If you're a busy family, chances are you need some quick meal ideas. Trust me, I know what it's like to have your days occupied by harvest, sports, music lessons, and everything in between. To help us all out, I compiled some of my favorite go-to quick meals.

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Meal Ideas for People on the Go

Pre-cooked chicken.  Take advantage of your local market’s rotisserie style chicken OR cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot or slow cooker at the beginning of the week. Add the chicken to salads, panini, wraps and burritos. Use in soups like white chicken chili or in casseroles. This is a major time saver!

Naan. Don’t let the name intimidate you; this is really just a flatbread originating in India. Yes, you could make your own, buy why??? I say save the time and pick some up at the grocery store. I’ve even found them at Aldi! Seriously, how can you not get excited finding “fancy” foods at that store?!! Our kids love to make their own pizzas and these are the perfect size! In my opinion, when kids are involved with the cooking, they tend to eat what they cook. Some super quick topping ideas:

• Greek Style with feta, kalamata olives and chicken
• Good-old fashioned pepperoni and mozzarella
• Arugula, shaved Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. (my personal favorite)

Stock your freezer with pre-made freezer meals. Options for these our endless - there are make ahead cookbooks available, workshops at many Hyvee stores, and of course, you can search Pinterest (follow me for ideas ). Personally, my favorite go-to meal ideas are those that are frozen but uncooked.  Thaw and put in the slow cooker, or cook from frozen in the Instant Pot! There's a certain amount of reassurance knowing your entire meal is just a freezer walk away.

Slow Cooker Meals. These are hands down my favorite meal idea although the Instant Pot (a digital pressure cooker) is quickly moving up my list as a way to make super-fast meals for our family. Again, look at Pinterest for ideas. There are about 85 million recipes floating around the internet.

Breakfast for Dinner. Scramble some eggs, toast some bread and slice fruit for dinner in about 10 minutes!

Freeze Leftovers. The next time you're planning a meal, make a double batch and freeze individual portions in your freezer. Since you probably have those nights when everyone is eating on a different schedule, you can each grab a meal of your own.

Keep it Simple. Grilled cheese sandwiches, soup & salad, leftovers, or heck, even cereal is great when you've got hungry people in need of a meal.

I hope these keep your kitchen humming through your busy seasons! Let me know what YOU do for quick meal ideas!

Made with love,