Weeks can get incredibly busy, especially as a parent. Between prepping lunchables in the morning, getting the kids ready for school (if you have them), heading off to work, coming home to cook lunch, doing a bit more work, and then making dinner – it’s non-stop. And of course, there’s cleaning, laundry, and all the other daily tasks in between. Some days, I’m lucky if I get even an hour to myself to unwind. That’s when quick and easy meals come to the rescue. The only challenge? I don’t want these “fast” meals to compromise my health. I still want my family and me to eat nutritious, wholesome food. That’s why I’ve rounded up the best cooking hacks to help you speed up your meal prep and make your favorite dishes in no time! Check them out!
12 Genius Cooking Hacks to Cut the Cooking Time by Half
Use a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
When you’re just starting out, pressure cookers can seem a bit intimidating. But once you try one, it’s like discovering a miracle. They help you cook delicious meals in no time! With a pressure cooker, you can speed up the cooking process and make an amazing beef dish in under an hour.
An Instant Pot is a multi-functional electric pressure cooker with programmable settings and additional cooking modes, while a traditional pressure cooker is simpler, manually operated, and focuses only on pressure cooking at high temperatures. You can grab an Instant Pot on Amazon here—it’s easier to use and adjust to your recipes.
You won’t believe how fast you can cook with an Instant Pot. You can steam fresh broccoli in just one minute, cook juicy chicken breasts in 6-8 minutes, and even have small whole sweet potatoes ready in just 3-4 minutes! Whether it’s soups, stews, or rice, it can can cook meals in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
Here are 25 Best Pressure Cooker Recipes to Make in Your Instant Pot. And 25 Surprising Instant Pot Recipes That Prove It Can Cook (Almost) Everything.
Pre-Chop Your Ingredients
Here’s a time-saving hack that really works! All you need is to set aside just one hour at the beginning of the week—either on Sunday or whenever works best for you—to chop up your favorite veggies for the week. But don’t stop there! You can also pre-cook grains like quinoa, rice, or anything else you plan to eat. This makes it super easy to throw together a quick meal on busy weekdays. Here are some ingredients I like to prep at the start of the week to make life easier:
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro
- Pre-cooked quinoa and rice—perfect for quick bowls
- Sliced cucumbers and carrots for easy salads
- Washed and chopped spinach, kale, and lettuce for salads on the go
- Pre-cooked beans and lentils—great for adding to salads, making meatballs, or tossing into any dish
- Cooked pasta for quick pasta salads
Related: 11 Shockingly Simple Meal Prep Hacks for the Lazy Cook
Make One Pot Meals
One-pot meals are a game-changer because they save you both time and dishwashing hassle! There are so many amazing one-pot recipes that make cooking fun and super easy. Dishes like casseroles and stir-fries let you cook everything in one pot, cutting down the number of pans you need to wash and reducing both cooking and cleanup time by half. It’s the perfect way to streamline your meals without sacrificing flavor!
Meal Prep for the Week
Meal prep can save you so much time—it’s like having your week’s meals ready to go! Imagine having everything prepped and waiting for you, so you can just heat it up and eat. To make it happen, cook in bulk and store portions for the week. Dishes like pasta sauces, grilled chicken, and roasted veggies can easily be prepped ahead and reheated in no time. We’ve got plenty of great meal prep ideas to inspire you!
Here are 3 popular articles our readers absolutely love:
Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Recipe
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25 Easy Chicken Rice Bowls to Meal Prep
Use Frozen Veggies and Pre-Cooked Proteins
Sometimes, using pre-cooked ingredients is just the most convenient option. While it might not always be the healthiest choice, if you find a reliable store, it can still be a great solution. For example, I’ve discovered a local shop near my home that sells frozen ingredients with no preservatives—yep, you heard that right, no preservatives! They also offer frozen fruits, which are perfect for my morning smoothies. Frozen veggies are already chopped and ready to use, and pre-cooked proteins like canned beans and tuna can really speed up your meal prep without sacrificing flavor. It’s a total time-saver!
Opt for Quick-Cooking Grains
Swap out regular rice or quinoa for faster-cooking options like instant rice, oats, buckwheat, or couscous. They cook in just minutes, making them perfect for quick meals. This is a lifesaver when you’re in a rush and need to throw something together fast. To make a quick meal, once they’re ready, simply sauté a few veggies in a pan with your grain (like rice or buckwheat), add some soy sauce, and you’ve got yourself a quick, healthy bowl!
Sauté Ingredients Instead of Boiling or Baking
Did you know that sautéing is actually super quick? Sautéing vegetables or proteins in a hot pan can cut down cooking time compared to baking or boiling. You get those caramelized flavors fast without losing any taste. Just be sure not to add too much oil to keep your dish on the healthier side. For example, when I want to sauté fish fillets for my kid, I can have them ready in under 15 minutes. But if I’m cooking a large batch for a bigger family dinner, I prefer to bake them in the oven.
Stir-frying is another form of sautéing. It involves cooking food quickly over high heat with just a small amount of fat, usually in a wok like this one from Amazon, and keeping the ingredients moving to get that crispy texture without burning. Stir-frying is commonly used in Chinese cuisine and works perfectly with pre-chopped veggies. So, if you’re planning to stir-fry this week, be sure to prep your veggies and pre-cooked rice in advance—this way, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes!
Pre-Made Sauces
Okay, this one is my absolute favorite! Store-bought sauces are often less healthy, unless you’re going for organic options. It’s always a good idea to check the ingredients list before buying. That’s why I love making my own pre-made sauces—they add rich flavor with minimal prep and are much healthier!
I freeze them in small portions, so they’re the perfect size for whatever meal I’m making. Here are a few sauces I like to whip up:
- Bolognese tomato sauce – perfect for pastas, lasagna, or even rice.
- Pesto sauce – great for pasta dishes or adding a burst of flavor to sandwiches.
- Rose sauce – a mix of tomatoes and cream, ideal for pasta dishes.
Making your own sauces not only saves time but also lets you control what goes into your food!
Cook in Smaller Portions
This may seem obvious, but think about it for a second—you’ve probably noticed how much faster small portions cook compared to big ones. Plus, smaller portions often lead to fresher, tastier meals! Cooking in smaller batches not only saves you time, but it also lets you enjoy the flavor of your food at its best. Give it a try, and you’ll see how much quicker and more delicious your meals can be!
Sheet Pan Dinners
This hack is perfect for lazy cooks (guilty as charged!), and I absolutely love it! Instead of dealing with frying, sautéing, or boiling, just toss your favorite veggies that are good for baking, add some chicken or fish, drizzle with oil, sprinkle on spices, give it a quick mix, and pop it in the oven. In about an hour, dinner is served—and it’s so delicious!
The best part? Clean-up is a breeze! I like to line the baking sheet with aluminum foil, then cover it with 1-2 sheets of parchment paper. After you’re done eating, just fold everything up and toss it in the trash. Simple, quick, and tasty!
Here are 25 One Sheet Pan Meals for the Busy Home Cook.
Utilize Your Microwave Smartly
The microwave isn’t just for reheating! You can use it to steam veggies, cook potatoes, or even “bake” quick mug cakes. It’s funny, but my grandma even used to cook eggs in the microwave—super fast and still tasty! Just pop your ingredients into a microwave-safe bowl with a little water, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, and you’re good to go.
That said, don’t rely on the microwave too often, since some people believe microwave cooking might not be the healthiest option due to the effects of the electromagnetic light it uses. So, keep this hack for those really busy days when you need a fast and easy meal!
Here are 20 Insanely Good Microwave Meals Everyone Should Know.
Go for Quick-Cooking Proteins
Fish, shrimp, or chicken breasts cook way faster than tough cuts of meat like steak or pork. When you’re short on time, opt for these proteins, which cook in minutes. I usually like to saute these quickly on a pan, they go perfectly with butter and garlic sauce, and stir fry veggies.
Final Thoughts
I know that was a lot to take in, but trust me, these cooking hacks are game-changers! They’re all about finding ways to make mealtime easier without sacrificing flavor or health. Next time you’re running around like crazy, just remember these tips, and you’ll be whipping up delicious meals in no time. Hopefully, this helps make your week a bit more chill. Cooking doesn’t have to be super stressful, and with a little prep, you can enjoy tasty meals in less than 30 minutes! Let me know which hack you’re most excited to try!
