40 Simple Shortcut Recipes
Real Simple Author
Fish Tacos
Credit: Monica Buck
Main Dishes
Fish Tacos
Credit: Monica Buck
A centuries-old Russian classic gets stripped-down.
Easy Beef Stroganoff
Credit: John Kernick
The flavor in this recipe sneaks up on you: It’s spiced with nutmeg and cayenne pepper.
Broccoli Alfredo
Credit: Monica Buck
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Start with rotisserie chicken, and your dinner is ready in minutes.
Credit: John Kernick
Use corn bread mix to make the topping for this hearty favorite.
Chili Pie
Credit: Mark Weiss
A classic po’ boy without any messy deep frying or coleslaw prep.
Quick Shrimp Po' Boy
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
Quick comfort food: All you do is brown the ground beef; everything else is premade.
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
Layered ravioli have all the cheesy deliciousness of real lasagna, minus the lengthy prep work.
Credit: Rick Lew
If possible, make this dish a day or so before serving so the flavors have time to blend.
Quick Beef Bourguignonne
Credit: Beatriz da Costa
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Wrap up beans, salsa, and Cheddar in pizza dough for melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Empanadas
Credit: Formula Z/S
Fake a stir-fry? Yes, ma’am, with bagged vegetables and rotisserie chicken.
Chicken Stir-Fry
Credit: David Prince
Cut a few corners on this stick-to-your-ribs sandwich by using frozen meatballs.
Meatball Heroes
Credit: Monica Buck
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The beauty of jambalaya is that you can throw basically anything into it.
Jambalaya
Credit: Mark Lund
Poach the eggs directly in the enchilada sauce for more flavor (and fewer pots to wash).
Mexican-Style Eggs
Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy
For an instant taste of Greece, stuff chicken breasts with Feta cheese and olive tapenade.
Mediterranean Chicken
Credit: Andrew McCaul
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The secret of this fast take on the family standby is in the onion soup mix.
Meat Loaf
Credit: Monica Buck
Crunchy, saucy, and ready in 15 minutes.
Chicken Tostadas
Credit: Beatrix da Costa
Soups, Starters, and Sides
Corn Chowder
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
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What’s in these savory little bites? Onions, peas, and much more.
Easy Samosas
Credit: Beatriz da Costa
A good minestrone has three basics: vegetables, beans, and broth. From there, add anything from shredded cooked chicken to pesto.
Minestrone
Credit: John Kernick
Skip the takeout. With just a few ingredients (including salad dressing mix) you can make beef satay yourself.
Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
Credit: Wendell Webber
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French Onion Soup
Credit: Jonelle Weaver
For a side that’s as quick as it is tangy, mix up red potatoes with coleslaw dressing, Dijon mustard, and relish.
Dijon Potato Salad
Credit: Dana Gallagher
All the flavor of a traditional spinach-and-artichoke dish without the sautéing or peeling.
Credit: Jim Franco
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Take the edge off of a chilly evening with a simple adaptation of slow-cooked black bean soup.
Black Bean Soup
Credit: James Baigrie
Ground turkey makes these sliders healthier.
Super Bowl Appetizers: Speedy Turkey Sloppy Joes
Credit: John Kernick
You determine the soup’s heat level, depending on whether you use a mild, medium, or hot salsa verde.
Southwestern Chicken Soup
Credit: Alexandra Rowley
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Desserts
Credit: Frances Janisch
Combine banana, pecans, and refrigerated buttermilk biscuits for rich three-bite treats.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
This streamlined version of sweet-tart classic key lime pie is made in three steps.
Credit: Kana Okada
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Who cares that these cream puffs aren’t homemade? The combination of caramel and hot fudge sauce is all anyone will notice.
Caramel-Chocolate Cream Puffs
Credit: David Prince
Sweet, juicy peaches are baked with brown sugar and granola, then served with ice cream.
Peach Crisp
Credit: Quentin Bacon
Simmer, stir, and wait? Not with this simplified rice pudding.
Easy Rice Pudding
Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Fresh-from-the-oven doughnuts for breakfast―and you don’t even need to get out of your pj’s.
Easy Doughnuts
Credit: Yunhee Kim
Bake up refrigerated crescent rolls for a warm, delicious treat just oozing with chocolate.
Easy Chocolate Croissants
Credit: Alex Farnum
Premade pizza dough makes a surprising starter for cinnamon-flavored monkey bread.
Easy Cinnamon Bread
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
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Fill these little pockets of dough with jam in whatever flavor you wish.
Fruit Danish
Credit: Ellen Silverman
Cake mix? Instant pudding? This banana nut bread practically makes itself.
Banana Nut Bread
Credit: Formula Z/S
No need to whip up pastry dough for rolled cookies: Fake it with premade piecrust.
Rugelach
Credit: Maura McEvoy
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This delectable fruit dessert comes together in just 5 minutes.
Blackberry Cobbler
Credit: James Baigrie