4 Last-Minute Throw-Together Meals!

It is my blessing and privilege to provide yummy and nutritious meals for my husband and son morning, noon and night!  This is even true when it's 5 o'clock and I don't know what I'm making for dinner!  At that point I'm glad to have some meals in my repertoire which I know I can throw together quickly, have the ingredients on hand for, and will taste good too!  Here are four of my our favourites!

Photo credit: Tuna Casserole, Pasta & Meatsauce
Grilled Cheese, Chicken & Rice

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Andrew makes me light up whenever I make grilled cheese because he is always so complimentary, and they don't take much effort at all!   

Thinly slice some apples (you can leave the skin on, or peel them) and onions, and saute them over med-low in a bit of butter.  While they soften, butter the outside of the bread slices and slice the cheese.  Assemble each sandwich in this order: bottom slice of bread (buttered on the outside), cheese, some of the sauteed apples and onions, and a few more slices of cheese just to make it stick to the top slice of bread.  Top with a last piece of bread, butter side out.  Place in a frying pan over medium heat, and be careful that they don't burn.  Flip once.  Serve and ENJOY! :)

Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

This is basically what it sounds like!  I learned this from my mother-in-law and I'm pretty sure it is one of her go-to meals too!  

Saute some garlic and onion in a little oil.  This gets things smelling like dinner's cooking! :)  Add the chicken (bone-in drumsticks or thighs), put on the lid, and leave for about twenty minutes - turning the chicken occasionally.  At any point add some spices generously.  I usually do curry, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper, but you can mix it up however you want.   Chop up some broccoli, and a few minutes before the chicken is finished, put the broccoli in the pot, and a thin layer of water on the bottom.  Cover and after a few minutes, check that the broccoli is cooked and the chicken is done!  Serve with brown rice, and be sure to get the saucy stuff out of the bottom of the pot!

Spaghetti and Meatsauce

I didn't promise creativity here - just nourishment with some taste-bud delight!  

We usually have ground beef in the freezer, and it can be easily thawed.  Then you just have to toss a can of tomato sauce into the browned beef and cook some pasta.  If you have time, saute some onion and garlic in the pot before adding the meat, and add some spinach at the end.  Serve with a salad!

Tuna Casserole

I made this for dinner last night.  We were throwing a frisbee at the park, I was sure it was after 6pm, and I didn't know what I was going to make for dinner!  I gave Andrew some options, and this is what he chose!  It's a recipe I got from my mom, and is originally from The Essential Cancer Treatment Nutrition Guide and Cookbook.

Saute some green onions and mushrooms in 2 tbsp butter until soft. (If you don't have onions or mushrooms, just melt the butter).  Add 2 tbsp flour and mix.  Slowly add in 1 cup of chicken broth and one cup of milk, mixing as you pour to get rid of the flour lumps.  Bring to a boil and stir constantly for a couple minutes to thicken.  Stir in 4oz cream cheese, 1 can drained tuna, and 1 cup frozen peas.  Cook for a couple more minutes, until everything is warm!  Serve with cooked egg noodles, or in a pinch, any pasta!  We seem to always eat it at this point, but you could put it in a casserole pan, top with bread crumbs and cheese, and bake until the top is nice and golden brown.

What are your last minute meals?  I could use some new ones :)

Happy eating,

Linked up at A Mama's Story, The Modest Mom, What Joy Is Mine,  Growing Home, Above Rubies,  Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, We Are That Family, Walking Redeemed, Graced Simplicity, Raising Mighty Arrows