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Health & Fitness

29 Minute Meals

Tips and recipes for quick and easy dinners!

Let's start off by saying I do NOT want to get sued by a certain tv chef who (A) people tell me I look like all the time, (B) created a multi million dollar empire for herself by starting out helping folks shop in the grocery store for ingredients to make quick dinners and (C) is my mentor whom I've met several times. 

That being said, let's talk about dinners! 

Fast ones; ones that are hot and on the table in 29 minutes (or less!). You say it can't be done? I challenge you! I make dinner for my family most nights during the week and I promise you that I am not slouched over my stove for hours and hours stirring bubbling pots. With a little planning (and grocery store tips) as well as a few quick recipes, you will have less stress in the kitchen, and will absolutely be creating healthier meals for your family to enjoy.

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I love to write my own recipes. I sit down with a magazine or a cookbook and take a little bit of that, and a piece of something else, add in a pinch of something unexpected and bam! A new meal is created. I test it. I throw it away. I test it again, using more of one ingredient and less of another. I perfect it. I realize not everyone has the time, patience, or wackiness that I do in order to make up their own original dinners so I'm going to share a few of my favorites. When I see people in town, I expect many compliments and cries of "Bless you, dinner goddess!" or just a simple "Your dinners rock!" will suffice. Let's go over a few simple rules starting with the grocery store.

1. Thou shalt not go every day. Who are you? You know you do it...! Cooking takes some planning ahead. I am the first to admit I forget an ingredient I need and have to run out and grab it, but for the most part make a list and pick one day of the week to do a "big shop". Trust me, having the proper ingredients in the house is the first step to quick dinner success!

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2. Thou shall buy what the family likes. I'm going to give you a recipe for tilapia. Hate fish? DON'T buy it! If you told me to cook liver, I'd cook it up then drop it off at YOUR house cause I'm not eating it! Think about what you and your family prefer. Try new healthy choices (subbing turkey for beef is an example or picking a vegetarian night during the week) but don't go out of your comfort zone! 

3. The KISS principle. Keep is simple, silly (this article is rated G for all audiences. Feel free to sub in another "S" word when the kids aren't around). Weeknight dinners for families aren't supposed to be complicated, lengthy, or take forever to get on the table! Most of us are getting home from work and need something we can put together fast. Or have one, two, or several kids needing to go to sports practice, doing homework, or simply whining! Here's where my recipes come in.

Other then candy bacon (referance my first blog here!) I try and cook healthy meals for my family. I'm not going to preach about organic vs non organic, or low carb, etc- I just want to share with you a few of my tried and true favorites. Adapt them in any way you see fit to make them work for your family. You may think your child hates fish, but have they actually tried it? Be open minded and you may be surprised!

My first recipe that both kids and adults love, is my sweet and sour meatballs. E as in easy! The ingredients could not be more simple. 

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 can of jellied cranberry sauce
  • 1 can of chili sauce

Melt cranberry sauce into chili sauce in the pan until bubbly. Mix ground meat with a pinch of salt and pepper, roll into little balls, drop into melted cranberry chili mixture. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes. Meatballs will cook in the sauce! Serve over rice or whole grain pasta with a veggie on the side. DONE! 

Recipe number 2-Tilapia Francese

  • 4-6 pieces of fish—Use fresh or defrosted tilapia, either one works!
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 cup of white wine (or chicken stock if you prefer not to use wine)
  • Olive oil

Coat large frying pan with small amount of olive oil and heat over low flame. Beat eggs in bowl and dip fish first in flour, then into eggs. Sautee coated tilpia in pan until fish is white in the middle (approx 4 minutes per side). Pour white wine or stock directly over hot fish and squeeze lemon into the mixture. Let bubble on the stove until wine and lemon are combined over fish. Serve with rice and spinach! You can use chicken instead of fish with this one too. Yum!

Last but not least, recipe number 3-Nachos! Who doesn't love nachos? The best thing about this recipe is the number of ways you can change this up and keep making it different! Here's my healthy spin on nachos that will please everyone at your table!

  • 1 bag of whole grain tortilla chips
  • 1 shredded rotisserie chicken breast (told you it would be easy!)
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

Place chips on a large platter. Chop up rotisserie chicken breast and spread over chips. Pour milk into small saucepan until it bubbles. Add in shredded cheese and using a whisk, stir until it forms a smooth sauce. Chop onion, and avocado. Pour cheese sauce over chicken and chips, then sprinkle chopped onion, avocado, and black beans over all of it. Tailgating? CHECK. Movie night? CHECK. Family dinner? CHECK. This recipe can be made with beef, and shredded pepper jack. All vegetarian with extra beans and soy cheese. You choose! Keep changing it up! I guarantee it will be a winner.

All three meals featured in this blog are easily done in 29 minutes or less. Remember my grocery store tips and you will be on your way to homemade dinners in no time. YOU'RE WELCOME!

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