Recipe Shortcuts When You Don't Feel Like Cooking

Busy long days may call for some kitchen hacks and shortcuts. Here's looking at you frozen meatballs, chicken tenders, or refrigerated biscuit dough. Everything tastes like you spent all day on it!

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Scratch Cooking is Lovely. Sometimes It’s Not Realistic.

I’ve been food blogging, recipe developing, creating, testing, and photographing food for 16 1/2 years at Averie Cooks. And you know what? Sometimes I cannot bear to make a totally from-scratch dinner. And you know what? I don’t care at all! I consult my freezer stash from Trader Joe’s and see what I can come up with.

These recipes are geared to take some common frozen foods, pantry staples, or prepared items and turn it into something greater (than just a bag of frozen meatballs that you nuke).

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts mentality - everything tastes better when it’s doctored up with some other ingredients and quick TLC. Or if you’re old enough to remember the show on Food Network, Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee, that’s what we’re vibing on here.

Make sure to also check out my Easy Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken or Leftover Chicken!

10 Easy Recipes Using Ingredient Shortcuts and Hacks

Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice 🥕🥡🫛 One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never want takeout again after tasting how good homemade is! Use microwavable packets of Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice (or similar). Way more flavor, not greasy, with loads of juicy chicken nestled in seasoned rice along with peas, carrots, and green onions. A true FAVORITE dish and a reader favorite for a decade!

Slow Cooker Meatball Casserole 🎉🧀 If you like meatball sub sandwiches, you’re going to LOVE this EASY meatball casserole recipe! Layered with juicy frozen meatballs, biscuit dough, store bought marinara, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s irresistible comfort food! Whether you want to make it for hectic weeknights and picky eaters or for a game day party with hungry fans, it’s a cinch and your Crock-Pot does all the work!

Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl is is a super popular recipe that uses a bag of coleslaw mix to get started! 🧡💚🍜 These ground chicken egg roll bowls are easy, ready in 15 minutes, full of flavor, have lots of texture, and are way healthier than actual egg rolls! Pair the stir-fry with steamed or cauliflower rice and a simple green salad for a full meal!

Chicken tenders (either frozen or buy them from your grocery deli counter) just got tastier with this Crunchy Thai Peanut Chicken Salad with Chicken. Crispy chicken, crunchy cabbage, carrots, peanuts, cilantro and the EASIEST and BEST homemade peanut sauce that coats every bite!! A salad that you’ll CRAVE over and over!

🍚🥑🥢Made with your favorite frozen potstickers to save time, these QUICK and EASY Potsticker Rice Bowls are perfect for lunches or busy weeknights! I like to use avocado, edamame, and cucumbers but this is a FLEXIBLE recipe based on what you enjoy! Easily swap the rice for cauliflower rice or noodles, too.

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole 🍕🧀🎉 is made with only 5 ingredients, including refrigerated biscuit dough, and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. This baked pepperoni pizza casserole reminds me of homemade deep dish pizza with none of effort thanks to a clever shortcut!

Sesame Mango Chicken 🥭🍗🧡 takes advantage of coleslaw mix and frozen mango in this EASY Asian-inspired recipe. Tender sesame chicken, juicy mango, and soy-garlic-ginger infused cabbage and carrots! One skillet, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for busy weeknights!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Biscuits 🥕🌽🫛 Shredded chicken with vegetables including carrots, peas, and corn that are seasoned to perfection and slow cooked in a creamy sauce. Topped with light and flaky biscuits from refrigerated dough which are the perfect complement to this EASY Crockpot chicken recipe that’s hearty and comforting! Perfect for busy weeknight dinners!

Transform a bag of frozen chicken wings into Baked Lemon Pepper Wings 🍋! It doesn’t get any better than chicken wings with crispy skin and juicy fall-off-the-bone meat! The baked chicken wings are tossed in a delectable, buttery, lemon pepper sauce that clings to the wings perfectly! Serve them for summer holidays, backyard get-togethers, game day parties, or any wing-worthy moment! Air fryer instructions also provided.

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs are the EASIEST holiday appetizer that’s made with just 3 INGREDIENTS including frozen meatballs! People adore these saucy meatballs loaded with FLAVOR! A perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s celebrations and holiday parties. Or make them for your next tailgating or game day party!

BONUS Dessert Hack Recipe!