20 Ways to Feel Good About “Fast Food”

I’m old enough to remember when even national chain burger joints were sit-down restaurants (or at least you had to go inside to order your take-out). Yes, once upon a time we had that much disposable leisure time. Ah, nostalgia!

Fun fact: Technically, the first restaurant drive-thru window opened in 1947; however, McDonalds popularized the concept beginning in 1975. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)

These days, between work, school activities, meetings and social obligations, we sometimes take all three meals a day on the run. Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit down, take a breather and get reacquainted with the family for one meal a day? But who’s got time for that?

You do! Here’s a challenge: over the course of one month, commit to creating simple, delicious, FAST sit-down meals at least 20 times. Sounds impossible? Not with choices like these from Tastefully Simple’s Fix It Fast 10-Meal Kit:

1. Bacon Chicken Club Pizza. The ultimate take-out food becomes the most amazing homemade (and wholesome) favorite with shredded chicken – hint: Magic Chicken makes it even easier! – fresh veggies, melty cheese and with a pop of Classic Ranch Mix.
2. BBQ Bacon Pork Tenderloin. Simple pork perfection. And bacon!
3. One-Pot Pesto Linguine. Kid-friendly and pesto-fresh.
4. Bacon & Brie Grilled Cheese.
   It’s not your mama’s grilled cheese sandwich. Bacon Pepper Jam adds a sweet-savory goodness to this classic sammy. Serve ’em with a side of Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges.
5. Simple Fried Rice. You might miss those cute little take-out boxes, but the fresh, homemade taste makes it so worth it!
6. Grilled Citrus Herb Chicken. It’s worth firing up the grill for this flavor-packed chicken entrée.
7. Rhubarb Strawberry Glazed Salmon. A fantastic new flavor for fresh or frozen seafood.
8. Pepperoni Ravioli Pizza Bake. Everything you love about pizza.
9. Tangy Mac & Cheese. A whole other level up from boxed mac and cheese.
10. Bacon & Egg Breakfast Pizza. This egg-straordinary take on traditional pizza is too good to confine it to just breakfast.
11. Bayou Pork & Asian Slaw Sandwiches. It’s the a sandwich that eats like a (better) meal.
12. Garlicky Steak & Mushrooms with Green Beans. Skip the steakhouse. The finest cuisine is found at home.
13. Zoodles & Grilled Meatballs. A fun twist on the kids’ favorite meal, featuring meatballs and healthy zoodles!
14. Cheesy Pesto Wicked Beef. Wicked good. ‘Nuff said.
15. Creamy Shrimp Scampi. Seafood in a succulent sauce is something special.
16. BBQ Chicken Rotini Skillet. One-pan easy; crazy-good.
17. Bayou Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Cut the carbs, not the flavor.
18. Shrimp Pesto Bowls. This bountiful bowl has a secret: spaghetti squash subs for high-carb pasta.
19. Bayou Glazed Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. Looking for a way to get the family to eat their veggies? This is it.
20. Artichoke & Spinach Burgers.
    
    Here’s a burger special enough to have its own wine pairing! Artichoke & Spinach Warm Dip Mix is the secret to an extraordinary, creamy topper.

Once you’ve tried homemade fast food, you’ll never (well, almost never) go back to drive-thru. And the best part? Once you’ve tried these 20, there are even more 30-minute meal ideas at tastefullysimple.com.