30 minute meals Archives - Makin' it Mo'Betta

I know many of you are in the same situation as I am…Spring Sports. The constant running of children from school to practice to games, etc. When is practice? Dinner time. So when do you feed the kids? For us it has to be something super quick and easy. Sometimes portable! Today’s round-up comes from my stash of recipes using store-bought biscuits, crescent roll dough or pizza dough. I try not to rely on these too often, but sometimes you just need some shortcuts, and I still think it’s healthier than the choices my kids would make in a drive-thru!

The most popular on the blog are the “Bubble Up” Recipes, using canned biscuits. These are a hit with my kids as well.

Bubble Up Taco Casserole

Bubble Up Garlic Cheese Bread – not a meal in itself, but serve with a salad and fruit; or with soup/chili…

Bubble Up Pizza – add any ingredients your family likes on a pizza. This is one of the top viewed recipes on my blog and I see different versions all over Pinterest.

Ham and Cheese Bubble Up – this could go for breakfast or dinner!

Speaking of Breakfast…or dessert!

Blueberry Maple Bubble Up

Bubble Up Apple Pie

Other recipes using canned biscuits –

Ham and Cheese Melts – basically a hand pie made with biscuits…fill with anything you like!

Chicken and Biscuits Casserole

Pizza Cupcakes

Biscuit Breakfast Casserole – another breakfast or dinner option. We love breakfast for dinner!

And a quick and easy breakfast option – Copycat Burger King Cini-Minis

Pizza Dough is also a great option for quick and easy meals. Obviously you can make traditional pizza, but you can also make some fun variations.

Upside Down Pizza Casserole

Pizza ‘Braid’ – this can have any fillings you want, and you can use pizza dough or crescent roll dough. It’s the presentation that makes this one unique!

“Stromboli”

Stuffed Crust Pizza – this is SO easy and my kids love it. Can you have too much cheese?

And another breakfast option –

Yes, pizza dough to the rescue for Quick and Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Crescent Roll Dough

Crescent Roll Pizza Ring – again, fill it with anything your family likes. Throw some veggies in there if your kids will eat them!

Crescent Breakfast Casserole

I also like frozen rolls or bread dough, but it has to be thawed in advance. Both of these can be made with biscuits as well.

Pizza Monkey Bread

Monkey Bread – this is usually a “special occasion” breakfast, and requires prep time the night before, but with Mother’s Day coming soon I thought I would include it!

I also have a shortcut for Caramel Sticky Buns using store bought cinnamon rolls.

So what are your “go-to” meals when there is no time?! I also love the crock-pot, and will do a round up of those soon.

I may be linking up at any of the following – (Monday) , , , , (Tuesday) , , ,, , , (Wednesday) , , , , (Thursday) , , (Friday) , , , ,, , , , ,

I hope everyone has fared well from Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy. It looks like she did quite a bit of damage in some areas. We had lots of wind and rain. And rain….and rain. I thought we were about out of the woods, when I noticed how much standing water we had in our yard. And then one of the toilets wouldn’t flush. Then we discovered standing water in our detached garage. To make a long story short, our septic system was starting to back up. So, I packed up the kids and dog, and headed inland to the parentals. No way was I going to stay in a house with non-functioning toilets and 3 kids. So anyway, I’m posting from my parents. Who just got internet service back…what did we do prior to the internet?! So, now that everyone’s mind is in the sewer….let’s re-direct shall we?!

Seriously, go to your happy place, b/c these sandwiches deserve your full not-influenced-by-sewage-talk attention! They were delicious!

This is yet another recipe by . I love her recipes b/c they are so easy, and kid-friendly. French dip sandwiches are a favorite of mine, so I was intrigued by the use of ham instead. Let me tell ya, it is a great variation!

Hot Ham Dips

slightly adapted from

1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tsp garlic powder
6 pretzel slider buns or 4 ciabatta rolls, split *I used homemade buns, recipe below

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 pound thinly sliced ham
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef consommé or beef broth *I used a packet of
1/2 tsp garlic powder *I omitted

In a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Add 1 tsp garlic powder.
Place rolls on a baking sheet; brush cut sides with garlic butter.

Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

In a large saucepan, combine ~~broth consommé and 1/2 tsp garlic powder~~ mix Au Jus according to package directions (you just add water!); bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low.

Place ham into beef consommé and garlic Au Jus. Heat ham for 30-60 seconds, until slightly warm. Using tongs, place ham on rolls. Serve sandwiches with remaining broth for dipping.

And check out my cute little buns! (In my dreams. haha)

These also come together pretty quickly, and are SO good.

Speedy Slider Buns

*adapted from here

2 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons Warm Water
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Egg *or egg replacer; I used Ener-G
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 1/2 to 3 3/4 Cups unbleached all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the oil and sugar, and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
Add the egg replacer, salt, and 3 1/2 cups of flour. Combine until it forms a soft dough. Add the additional 1/4 cup of flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands (if you need a little more, that is okay too). Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes or so.
Divide the dough into 16 pieces, shape each into a small, thick disc (about the size of a biscuit – a regular not a Grands!) and place them on silicone mat lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Lightly cover the balls of dough and let them rest for about 10 minutes (or longer if you wish).
Pop them in the oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Cool on a wire rack.

Verdict? As I said, these are DELISH! Everyone loved them. Mr. Three, of course, had his without ham, and garlic butter. So, yes, he had a plain roll, with plain rolled up ham on the side. Don’t ask. These are definitely a keeper, and will be made again soon. They made a great dinner, but would also be great for parties!

Speaking of parties, I’m linking up with these! , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tag: 30 minute meals

30 Minute Kid-Friendly Meals {using biscuits, crescent roll or pizza dough}

Hot Ham Dips on Homemade Slider Buns

Hot Ham Dips