By Myscha Theriault

Trying to bridge the gap from dining out to eating in? Looking for quick meals that are reasonably healthy? Here are seven simple ideas to start reducing delivery and takeout costs. Think quick meals  have to be boring? Read on for inspiration.

Quick Meals:

Salmon Steaks

Put two in the toaster oven to broil, along with some chunked up potatoes. Depending on the thickness of each, you should be done in twenty minutes. This is ten minutes faster than basic pizza delivery services usually promise. Line the tray with tin foil to ease cleanup, and put some asparagus spears on to steam for the last 2-3 minutes. If potatoes and asparagus don’t float your boat, here are some additional ideas for simple side dishes.

Angel Hair Pasta and Pesto

Angel hair takes two minutes to boil, and if you are starting from room temperature the pesto takes no extra prep at all. Serve with white wine and a side salad of organic mixed greens from the warehouse store. This is about as easy as it gets when it comes to quick meals that are also elegant.  

Gourmet Sandwiches

BLT’s, bruschetta, shrimp toast and wraps are some of our favorite ways to go. Gourmet tuna melts or English muffin pizzas would also be fun options. Don’t forget breakfast-for-dinner sandwiches, as well oven baked veggie burgers.

Cranberry-Walnut Dinner Salad

Mixed organic spring greens, chopped tomatoes and diced onions form a simple and affordable base. Add dried cranberries, walnut pieces and crumbled feta cheese with the salad dressing of your choice. This salad is loaded with flavor and hunger-satisfying protein, making it perfect for lunch as well as a light dinner. Toss some foil-wrapped garlic bread from the store in the oven and serve with your favorite dinner beverage. Here are some other great salad ideas.

Pork Chops

Toss some boneless ones on the grill and throw some basmati in the rice cooker. Microwave some organic frozen broccoli and jazz up the whole meal with an easy and affordable peanut sauce in the blender.  Cook extra pork chops to use for other quick meals throughout the week, such as this affordable pancit recipe or pork fried rice.

Polynesian Chicken

It doesn’t get much easier than this, people. My version of Polynesian chicken calls for three ingredients and some leftover rice in the microwave. If you want a little more than soy sauce over the top and don’t feel like a “from scratch” sauce, try a bottom of the jar recipe for sweet and sour sauce made from jam or marmalade.

Shrimp and Snow Peas

This another one you can serve with rice, which is one of my favorite simple side dishes you can make on the cheap. Pre-cooked shrimp with the shells removed and rinse-and-dump snow peas take three minutes maximum to stir fry. If you have leftover basmati  to microwave, you’ve got yourself a meal in less than five minutes.

Related Readings:

What are your favorite ideas for quick meals? Do you have any that are particularly stylish or frugal? Remember to sound off in the comment section below.

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This article is from Wise Bread.