These are dinners for the time consumed. What's great is that so many of these are used with things you can stock up on and that you may already have on hand. (frozen vegetables, canned foods, etc). There are no strict recipes on these either, just ingredients. So you don't have to worry about finding it in your recipe cabinet or your Cookn database. It's just in your head, and the amount of each ingredient will be guided by your tastebuds.

Tuna, Peas, and Toast

In a skillet, warm canned tuna fish, a little bit of milk (to give it a creamy texture), and peas. Spread on toast, salt and pepper, and enjoy with a side of fruit.

Tostada

Optional: add green chiles and taco seasoning to your refried beans, and milk if you want a creamier texture. Spread on a tortilla and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in an oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and tortilla is slightly toasted. Eat with sour cream, corn, tomatillos, salsa, lettuce, or whatever else you desire.

Pancakes and Fruits

If you have a pancake mix, this is a FAST dinner. Top it with blueberries or strawberries and eat with a side of eggs to complete the meal and add more nutrition.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Canned chicken with mayonnaise makes you're base, then you add whatever else you want. I add mustard, apple cider vinegar, olives, grapes, apples, and celery. If you don't like celery, the apples are a great option. They're sweet and complimentary and yet give it that crisp goodness. (Fuji work best in this case because of their sweet flavor and crisp texture). They do not have to be served on a croissamt. They are still delicious!

BBQ Sandwiches

Just like above, easily open that can of chicken. Then just add BBQ sauce. You can add cucumbers or have those on the side and if people want to add them to their sandwich for texture they can. I used the BBQ chicken sandwich lifesaver yesterday after coming home late because we needed to head out again within the hour. It went perfect, and we have leftovers!

Mashed Potato Casserole

If you have instant mashed potatoes or leftover mashed 'taters this works great. It can be used as a side or a main dish. Slice Vienna sausages in half and lay them on the bottom of a greased glass pan. Top with prepared mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheese. Cook, covered, in a 350 degree oven until warmed through. It's usually about 20 minutes.

Rice and veggies (or frozen, cooked meat)

Prepare your rice, warm your meat, veggies, or both. Add soy sauce and serve.

Messy Tacos

Quickly fry corn tortillas in a skillet of oil (literally just dip them in. It softens them). Eat with cooked ground beef, beans, and corn all prepared in a skillet. Top with ketchup and cheese. Roll it all into your corn tortilla. Prepare to use a fork!

Ham and Cheese Biscuits

If you have refrigerated biscuits, these are simple. Bake your biscuits, add a slice of ham, cheese, and egg. Warm in an oven and serve.

Salad Bar

Open a can of kidney beans for your protein, or cook some hardboiled eggs, and you can make your salad the meal. Make it fun by bringing to the table everyone's favorite topping. (including the three-year-old by introducing the goldfish. Hey, if it helps them eat the salad J)

Obviously, not all of these are complete meals, Be conscientious about making a balanced meal by adding fresh fruit, veggies or whatever else you feel necessary. Sometimes, though, we need that quick dinner so our family, not the food is the focus. Always be thankful you have the food and give thanks to who you feel necessary.