It’s a Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday. Who knows; it’s already been a tough week. And as you commute home from work, a pressing question emerges: What on earth should I eat for dinner? You’re pretty sure the delivery guy has started judging you, and the grocery store is just too far away and inevitably packed. The struggle is real, people.
But the thing is, weeknight cooking doesn’t have to be difficult or end in a dinner so big and heavy you can't fall asleep comfortably. That’s why we developed these five meals made entirely of some of our favorite snacks — items easily found at your neighborhood bodega or corner store. From Nutella-avocado toast to a bake-free, Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® -infused potato casserole, these dishes are inexpensive, simple, and just might do the trick.
Wasa Crisps + Salsa + String Cheese = Mexican Pizza
Mexican food? Pizza? Together? What’s not to love? This simple meal merges two of our favorite cuisines and requires nothing more than a microwave. Top crispy Wasa crackers with your favorite salsa — we love anything Rick Bayless — and shredded string cheese. Assemble on a plate, toss the whole thing in the microwave for one minute, and prepare to be seriously satisfied.
Toast + Avocado + Nutella + Sea Salt = Sweet & Savory Avocado Toast
No questions asked: Avocado toast has been and continues to be the dish du jour. And it’s also surprisingly easy (and cheap) to make. Give the trendy snack a sweet-and-savory twist by slathering a layer of chocolaty, hazelnutty Nutella goodness on toasted bread before mashing a half avocado per piece of bread. One sprinkle of sea salt and your taste buds — and Instagram — won’t know what hit them.
Frozen Hash Brown + Ritz Crackers + Ranch Seasoning + Sour Cream = Potato Casserole
Soup companies have long touted casseroles as the easy weeknight dinner. But these require an oven, the sound of which is enough to induce stress. Mr. Dee’s frozen hash brown patties provide the base in this simplified version. Just pop those browns in the toaster and then top with a creamy sauce made of crumbled Ritz crackers, half a packet of Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix, and eight ounces — not a dollop — of sour cream. You’ll have enough sauce left over to make seconds and even thirds, whether for tonight or a later date.
Red Pepper + Wasabi Peas + Greek Yogurt = Wasabi-Stuffed Red Peppers
We know it sounds weird, but this concoction is a winner. Cut the top off a red pepper, then remove the insides and seeds. Fill it up with spicy wasabi peas and roughly two spoonfuls of Fage Greek yogurt. (Amounts may vary based on the size of your pepper, and 2% yogurt has the best amount of cream.) It’s a no-cook, Mediterranean take on chile relleno.
Lettuce + Jerky + Cheddar Cheese = Crunchy Lettuce Wrap
Okay, the best thing about this recipe might be the opportunity to say “Perky Jerky ” on a repetitive basis. But the fact that you can assemble a homemade wrap in less than a minute is pretty sweet, too. Layer sliced cheddar cheese atop a piece of lettuce, add ‘dat jerky, roll it up, and get ready to crunch.
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