10 Easy Recipe Shortcuts That Taste Like The Real Deal

Cooking is really fun, but it can be a little overwhelming at times.

1. Shortcut Lasagna

Step 1: Heat oven at 375°F. Spray a 3-quart shallow baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: Stir 3 cups of ready-made pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl.
Step 3: Stir the sauce and water in a large bowl. Spread 1 cup sauce mixture in the baking dish. Top with half a package of ravioli, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and 1 cup sauce mixture. Top with the remaining half of ravioli and sauce mixture. Cover the baking dish.
Step 4: Cover and bake for 35 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Uncover the baking dish.
Step 5: Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted.

Source: wyldkyss  /  via: campbellskitchen.com

2. Fruity Hand Pies In a Jiffy

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and whisk together 1 whole egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl.
Step 2: Place 1 (14 ounce) thawed package of puff pastry dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/8-inch thick.
Step 3: Cut 12 even rectangles from the puff pastry.
Step 4: Place 2 teaspoons of ready made fruit compote on one half of the dough rectangles.
Step 5: Brush the edges with the egg and water mixture and fold the pastry over. Using a fork, press the edges together to seal. Brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash and poke several holes in the top of the pies for steam to escape.
Step 6: Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Source: foodnetwork.com  /  via: flickr.com

3. Baked Corn Dog Muffins

Step 1: Preheat oven at 400°F and make 1 box instant corn bread mix according to package instructions.
Step 2: Cut 4 hot dogs into thirds.
Step 3: Pour corn bread mixture into greased muffin tins and insert a piece of hot dog into each.
Step 4: Bake for 20 minutes and top with condiment of choice.

Via: johnnystiletto

4. Single-Ingredient Ice Cream

Step 1: Freeze sliced bananas.
Step 2: Blend in food processor.
Step 3: Eat.

Via: shutterstock.com

5. Speedy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Step 1: Pan-fry 18 ounces of frozen chicken nuggets.
Step 2: For the sauce, whisk together 1/2 cup apricot preserves, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, and 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger.
Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat and cook 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced, for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add 1/2 pound snow peas and 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper (seeded and sliced) and cook, tossing, for 2 minutes or until tender.
Step 5: Add the cooked chicken nuggets, sauce, and 1/2 cup roasted cashews and toss to coat. Serve over rice and sprinkle thinly sliced scallions.

Via: shutterstock.com

6. Easy Doughnuts

Step 1: Heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Separate and place large ready-made refrigerated biscuits on a cutting board.
Step 3: Using a shot glass, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit, putting the extra dough aside.
Step 4: When the oil is hot, place 4 of the doughnuts and holes in the skillet and cook until golden brown, 1 to 1½ minutes per side. Repeat for the rest of the doughnuts and holes.
Step 5: Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a large bowl. Toss the warm doughnuts in the mixture a few at a time. Serve warm.

Source: flickr.com  /  via: realsimple.com

7. Pierogies in a Pinch

Step 1: Bring large saucepan of water to boil.
Step 2: Mix 2 cups cooled mashed potatoes, 1/2 cup scallion cream cheese and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.
Step 3: Cut store-bought wonton wrappers (36 pieces) into circles with a 3-inch biscuit cutter and brush the edges with beaten egg white.
Step 4: Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon potato mixture onto center of each wrapper and fold in half, press edges together to seal.
Step 5: Boil pierogies in batches of 12 for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with cold water and drain.
Step 6: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a nonstick skillet and add pierogies, cooking 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat with the rest.

Source: shutterstock.com  /  via: smittenkitchen.com

8. Super Easy Salmon Cakes

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Mix together 1 7-ounce can salmon, drained and flaked with 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 finely-chopped green onions, and 2/3 cups crushed saltine cracker crumbs.
Step 3: Season with lemon pepper and form mixture in 8 patties. Coat patties with 1/3 cups crushed crackers crumbs and place on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake 10 minutes, turning once.

Source: shutterstock.com  /  via: allrecipes.com

Creamy Red Pepper In A Hurry

If you were feeling brave but ran out of time and couldn’t prepare a hearty soup to go with the salmon cakes like you wanted, you can always rely on Campbell’s Go™ soups (like Creamy Red Pepper with Smoked Gouda). It’s a delicious pairing that’s sure to impress your friends.

9. Microwave Brownies

Step 1: Mix 6 tablespoons hot chocolate mix and 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour in a coffee mug.
Step 2: Stir in 2 tablespoons canola oil, 3 tablespoons water and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
Step 3: Mix in a handful chocolate chips.
Step 4: Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds.

Source: shutterstock.com  /  via: alli-n-son.com

10. Lightning-Fast Thai Beef Skewers

Step 1: Stir together 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon garlic salad-dressing mix, and 3/4 cup water and set aside.
Step 2: Gently flatten 1 pound pre-sliced sirloin with a rolling pin.
Step 3: Toss beef strips with 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 additional tablespoon of garlic salad-dressing mix. Thread each strip on a pre-soaked wooden skewers.
Step 4: Broil 2 to 3 minutes on each side and serve with peanut dipping from step 1.

Source: shutterstock.com  /  via: foodnetwork.com