Recipe: I'm the queen of quick...

O.k., Maybe not the queen but at least one of her deciples! I will give you a few ideas and it may take a few posts cuz I got an 8 month old to take care of as well as a hubby!
* See my tips on making meat ahead of time on the make ahead board.
* Buy already shredded cheese of all flavors-stock up when it is on sale), it lasts for months in the fridge.
* Have cans of all cream soups on hand-cream of mushroom, broccoli, broccoli cheese, celary, potato, chicken, etc.
* Stock up on canned veggies or frozen if you can stand them, they are great in a pinch and for casseroles. That includes mushrooms and olives.
* If you have a bread maker, ready made mixes are great for when you are in a hurry, and/or buy your bread and freeze it and only take out what you need, that includes hot dog and hamburger buns, dinner rolls, etc.
* Chili dogs: keep hot dogs and buns in the freezer and take out what you need, cooking them frozen (hot dogs in boiling water and buns in microwave or oven. Top the dogs with canned chili and cheese. Other good toppings are pizza sauce, mozz and pepperoni if you want.
* Buy a two pack of Boboli pizza bread. It usually comes with two sauces. Use one right away (or freeze them both but make sure they can be separated easily by putting wax paper in between) and freeze the other with the sauce. Buy one package of pepperoni if you like and only use half, freezing the other half with the pizza crust. Use already shredded mozz cheese and if you like creative pizza-use already frozen ham (like I suggest on the other board), and defrost in the micro. quickly. Anything goes here, whatever you like on pizza can be done ahead and frozen or bought all ready to use (like sliced mushrooms, canned olives, and even cooked ahead ground meat with ready made salad mix and cheese for a taco pizza (try refried beans instead of pizza sauce and use salsa and chedder/jack cheese.
On the weekends when there is more time:
* Cook a huge pot of spagetti sauce-try this recipe first and if you like it, double or triple it. I don't even follow a recipe anymore. I just use anough cans of tomato sauce and paste and puree and italian seasoned stewed tomatos or diced tomatos to fill a big stock pot.
One large can or two small cans italian seasoned tomatos (diced, stewed or pureed). My hubby doesn't like whole tomatoes cooked so I blend it in the blender first-your choice.
4 medium cans tomato sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1-1/2 C red wine (I use one called "Bob's really good red table wine)
1 onion sauted in butter first if you like
1 tsp basil
1 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tsp onion powder if you don't use onion
1 tsp minced garlic sauted with onion or 2 tsp powder
taste it as you go along, Add spices as needed-salt and pepper, etc.
1 lb ground beef and/or sausage
1 package sliced button mushrooms or 1-2 cans drained mushrooms, saute the fresh ones in butter
put it all together and simmer on low 1-3 hours, the longer it cooks the better it is but the meat and veggies can go in at any time so it can be cooking when you shop (if someone else is home to check it)0
Stir and taste it every 1/2 hour or so.
I'll post more later, gotta sick baby...