Healthy comforting convenience meals.

[catfunk]

I like to think I'm a good cook. Make most things from scratch and on a Sunday I prep healthy work lunches for during the week and a good meal for Monday and Tuesday such as veggie curry or pasta dish.

However due to various stresses (no dc) I'm EXHAUSTED after work by a Thursday evening, sometimes Wednesday. So last night we ordered (nice) pizza & tonight was eggs beans and potato waffles from the freezer 🥴 And when I'm feeling shattered and emotional, I'm not craving an easy to throw together salad but I can't keep eating like this!

What's a nice middle ground ? Something ready -ish made, convenience but comforting and not total junk. Requiring no prep or cooking. Ready to serve or Chuck in the oven. Needs to be veggie. I'd love some recommendations - thanks in advance !

My favourite comfort meal is thinly sliced potatoes and onions, layered with grated cheese, put in an oven dish with small amount of milk and bake for about half an hour (check the potatoes are cooked through. I have it with steamed broccoli.

You can prep it in advance and leave it in the fridge.

Some Cook ready meals? Things like moussaka or lasagne.
Is that what you are asking? I mean no cooking or preparation, but not a salad is a tall order. Ready meals do require cooking.

I do something similar to above with potatoes, stock and some cream. It reheats really well on day two. Or could you batch cook veggie lasagne or soup and freeze it in portions? That's my go to for the dc when they need an early dinner before sports training.

Jacket potato, cheese and beans. Or any topping really but cheese and beans is best!

Thank you @Pucarbuile freezer is always pretty full already and don't have a microwave so frozen batch cooked meals aren't ideal. But I match cook for lunches and early week dinners and refrigerate.

Yes to jacket potato, even just with butter and salt.
Anything egg based- omelette, boiled, poached on toast, french toast, egg mayo, shakshuka. These are good because you can add stuff to it if you need "more" or have stuff to use up or have slightly more energy.
Fried rice is quick and easy.
Steam fresh pouches of vegetables go with almost anything.
Tinned tomato soup with cheese on toast for comfort food.

@Repetitivebeats jacket potato is a good idea. Not sure why I've never thought of that.

@MrsOatcake I know ready meals require cooking, I mean I cba chopping prepping stirring some nights. So something ready to Chuck in the oven but not a junky ready meal full of salt/preservatives or I'd rather have a takeaway tbh.
I'll have a look at cook, thanks !

Stir-fry? Ready prepped veg, either fresh or frozen.

Fish finger sandwich

@Xfox usually have a stir fry earlier in the week, might switch it up for a bagged ready prepped one later in the week. Thanks good idea.

@YerAWizardHarry needs to be veggie but nice idea

I like fresh soup - M&S do nice ones, especially the chicken and rice and the minestrone. BOL veg pots are nice, you could have them with some crusty bread. Freezer bags of steamed veg with an egg on top and some bread. A ploughman’s/picky plate of crudités/cheese/hummus/bread or crackers and fruit. Or just a sandwich!

Soup tub
Beans on toast
Sweet potato with humous, coleslaw and a side salad.
Bought quiche or veg tart with salad

Veggie Thai curry. Slap some frozen stir fry veg in a pot, add Thai curry paste, coconut milk and bubble away. Microwave rice on the side.

I mean that does take cooking but it's just boiling in a pan so not strenuous

Giusto have offers at the moment.

Aldi do a great 'ready set cook' (or something) range.

So pre cut chicken and veg with separate sauce etc, and a wee crumb to toast up. One pan and so easy to do.

Quorn dippers, uncle Bens pre made vegetable rice and some steam fresh vegetables:)

Cheese omelette. Or veg soup with a handful of red lentils thrown in.

Stick a salmon fillet in oven... squeeze of lemon juice, drizzle of olive oil or shake over some cajun seasoning. 10-15 minutes in oven. Serve with microwave rice and bagged salad

Cook ready meals.
Not the healthiest but not too bad.
We get them instead of takeout now when we can't be bothered to cook or wash up.
I occasionally sprinkle extra frozen peas on the tray and mix in for an added veg

Cook some pasta, drain it, then stir some garlic oil and chilli flakes through it. Top with Parmesan and black pepper. Eat.

Oh, stir some baby spinach through pasta when you add the oil till it wilts, if you want a vegetable in it.