Grandma’s Top 50 Easiest Dinners: Quick and Delicious Recipes for the Busy Home Cook

1. Baked Ziti: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook 1 pound of ziti pasta according to package instructions. In a large bowl, combine 1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked ziti to the sauce mixture and stir to combine. Transfer the ziti to a 9×13-inch baking dish and top with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

2. One-Pot Mac and Cheese: In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and whisk until combined. Slowly add 2 cups of milk, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Add 1 pound of cooked macaroni and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened.

3. Slow Cooker Chili: In a slow cooker, combine 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 onion (diced), 1 green bell pepper (diced), 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of corn (drained), 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

4. Sheet Pan Fajitas: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 1 pound of chicken breasts (cut into strips) on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Add 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 1 green bell pepper (sliced), and 1 onion (sliced) to the baking sheet. Toss to combine. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.

5. Baked Salmon: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 salmon fillets on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve with your favorite sides.