Dad's Quick Take
Stock a few basics (eggs, pasta, rice, beans, frozen veggies, chicken, canned tomatoes, onions, garlic) and you can make most of these for a few dollars a serving. Start with three you'll actually eat and grow from there.
The ten to learn
- Scrambled eggs & toast — breakfast for dinner, ready in five minutes.
- Pasta with sauce — boil pasta, heat sauce, add anything. The training-wheels meal.
- Stir-fry — protein + frozen veggies + sauce over rice.
- Grilled chicken — season, cook through, pair with rice and veg.
- Tacos / burrito bowls — beans or meat, rice, cheese, salsa.
- Chili or bean soup — cheap, freezes great, feeds you for days.
- Quesadilla — tortilla, cheese, leftovers. Crispy and fast.
- Baked potato bar — microwave a potato, pile on toppings.
- Big green salad + protein — fast, no cooking required.
- Sheet-pan chicken & veggies — everything on one tray, oven does the work.
Shop smart
- Buy versatile staples that stretch across meals.
- Frozen veggies are cheap, last forever, and count as real vegetables.
- Buy proteins on sale and freeze portions.
- Plan 3–4 dinners a week, not seven — leftovers cover the rest.
- Check the unit price, not just the sticker price.
Food safety quick hits
Cook chicken all the way through, refrigerate leftovers within two hours, and when in doubt, throw it out. 'Best by' dates are about quality; trust your eyes and nose for safety.
Common questions
I can't cook at all — where do I start?
Eggs and pasta. Truly. Nail those two this week and add one new meal each week after.
How do I keep it cheap?
Cook in batches, lean on beans/rice/eggs, and treat takeout as a treat, not a default.