If you are also a full-time student with a part-time job, dinner can be a challenge. After a long day of using your brain for schoolwork and your other responsibilities, reaching for the phone to order takeout might sound more appealing than the thought of spending an hour making a well-balanced meal. However, there are cheaper and healthier alternatives to this that will not only nourish you but impress your friends when they come over and can be made in no time at all. Here are my five favorite dinners for when I cannot be bothered to make dinner.
- Beans and Greens
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Sauteing onions and garlic in a pan with olive oil and your favorite spices is the start of any great meal, and adding canned beans and spinach or kale only makes it better. Wilt the greens with broth or wine (or both) and you have a warm stew for a winter night!
- Chicken with Potatoes, Peas and Gravy
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While waiting for your pot of water to boil, sear the seasoned chicken parts in oil. When they are cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and add a splash of water or stock. Once it is simmering, gradually whisk in flour until it reaches your preferred thickness. Add the frozen peas and chicken back to the pan, add potatoes to the water, and drain them once they are soft. Add butter, salt and pepper to the potatoes, smash them and you have a plate better than Boston Market!
- Salad
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If you want something light or a side dish for something else, salad is the perfect healthy meal. Just whisk your favorite dressing and add anything you like to the bowl! My favorite add-ons for salad are red onion, apple, kalamata or black olives, Feta cheese, pepperoncini and any kind of nut or scallion.
- Stir Fry
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Chop up any vegetables you have and fry them in vegetable or grapeseed oil. Once they are well-cooked, add soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic paste (if you like spice) and a store-bought, soy-based sauce to taste. Enjoy with rice or chopped lettuce (pro-tip: make extra rice so the leftovers can become fried rice!).
- Rigatoni with Pesto
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One of the most delicious pasta sauces and it’s also very simple to make! Blend or finely chop pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, basil, olive oil, garlic and pepper. When it forms into a paste, toss with cooked pasta and more olive oil. This keeps very well and any leftovers can be tomorrow’s lunch as well!