Single life is complicated. Seriously, it may seem like a paradise of freedom, but in reality it is a much more complex situation than that. You can live in your pajamas if you want, but you have to cook for yourself every day. When hunger strikes, and you have to face the medieval dragon of the kitchen, chaos, 20 ingredients, washing dishes… it’s not my style.
I usually go to Dollar Tree and stock up on various products ready to defrost and eat. Even when unexpected guests come over, or just because I have an extremely busy day, frozen meals are possibly one of the best ideas you could ever think of to have at home.
The Five Dollar Tree Meals That Will Save Your Life on a Busy Day
A good mashed potato is always a welcome comfort food, especially those that come in a box, like Idahoan Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic. The star ingredient is its roasted garlic, an intense roasted flavor that makes it aromatic and succulent.
It is made with 100% Idaho potatoes, some of the best in the United States. It also has a little parsley, just the right amount, and is prepared in a matter of seconds, without the need to peel, boil, and mash potatoes. I recently found it at Dollar Tree a couple of months ago, and it’s only $1.25. Now, I always have it in my pantry for days when I want something easy, quick and delicious.
Cup Noodles, a Classic That Never Fails and It’s Ready in Seconds
Dollar Tree has a wide range of cup noodles, but my favorites are the Thai Authentic Curry Chicken Ramen. The seasoning and broth deliver as promised. Good flavor, but they don’t stick to the noodles, which is good for me because it keeps them the right texture, without overcooking them. I prefer the ones that have a delicious sauce that doesn’t stick.
I cut the noodles smaller and eat them with a large soup spoon, but you can eat them whole, the original Japanese style. Each 2.6 oz. cup. It’s priced at $1.25 at Dollar Tree, and you can add a handful of frozen vegetables for a little more texture and nutritional quality.
Marie Callender’s Duos Chicken Alfredo & Chicken Parmigiana Frozen Meal
This prepared dish actually solves two dinners. It comes with a portion of Chicken Alfredo, and a portion of Chicken Parmigiana. If you combine it with a little rice, or with a dinner roll, you can eat two nights in a row without having to cook. Now, if you feel very hungry, you finish it just once, and you are more than satisfied.
Marie Callender’s uses quality ingredients in its products, without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, meaning you are enjoying a nutritious dinner that, according to the box I now have in my freezer, provides 37 grams of protein. The price is $5, just $2.5 per serving.
Banquet Country Fried Chicken Mega Bowls Frozen Meal
On a day when you are tired, and you don’t feel like cooking, the Banquet Country Fried Chicken Mega Bowls Frozen Meal solves lunch or dinner in a few minutes. It’s fun, because it’s a childhood comfort food that provides 440 calories and 18 grams of protein, which is great if you need a little extra energy to get through the day.
This bowl is perfect for fried chicken lovers, those who are seriously starving, and those looking for a quick and easy meal. I get it at Dollar Tree for $3.
Bonus Recommendations: Pasta in Less Than 10 Minutes
Cooking pasta becomes a breeze when you have ready sauces from Ragu on hand, one of the brands with the most history in the United States and which has set the standard for thousands of others that have tried to imitate them but cannot.
There’s no need to spend hours preparing homemade sauces when you can enjoy all the flavor and ease of these two options. First, there is the Ragu Old World Style Meat Pasta Sauce, a classic sauce with that touch of meat that always goes well. Just boil your favorite pasta, heat the sauce and mix.
Then there’s the Ragu Roasted Garlic Parmesan Sauce, which is perfect if you’re looking for something creamier and with a punch of roasted garlic. Turn any boring pasta dish into an authentic Italian culinary experience. Either one is $2.50 at Dollar Tree, and each jar makes up to 4 servings for me. If you want to extend the shelf life, you can freeze half of it and use it as needed.