Every year after Christmas, I get in a meal planning rut. I don’t feel like cooking – why can’t we all just eat cheese and crackers every day? And why do these people keep coming to me wanting more food?
When I had this rut the first time, it bothered me. Because I actually enjoy cooking. The second year, it felt familiar. Now, well over a decade into this whole home management routine, I know to expect it…except, it keeps lasting longer. And I wonder – will this eventually be a year-long thing? Ha ha!
I have several fast and easy meals that I go to when this happens. A lot of them are in two of my favorite cookbooks: Good Cheap Eats in 30 Minutes and Great Food Fast.
But, I do have a list of 10 that are all online – and I wanted to share them with you in case you ever experience this rut. Surely I’m not alone.
A lot of these call for ground beef – but you can easily use ground venison, ground turkey, or ground chicken for some variety. I was scarred for life with ground chicken when I was pregnant with Andy, soooooooooo – you can keep your ground chicken to yourself. Thanks.
10 Easy Meals When You’re in a Slump
- The BEST Sloppy Joes ever (serve over baked potatoes for fun)
- One Pot Spaghetti
- Cheater Korean Beef (we like this over rice with stir-fry veggies)
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff (good with peas on the side!)
- Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole (meatless!)
- Buffalo Crack Slaw (good with steamed carrots)
- BLT Quesadilla Wraps (chips are a good combo – I ain’t hatin’ on chips)
- Cowboy Beans (these cry out for cornbread)
- Pasta with White Bean Sauce (served with steamed broccoli, this one is on point! Extra score for hidden beans)
- Bacon Egg Avocado and Tomato Salad (I always serve with crackers)
Boom. What are your go-to meals for a quick fix?
I’ve pinned this as “Ground Meat Go-Tos!”
Thanks for the list, I’m making sloppy joes and spaghetti this week.
I’ve been a follower for a long time and love your blog.
Glad the list was helpful! We appreciate you reading the blog 🙂
— Julie, HH Team
Thanks! I pinned this and will be revisiting it very soon! You always have great recipes. I’ve tried several and they are always a hit. I also wanted to tell you how much I LOVE seeing your smile in your new photo! I’m a photographer, so I tend to look for certain expressions in portraits. I know you have been too self conscious to smile in the past and I love that you’ve gained a new confidence! You are a beautiful lady, inside and out! Thanks for sharing your heart and life with us! God bless.
Thank you! It was hard…but I’m learning. 🙂 A 35 year habit is hard to break.
Thanks Stacy, these ALL look wonderful.
Hope you like them!
Thanks Stacy! I’ve definitely hit that slump lately. Printed up most of these! Blessings to y’all. 🙂
Glad I’m not alone here in my slump.
Great post! One of my many favorites!
🙂 I love you, Lisa.
My family’s favorites when I’m in a cooking slump are:
-Waffles and sausage patties
-Quesidillas
-Noodle stir fry with spaghetti noodles, veggies, and whatever cooked meat I have in the freezer
Great post!
YES to quesadillas! You might like those wraps then at the bottom.
Thanks for posting this! How do you know I was on the verge of a meal slump? That cheater Korean beef recipe looks delish! Some of my favorite flavors with less work 😀
Yes, and we all need less work. Ha ha! 🙂