Big changes in life, like a new baby in the house, new job, or move are tiring and can get expensive. One of my go-to real ways to save is to prep ahead easy homemade meals.
Today I am sharing 90 easy homemade recipes you can pull together in no time or prep ahead. These meals are going to help me over the coming months as our family preps for our own big move. With the possibility of my husband moving before us, which means me needing to juggle many things alone, I can use all the real ways to save money AND time that I can get.
Wraps and Sandwiches
Wraps and sandwiches are easy to throw together at the last minute. Make sure you have some of these ingredients to take that simple sandwich to a whole new level in not time. I am planning to make and wrap an assortment of sandwiches and wraps the night before we move so I have a tray ready to feed hungry workers. You know this is a real way to save money and they will taste delicious!
- Chicken Bacon Caesar Wraps
- Tuna Cherry Avocado Wraps
- Strawberry Kale Chicken Salad
- Blueberry Chicken Salad
- Tuna Melts
- Vegetable Mushroom Tacos
- Easy Peasy Tuna Salad
- BMAs (Duck Bacon Sandwiches)
- Gluten-free Sandwich Rollups
- 11 Different Grilled Cheese Combos
- Kale Pesto and 6 Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Apple Bacon Gruyere Panini (The Good Mama)
- Homemade Sloppy Joe Sandwiches (O’Boy Organic)
- Skinny Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches (Making Our Life Matter)
- Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce (The Farm Girl Gabs)
- Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap (NEPA Mom)
- Steak Tacos with cilantro radish salsa (Bon Apétit)
Salads
Salads are one of my favorite things to make when we are hitting the road for the day. Instead of spending $6-$9 on a salad at the drive thru, having delicious easy homemade salads for traveling and errand day is a very real way to save money on those desperate fast food purchases.
- Roast Chicken, Kale, and Strawberry Green Salad
- Garlic Chicken Apple Caesar Salads
- White Fish and Roasted Peppers Green Salad
- Mediterranean Rice Salad (The Farm Girl Gabs)
- Beet and Goat’s Cheese Kale Salad
- Crab and Grapefruit Salad with Avocado Salad (The Good Mama)
- Baby Kale and Spinach Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette – make it a meal with some grilled chicken (It is a Keeper)
- Cheeseburger Salad (Pioneer Woman)
- Thai Noodle Salad (My Recipe)
- Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad (RecipeTin Eats)
Soups
Make ahead, batch prepping, and slow cooking or low simmer on the stove. Soups are healthy, hearty, and low maintenance when you are busy around the house. A pot or crock of good soup will give us all dinner and me some easy lunches when I am packing and need real ways to save time.
- Savory Vegetable Soup*
- Hearty Beef Stew
- Creamy Potato Leek Soup
- Butternut Squash Ginger Soup
- Easy Cauliflower Soup
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup (Shared by Facebook reader Kalesha)
- Spicy Sausage, Potato, and Kale Soup
- Chicken, Bean, and Veggie Soup*
- Chicken, Bean, and Spinach Chili
- Chicken Noodle Soup*
- French Onion Soup*
- Butternut Squash Apple Bisque
- Potato and Corn Chowder*
Casseroles, Easy Meals, and One Pot Dishes
Casseroles and one pot meals are generally very easy prep meals and take under an hour to make. They also tend to be great meals to batch prep and turn into freezer meals. This is another real way to save money AND time since it means less time prepping when I am under pressure and gives me something to turn to instead of takeout or fast food.
- Chicken Cheddar Ziti
- Black Bean and Salsa Meatloaf with potatoes or rice
- Applesauce Chicken* (Four Hats and Frugal)
- Quinoa Burrito Bowl
- Broccoli Mushroom Pasta Skillet
- Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta (O’Boy Organic)
- Tuna, Broccoli, and Mushroom Quinoa
- Sausage, Potatoes, and Peas Skillet
- Chickpea and Mushroom Rice Pilaf (Opera Singer in the Kitchen)
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Slow Cooker Sage Chicken and Acorn Squash*
- Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers (Clarissa Explains it All)
- Lime Shrimp, Corn, and Rice Skillet
- Chicken Marsala (NEPA Mom)
- Andouille Sausage, Pepper, and Potato Bake
- Mexican Beef and Rice Layered Casserole
- Rosemary Garlic Chicken Quarters * (Southern Living – shared by Facebook reader Kalesha)
- Philly Cheese Steak Loaded Baked Potato
- Easy Tomato Beef and Rice Skillet
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – (Yummy Healthy Easy – shared by Facebook reader Kalesha)
- Homemade Hamburger Helper (Four Hats and Frugal)
- Peachy Chicken (Four Hats and Frugal)
- Saute cubed chicken and throw it in with Coconut Curry Rice (Afropolitan Mom)
- Balsamic Chicken with Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta (O’Boy Organic)
- Potato Chip Pie – isn’t quite a “no processed meals” I had to add. We all need a bit of comfort on stress filled days, right? (shared by FB reader, Kalesha)
- Beef Kofta Curry with fluffy rice, beans, and peas – 15 minutes if your rice and beans are already made (Jamie Oliver)
- Whole Wheat Chicken and Kale Empanadas (Real Food, Whole Families)
- Zucchini Noodles with Cherry Tomato Garlic Cream Sauce (How Sweet it Is)
- Slow Cooker Southwestern Stuffed Peppers (SkinnyMs.)*
- Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti Squash (Eatwell 101)
30 Minute Meals (Or Less)
Time is a precious commodity, especially when you are adjusting to big changes in life. These meals can be made in 30 minutes and make your life much easier while saving sanity and giving your family a good meal.
- Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
- Ginger Garlic Beef and Broccoli over 5 Spice Carrot Rice
- Vegetarian Beefy Mac and Cheese
- Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta (Real Simple)
- Tilapia with Green Beans (Shared by Facebook reader Elizabeth)
- Easy Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken (It is a Keeper) – keep it easy and serve with Veetee Rice
- Mushroom Beef Tacos
- Black Pepper Pasta with Rainbow Chard and White Beans (The Good Mama)
- Parmesan Shrimp Scampi with Linguine (NEPA Mom)
- Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach and White Beans (Vegging at the Shore)
- Chicken and Pepper Stir Fry (NEPA Mom)
- Easy Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Kabobs – 15 minute meal
- Lemon Pepper Pork Chops – serve with egg noodles or pasta and a veggie for a 30 minute meal (Souffle Bombay)
- Gnocchi with Speck Ham and Garlic Butter Sauce (It is a Keeper)
- Baked Ziti (Thank You Honey)
- BBQ Chickpea Burger (Opera Singer in the Kitchen)
- Red Beans and Rice with Sausage and Eggplant (Rachael Ray)
- One Pan Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Rice with Black Beans (Cooking Classy)
- 15 Minute Mediterranean Pasta (Girl Gone Gourmet)
- Chipotle Chicken Fajitas (Southern Living)
*Denotes a Slow Cooker Recipe