Between Christmas and New Year’s, it can be difficult to remember what day it is. From parties to lounging around, cooking meals is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind. That is, if you’re even hungry after all the sweets and treats offered at get-togethers.
Instead of throwing in the towel and ordering in for every meal, there are some simple dishes you can make that won’t take too much effort. These meals won’t take forever to prepare or leave the kitchen a complete mess.
A quick trip to the grocery store and a little outside-of-the-box thinking will have you feeling a bit more organized — at least food-wise — during such a weird week.
Here are five easy meal ideas to try during the holidays.
1. Pull-apart sandwich sliders
These sandwiches are fun and make for a great meal when some family members are hungrier than others. Grab one, two or more, depending on how hungry you are.
They’re easy to make. The main ingredients include rolls (King’s Hawaiian work great), some kind of meat, some kind of cheese and butter. Place the bottom half of the sandwich rolls on a baking sheet, add meat and cheese plus whatever other toppings you like, and add the roll tops. Add melted butter — and any herbs — to the tops of the rolls, cover and bake.
Recipes vary, but there are plenty from which to choose. Just search pull-apart sandwiches, and you’ll find recipes galore.
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2. Easy casserole bakes
There are lots of easy casserole bake recipes available. From breakfast bakes to Southwestern varieties to pizza casseroles, there’s something for every taste. They’re easy to prep and the work is done by the time you put them in the oven.
Search Pinterest for easy casseroles, and you’ll find enough for each day of the week − or month.
3. One-pan dinners
Nobody likes making a mess with lots of pots and pans, especially when the house is in disarray during the holidays. Enter one-pan dinners.
From veggies and chicken to shrimp to Italian sausage to sheet pan pizza, the possibilities are endless. Search online for one-pan dinner ideas, and you’ll be surprised at how many options there are.
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4. Sides and small bites as a meal
Who said a meal has to cover all the food groups? Most of the time, your appetite is lacking because of all the heavy meals. Instead of overthinking it, just opt for small bites as a meal. Think fruits and veggies with dip and crackers. Add in some hard-boiled eggs and nuts for protein.
Other options include avocado toast with eggs or baked sweet potatoes topped with Greek yogurt, cherry tomatoes, avocado and feta. Mix and match whatever you like best. Simple, easy and healthy.
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5. Use leftovers
If all else fails or you want the easiest option, just use leftovers by themselves, or to make something new.
Think ham or turkey sandwiches or ham soup. Or use sides from Christmas dinner with a different main dish. Switch it up and use a different side each day to make it through the week with less work.
