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Happy 125th anniversary to Labor Day! To celebrate, we'd like to do as little labor as possible, and we're starting in the kitchen.
Check out easy-peasy recipes that look and taste just as good as homemade. However, these dishes start with a store-bought item that you then add to, and in no time, you are ready to serve. Plus, enter to win a $75 gift card to your favorite grocery store, so you can purchase the ingredients.
Pigs in the blanket may be an old' fashioned treat, but they are still a favorite. Serve them up and you are practically guaranteed an empty plate at the end of the night. But did you realize just how easy they are to make? Follow this simple recipe submitted by SheSpeaks member lowgee82. Just buy crescent dough and your favorite hot dog (you can cut them if they aren't cocktail-sized), wrap them, bake them and serve them with mustard. Done.
Our secret to dinner made in a snap? Store-bought rotisserie chicken. You can find them in most grocery stores for a reasonable price. Cut the meat off when it's warm (it's easier that way) and then use it in almost any recipe that calls for shredded or chunks of chicken. It will make meal-prep quicker and easier. We love this recipe for Chicken Tostadas from Chowhound that is great for a party or just dinner at home.
Other ideas: instead of pulled-pork sandwiches, you can mix rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce to make chicken sliders. Or cover tortilla chips with beans, rotisserie chicken and cheese, then warm everything in the oven. Add some guacamole, and you have easy nachos. We've also used rotisserie chicken for recipes in stir-frys, soups and salads. Really, the possibilities are endless.
For many people, Labor Day is the perfect day for a BBQ. We couldn't agree more. A great way to spend less time prepping is to buy premade pasta salad from your local grocery store and just add in a couple of ingredients. Our favorite is this Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad from Wegmans that comes with the cheese included. All you have to do is chop some grape tomatoes in half, mix them in, and you've got the perfect side dish to bring to any potluck. You can also add other veggies like peppers or olives. Want to make this salad into a main course? Just add - you guessed it - rotisserie chicken!
Another option? Premade salad bags. You can get amazingly tasty ones from Trader Joes, or almost any grocery store. The best thing about them is that you can use as is, or add in other ingredients you love, just to spice them up. We love the Trader Joe's Southwestern Chopped Salad - we add a little avocado and black beans to the top to make it feel even more fresh.
Every get together deserves a delicious dessert. And we have two perfect desserts that look professional, taste amazing, and are quick to make. This first recipe takes just five minutes to prepare, but you'd never know it by looking at the finished product. Just take store-bought ice cream sandwiches, crushed Oreos and cool whip and you have the World's Easiest Oreo Ice Cream Cake, thanks to SheSpeaks member Minx1982!
This second recipe has been passed around SheSpeaks staff and brought to several gatherings. They're called Everything Bars, though the name doesn't tell you enough. Start with refrigerated cookie dough, then add marshmallows, caramel, pretzels and mini-M&Ms. Thank you to blogger Confessions of a Cookbook Queen for publishing this recipe. It will be the hit of any party.
*One lucky contestant will be chosen at random to receive a $75 gift card to the grocery store of their choice, provided the gift card is easily purchased online. Giveaway is open through September 8, 2019 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to our winner, SheSpeaks member smiling_mama.
I love taking tomatoes and basil from my garden, slicing with mozzarela cheese, then sprinkling with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Very quick and easy and tasty.
My quick and easy go to recipe of sausage bites. Super easy to make and pretty much everyone loves them
That ice cream cake looks fabulous
I love making buffalo chicken dip! Its so easy ypu just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat then dump in cream cheese, hot sauce, ranch dressing and shredded colby jack cheese. Bake at 350 for 20- 30 mins.
easy food so I can spend more time with family.
My favorite labor less recipe is my husband grilling and me sitting inside!
rushelle
Buffalo chicken dip
I love to use my InstanPot, slow-cooker and make one-pot meals where you just toss everything in a pot and cook. Perfect for summer months.
If we are at home, an easy instant pot roast is one of my favorite labor-less recipes. If we are going somewhere, I know making my super easy bean dip!
Love roasted veggies from my air fryer. Simply buy a bag of precut veggies and toss them in a little olive oil and add any seasoning you wish and roast in the air fryer at 350 for 20 to 30 min. Do a bunch and reheat the next day.
My favorite quick and easy dishes to make are salmon and Velveeta Mac & Cheese
I make those little pigs in blankets for breakfast all the time!
Pickled wrapped in cream cheese and ham!!
Goat cheese with honey and walnuts on top served with toasted baguette slices is an app I serve over and over again. Quick and easy