Short on time but still want to make a home-cooked meal? We feel you. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 7 tips and tricks that’ll help you get dinner on the table in no time flat. So whether you’re looking to shave minutes off your meal prep or just want to get out of the kitchen ASAP, read on for some seriously helpful hints.
Pre-heat your oven while you’re chopping vegetables.
Every minute counts when you’re trying to get dinner on the table, so give yourself a head start by pre-heating the oven while you’re chopping veggies or browning meat. Not only will this help your food cook faster, but it’ll also ensure that everything comes out nice and crispy (or nice and saucy, depending on what you’re making). Trust us, your family will be impressed.
Get rid of distractions.
One of the biggest culprits when it comes to dinnertime delays? Distractions! Whether it’s the TV, your phone, or little ones running around, it’s tough to focus on cooking when there are things pulling your attention from all sides. Our advice? Turn off the distractions and focus on the task at hand. We promise it’ll help you get dinner on the table in no time.
Use frozen vegetables.
While we’re all for using fresh ingredients, sometimes frozen is just easier (and faster). Seara vegetables are already chopped and ready to go, which means one less step for you when you’re trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Plus, they often cost less than their fresh counterparts—bonus!
Multi-task whenever possible.
If you can chop vegetables while the pasta water is boiling, do it! Every little bit helps when you’re trying to get dinner on the table fast. By multi-tasking whenever possible, you’ll free up valuable time that can be better spent elsewhere (like with your family).
Keep things simple.
When time is tight, it’s best to keep things simple and stick to recipes that don’t require a ton of ingredients or steps. Otherwise, you’ll end up feeling frazzled and stressed—and who needs that? Opt for recipes that have five ingredients or less, and try to avoid anything that requires advance preparation (like marinating the meat overnight).
Make extra for leftovers tomorrow night.
One of the best ways to save time during busy weeknights is to make extra food so you have leftovers for tomorrow night’s dinner. Not only does this mean one less night spent slaving away in the kitchen, but it also gives you a ready-made meal to heat up when you don’t feel like cooking—score! Just be sure to use proper food storage techniques so your leftovers stay fresh until it’s time to eat them.
Get everyone involved.
Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be a solo affair—get everyone in on the action! Whether it’s having your kids set the table or having your partner chop vegetables, involving others in the cooking process can help speed things along while also teaching valuable life skills (like how to cook!). Win-win!
By following these seven tips and tricks, you’ll be whipping up dinner quicker than ever before—we promise! And who knows? With all that extra time saved thanks to your newfound cooking prowess, maybe you’ll even have time for seconds…or dessert! ; )
