I need ideas for easy cooking, our move got delayed and everything is packed!

Elizabeth - posted on 11/12/2009

I understand wanting to eat healthy and having a cookie sheet can be a great thing. You can bake just about anything in foil on it. For instance if you want to make a healthy pot roast just put all of the ingredients in a large piece of foil and set it on the baking sheet. The foil holds all the juices in and you have a nice large healthy meal. Also a microwave is great for steaming veggies. I bake just about everything so I use my baking sheet a lot. You can also make pulled pork sandwiches using one pan and shredding the pork or even use beef the same way.

Muriel - posted on 11/08/2009

You can make easy meals that won't take a long time or too many pots. Get a bag of frozen vegetables (your favorites), already cook meat from the dali department and mash potato. mix the vegetables and meat on a skillet heat them other and will be ready to eat in minutes. mash potatoes follow instructions. the meal is quick and cheap. enjoy!

Kimberly - posted on 11/07/2009

taco soup all you need is a skillet. brown 1lb hamburger add 1 packet of taco seasoning and 1 1/2 c. water let boil for a minute then add 1 can of corn 3 cans of chili beans 1 can of tomato paste and 1 can of diced tomatos, serve over doritos and garnish with cheese and sour cream.

Paula - posted on 11/07/2009

Do you have a bar be que grill? Try grilling several meals worth at one time and freeze or use as lunches into the week. We grill chicken breasts, hot dogs and hamburgers at the same time and eat them for lunches during the week.

Gina - posted on 11/07/2009

Crescent Dinner

2 Tubes Crescent Rolls

1-1 1/2lbs hamburger

1 bottle BBQ

1 pkg Cheese Slices



Fry hamburger first, drain grease, and add BBQ to flavor. Not quite full bottle, maybe 3/4. Press 1 Tube of Crescent out on cookie sheet. Spread hamburger mixture on dough. Cover with cheese slices. Then carefully press together other crescent tube to cover the top. Bake 350 degrees until top is golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve with sour cream and lettuce shreds if you like.

Tami - posted on 11/07/2009

HI, This recipe is pretty easy and taste good.

Pasta with Greens and Beans



8 ounces uncooked spiral pasta

1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage (add spicy sausage to give it a kick)

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bunch escarole or spinach, chopped

1 (15 ounce) can white kidney or cannelini beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup chicken broth (you can use instant if you like but watch the salt)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese



DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta cooks-

in a large skillet, cook sausage, onion and garlic until sausage is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain.

Stir in escarole, beans and broth. Cover and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until escarole is wilted and tender.

Drain pasta

add to vegetable mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Enjoy!

Londa - posted on 11/07/2009

You can bake pork chops or cube steaks on a cookie sheet. Bake them on a low temp. so they don't pop grease everywhere in the oven. Just top them with your favorite spices for mouth watering yumminess. I like to cover the cookie sheet with tin foil, but you have to be diligent when you do that, because your pan may fill with good juices. When it looks like the juices are getting to close to the top, of course take the tin foil off. Just don't bake too long or will get dry and tougher.



There's also fried potatoes and smoked sausage in your skillet, that you can fix.

Londa - posted on 11/07/2009

Have you tried good old fashioned homemade veggie soup yet? or chili? These are fast and easy to make in one pan or a pan and skillet, according to how you want to make them. They are very good on cold days, too. If you would like my recipe for both or just one, email me at novemberswan @ yahoo.com.

Karen - posted on 11/06/2009

So basically you need stove-top dinners only, huh?? Well, there's spaghetti with meat sauce, tacos, sloppy joes ( I have a good sloppy joe recipe that's homemade, if you're not a fan of Manwich). Also quesadillas can be made in the skillet - filling suggestions: cheese, diced chicken, sauteed veggies (onions, bell peppers and tomatoes are our favorites), refried beans, whole pinto or black beans. Mix cooked chicken with rice or egg noodles cooked in chicken broth for a quick dish, add chopped or frozen veggies in with the cooking rice/noodles, if you'd like. I hope this has helped at least a little! Post another reply if you need more help - I love a challenge :-)

Cathy - posted on 11/06/2009

Hi Chrissy! I just passed this recipe on to another mom. It is fast easy, delicious and uses only one pot! I think your whole family will enjoy it as well - mine does!



Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes (One-Pan Meal) 15 minutes

I am not a fan of one-pan meals, but this flavor combination goes together so well that

it seems like they were meant to be together. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. . . . but a LOT healthier!

Ingredients needed

1-pound package diced lean ham

2 (15-ounce) cans sliced new potatoes

2 (14.5-ounce) cans French-style green beans

1/3 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley

1/4 cup French-fried onions, crushed

Instructions

In a 12-inch nonstick saucepan, cook ham on high heat.

While the meat is cooking, drain the potatoes and green beans.

Add the potatoes, green beans, salad dressing, and dried parsley to the cooked ham. Stir until well mixed.

Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to let it simmer for 5 more minutes to heat thoroughly, and to infuse the seasonings and flavors.

Just before serving sprinkle the top with French-fried onions.

Cathy - posted on 11/06/2009

Hi Chrissy! I just passed this recipe on to another mom. I got it from a new cookbook called Busy People's Fast and Frugal recipes. This one is fast easy, delicious and uses only one pot! I think your whole family will enjoy it as well - mine does! You might also want to check out the Cooking for Busy People website. There are alot of free recipes you can get there as well!



Ham, Green Beans, and Potatoes (One-Pan Meal) 15 minutes

I am not a fan of one-pan meals, but this flavor combination goes together so well that

it seems like they were meant to be together. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. . . . but a LOT healthier!

Ingredients needed

1-pound package diced lean ham

2 (15-ounce) cans sliced new potatoes

2 (14.5-ounce) cans French-style green beans

1/3 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley

1/4 cup French-fried onions, crushed

Instructions

In a 12-inch nonstick saucepan, cook ham on high heat.

While the meat is cooking, drain the potatoes and green beans.

Add the potatoes, green beans, salad dressing, and dried parsley to the cooked ham. Stir until well mixed.

Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to let it simmer for 5 more minutes to heat thoroughly, and to infuse the seasonings and flavors.

Just before serving sprinkle the top with French-fried onions.