Quick recipes for one?

jessicagrieshaber

I need some ideas for quick, healthy recipes that I can make for one. I work from 6:30am - 5pm every day and head to the gym straight from work, so I don't even get home until about 6:30 at night. This leaves me zero time for food prep or to cook an intrinsic meal for myself. I'm trying to stray away from the same old pan seared chicken breast or canned tuna for dinner every single night.

Does anyone have any ideas for quick meals that I can make for myself (I live alone)? Crockpot recipes are welcomed for the convenience!

Thanks!

Mnecka

This is one of my favorite...

Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken – Serves 4
Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 4+ hours

http://www.emilylovesfood.com/2012/11/20/slow-cooker-sesame-chicken/

Missjulesdid

I love to have taco or fajita meat on hand. it's easy to prepare, flavorful, no empty calories, and will keep for days in the fridge. You just come home nuke the premade meat and build a taco on a tortilla, flatbread or romaine lettuce leaf.

Lentil soup: take a pot, put a bit of oil in it. toss 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped carrots, 1 minced garlic clove, and some chopped celery if you want.. cook it until onions are translucent.. I like to brown the carrots a bit, but it's not necessary add 1/3 cup of rinsed split red lentils (they're actually orange) and a cup of chicken broth. simmer for 20ish minutes adding more water as necessary. when lentils are broken up and the soup is thick and not just watery with lentils in it, add a few fistfulls of fresh baby spinach. Salt and pepper to taste. serve with a few squeezes of fresh lemon.

Toasteroven cheesy tomatoes.

one beefsteak tomato, cut in half horizontally, stuff the pulpy areas with feta and ricotta/cottage cheese, sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano, basil and drizzle with evoo. add some parmesan/romano and some mozzarella. bake in the toaster oven at 350 until the tomato is cooked and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

oremus1

pre packaged stir fry vegetables (the one where is just precut veggies in a bag)

put in pan. add oil. fry. season. eat.

from baggie to tummy in 10 min

mizroxy13

Do you have any time/day to food prep for the week? I find that this helps me a great deal, even if I can do it for the next three days. Mainly washing and preparing all my veg, steaming sweet potatoes or pre-cooking rice. I find that this helps with lack of time when I get home and stops me from eating something I shouldn't because half of the meal is already prepared. Then I just cook a protein in ten minutes or less and season how I want, then add to my carb/veg of choice.

I'm one of those cooks that just throws things together, so I'm sorry for not having specific recipes! Just thought this might help!

eleanoreb

do you eat fish?

http://www.doubletroublekitchenedition.com/2014/09/blackened-trout-with-mango-salsa.html

or quinoa with mushrooms

http://www.doubletroublekitchenedition.com/2014/05/quinoa-gwyneth-paltrow-style.html

LookingBusy

My hubby works away from home for most of the week (and I typically get home around 6:30 or 7:00pm too) so I know the struggle!

Here are some things that work for me:

- Salads! I always have plenty of toppers on hand to switch up my salads. Frozen baby shrimp (they defrost in minutes), cheese, nuts, canned salmon/tuna, beans, chickpeas, etc.

- Spaghetti squash. I cook it on a day I have time then eat the leftovers different ways throughout the week. With tomato sauce, as a crispy, spicy, pancake, etc.

- Baked potato (start in the microwave, finish in the oven, add whatever you have on hand)

- Make a big batch of soup or chili and reheat as needed. Just pull it out of the freezer in the morning. I like Thai Coconut Curry soup as it reheats well.

- Zucchini noodles and jarred past sauce. Takes 5 min to prep.

- Black bean tacos. Literally beans, taco seasoning, topping. I toss mine in a pan for a few mins to make them crispy.

- Eggs. However you like it. Egg salad can be made in advance, but over easy are soooo good.

- Rotisserie chicken - cut up and added to different meals for the week. Or frozen in to pre-made single serve containers.

- Grilled sandwiches. Grilled cheese. Or whatever is at home. Just heat it up in the pan.

- Lettuce wraps. Either use deli meat or cook some ground turkey (takes 5 min). Put in the lettuce cup with some spicy mayo and tomatoes.

Just some ideas. Good luck!