What is your go-to fallback meal?

tyrannasaurusjess · September 2014

I'm talking 'oh shit I forgot to take the chicken out/I don't feel like cooking/we should've gone grocery shopping 5 days ago'. Our is pasta--usually spaghetti, or taco salad. We seem to always have the stuff to make each of those meals. They're quick, easy, and involve minimal prep and cleanup.

Sooooo what are yours?

BeebopandBuddy · September 2014

If I forgot to thaw something, usually fish because it thaws fastest. I usually have the ingredients for meatloaf or spaghetti if the meat is thawed.

Holly_1007 · September 2014

Quesadillas. I usually always have leftover chicken in the fridge. I add cheese peppers, onions and tomatoes. I almost always have those 100 cal guacamole cups in the fridge as well that I can scrounge up some chips for.

hmp1 · September 2014

Pasta toss with whatever veggies I have on hand. Grill the veggies in olive oil and garlic, add some pasta, Italian seasoning, parm cheese, maybe some shrimp or chicken if I have some already cooked ready to go. I try to keep tortellini on hand to do a quick meal of torn up bacon, onions, toss in the cooked tortellini using some bacon drippings to coat, parm cheese and cherry tomatoes.

smb+jab · September 2014

Its always pasta for us too. I make my own sauce or con my mom into making me a giant batch when she visits so we always have a ton in the freezer. Thaw add some meatballs, pasta and maybe a bread and dinner.

Our other fall back meals are pancakes and waffles - i am a sucker for breakfast for dinner. Actually its what's for dinner tonight

melody921 · September 2014

Either pasta with veggies and white beans or quesadillas. It's rare for us not to have a few veggies in the house, along with cheese, so I can usually make either of these happen. Or else, breakfast for dinner.

MommaP12 · September 2014

Pasta - I too make my own sauce and freeze it in containers.

Tacos - I micro defrost ground beef and whip them up

Breakfast

pharmer78 · September 2014

TJ's Mac N Cheese or TJ's breaded tilapia filets (both from the freezer aisle) and whatever vegetables we have on hand. But who am I kidding? I'll make these even when I have other options.

Also, tortellinis or quesadillas are always on hand/easy/kid-approved.

PenelopePond · September 2014

Quiche. We always have diced ham in the fridge, and cheese. Then I add in whatever veggies we have: tomatoes, potatoes, and broccoli are usually what goes in.

kelbel527 · September 2014

Takeout?

It's usually pasta or breakfast for dinner for us.

Today I am trying to figure out what we're going to eat since we no longer have any food item that goes in the fridge/freezer. The answer to that is going to be a restaurant or takeout of some sort.

tyrannasaurusjess · September 2014

Would anyone care to share their pasta sauce recipe?? I've tried making my own a few times and have failed horribly every time!

AlinnJo · September 2014

In don't measure when I make my marinara sauce so I'll do the best I can! Using one 15oz can of tomato sauce I add in ABOUT 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning. You can add in a small can of tomato paste if you like your sauce a little thicker. Hope this helps!

hmp1 · September 2014

Frozen tilapia is another one for us too. From the frozen state it cooks in like 13-15 minutes.

smb+jab · September 2014

jessk86 said:

Would anyone care to share their pasta sauce recipe?? I've tried making my own a few times and have failed horribly every time!

Haha - I would share if i could! this is the reason I con my mother into making it. All of our family recipes are list of ingredients and for some reason my sauce never tastes as good as hers. I don't know what she does! I have even made it with her - turns out fantastic, make it on my own something is off!

hmp1 · September 2014

Spaghetti sauce:

Brown 2lb ground beef/turkey/sausage, add diced onion, chili powder, salt/pepper, oregano, and garlic powder, 1 small can tomato pasta, 2 cans Italian style tomato sauce, 1 small can water. Simmer for several hours.

Kissty · September 2014

If you're not comfortable making from scratch use Hunt's as a base. Then you can change it up by adding different spices. It's quick and easy. I had no idea where to start and this really helped me to learn what spices worked.

melody921 · September 2014

PenelopePond said:

Quiche. We always have diced ham in the fridge, and cheese. Then I add in whatever veggies we have: tomatoes, potatoes, and broccoli are usually what goes in.

I don't think I ever have diced ham in my fridge, LOL. This is why I love these posts, it gives me ideas of what I should be rotating in.

melody921 · September 2014

mnkate said:

I vary it every time, but this is a general idea of the pasta sauce I make:

Saute onions and peppers in olive oil, add garlic and basil, Italian seasoning. Add in a large can of crushed tomatoes, chopped fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes (hold the juice, add if sauce needs to be thinned out - depends on what else I throw in there). Add in some balsamic vinegar. Simmer for an hour or so.

My default is pasta too. DH is amazing at making a delicious meal out of nothing, so he tends to be more creative - even at the last minute. I can make a mean pasta sauce, but he's the real chef of the family.

This sounds very close to mine, although I've never added balsamic! Yum.

PenelopePond · September 2014

melody921 said:

PenelopePond said:

Quiche. We always have diced ham in the fridge, and cheese. Then I add in whatever veggies we have: tomatoes, potatoes, and broccoli are usually what goes in.

I don't think I ever have diced ham in my fridge, LOL. This is why I love these posts, it gives me ideas of what I should be rotating in.

DH loves diced ham in his eggs. If it weren't for him, I'd probably never buy it.

Speaking of ham in eggs. One of our other fall back meals that DH loves is scrambled eggs with ham, hashbrowns, and cheese mixed in. (similar to the quiche I know). I could probably make it every night for dinner and he would be happy.

watercolor5 · September 2014

Spaghetti is our fallback meal too. I love to add in progresso white clam sauce in with my traditional red, and it adds meat without having to have meatballs on hand.

AKB090609 · September 2014

Pasta, we do a doubble back of all our sauces and freeze some. By the time the pasta is ready to serve the sauce is hot.

amandad715 · October 2014

Tuna melts, breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs or egg sandwiches or egg in a basket) w/yogurt or fruit), tortellini (i usually keep a frozen Bertolini on hand sp?)

misspunky · October 2014

White chicken chili: 2 cups water, 2 chicken bouillon cubes, 1 can chiles, 1 can white beans, 1 can black beans, 1 big can chicken and let simmer together. I always double the batch and serve with shredded cheese or tortilla chips crushed. It's quick and delicious!!

PenelopePond · October 2014

"Goulash" (as defined by DH and his family): one box of noodles (usually elbow macaroni), one can of diced tomatoes (undrained, with flavor), and one package of ground turkey/chicken/beef. Cook and mix.

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