The Easiest Ever Meals for the Days You Just Can’t Cook

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I actually love to cook. Cooking is an art form for me. I love to read recipes (tho I can’t follow them to save my life), look at pictures of food, and try new things in the kitchen.

But not when I’m tired. Not when the baby is screaming and the toddler just shattered a glass dish and the 3^rd grader needs help with her homework. Not when I’m having one of those days where the bad news has seemingly won and I just need to lay down for a few minutes. Not when I don’t feel well. Not when I’m running behind, on my last straw, and only have 5 minutes to start throwing something together.

For years, I’ve valued preparing home cooked meals for my family. We love to eat pretty healthily, simply, and on a budget, so homemade everything has always been the way to go.

But let’s be real, there are times I. Just. Can’t.

I remember a particular season where life felt really out of control and feeding our family every day felt like the most insurmountable task on earth. I know there are people out there that don’t cook, so I started asking around, what convenience foods are you people eating while I’m in here trying to make a fricken pad thai sauce from scratch?!

No, I’m not talking about spending a day making freezer meals so I have something on hand for hard days. When you’re already struggling, ain’t nobody got time for that.

I’m talking let’s just buy something that’s already made.

I needed to stock my freezer and pantry with a few convenience foods that I could still feel okay about feeding my family.

Here are my favorite ridiculously easy meals for the days that fall apart. For the days I’m too tired, busy, stressed, sick, or depressed to cook a meal. Because yes, I have those days too.

Easiest Ever Meals for When You Just Can’t Cook

• Fish and chips is my ultimate comfort food. Frozen fish (I love the beer battered cod from Aldi) + a bag of frozen steak fries + coleslaw does the job.

• Frozen lasagna + a salad

• Jarred sauces all day. Sure, you can make alfredo sauce from scratch, but you don’t have to. Noodles + sauce = good enough. Bonus points if you add a vegetable.

• Fish sticks + tortillas + a bagged Asian salad mix = great fish tacos

• Aldi has some fabulous Indian sauces you can add to cooked chicken, a can of chickpeas, or a bag of frozen vegetables for a great meal fast. Serve with rice.

• Chicken sandwiches made from frozen chicken patties and served on a bun. Add a bag of baby carrots and some sliced cucumber to the side.

• Frozen pizza + a salad or toss some greens right on the pizza.

• Pre-made soups (Costco and Sam’s Club have some great ones in their deli sections) + a salad kit. Grilled cheese if you’re feeling fancy.

• Frozen chicken strips or nuggets + a steamable frozen vegetable

• A bag of frozen teriyaki chicken + frozen stir fry veggies. Serve with rice.

• Hit up Trader Joe’s for their orange chicken, fried rice, and chicken cilantro wontons, all from the freezer section.

• A rotisserie chicken + a tub of mashed potatoes

• Whole milk yogurt + granola + berries

• Frozen chicken pot pies

And hey, there’s always cereal.

What do you think? What’s your go-to on the days you’re too tired, busy, stressed, sick, or depressed to cook a meal?

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