Written by: Elizabeth Hall, PhD, RDN, LDN, Food City Registered Dietitian

Looking for a few Family Mealtime Hacks” to help you get dinner on the table? These simple “hacks” have a healthy twist to help you create delicious and nutritious meals in no time. 

1. Fridge or Freezer Cleanout Soup

When you have random amounts of vegetables or proteins in your fridge or freezer, make a soup! Start by sautéing aromatics like onions and garlic in olive oil. Add extra vegetables and a broth of choice and simmer until the vegetables are cooked but not mushy. Add other seasonings like salt, pepper, herbs, and spices, then leftover proteins you have on hand like chicken or beans. Viola! You’ve created a tasty soup and avoided food waste. 

2. One and Done Meals

For a quick and healthy meal, pick a protein (any protein!) and pair it with seasonal veggies. Place the ingredients together on one pan and season the whole thing with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Bake in the oven until the meat and vegetables are cooked. Simple prep and even simpler clean-up: a one and done meal! 

3. No Cooking Required: 

Or forgo cooking your protein completely! Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a convenient entrée that you can pick up from your local Food City deli and transform it into a variety of dishes. Enjoy rotisserie chicken as is, or shred it and add it to soups, sandwiches, or casseroles. Use as a topping for a homemade pizza or wrap in a whole grain tortilla for tacos or burritos.

4. Think ahead

Do you have to meal prep to be healthy? Definitely not! While prepping ingredients and planning meals in advance is a great way to make healthy options convenient, you don’t have to meal prep to get a solid nutritious meal on the table. Every time you turn on the oven, think ahead. As in, what else can you cook now that will save you time later? For example, bake extra chicken or vegetables when you have time, then save them for later. You don’t have to meal prep, but thinking ahead, can save you time on busy weeknights.