The BIG List of Time-Saving Meals

Created August 2, 2024

Chicken, black bean, and corn chili in a bowl, topped with melted cheese and green onions, with tortilla chips on the side.

Just because you’re short on time doesn’t mean you have to cut back on a great meal. Check out the BIG List of Time-Saving Meals and get inspired to make an amazing meal happen on your schedule.

For busy families, time-saving dinner recipes are a must. When dinner time is on its way, every minute counts. So, if you’ve got a full schedule, we’ve got a full range of meals that can help save you time every day. From quick-prep meals to simplified recipes that only use one pan, these aren’t just time savers, they’re lifesavers. Take a closer look at some of the ways you can save time while creating fabulous meals!

Save Time with the Slow Cooker

It may sound counterintuitive, but the slow cooker is an ideal way to speed up dinner time. Since it’s a “set it and forget it” appliance, you just prep your ingredients, pop them in the slow cooker, and go about your day. While you’re getting things done, your dinner is taking care of itself.

The versatility of the slow cooker is what really sets it over the top. It’s the perfect way to get rich, complex soups and broths, but that’s just the beginning. You can make everything from burrito bowls to lasagna to chicken pot pie in the slow cooker. Find your new favorite meal for an old favorite appliance and get ready to enjoy!

Slow Cooker Recipes

Dump Dinner: An All-in-One Flavor Explosion

On evenings that you need a quick and easy meal that doesn’t require a lot of prep, try a dump dinner. Some of these recipes use the slow cooker, some use a sheet pan, and some you simply cook on the stove top. But what they all have in common is that they come together in minutes. A dump dinner feels as easy as a one-step meal.

And while all those ingredients are cooking together, they’re going to blend beautifully, creating a wonderfully textured combination of tastes that will bring these meals to life. From bold Mexican spices to hearty pasta dishes to simple and wholesome soups, these meals make it easy to bring it all together.

Dump Dinner Recipes

5 Ingredients or Less

It doesn’t get much easier than this! These recipes save you time in the kitchen and in the grocery store. Just a few things to pick up, and you’re ready to cook.

With tried-and-true brands on your side, you can trust that a lot of the work has been done for you. Every jar of Old El Paso™ salsa is loaded with bold, delicious flavor. No chopping or mixing required. Look to Pillsbury for a wide range of items that can be customized to your needs in a snap. These are ingredients that work harder, so you don’t have to when cooking up something special.

5 Ingredients or Less Recipes

Make the Most of Pantry Staples

Getting more out of every minute starts with getting more out of every ingredient. Recipes that use stockable ingredients that last, helps you stretch every purchase over multiple meals. Hearty chicken broth, zesty taco seasoning, bold tomato sauce, and so much more turn your pantry into a powerful toolbox for mealtime. Then it’s just a matter of finding the flavor you’re after and throwing it together. Let these meals help you save time and money throughout the week.