

So yes, potato soup is definitely a cheap and easy meal!

 

[lucigo]

I also suggest a crock pot. Buy the 5 ingredient crockpot cookbook to get you started on ideas.

yes I also say crockpot will be your friend.
I made lasagna the other day in mine and it was a huge hit

I used regular lasagna noodles and I did not precook them

just layer your ingredients in the crock set on low and about 3 hours later its done.

I have never heard of doing this, will have to look for a recipe! And the 5 ingredient thing sounds like just what I need

 

[lucigo]

I would suggest that you get a showtime Rotisserie and a George Forman grill. I LOVE my rotisserie and cook all kinds of meat in it.

If not roasting a chicken in the oven is the easiest thing to do. If you are super intimidated get the Renyolds oven bags.

Learn to make basic white rice first. One cup of rice 2 cups of water bring to a boil and cover then reduce the to a simer. Let it cook for 25 minutes and do not lift the lid!! Once you have perfected that you can substitute chicken broth for the water, add chopped veggies, use chicken stock and a couple table spoons of ren enchilada sauce for spanish rice.

Stri-fry strips of boneless chicken breast with onion and red and green pepper, serve over rice with some bottles tertaki sauce on top.

Recreate the things you get when you go out. If you order a French dip out, make it at home with deli roast beef warmed in can beef broth and put into split French Rolls.

Since it seems like it's just the 2 of you most of the time try this website.
http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/cooking-for-two

Once you get better it's lots of fun! But the clean up still sucks

I grill outside all year round so not sure I would use a George Foreman, it sounds messy?

I have a rice cooker so I can the rice thing!

Our biggest thing we will miss is Chinese on the weekends - it costs $50+ to order Chinese takeout...

 

[lucigo]

I totally agree with you but this never worked with my kids. They either went to bed hungry or if given the choice of pb sandwich, they ate that instead.

They are 13 and 10 and they never came around to eating what we eat unless it's pizza, chicken or hotdogs. They will eat some of the side dishes though. They don't eat casseroles, tacos, chili or any kind of steaks, roasts or chops.

My DH actually made the comment today, if you make something I don't like, no big deal I will just stop and get a burger on the way home - NO! Thats what I'm trying to get away from, its $25 for him to get dinner at McDonalds because he (and I'm not kidding) only eats ONCE A DAY!

 

[lucigo]

Anything with Chicken Breast...they are super easy to cook. You can do them as one pan meals..

I do chicken breast simmered in diced tomatoes and topped with provolone or mozzerella. (1 pan) and Mashed potatoes (1 pot)

I like chicken breast with cream of chicken soup simmered in a pan and then over rice (i put creole seasoning on mine. Again one pan and one pot.

Pork Chops in the toaster oven. Season stick them in for 20 minutes and they are done. No flipping no messing around no preheating.

Make up ground beef (seasoned) then drain. You can put it in the fridge or freezer and use it for a variety of things..Hamburger Helper, tacos...whatever.

I like cooking but I dont like the time it takes and I really dont like Dishes LOL

All very good and simple ideas, thanks

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think you need to get the family more involved and plan ahead. Except for the 7 year old everyone is old enough to take some responsibility in meals. Of course you have to get your DH on board or it will not work. Sit down together plan out meals for a week and divide out the work. Who shops, who cooks when etc. We try to eat healthy most the time but have a few quick easy dinners just in case. Pigs in the blanket, mac& cheese etc.

You can not control what they eat but you can cut off the funds for the fast food they choose instead of your meals.

Quick& easy:
love love love the crock pot
pasta anything
soup & grilled cheese
grill meat and add salad
chicken noodles

 

[njmom47]

I used mashed potato packets to make potato soup! I used 2 packs, bought canned potatos (because they are cooked and soft enough to cut up and throw in the pot, but you could do your own), added chicken broth to thin out the potatoes, added corn, and carrots and celery (that I heated in the microwave to soften)....you could even add chicken and call it chicken corn chowder. This could probably be the base for Olive Garden's soup too (if the spicy sausage one is the one a PP mentioned).

 

[fakereadhed]

I have a pampered chef deep dish baker with a lid(baking bowl which is no longer available) and that's my go to if I forget to throw something in the crockpot and dinner is a couple hours away. I throw in meat(chicken breasts, drumsticks, beef roast, porkloin), diced potatoes, a chopped onion, and a sauce(Italian dressing, Aldi marinade packets with water and wine vinegar, onion soup mix with water, Campbell's Cream of Whatever) and throw it in the oven at 350 for a couple hours. The lid keeps everything moist. This is the same routine for the crock pot, but it takes 4 hrs on high or 8 hours on low.

Right now I have drumsticks and diced potatoes with Aldi Garlic and Wine marinade (mixed with water and red wine vinegar to = 1C) and a diced onion. It smells wonderful!!! In the oven the meat and potatoes come out browned and seasoned perfectly and it couldn't ne easier.