Quick Fix Shrimp Tacos

It was one of ‘those’ days. I was just way too busy to cook up a fancy dinner. Or even a marginally fancy dinner. So, quick fix shrimp tacos to the rescue. I had everything on hand already. A box of shells, some pre-cooked frozen shrimp, a bag of salad, and spicy salad dressing. That’s all it took to make light, crunchy, tasty quick fix tacos for dinner. Nothing fru-fru, just good and fast. Ok, I did add a few tortilla strips for color and more crunch, but that’s all.

Quick Fix Shrimp Tacos

I Like Mine Crunchy

You can of course substitute soft tortilla shells if hard shells aren’t your thing, but I like the crunchy contrast. But don’t get fancy. That’s not what we’re doing here. Quick Fix Shrimp Tacos are meant to be easy and fast.

Also try my original quick fix taco salads and my even easier new recipe.

Quick Fix Shrimp Tacos
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4 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Shrimp Tacos

You can of course substitute soft tortilla shells if hard shells aren’t your thing, but I like the crunchy contrast. But don’t get fancy. That’s not what we’re doing here.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword shrimp, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 10 tacos
Calories 108kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Warm the taco shells or tortillas per package instructions.
  • Place the shrimp and chopped salad into a large bowl and toss to combine.
  • Add the dressing and toss to combine. Add more dressing if desired.
  • Place the shrimp mixture into shells. Sprinkle with the tortilla strips and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Asian Fries

Since I was grilling up a few Asian pork burgers for dinner, I needed some fries to go with them. Something with a bit of Asian zing to it. So, I grabbed a bag of frozen fries out of the freezer, baked them up, and tossed them with a few Asian ingredients. In no time, my quick fix Asian fries were on the table, ready to be devoured.

Quick Fix Asian Fries

Spicy, Yummy Fries! At Last!

These quick fix Asian fries do have a bit of a spicy kick to them. That’s probably why we loved them so much. Get your fries good and crunchy. If they sit for long in the sauce they might get a bit soggy. They really won’t last long so it’s not much of a worry.

Also try my quick fix seasoned tater tots.

Quick Fix Asian Fries
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5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Asian Fries

Since I was grilling up a few Asian pork burgers for dinner, I needed some fries to go with them. Something with a bit of Asian zing to it. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian, fries
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 315kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound French fries frozen

For the sauce

Instructions

  • Cook the fries as per package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, create the sauce by placing all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine.
  • When the fries are done transfer them to a large bowl.
  • Drizzle the fries with the sauce and toss lightly to coat. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 521mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich

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 or ingredients. 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. Heck it even has fresh toppings on it and a rather delicious(but incredibly simple) sauce. Hey, it’s not bad when you’re in a crunch, and I often find myself making little changes to mix things up a bit.

Quick Fix Copycat McDonald's Chicken Sandwich

Make It Spicy

Add a little kick to your quick fix copycat McDonald’s chicken sandwich by substituting Tyson’s spicy chicken patties, adding a slice of pepper jack cheese, and adding Sriracha instead of onion powder when making the sauce. You can make these somewhat chicken wing-like by adding Buffalo wing sauce to the buns.

We are not making 5 star sandwiches here, but that’s no reason for them not being tasty. Nothing fancy, just good.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Also try my copycat of McDonald’s addicting French fries.

Quick Fix Copycat McDonald's Chicken Sandwich
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5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich

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.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken sandwiches
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 331kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the McChicken sauce

Instructions

  • Heat the chicken per package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce by whisking together the ingredients.
  • Toast the buns if desired. Slather both bun halves with the sauce.
  • Add the heated chicken patties, lettuce and tomato (and onion if using) and serve.

Notes

Nutritional values do not include the chicken patties.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2616IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Homemade Breakfast Sausage

I’ve made homemade breakfast sausage from scratch before. I picked up a few pork shoulders, trimmed them, ground them (twice) and added seasonings. But I don’t always have the time (or energy, really) to do all that work. That’s when my quick fix homemade breakfast sausage comes in handy.

It’s not uncommon for many homemade sausage recipes to say that you should refrigerate your mixer bowl and even utensils before starting. I agree if you’re grinding your meats from rough cuts. But in this case we start with already-ground pork so I don’t think it’s necessary to start out ‘cold’. That doesn’t mean that you can’t. And it might be a good idea if you’re working in a particularly warm kitchen or area.

Quick Fix Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Good Seasoning Makes Good Sausage

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.
I cook the quick fix homemade breakfast sausage as soon as I make it. Then I crumble it and freeze it in batches. I use it in breakfast cups for my wife’s breakfasts during the week. You can also form it into patties. I also love smoking breakfast sausage for a fantastically different flavor.

Quick Fix Homemade Breakfast Sausage
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5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Homemade Breakfast Sausage

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.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast, quick fix, sausage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Calories 1193kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the pork into your mixer bowl and place into the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix.
  • Place onto mixer using the bread hook and mix for 5-10 minutes.
  • If this is your first time making the sausage I recommend that you take a small handful of the mixed sausage and cook it in a skillet. Taste it after it cools (while cooling place the uncooked meat mixture into the freezer in case you need to mix more). If you need to, add more seasoning and mix well.
  • Freeze or cook the sausage. You can also form it into patties if you wish.

Notes

I use a mixer to combine the meat and seasonings. You can use your hands if you wish, just make sure the meat and the bowl you are using for mixing are very cold before mixing.

Nutrition

Calories: 1193kcal | Protein: 77g | Fat: 96g | Saturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 327mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 1302mg | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix BBQ Ranch Dressing

A lot of restaurant signature sauces start with simple, off-the-shelf ingredients. A restaurant near us starts with BBQ sauce and Ranch, just like with this quick fix BBQ Ranch dressing, and then adds a few other ingredients (such as crumbled cooked bacon) to make it different for different dishes, such as for dipping onion rings or chicken wings. They also use it as a spicy version of their house Ranch salad dressing for well, you guessed it, salads.

Quick Fix BBQ Ranch Dressing

Great For Fries, Burgers And Wings Too!

This quick fix BBQ Ranch dressing isn’t just for salads, though. That’s for sure. I squirted it on a big plate of French fries. Then I dipped grilled chicken wings in it. I slathered it on hot-off-the-grill hamburgers. Heck, it’s great on wraps too!

Just make sure you start with good, quality BBQ sauce and Ranch dressing. And don’t hesitate to use a spicy BBQ sauce, or one with a bit of smoky flavor to it.

This dressing will last a while in the fridge, if there happens to be any leftover. Just make sure to give it a good shake or stir before serving.

Check out my new site, Dress My Salad, for more great salad dressing ideas!

Also try my dill Ranch dressing. Oh, and this dressing is fantastic on my Santa Fe chicken salad.

Quick Fix Bloody Mary Potato Chips
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5 from 1 vote

Easy BBQ Ranch Dressing

A lot of restaurant signature sauces start with simple, off-the-shelf ingredients. A restaurant near us starts with BBQ sauce and Ranch, just like with this quick fix BBQ Ranch dressing, and then adds a few other ingredients.
Course Dressing
Cuisine American
Keyword BBQ, Ranch, salad dressing
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 827kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together the two ingredients.
  • Add any embellishments and stir to combine.

Nutrition

Calories: 827kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 2781mg | Potassium: 406mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 366IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Pickle Relish

I just made a big batch of my quick fix spicy pickles. Man, they are good! But making them left me with a container full of dill pickle pieces. Ends, small pieces, little chunks. The parts that didn’t cut the mustard so to speak. So, what to do with those pickle scraps? Make quick fix pickle relish! I not only loved it, I thought it was much better than the store-bought stuff.

Quick Fix Pickle Relish

Make The Spicy Version, Too

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. Stir every once-in-a-while to help speed things along.

Quick Fix Pickle Relish
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3.40 from 5 votes

Quick Fix Pickle Relish

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. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword pickles, relish
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 59kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1958mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 337IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Seasoned Tater Tots

Ya know, it just doesn’t have to be fancy to be good. I’m a big time tater tot addict. I have been since I was a kid and I remain so to this day. Back then all I needed was butter on my tots. Yep, butter. Now, I want a little more flavor, but without going crazy. So I just grab some seasoning mix out of the pantry, do a little sprinkle or two (or three) and it’s time for more grown-up quick fix seasoned tater tots.

Quick Fix Seasoned Tater Tots

No More Boring Tots For Me

Some day I will tackle making my own tater tots from scratch. They’re really not that difficult to make, from what I can tell. Why have I waited so long to try it? Well, I have to say, I’ve been making seasoned tater tots for many, many years, and I sure would hate to mess with tradition. There’s a lot of memories in those bags of potatoes. I like to bake mine a little longer than the bag says. I like mine super-duper crunchy. Not coincidentally, I like my hash browns the same way!

Also try my copycat of Primanti Brother’s Terror Tots. For fast easy, you can’t beat my quick fix Asian fries or my pizza-flavored tots.

Quick Fix Seasoned Tater Tots
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5 from 1 vote

Seasoned Tater Tots

Ya know, it just doesn’t have to be fancy to be good. I’m a big time tater tot addict. I have been since I was a kid and I remain so to this day. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword tater tots
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 2kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Seasoning (pick one)

Instructions

  • Bake the tater tots per package instructions.
  • Transfer tots to a large bowl.
  • Sprinkle with the desired seasoning and gently toss to coat.
  • Transfer tots to a serving plate and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 2kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

You can make BBQ beans at home in no time. Really great beans at that. So why grab a can of BBQ beans form the store? Sure, I’ve made scratch baked beans before (on the smoker and they were fantastic!). These aren’t those beans. Quick to fix, these BBQ beans still pack in the flavor.

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

The Sauce Makes The Beans

You can make these quick fix BBQ beans taste however you like just by changing which BBQ sauce you add. From smoky to spicy, you can’t go wrong. And speaking of spicy, for a little extra kick add a few sliced jalapenos. And for extra crunch, chop half of a medium sweet onion and toss that in too. You really cannot make a boo-boo when you make these beans.

If I’m reaching for a bottled BBQ sauce, I often go for Sweet Baby Ray’s.

If you have more time, try making my best BBQ beans on the planet (really, they are), Dinosaur-style BBQ beans, Peach BBQ beans, slow cooker beans and wieners and Tangy Pit Beans.

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5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

Why grab a can of pre-made BBQ beans at the store when you can make your own in no time at all.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue, BBQ, beans
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 78kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Combine all ingredients and pour into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly before serving as the sauce will be very hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 403IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili

This may well be my wife’s favorite chili. And that’s saying something because she’s pretty picky about chili. There aren’t many that she even sorta likes. And I have to admit, it’s mighty darned 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. Served over crunchy corn chips, it has all you need in a no-time-to-waste chili. Beans, beef, tomatoes, chiles, and cilantro. Oh and a bit of cheese.

Quick Fix Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili

Great Flavor In No Time

I prefer fire-roasted green chiles any time a recipe calls for green chiles. The roasting adds a nice caramelized flavor and texture. Same goes for canned tomatoes, I prefer fire-roasted. Both make this quick fix Tex-Mex corn chip chili fantastic.

For a little kick use spicy pinto beans instead, substitute pepper jack cheese, and add in a minced roasted jalapeno.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Also try my Tex-Mex bacon cheeseburgers.

Quick Fix Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili
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4 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Tex-Mex Corn Chip Chili

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.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, corn chips
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 624kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the beef into a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until browned.
  • Add the onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
  • Add the undrained beans, tomatoes and chiles. Stir and bring to a simmer, cooking for 15 minutes.
  • Season and then stir in the cilantro and cheese. Reduce heat to low and stir until the cheese is melted.
  • Serve over corn chips topped with more cheese and cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 624kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 567mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1396IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 678mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Taco Salads

Unbelievably easy to make, these quick taco salads disappear really fast. Use whatever toppings you have on hand. And whatever toppings you enjoy. We kept them pretty simple. There’s nothing fancy going on here. Just a quick and easy salad-for-dinner.

Quick Fix Taco Salads

Perfect Salads In No Time

If you have the time, slow cook the beef a little longer for a more tender, flavorful filling. I like to let mine simmer with the lid on for at least two hours. I add a bit of water if the mixture gets too dry. It’s not really a necessary step but I think the beef gets more flavor. All the way through.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Also try my Mexican cornbread salad and my quick fix shrimp tacos.

Quick Fix Taco Salads
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5 from 1 vote

Quick Taco Salads

Unbelievably easy to make, these quick taco salads disappear really fast. Use whatever toppings you have on hand or enjoy. We kept them pretty simple.
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword quick fix, salad, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 726kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ small white onion chopped
  • 3 tablespoons Taco seasoning or 1 packet pre-made
  • 4 tortilla bowls pre-made taco salad bowls
  • 2-3 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 large tomato chopped
  • ¼ cup Ranch salad dressing

Instructions

  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet with the onion.
  • Drain and add the seasoning. Stir, and cook over low heat 5-10 minutes, adding a bit of water if the mixture gets too dry.
  • Warm taco bowls per package instructions.
  • Spoon beef into the taco bowls. Top with lettuce, cheese and tomato. Drizzle with Ranch dressing and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 726kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 738mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 242mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.