Nothing complicated. No long ingredient lists. No techniques that require a culinary degree. The best quick fix recipes are exactly what they sound like — my go-to, no-fuss favorites that take minimal time and effort but still taste great.
I created the Quick Fix category here on Life’s A Tomato because I needed a place to save the recipes I actually turn to when I’m tired, short on time, or just don’t feel like making a big production out of dinner. We all love a from-scratch weekend project, but most weeknights aren’t like that. Most weeknights are “what can I make in 20 minutes with what’s already in the pantry?”
So I made a rule for this category, and I stick to it. For a recipe to earn the Quick Fix tag, it has to have two things: a short list of ingredients and a short amount of time. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, or needs a grocery list a mile long, it doesn’t make the cut. I’m talking about recipes that use things most of us already keep on hand — frozen fries, a bag of tater tots, canned chili, leftover rotisserie chicken, bottled dressings, that bag of potato chips in the pantry.
Quick. Easy. Still Great.
That doesn’t mean boring, though. That’s the whole point. These little upgrades are what turn something ordinary into something you actually want to eat again. Tossing frozen fries with herbs and garlic, doctoring up potato chips with roasted garlic or Frank’s RedHot seasoning, turning French bread into pizza in 15 minutes, or building a copycat McDonald’s chicken sandwich or McRib when the craving hits without leaving the house.
Let’s Get To It!
These are the recipes my family asks for over and over. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, game days, late-night snacks, or those days when you just want something satisfying without spending an hour in the kitchen. If you’re looking for easy, fast, and genuinely tasty, you’re in the right place. This is the best of the quick fixes — all in one spot.
I created a ‘quick fix’ category here so I’d have a place to click on for my easiest recipes. A short list of ingredients and a short amount of time is the rule. Like these quick fix pizza tots
Who doesn’t keep a bag or two (or more) of frozen fries on hand at all times? Yep, easiest side dish in the world, ready in no time. But no reason for them to be boring.
I’ve been doing the best I can to keep our meals simple these days. These quick fix French bread pizzas have been a regular staple in our house since we’ve been keeping at home as much as possible.
I love cooking meals from scratch. But sometimes reality hits and I have to throw something together that doesn’t require a lot of preparation. That’s where this quick fix copycat of McDonald’s chicken sandwich comes in. In less than 30 minutes I get to enjoy a rather tasty chicken sandwich.
I use a great seasoning mix from A.C. Legg’s that I picked up on Amazon. It has just the right blend of spices without having too much sage or black pepper.
For a spicy version of this quick fix pickle relish, just add a few good pinches of dried red pepper flake. You’ll want to let the relish ‘get happy’ in the fridge for a few hours before using it so that it gets good and spicy.
This may well be my wife's favorite chili. I have to admit, it’s mighty good. This quick fix Tex-Mex corn chip chili is definitely quick fix. The only way you could make a chili any quicker is if the entire dish came out of a single can.
