Quick Meals – How to Prepare Quick Meals Now That the Kids Are Back in School

When the kids go back to school, you might think you’re going to have more time on your hands. But it usually doesn’t work out that way. Everyone’s schedule instantly gets cluttered with things like homework, sports, social outings, and the occasional family break.

As you deal with the hustle and bustle of back to school, the last thing you want is having to create a complex meal calendar. Simple is better. But you also want tasty food and a variety of options. Here are some quick meals you can prepare that are delicious and won’t take too much time.

Ravioli Casserole

If you’re looking for something simple and fast, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. It only has six ingredients and two steps.

Ingredients:

● 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese ravioli
● 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
● 3 ½ cups pasta sauce
● 2 cups small curd cottage cheese
● ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
● Fresh parsley, minced (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook ravioli per the package directions. In a 13X9 inch baking dish (ungreased), spread 1 cup pasta sauce. Layer half the ravioli on top of the sauce, followed by 1 ¼ cups sauce, 1 cup cottage cheese, and 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese.
2. Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes until the casserole is cooked through and bubbly. Cut and serve.

Lemon Butter Shrimp and Broccoli

If you own a skillet, this lemon butter shrimp and broccoli dish is a simple and yummy meal.

Ingredients:

● 1 12-oz bag of jumbo easy peel frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined)
● 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
● 4 garlic cloves, minced
● 1 lemon, freshly juiced
● 1 lemon, sliced
● 4 tbsp unsalted butter
● 1 tbsp olive oil
● Salt and pepper
● Pinch of red pepper flakes, crushed
● 1 pouch of brown rice or quinoa

Preparation:

1. Pat and completely dry your shrimp with a paper towel.
2. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove the broccoli and place on a plate.
3. Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper then cook in the skillet for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Add the garlic cloves.
4. Add the remaining 2 tbsp butter to the skillet, the lemon juice, and the lemon slices. Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes.
5. Add the broccoli back to the skillet and toss together. Serve with your choice of rice on the side.

Baked Swiss Chicken

This is another simple and tasty recipe that only has a few ingredients and steps to get you from the kitchen to the dinner table on those busy school days.

Ingredients:

● 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
● 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
● 6 slices Swiss cheese
● ½ cup white wine or chicken broth
● 1 cup crushed croutons

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a 13X9 inch greased baking dish, line the chicken breasts along the bottom. Combine the soup and wine in a small bowl and then pour the mixture over the chicken. Top with the cheese and sprinkle with crushed croutons.
2. Bake uncovered for about 35-40 minutes or until the chicken temperature reads 165 degrees. Serve with your favorite side dish.

Crispy Baked Quesadillas

These baked quesadillas are delicious and a favorite of adults and kids of all ages. And you can play around with the ingredients to create something your family will love.

Ingredients:

● 3-4 8-inch flour tortillas
● 1 pound cooked turkey taco meat, spiced to your liking
● 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
● 1- 1 ½ cup salsa
● 1 ½ cup grated Mexican cheese
● Olive oil
● Shredded lettuce and sour cream for toppings

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with some olive oil.
2. Place each tortilla on the baking sheet and fill one side with a layer of the cooked turkey, black beans, salsa, and cheese. Fold the tortilla over and brush with olive oil.
3. Bake for 8 minutes. Gently turn over and bake for 8 more minutes. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Do Your Quick Meal Shopping at Nick’s of Clinton

When you’re preparing these quick meals, you want the high-quality and most affordable ingredients. For over 50 years, Nick’s of Clinton has been delivering a full-service experience to customers throughout Southern Maryland. Our business was built on the foundation of a combination of top-level customer services and superior-quality products.

When you shop at Nick’s, we offer one-stop shopping for all your grocery needs, including a full-service meat department and deli and Nick’s signature line of products. Stop in and visit us today.