Please help with meal ideas?!

Please help with meal ideas?

First I am not the best cook. I just tend to not be real focused or patient lol My husband also gets home at 10pm and there are just the two of us.

Because of this we usually do not eat real meals at all. It is something like frozen pizza or take out :( But I would like to change that and atleast throw some real meals in there.

One problem is that with just us two if I make a meal alot of it goes to waste. if we only eat like 1/4 of it yeah we may eat alittle leftovers but the rest usually gets thrown out.

So I need some simple ideas that I can throw together for us.

My honey gets home late and by that time I have usually fed our two kiddos. I suggest that you purchase some small casserole dishes, like 1 - 1/2 quart Corningware casserole dish with plastic snap-on tops. I own several of these, and when I have extra time, I'll whip up a casserole and stick it in the freezer with a piece of tape saying what it is and how to cook it. Even my honey can take one out and cook for himself if he needs to!!!

Here are some very easy casserole recipes that I make. remember to cut the recipes in HALF so that it not only fits in the smaller dishes, but you won't have so many leftovers either!


BAKED CAVATAPPI

7 ounces dried cavatelli or wagon wheel macaroni
12 ounces uncooked Italian sausage links, sliced 1/2 inch thick, or lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 26-ounce jar pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; set aside.

In a large skillet cook the sausage, onion, and garlic until sausage is brown; remove from skillet. Drain.

In a large bowl stir together pasta sauce, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and the pepper. Add the cooked pasta and the drained sausage mixture. Stir gently to combine. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.

Bake, covered, in a 375 oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until nearly heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Makes 5 to 6 servings.


CHEESY TUNA CASSEROLE

1 bag (16 oz.) frozen vegetable blend with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower (3 cups)
1 pkg. (14 oz.)Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
1 can (12 oz.) or 2 cans (6 oz. each) white tuna in water, drained
1 cup Milk Shredded ReducedSharp Cheddar Cheese, divided

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Place vegetables in colander in sink. Cook Macaroni as directed on package. Pour over vegetables in colander to drain and quickly thaw vegetables.

RETURN macaroni and vegetables to same saucepan. Add Cheese Sauce, milk and dressing; mix well. Add tuna and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese; mix well. Spoon into 2-qt. round casserole dish; cover with foil.

BAKE 35 min. or until heated through. Uncover; top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Bake an additional 3 to 4 min. or until cheese is melted.


CHEESY FIESTA BAKE

1-1/2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 can (15 oz.) chili with beans
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) VELVEETA cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup Chunky Salsa

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook chicken in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray 5 to 7 min. or until cooked through, stirring frequently.

DRAIN macaroni. Add to chicken in skillet. Stir in chili, peppers, garlic, VELVEETA and salsa. Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 20 min. or until heated through. Stir before serving.


PORK CHOP CASSEROLE

4 pork chops
4 cups sliced potatoes
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste grated American cheese

Brown pork chops. Place potatoes in greased 2-quart baking dish. Mix together soup, milk, onion, salt, and pepper. Pour over potatoes. Place pork chops over potatoes; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake uncovered at 375° F. for about 60 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.