During fall's fast-paced days, it's easy to let home cooking slip by the wayside. But don't be deterred: making dinner doesn't have to involve an abundance of ingredients, dishes or time. By cleverly combining store-bought goods with proteins or grains, you can create a nourishing meal in minutes. Better yet, you can do it with five ingredients or less (not counting the basics every kitchen should have on board-salt, pepper, olive oil and butter). Read on to discover our favorite dishes that can be ready in a flash.
Ravioli with Sauteed Butternut Squash and Thyme
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Store bought cheese ravioli gets dressed up for fall with a savory mix of butternut squash, garlic and fresh thyme, plus a generous dusting of salty Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Ingredients- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium butternut squash (about 1 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2-in. pieces
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp small fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 16-oz pkg cheese ravioli (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 oz)
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the squash, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes.
- Add the garlic and thyme and cook, uncovered, tossing occasionally, until the squash is tender and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, cook the ravioli according to package directions. Transfer the ravioli to plates, top with the squash mixture and sprinkle with the Parmesan.
Pierogis & Cabbage Recipe
Frozen pierogi is surprisingly heart-healthy, and it's available in an array of flavors, making it a great staple for weeknight dinners. It's even better when paired with flavorful cabbage dressed in balsamic vinegar and whole-grain mustard.
Photo: Antonis Achilleos/Woman's Day
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Recipe
Simple and elegant, this dish pairs grilled skirt steak with a piquant sauce that's made by mixing store-bought cilantro-lime pesto with ground cumin and black pepper.
Photo: Gemma Comas/Woman's Day
Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto Recipe
Risotto isn't hard to prepare, but it can be time-consuming. Save the effort for another day with this creamy, quick-cook version that pairs packaged risotto with plump shrimp and fresh asparagus.
Photo: Gemma Comas/Woman's Day
Chicken Sorrento Recipe
This dish takes just 15 minutes from stove to table: Simply sauté boneless, skinless chicken breasts, then simmer them with frozen stir-fry vegetables and a creamy Italian dressing.
Photo: John Uher/Woman's Day
Wasabi-Crusted Salmon
Rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is terrific for you, and super-easy to prepare. For this recipe, simply coat it with a mix of panko crumbs and chopped wasabi-soy almonds, and bake.
Photo: Gemma Comas/Woman's Day
No need to order pizza for delivery when you can grill up some pocketless pitas topped with mozzarella and store-bought bruschetta. To jazz it up, use whatever you have on hand, including grilled chicken, shrimp, or arugula and Parmesan.
Photo: Mary Ellen Bartley/Woman's Day
Dijon-Crusted Pork Chops
Pork chops, coated in Dijon mustard and breadcrumbs and pan-fried until crisp, are a quick-cooking protein perfect for weeknights-especially when served alongside egg noodles with mixed veggies.
Photo: Mary Ellen Bartley/Woman's Day
Asian Chicken Thighs
Marinating chicken before cooking makes it more succulent (and flavorful). Luckily, it's not as difficult as it sounds; for this recipe, simply combine teriyaki sauce, oil and garlic in a zip-top bag and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Photo: Alison Miksch/Woman's Day
Article originally appeared on WomansDay.com.
You Might Also Like:
10 Speedy Back-to-School Suppers
10 Things You Can Clean In the Dishwasher
Streamline Your School Morning Routine
10 Marriage Rules You Should Break
8 Foods That Help You Live Longer
