What We've Been Cooking

If you're like me, you’ve been searching high and low for small bright spots during all of this. One for me has been having more time to cook! I’m normally out the door early in the morning and I don’t get back until late at night. The last thing I want to do is cook, so I usually try my best to meal prep on Sundays or Mondays and then just eat one meal throughout the week. 

But this time has brought back the true joy of cooking for me. I’ve had a lot of fun piecing together meals every day from what we have in our pantry. I’ve been utilizing my audiobooks during cooking and it’s made it even more fun. 

They’re pretty easy recipes and can substituted with so many things! 

Baked Mac N’Cheese

A classic comfort dish with a little something extra to bring in some veggies and sophistication. 

1 Box of Mac N Cheese—we like Annie’s white cheddar shells

Bread Crumbs 

Protein—we typically use the prepared chicken sausage from Trader Joe’s but you can use anything! Ground beef or turkey, shredded chicken, whatever! 

Frozen Veggies—can do fresh too! Broccoli is our fav but it’s also yummy with Brussel sprouts, asparagus, spinach, peas, or butternut squash! 

And it’s as easy as it sounds! Prepared the noodles as instructed and then toss the cheese sauce, veggies, and cooked protein in. Move into a baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs—just a enough for flavor and crunch! 

Bake at 400 for 20-25 mins, depending on how crunchy you like it! 

Honey Mustard Chicken 

A classic comfort meal for us and SO easy! 

1 cup Dijon Mustard 

1 1/2 cups Honey

Add either to taste or until it is a runny constituency

Marinate chicken for at least 30 mins

You can bake it but we like to pan fry it! I use a meat thermometer to make sure it is properly cooked. 

I like to serve it with roasted asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 400 for 25 mins. 

Rice or risotto is also a great side dish! 

Easy Fried Rice

White or brown rice

Mixed veggies—we like traditional corn, peas, carrots and can totally be frozen or canned! 

Olive oil 

Butter 

Soy Sauce 

Egg

Large drizzle of oil into skillet, crack one egg into the skillet, scramble, add in rice. Drizzle in soy sauce to taste and add frozen veggies. Stir occasionally for crunchy rice! 

You can also add any protein to this as well! Great to make a big batch and have for lunches at home. 

We’ve also loved having taco nights and then using left over taco meat on avocado toast for breakfast. Grilled cheese and tomato soup as been on rotation as well as meatloaf and spaghetti and meatballs. 

And there you have it—some easy meals with minimal ingredients!