Quick Dinner Ideas and Kitchen Shortcuts

Easy shortcut recipes, expert cooking tricks, and more ways to save time in the kitchen.

Fake It, Don't Make It: 25 Recipes
Delicious dishes that rely on pre-made, store-bought ingredients―but taste like homemade.

Fake It, Don‛t Make It Desserts
Our eight favorite recipes for quick and easy sweet treats.

In a dinner rut? Try this ready-made menu of delicious weeknight meals for an entire month.

Photo: José Picayo

A trio of smart tip-saving ideas.

Photo: John Lawton

Take your frozen pie to the next level with these easy, upscale topping ideas.

Photo: James Wojcik

Stow these 11 foods in your freezer and you can have 6 dinners on the table in less than an hour.

Photo: Con Poulos

Kitchen Tricks and Tips From Our Expert Cooks
Simplifying strategies, tips, and techniques—from the Real Simple test kitchen to yours.

Chopping Cheat Sheet
Don’t know a mince from a dice? Consult this handy guide.

Rotisserie chicken. Swing by the grocery store and pick up a freshly-cooked chicken, then use the meat in a wide variety of meals—salads, pastas, sandwiches, and more.
Related: 10 Recipe Ideas for Rotisserie Chicken
Couscous. This grain is incredibly quick and easy to prepare—stir into hot or boiling water and let steam for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving. You can easily dress it up by stirring in chopped scallions, lemon zest, or various spices.
Related: 12 Simple Couscous Dishes
Canned tomatoes. Whether whole, crushed, or chopped, canned tomatoes are an instant way to create pasta sauces and soups and provide a great base for chilies and stews.
Related: The Best Ways to Use Canned Tomatoes