Sometimes putting together a big dinner with a main course, several sides and maybe even a salad or dessert, is just too much. Whether you are looking for a quick meal that will fit in with your busy schedule or a small solution when you just aren't hungry enough for a big dinner, there are a variety of ideas that can help to point you in the right direction. These small dinner ideas provide a great option for quick, simple and delicious meals.
Skip the Sides
When you're looking for a small and simple dinner, a one dish meal is often your best option. Collect recipes for casseroles that incorporate meat, vegetables, and grains into one meal. Chicken, rice and vegetables make a great dish. Beef, tomatoes and noodles work well together, too. You can make a quick pot pie by filling a pastry crust with meat, gravy and assorted vegetables. One dish dinners are not only quick and easy to make, they're easy to clean up after too.
Sandwich It
Sandwiches are usually considered lunch fare, but paired with fruit or a salad, a simple sandwich can make a great small dinner solution. There's no need to stick to lunch meat and cheese, either. Try making meatball subs with meatballs, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Experiment with your favorite meats, cheeses, and vegetables and try your sandwiches hot or cold. You can incorporate different types of bread into this meal as well, using anything from a hamburger bun to flat bread.
Big Salads
Turn your favorite salad into a main course by scaling it up and adding a few more substantial ingredients. If you enjoy Caesar salads, top it with grilled chicken to make a satisfying small dinner. You can make a chef salad with any assortment of meats and cheeses on hand. Make a taco salad by topping lettuce with beef, cheese, salsa, and crumbled tortilla chips. Set a scoop of tuna or chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with some chopped fruits or vegetables for a produce-laden alternative to a tuna salad sandwich. Nearly any combination of vegetables with creative meat, cheese, and dressing on top can become a delicious dinner salad.
Tags: lettuce with, main course, , meat cheese, meats cheeses