Food

Eat Quickly: 5 Easy Dinners for Two

Are you looking for easier ways to cook for you and your spouse during the hectic work week? Do you find it difficult to motivate yourself to try something new while having to cook at home every night? If so, then you need to add a little flair and flavor to your weekly dinner menu with easy dinners for two.

Variety doesn’t have to mean slaving over dinner every night. In fact, you can create simple masterpieces in just a few minutes, if you find the right product or recipe.

See below for a list of easy meals for two on a budget. These creative dinner ideas for two are sure to get you where you need to go. 

1. Xiaolongbao

We’re willing to bet that this wasn’t the first thing you expected to see on this list, but hey… We promised you variety, and we’re going to give it to you!

For those of you that are unfamiliar, xiaolongbao is a Chinese meal that is essentially buns filled with different types of protein options. Traditionally, they are served with pork inside, but can also be filled with shrimp, chicken, or tuna. If you’re looking for an authentic experience, we recommend you try pork!

Thankfully, there is a company that created a quick-serve meal of this delectable delicacy. Check out this product – classic pork pack to be able to cook 6 meals in 10 minutes. It includes steamer liners and sauce for a quick and easy meal.

2. Fried Rice

Who said you have to spend an hour or two at the stove to serve your family a delicious and nutritious meal? Although the Food Network might have you believe that every worthwhile dish requires hours of cooking, there’s a simpler way. 

Fried rice is budget-friendly and nutritious, and if you’re looking to make it quickly, we have a few tips to help. All you need is rice, sweet peas, eggs, and protein, such as chicken or ground turkey. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, tofu works perfectly!

All that’s required is heating all these different elements, then mixing them on the stove. The rice and sweet peas can be purchased in microwavable packs from your local grocery store. The eggs will only take a few minutes to scramble in a pan before adding the other ingredients and pouring in some soy sauce. This can be made in bulk to meal prep for those trying to watch your caloric intake as well.

3. Baked Macaroni and Cheese

If you’ve ever cooked the Kraft macaroni and cheese recipe before, then you’re more than capable of creating this simple, yet delicious masterpiece!

We found this tasty treat over at allrecipes.com. Here are the ingredients you’ll need.

  • 2.5 cups of shredded cheese (of your preference)
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 1 package of macaroni noodles
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons of melted butter

First, start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. While you wait, preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the water is boiling, throw the noodles in for 5 minutes.  

Meanwhile, place the melted butter, egg, and milk together in a measuring cup, then stir them together while sprinkling in the cheese as you mix it. 

Once that’s mixed, drain the noodles and place them in a baking dish. Pour the mixture of egg, milk, butter, and cheese over the top of the noodles. You can sprinkle a bit more shredded cheese over the top if you’d like (this will give it a crispy layer on the top). 

When it’s ready, place it in the oven and let it cook for 30 minutes. Once the top is brown, you can take it out and serve it to your family!

4. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are delicious, nutritious, and can be turned into anything you like. You can stuff them with pizza ingredients, taco ingredients, or almost anything else that you have a taste for. They’ll give your favorite dish a spicy, yet sweet flavor.

While it’s a little unorthodox, we highly recommend adding your leftovers to a stuffed pepper recipe. For example, pour that leftover fettuccine alfredo into a green pepper and bake it for 5 to 10 minutes. The results will change your life forever!

For a more traditional recipe, you’ll want to gather ground beef, taco seasoning, tomato sauce, rice, and shredded cheese. Mix all of these ingredients in medium-sized green bell pepper (with the inside cut out and the top cut off). Sprinkle some shredded cheese over the top for a crispy effect. Serve it while it’s hot!

5. Whole Food Salad

For those of you looking for a healthy and filling salad you can throw together in a few minutes, this is just the recipe for you! It only contains whole foods (veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts), so it’s a great vegetarian dish as well. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

  • 2 cups of spinach
  • 2 cups of kale
  • 1 half avocado
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 1/4 cup raspberry vinagerette
  • 1/4 cup flax seed

Here’s the best part: you just throw all those ingredients together and voila! You have yourself a meal-ready salad that your entire family will enjoy. For all the meat lovers out there, you can add diced chicken or ground turkey to add a bit more protein.

Easy Dinners for Two: Use These Recipes to Your Advantage

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide listing 5 tasty and easy dinners for two, be sure to use all of these for each night of the week. We promise you won’t be sorry!

Also, be sure to browse our website for more articles regarding easy dinner meals, as well as other topics that you’ll find interesting and helpful.