Desperation Dinners

Do you have a go-to dinner or lunch that you create when you don’t have time or energy to make a whole, wholesome meal.
We’ve all been there. It was a long day. Your boss was driving you crazy. Your coworkers just won’t stop. You’ve spent the better part of your afternoon taking your kids to all of their sports and after school activities and you’re finally home … and hungry. So, what do you make? Reddit had some great comments, and you did, too, XTU Nation! Check out these ideas …

• Andie's Desperation Dinner

  Toast up a slice of really good bread (or 2) with sharp cheddar cheese, add an egg (made to your liking), avocado, tomato, a little bit of red onion, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Delicious and filling!

• Jeff's Desperation Dinner

  Buttered Noodles with Parmesan Cheese

• Donnie's Desperation Dinner

  Pasta with Red Sauce and Texas toast

• Shannon's Desperation Dinner

  Cereal

• Alice's One Pan Hamburger Bake

  Brown up some ground beef, then dump it on a cookie sheet with tater tots and cheese!

• Susan's Sloppy Jalopy

  Elbow pasta with ground beef and stewed tomatoes

• Brianna's Shower Curtain Spaghetti

  This is amazing. Buy a new shower curtain and wash it off.

  Drape it over your kitchen table, boil up some spaghetti and toss it on the table. Cover it in sauce and give everyone a fork.  Brianna says you just throw the kids in the tub afterwards and you’re good to go!

• Becky's Chili Mac

  Elbow Macaroni and canned Hormel Chili

• Michelle's Pizza-dilla

  Pan fry a tortilla, flip it and top it with sauce and cheese. We all agree moms can sneak jut about anything between two layers of cheese and kids (and Jeff) will eat it!

• Kate's Quick Shepherd's Pie

  Ground beef, microwave mashed potatoes, and creamed corn.

  Layer them like Shepherd’s Pie!

• Chick-Fil-lissa

  Melissa air fries popcorn chicken, puts them on Hawaiian rolls, and tops them off with some Chick Fil A sauce. YUM!

• Egg Drop Soup

  I heat up some chicken broth in a pot (I always keep some in the pantry or fridge), throw in some spaghetti or whatever noodles I have on hand, and crack a few eggs into the soup. It’s very quick and comforting.”

• Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

  “My family likes the boxed tomato and red pepper soup from Trader Joe’s. We always keep a carton on hand.”

• Enhanced Baked Beans?

  “I heat up and mix together canned baked beans, sliced hot dogs, canned corn, and kidney beans. Top it all with shredded mozzarella, and voilà.”

• Breakfast for Dinner

  “You don’t even have to try to make it fancy. I scramble some eggs, fry bacon or sausage, slice a few tomatoes, and make some instant grits or canned biscuits. This meal allows me to easily feed four people for less than ten bucks.”

• Taco Pizza

  “Boil pasta (any shape), brown a pound of ground meat and combine with a can of tomato sauce and a packet of taco seasoning. Dump it in a casserole dish, cover it with cheese, and bake it until the cheese is melted and golden. It makes enough to feed a family of four and have leftovers.”

• Fish Stick Tacos

  “Cook the fish sticks according to the instructions, pop them into tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite taco toppings like mayo, guacamole, or ranch dressing.”

• Buffalo Cauliflower

  “I throw cauliflower florets into the air fryer for a few minutes and cook them until they begin to crisp up. Then I drizzle buffalo sauce on top and dip them in ranch.”

• Naan Pizza

  “It’s soo good and easy. My favorite combination is to use alfredo sauce instead of marinara — topped with leftover shredded chicken, spinach, cheese, and bacon bits if I have them. Pesto also makes a great sauce, too.”

• Mini Chicken Parm

  “I take frozen chicken nuggets and microwave them, then add canned marinara sauce and cheese and microwave again. It feels fancy even though you made it in five minutes.”