I’m always looking for more ways to manage my schedule more efficiently. Time spent in the kitchen is one area that continues to amaze me. One thing I know for sure is that less cooking time = more quilting time!
I’ve learned that by working more efficiently in my tasks around the house, I can get in more sewing time at the end of the day and let me tell you… it is amazing. It is a total game-changer for the busy girl!!
For more ideas on how you can get more sewing and quilting time, check out this blog post: HOW TO MAKE MORE TIME FOR SEWING AND QUILTING and TIME-SAVING SEWING ADVICE
How do I get more time?
First of all, I’m not a wizard ok? But what I do have is a ridiculous sense that if I schedule things juuuust right and I tweak my calendar enough I’ll have enough extra time built up that I can someday solve all of the world’s problems…. ok maybe not ALL… but geeze, I can at least finish this quilt top before the baby I’m giving it to is born? #truthconfessions
Recently I shared with my readers that my newest obsession is Butternut Squash Soup because it has every single flavor of fall and it is so good! it also can be made in the crockpot or the instant pot and 80% of the dish is hands-off. let the gadgets do their thing… I love it.
My kids even like it because they like pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle them over the top like confetti. Here is the recipe if you want to try it too!
And I asked for your favorite go-to recipes that save you time in the kitchen. Boy oh boy did you respond! I KNEW you were my people, I just KNEW it!
Here is a list of all the recipes you’ve sent to me!
(I’ll try to update it from time to time with new/seasonal dishes) Note: these recipes are all from other bloggers and are recommended by other readers just like you. If you have a favorite recipe you don’t see here that saves you time in the kitchen please feel free to add it to the comment section below!
- Cheeseburger Soup – “All my friends love this recipe because it’s easy and good for the tummy”
- Moist And Krispie Chicken – “This has been a family favorite since I was a kid.”
- Apple Crumble Recipe – “Add sultanas, blackberries, pears or other fruit to ring the changes! Add spices, or finely chopped nuts to the topping mix to make this extra delicious! Serve with hot or cold custard, cream, vanilla ice cream or clotted cream!! Mmmm!”
- Could this be Olive Garden’s Pasta Fagioli? – “A favorite go-to fall soup. Tip: I do not add the pasta to the soup. Instead, I prepare the desired amount of pasta and put it in the individual soup bowls and add soup to the pasta. If pasta is added to the soup it should be served and eaten right away. The pasta soaks up a lot of the soup juice so if it is saved and reheated it is a bit dry. “
- Corn Chowder Recipe – “darn good soup”
- Ham and Cheddar sliders on Hawaiian rolls – “So Soooo good! Can be made with turkey and swiss too!”
- Lazy Lasagna Baked Ravioli Casserole – “Always a house favorite”
- 5 Ingredient Beef Enchiladas – “Absolutely everything my family loves!”
- Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti – “A really good comforting meal”
- Mexican Bean Salad – “This stores really well in the refrigerator for leftovers or when I can prepare dinner earlier in the day.”
- 20-Minute Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Pasta Salad – “Really!!! 20 Minutes!!!”
- BLT Chopped Salad – “Easy because you can prep and chop earlier in the day and just throw together at dinner time.”
- Crockpot Beef Stew – “Cooking all day long makes the house smell AMAZING!”
- Cream cheese chicken chili – “you can easily add to this to make it stretch into a big pot with plenty for leftovers.”
- Crockpot Honey BBQ Meatballs – “This takes 5 minutes to dump in the crockpot.”
- Calzones – “My families favorite Friday night dinner.”
- Chicken Bacon & Ranch tater tot casserole – “as easy as it gets”
- Super Simple One-Pot Pasta – “Easy to feed just 2 people”
- Creamy Potato Soup – “Comfort Level 10. this soup is SO good!”
- Taco Spaghetti Casserole – “This is easy to double/triple and freeze for another easy dinner later!”
- Biscuits and Gravy with Sausage & Egg Casserole – “We eat this for dinner more than breakfast all the time!”
- S’mores Nachos – “It’s made on the grill! So it is perfect when we’re on the road!”
- French Dip Tortilla Roll-Ups – “My husband loves when I make these!”
Goodness!… meal planning for the whole month anyone? 🙂 I have so many ideas for new recipes that I want to try now.
I hope you find some good recipes and some delicious inspiration in this list so you can get more sewing time in your schedule!
Word of advice: If you are trying to cut down on your time in the kitchen because you want to spend more time at the sewing machine… DO NOT go do your laundry and think you’ll “get to sew later”. That is the opposite of intentionally making time to sew.
Laundry and housework will always be there, no matter how hard you run to try and get ahead.
That sewing project, however, doesn’t deser a permanent backseat if it is what brings you joy! Do what makes your heart happy while dinner is in the crockpot.
Less Cooking Time = More Quilting Time!