Super Easy Dinners to Get You Trick-or-Treating Quicker
And we don't mean you should just let everyone eat candy.
Tara Donne
Not to freak you out or anything, but Halloween is just around the corner. So while you're putting the finishing touches on those Halloween costumes (or maybe, ahem, still searching for the perfect get-up) and dreaming about which treats you'll snag from your kid's loot first, don't forget: You need to eat dinner on Halloween night! It's a hectic night, we get it, but a good dinner will help keep your littlest ghouls and goblins from turning into serious monsters, and serving them dinner before you hit the streets is totally doable. Trust us.
Freezer Bag Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (pictured above)
Spend a few minutes in the next week or so and see for yourself just how easy meal prepping can be — your future self will really thank you. Combine crisp-tender broccoli with a citrusy soy sauce marinade in a large resealable bag. Toss in some bite-size pieces of chicken, then freeze. You can thaw the bag in the fridge while you're at work on Halloween, then heat in a skillet until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes!
Armando Rafael
If you don't own an Instant Pot yet, we're not sure what you're waiting for. It is THE tool for quick meals. This creamy, kid-friendly mac and cheese is ready in 30 minutes, and you'll have only one pot to clean. You can't beat that on Halloween night. And if you're feeling extra festive, serve it in the cutest little jack-o'-lanterns we've ever seen.
Andrew Purcell
Spend a few minutes in the morning prepping this recipe, then come home from work to ready-to-eat pork sandwiches. A paprika-spiced rub gives the meat tons of flavor from the very beginning, and the brown sugar-and-apple cider vinegar mixture it cooks in all day ensures every bite is juicy and delicious.
You know there's a good chance you'll make chili this weekend or next, so why freeze some for future weeknight dinner ease? Thaw frozen chili and quickly reheat while you're getting everyone's costumes laid out.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
The classic chicken noodle soup everyone loves is even better when it's made in the slow cooker: Simply toss in the veggies and seasonings, top with chicken thighs, then cover with broth. Chicken thighs are less expensive, and they won't dry out like your typical chicken breasts.
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