Ten, 10-Minute Meals

We all have those days when life is hectic and tiring, or maybe the weather is just so gorgeous, that the last thing we want to do is spend time in the kitchen at the end of the day. It can get us dialing takeout or making unhealthy dinner choices as soon as we walk in the door, because the last thing we want to think about is what to make for dinner.

The meal ideas I’m sharing today are for those kinds of days. They’re quicker then takeout and tasty to boot, so everyone can be excited about dinner and you’ll find yourself lounging outside, or on the couch, in no time.

If you keep some of these ideas on hand at all times  you will always have a filling and satisfying dinner, no matter the day.

1. Breakfast Bagels

Toast some bagels and sandwich them with fried eggs, sliced ham and cheese. You can even throw in some greens such as arugula or spinach.

2. Pancakes

Use this pre-made baking mix and you’ll have pancakes on the table in no time. Top with peanut butter or sliced fruit to make them more nutritious.

3. Tuna Salad Sandwich

Mix a can or two of tuna with mayonnaise, dill weed, green onions and salt and pepper. Serve on bread or rolls with cheese, lettuce and pickles.

4. Egg and Ham Burrito

Cook some scrambled some eggs and throw in some chopped ham. Roll them up in tortillas with sour cream, salsa and cheese. Add some veggies if you’ve got them on hand.

5. Pizza Bread

Split french bread or buns in half. Top with pizza sauce, ham or pepperoni (or other desired pizza topping) and cheese. Sprinkle with dried or fresh herbs such as oregano, basil or parsley. Broil until cheese is bubbly.

6. Black Bean Taco Salad

Mix together salad greens with black beans, corn, cheese, olives, baked tortilla chips and chopped bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Top with southwester ranch dressing or salsa and sour cream.

7. Quick Calzones

Mix together your favourite pizza toppings with some pizza sauce and cheese. Stuff the mixture into split pita bread. Grill or broil the pita’s until cheese is melted and filling is heated through, flipping partway through.

8. Omelet

Whisk a couple of eggs together before pouring into a greased hot skillet. Allow to cook, lifting edges so uncooked egg can flow underneath. Once egg is almost set, top with cheese, veggies and meat. Fold the omelet in half and allow to cook until cheese is melted and eggs are set.

9. Greek Salad with Garbanzo Beans

Mix together salad greens with cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, cucumber slices and garbanzo beans (chickpeas). Season with salt and pepper. Top with Greek dressing.

10. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Toss cooked and shredded chicken with barbecue sauce. Heat through, just to warm. Serve on split rolls with with cheese, onions, or other desired toppings.

To round out any of these meals add a simple salad, carrot and celery sticks, fruit or bread.

More Ideas for No-Fuss Dinners:

What are your go-to ten-minute meals?

All photos by Cheri Neufeld.

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20 Comments

  1. It was awesome. These post is perfect, especially to a busy mom like me. I can do a breakfast for my kid with fast and healthy food. Thank you so much, I will add this to my list.

  2. Thanks for sharing. These are great. I’ve been thinking about what to have for breakfast. I’m gonna make a tuna sandwich right now.

  3. I depend on eggs for quick meals – a favorite is huevos rancheros – fried eggs on corn tortillas with cheese, greens, avocado, black beans and salsa.

    In the summer I do a big grilling and then we eat salad with grilled meat and hard boiled eggs for a few days! When I make pancakes, I quadruple the recipe and then freeze the extras.

    http://www.yourhealthyhomebiz.com/squeeze-it-in-cookin-for-the-pressed-for-time-home-biz-owner

    To keep my home biz going and stay healthy, I depend on good home cooked quick meals like these. Great list!

  4. I love these ideas! We actually just had omelets last night. The greek salad sounds really yummy to me. I love the quick calzones idea, too. I have also done pizza quesadillas (use the sauce for dip) or BBQ chicken quesadillas.

  5. Lots of great suggestions here! When it’s nice enough to grill out, we always throw a couple extra chicken breasts or thighs on the grill. When they’re cool, we slice them up and either flash freeze them or throw them in the fridge, knowing we’ve got fresh grilled chicken on hand for pasta, salads, or tacos. Makes the weeknight rush a little easier.

  6. These are great quick and easy meals, they sure do come in handy sometimes. A quick fav snack I make is whole grain tortilla, spread 1 tbsp. your fav nut spread add slices banana a few dries cranberries, cherries or blueberries roll it up, and munch. I would have to say that eggs are usually on the top of my quick go to meals when in a rush.

  7. When it’s nice enough to grill out, we always throw a couple extra chicken breasts or thighs on the grill. Thanks for sharing.

  8. My 10-minute meal only requires 10 minutes of prep time. There is this thing called roasting and it takes another 110 minutes usually. My favorite no prep meal is a roasted chicken and sweet potatoes. And the best part….the next day I can have an easy meal, too with roasted chicken. Easey Peasy!!

    Love Omeletes! A simple and easy meal that feels gourmet.

  9. Great ideas! Our last minute go to meal is always pasta sauteed with spinach, garlic, olive oil and whatever veggies we have on hand (often sun dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers). Add a little bit of feta or parmesan on top, sea salt and freshly ground pepper and maybe some olives . . . yum! And the longest wait is for the water to boil.

  10. I love all the meals that appear on your list. They are quick to make and are incredibly delicious.
    Thanks for sharing.
    -Teressa

  11. Great suggestions, especially now that the warmer weather is coming and I’d much rather be outside enjoying it!

  12. I love this idea–but we don’t eat grains so most of these are out for us 🙁 But I CAN–and really need to–create my own list of ten-minute go-to meals for my own family. During the summer, I feel like I’m preparing food all day long, so it’s so smart to talk about this topic now 🙂

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Glad you’re inspired, Anne, despite the dietary restrictions. Summer food REALLY has to be simplified, doesn’t it? There’s so much else to be doing!

  13. Really helpful ideas here–thanks! I definitely need to find ways to save time on meals this summer because we have a lot to do before we move in August!

  14. Ah tuna sandwich! A must have for me after hitting the gym hard! Tuna on a sandwich is the closest thing to a protein feast for me