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Easy Dinner Ideas and GIVEAWAY!
Update: A winner has been announced for this giveaway. Congratulations to Diane from Dollops of Diane! Thanks to everyone who participated and added great easy dinner ideas in the comments section!
Gather ’round ladies! Are you a busy mom? Are you often at a loss as it nears six o’clock? Does your family love the classics? Do you delight in seeing all mouths quietly chewing instead of complaining?
Well I am going to let you in on a little secret! For me, frozen meatballs occasionally save the day! That is why I am very excited to share a GIVEAWAY from Farm Rich with you today (for U.S. residents)! They offer regular, Italian, and turkey meatballs. Not a meatball family? They also offer many popular frozen appetizers! Check out their offerings here.
Not sure if your grocery store sells Farm Rich products? Enter your zip code under the product finder tab to see!
The winner will receive 2 coupons each good for one free Farm Rich product. This prize has an approximate value of $14.00!
I almost always have Italian style meatballs in my freezer and use them to make meatball subs or to compliment a spaghetti dinner. And I always include a colorful salad and whole wheat rolls to keep it healthy. Another little trick of mine is to cook them a little longer and hotter to cook off much of the fat content and we all like how they get crispy on the outside. Farm Rich also offers Turkey meatballs. Try these with pasta or how about on a bulky roll with gravy and cranberry sauce. Yum!
Click on the meatballs to go to the product page for recipe ideas from Farm Rich.
Last day to enter is October 11th and a winner will be chosen at random and announced October 12th. I will also email the winner for an address to send the coupons!
Enter with Rafflecopter…
Good luck everyone! What are your “save the day” dinner secrets? Please share!
Disclosure: Farm Fresh provided me with 2 product coupons however opinions expressed are my own.
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This post is linked up at Frankly My Dear, Oh So Savvy Mom, Going Crazy! Wanna Go?, Momma is Sweeping, Your Golden Ticket Blog, At Home, Take 2, and Frugality is Free.
I also love Italian meatballs. I see they have cheese sticks, too. I’d LOVE to win free food… I mean, who wouldn’t, right?!
Molly Jo recently posted..She Is Busy… Oh, So Busy…
Completely agree!
Two big coincidences right now, Ann! First, I had to go to a PTA meeting last night so I threw some polenta and frozen meatballs in the oven, sauteed some shitakes and washed some arugula and left a plate of it covered for my husband when he got home. Meatballs saved the day last night!
Second, I posted something similar on Tuesday, about throwing quick meals together, so I think we’re on the same brainwave right now!
http://bloggingcornerblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/menu-drinks-with-side-of-dinner.html
I need to catch up with your blog tonight, I love that you were in my dear New Hampshire! xo
Tiffanie recently posted..gifts for my girl
That’s so funny! I was wondering if we were anywhere near your home town!
Thanks for the link!
Frozen pizza is my go-to dinner! We eat it WAY too frequently…
maryanne @ mama smiles recently posted..Exploring Geography: Poland
Frozen pizza is handy!
I dont know if they sell these products near me, but I love meatballs so I will give it a shot. I dont really have family dinner tips… just try to mix it up, leftovers and one day a week for pizza.
Alma recently posted..On Being a Wallflower
Cooking extra for leftovers is a great idea!
Good luck!
I have learned to love meatballs, just because my kids love them so much and they are easy-peasy. Plus they’re fun in food fights.
Artchoo! recently posted..Boring Blogging Stuff
I have learned to love too. When the kids are happy… hey wait, isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?!
Make large batches of soupy stewy food and freeze!
PragmaticMom recently posted..Grace Lin’s Latest Chapter Book is Her Best Ever!
Batches, brilliant! I have to do this more. My fam generally won’t eat leftovers but maybe if I freeze them and we don’t have to eat again right away…
They sound great! I have not tried them, and it sounds like a great timesaver for sure. I make meatballs on weekends as they take time to whip up. I have had their mozzarella sticks and love them.
Winnie recently posted..A Mermaids’ Tale and Tea
Yes, yes!
Love homemade!!!
Oh good, thanks for the endorsement!!!
An easy meal and crowd pleaser in our house is always tacos!
Dollops of Diane recently posted..Unusual Keepsakes From My Mom
Yum!!!
Frozen pizza or spaghetti. Both are quick and easy.
Spaghetti is BIG in our house!
“Do you delight in seeing all mouths quietly chewing instead of complaining?” Oh yes, yes I do.
We cut up sweet potatoes into slices on baking trays for an easy dinner – but they do take a while to bake! Frozen soup is another good alternative for us.
Elisa | blissfulE recently posted..King’s Park on the Queen’s Birthday
Those sweet potatoes sound good!
We almost never have meatballs here at home because.. well .. vegetarians. Sometimes I make veggie ones. .. those go in a flash.
Anyways if the coupon is valid in Canada, I’m sure we’d love to win for the pizza or mozzarella sticks! 
Larissa T. recently posted..Visit to Crossview Farm.
I guess they have very limited distribution in Canada so want to limit it to US : (
english pizza muffins are easy and delicous
thanks
Oh, love those, haven’t made those it a long while!
my easy family dinner secret is…make hubby cook.
seriously.
doesnt get any easier than that girl!
Vanita recently posted..Mystic Tarot Reading Giveaway
That sounds dreamy!
Keep it simple and freeze any leftovers for when your running late.
Love the idea of freezing leftovers!
The best secret to an easy dinner is to have someone else make it. Whether it be either spouse pushing that nights responsibility on the other, or eating take-out or pre-packaged meals like Farm Rich, it is so easy to have a heat and eat dinner.
Thanks, Tim! Good luck!
i like crockpot meals
Oh, I love my crock pot too!
The secret to an easy meal is to not attempt to be a gourmet chef at home. You will enjoy a simple to prepare meal just as much as some heavily garnished dish that has $45 worth of ingredients but eats the same as a $2 dish.
Simple food are wonderful!
I love all in one meals like frozen chicken stuffed with broccoli.
That sounds good!
Eggs – We always have them, they are quick to make and everyone can pick their fav way to make it
Bud Lisa Samson – RC form name
We do eggs for dinner sometimes also, economical too!
If I need to make dinner in a hurry, my go to meal is a jar of spagetti sauce. I add 1/2 cup redwine and crush in some basil and oregano along with either meatballs or ground beef and it tastes like homemade.
Love the way you add to it, sounds delicious!
My easy dinners definitely include frozen and boxed food. I love frozen meatballs for spaghetti
Crystal H recently posted..Seminole Hard Rock Tampa October Events + Ladies T-shirt Giveaway
Me too : )
I ask the kids to each do something small.. That takes at least 1/2 hour out of my time cooking!
Great idea! They probably like helping too!
i love my crock pot! thats my family dinner secret
I think I am going to make beef stew soon!
A lot of times when I make dinner I double it and freeze one for another dinner to make things easier when I don’t have time to cook.
That is so smart!
You can do a lot with spaghetti sauce. It’s great for casseroles, homemade pizzas, spaghetti, lasagnas, use with cheese sticks.
I always have a few jars around too!
A jar of tomato sauce and some ravioli. Great meal without too much fuss.
Ooo, forgot about ravioli, great idea!
I always have some type of pasta & sauces on hand for the quick go to meal.
Thanks, Shelley!
breakfast for dinner! it doesn’t get much easier than that! lol
jayedee recently posted..It’s National Coming Out Day!
Agree, good one!
I always have mac & cheese in the pantry. My son requests it 3-5 days a week. Adinner salad is a quick dinner for us.
Hmm, dinner salad for the grown ups, good idea!
My secret is to always keep bags of Fully Cooked chicken and beef fajitas and burger patties on the freezer, we also have a few frozen meals as a just in case
That’s a good trick!
I love using box mixes like hamburger helper and mac & cheese and adding all sorts of thing to make them delicious!
Maggie Ann True Armstrong recently posted..Dailys Cocktails Giveaway! Ends 10/25
Never tried that, hmm!
soup and sandwiches are the go to meal, my fb is Michelle Trump and my email is tracietrump@yahoo.com
I love soup and sandwich!
Two secrets…canned mushroom soup and my crockpot!
I must know more!
A CAN OF SOUP- MY KIDS WOULD LIVE OFF OF SOUP IF I LET THEM.
cindy0462@gmail.com
I have to stock up on some new ones to try!
The easiest I make is frozen cheese ravioli with jarred Alfredo sauce. Easy and good! 10 minutes start to finish lol
Sounds easy enough! Thanks!
I do my shopping and prep on Sundays, so that during the week, something is usually already pre-made, either in the fridge or frozen, and I just have to quick finish making it!
WOW!!! AWESOME, smart mama!
frozen foods
Thanks and good luck!
easy fast for me is pasta or crockpot meals…can do both really healthy and easy!
angie lilly recently posted..Virginia Creeper berries 8×10 print (other sizes available – see shop announcement) by FotoMacro
These are popular!
I cook double and triple batches of meats and entrees and simply change the sauce or starch each night. Vary the salad and veggies and have fruit for dessert. Dinner is as good as done!
You make it sound so easy!!!
My super easy secret is costco! Rotisserie chicken, frozen potatoes and veggies! Quick and easy!
Rotisserie chicken is a great one!
On those busy nights when the kids have activities, I make soups! Easy to put together in the earlier afternoon, then just heat up when we’re all home!
Sounds homemade, yum!
The easiest thing to do is just have a bottle of marinade on hand. It takes all the work out of it. All you have to do is cook the meat!
Thumbs up!
I don’t usually make pancakes or waffles for breakfasts so my kids really enjoy them for dinner and they are so easy to whip up on nights when my hubby is out of town
I do this once in a while, my whole family likes it : )
When we have a busy evening I throw frozen chicken breasts in a roasting pan, dump a can of spaghetti sauce over it and bake it. I put cheese on top when it’s almost done and voila! Spaghetti chicken we call it.
That sounds good and easy!
I use the frozen steam bag veggies. I can just toss them in a few minutes before the rest of the meal is done
Love those too and you don’t have to worry about them spoiling in the fridge!
For a night off I do like Frozen pizza or a canned soup and grilled cheese!
Good ones : )
My family secret dinner is ordering pizza lol
I rely on pizza once a week!
Enchiladas….you can throw anything in them and everything taste good with cheese on top
Sounds yummy!
spaghetti and meatballs is something we turn to when in a hurry
My family loves this meal!
I keep a frozen family dinner on hand for those nights I need a save. Thanks for the giveaway.
I think I need to spend a little extra time in the freezer aisle!
Avoid starches and use a crock pot!
I could stand to limit my starches a bit!
I don’t cook for a family but have heard alot about crock pot meals and frozen meals and think they’re a great idea
I agree!
Crockpot BBQ and crockpot chili save me so much time!
Love chili!
the crock pot is your friend
I agree!
I’d have to say something frozen or breakfast for dinner. It’s easy and nutritious. Thank you for the great giveaway!
We do breakfast sometimes too : )
We love making breakfast for dinner!
Us too, especially since we hardly ever do a big morning breakfast!
I love to use the crockpot, then dinner cooks itself:)
Lots of crockpot fans!
cool post, thanks
Thank ya!