If you’re a busy mom, navigating another day-in-the-life can feel like a one-woman circus show. With whining voices chanting, Are we there yet? on repeat, motherhood can often feel like scaling Mount Rush-More–as you sprint from parent-teacher conferences to dance recitals in record speed. Then, just when you think you’ve crossed the finish line of the Motherhood Marathon, a crowd of hungry mouths appears.
After frantically juggling carpool schedule curveballs, after-school tutoring sessions, basketball practice, and begrudgingly hands-on bedtime rituals, preparing a homecooked meal at the end of a long day may appear to Mission Impossible. Though take-out may be tempting when your emotional battery approaches 0%, homecooked meals are a critical part of ensuring your kiddos are healthy and thriving. Unlike restaurant food, homecooked dishes contain more nutrients and fewer calories and bring your family together.
Ready to make a miraculous recovery from mom burnout and supply your family with delicious (and equally nutritious) meals? This article will help you spend less time in the kitchen by equipping you with five tips and tricks to make your cooking time more efficient. In no time, you’ll have countless ideas for meal prepping and freezer meals tucked under your belt. That way, there will always be a well-balanced meal waiting for you when it’s time to eat.
Once you’ve officially ditched the drive-thru, check out these five quick tips:
Experiment with freezer cooking
By definition, freezer cooking entails the process of preparing meals–or ingredients–in bulk and stowing them away in your freezer for convenience. Frozen meals are an excellent option when working against the clock since they are already fully cooked and only need to be reheated before serving.
With a once-a-month cooking approach, you can repurpose the time typically spent hunched over a stove sauteeing vegetables into quality family time. Just be sure to rearrange your upright freezer from Goedeker’s and make plenty of room for frozen stews and pot roasts. If you’ve found yourself stuck in the chest freezer era, consider the benefits of upright alternatives. With an upright freezer, you can maximize garage space and keep your freezer meals in plain sight with the help of built-in shelving.
Once you’ve made the switch to an upright freezer, you’ll need to consider your picky eater’s preferences before making a run to the grocery store. Otherwise, your freezer cooking efforts will go to waste. For those busy moms looking for other secrets to success, be sure to stock up on freezer-friendly containers that will fit neatly into the upright freezer waiting on standby. Whether you choose large freezer bags or casserole dishes, the sky is the limit in terms of recipe possibilities.
Take your slow-cooker out of storage
Slow cooking is an excellent option for busy parents, as it allows you to multitask while your food cooks in the background. With a slow cooker at your disposal, there’s no need to keep a watchful eye on your meal and divert your focus away from rambunctious little ones.
As a bonus, slow cookers are an economical way of preparing large quantities of healthy meals that can be frozen and saved for later. A crockpot will save you hours each week by allowing you to make hearty soups or stews in bulk, which can then be reheated and eaten straight from the freezer when needed. This time-saving strategy translates to less wasted food and more money saved–that would otherwise be spent on take-out.
Stock up
Keep a pantry stocked with basics like canned goods, pasta and rice, and other pantry staples: pasta, tomato sauce, and dried spices like cumin or paprika. By stocking up on the essentials, you can avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store as much as possible. If saving time is priority number one, shop on Sunday mornings when many stores have early-bird specials and are less crowded for added time savings.
In addition to loading up on pantry goods, keep a well-stocked freezer stocked with frozen food itemssuch as cooked meats such as chicken breasts that defrost in a pinch and ready to use. After seasoning these meats with salt, pepper, dill weed, or your spices of choice, grill, bake, or fry accordingly, and store them in an air-tight container or freezer bag. Later in the week, you can heat these grilled chicken thighs or marinated shrimp in under five minutes without any additional thawing required. You’ll never have an excuse not to cook again.
Mealplan with simple recipes
While you could shoot for the stars with a five-course meal, complete with white-glove service, simplicity is key for the busy mom on the go. Whether you choose to whip up a spaghetti dinner or honor the tradition of Taco Tuesday, stick to the basics. Your little one’s sensitive palate will thank you.
For those more daring families not willing to compromise on flavorful food in the interest of time savings, search for simple recipes for chicken enchiladas or even a 30-minute pad thai. That way, you can expand your culinary horizons without shackling yourself to your stovetop for the next three to four hours.
Try a one-pan meal
If you identify as a supermom doing it all, consider the art of the one-pan meal. These meal solutions are perfect for those with little time on their hands. While these recipes only require a single pot or frying pan, don’t let the simplicity fool you. These dishes are flavorful and pack a punch, all while being incredibly easy to prepare. Not to mention, there won’t be mountains of pots or pans to clean up afterward.
With one-pan meals at your aid, you can cut your kitchen time in half and use those precious minutes to eat a thoughtfully prepared meal with your family.
Final thoughts
With these cooking hacks, every busy mom can enjoy the benefits of home-cooked meals. Whether you’re a working mom or a stay-at-home parent, your family deserves healthy food that tastes delicious–without all the hassle. If you’re in the market for maximizing time, utilize these quick tips and watch your logged mother-daughter time skyrocket.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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