I don’t know about you, but somehow I get surprised by dinner time more often than not. I’m not sure how it happens, but it sneaks up on me and I am left scrambling for something to feed my family. They’re HANGRY, I’m frustrated, it’s not a good time.

Since I know this happens on the best of days, I am positive that it could easily be a daily occurrence in November when I am neck deep in NaNoWriMo. I need a plan. So, I’m compiling a list of meals that I can throw together quickly. And since I am making them for myself, I figured I would share here.

Easy Red Beans & Rice
This isn’t an authentic cajun recipe, but it is mild enough as a base that my kids will eat it. I add some additional Tony Chachere’s and hot sauce for my husband and me.

BBQ Marmalade Chicken
This one can be made crock-pot style or in the oven. I recommend crock pot. Throw some quick cooking rice in a pot at dinner time and heat up some mixed veggies as sides.

Alfredo Chicken Tortellini
​Another quick recipe. I serve this with some french bread. You can buy the stuff from the bakery and heat it up or the stuff in the dairy case in a can. Either way, it’s quick!

Tacos
This recipe makes FOUR POUNDS of taco meat in the crockpot. Great! Tacos tonight for dinner with some Mexican rice. Then have taco salad the next day for lunch. Nachos can be dinner the next night. Or portion the cooked meat and freeze for later this month. You can’t beat batch cooking during NaNoWriMo