5 Weeknight Meals You Can Make in Under an Hour

Sunny Anderson makes Sunny's Easy Mushroom, Peas, and Pasta with 1-2-3 Alfredo Sauce, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen

Sunny Anderson makes Sunny's Easy Mushroom, Peas, and Pasta with 1-2-3 Alfredo Sauce, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen

Unless your meal prep game is seriously strong and you head into the week with 5 dinners ready to go (kudos, if that’s you), getting something fresh and delicious on the table every night can be a daunting task. Our favorite ingredient shortcuts, like rotisserie chicken or canned beans, cut a ton of time in the kitchen and can save you from another night of greasy takeout. Experimenting in the kitchen is a perfect weekend activity, but during the week there’s something to be said for effortless and tasty.

No need to set up a pot of boiling water for this quick and easy vegetarian meal. Cook fresh fettucine with mushrooms and frozen peas in some chicken stock, which thickens up and becomes the base of this creamy alfredo sauce.

Taco night doesn’t have to be a huge production to make it a success. Prep the taco toppings while you heat up shredded rotisserie chicken in a quick spicy sauce, and dinner will be on the table in just about 45 minutes.

Photo by: Armando Rafael

Armando Rafael

Pre-cut broccoli and salmon cook quickly under the broiler for a well-balanced meal that proves you can adult mid-week. The best part? Lining the sheet tray with foil means cleanup time is even less than the 15 minutes it took to cook dinner.

Packaged tortellini and mini meatballs make for a one-pot soup that’ll brighten up rainy, busy days.

Food Network Kitchen's Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

FNK_ShortcutChickenEnchiladas_H

Food Network Kitchen's Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas for THE ULTIMATE FRIENDSGIVING/12 DAYS OF COOKIES/LAST-MINUTE SIDES, as seen on Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Utilize pantry staples like jarred salsa and canned refried beans for a cheesy, satisfying meal that takes only 20 minutes to get into the oven. A shortcut for this shortcut meal: replace shredded rotisserie chicken with leftover taco filling.