I got a chance to try the new Romano's Macaroni Grill Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta boxed dinner. Let me first off say that I do not normally like boxed meals, so I was a bit skeptical when preparing this. However, after the first bite I was hooked! The pasta was delicious and the seasoning packet was very flavorful! I also liked the fact that preparation and clean up was quite simple. Oh and of course it was nice that the meal comes with everything. All I needed to add was chicken and a side salad. In my opinion, these boxed meals are nice to have on hand for those busy nights. Plus, they'll save you money... especially if your alternative is to order pizza.Alright, so would anyone of you like to try this?!?
If so, I've got a fantastic "What's For Dinner" gift basket for not one, but three of my lucky readers. The gift basket includes a box of the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta variety, three coupons for you to try the other varieties FREE, a colander, serving spoon and cheese grater!
Wanna enter?
Just give me one quick tip for preparing a meal in less then 20 minutes! Then just leave your name and contact info below. I will announce the lucky winners on Monday, April 20th at 6 p.m. EST.
Want another entry?
Subscribe to my email updates or RSS Feed and let me know by leaving a separate comment. You can also leave an additional comment if you are already a subscriber!
**Even if you don't win you can still try the Romano's Macaroni Grill boxed dinners for a fraction of the price! Just wait for a sale and use the $1 coupon from here!
285 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 285 of 285Chop the veggies when you get home from the store and pre-package your meat in meal portions!
I forgot to leave my e-mail earlier and I know that you might need it if i WIN!!!! Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner
terri_beckley@hotmail.com
A great time-saving tip is to to prep anything that needs to be chopped ahead of time. If you chop onions for one meal, go ahead and chop some extra to save for another upcoming meal. Would love to win this set!
Thanks for this opportunity!!
My tip is for the little ones. Make homemade baby food. It is EASY and tastes much better. There are several great sites to use, but my favorite is www.wholesomebabyfood.com. I am NOT a cook and even I could make all of my daughter's food. It also did not take me long at all to make most of the recipes.
Another tip is to buy the plastic baby food cubes. Those freeze so well and can be put in the microwave and dishwasher.
I made so many of my own recipes too! My husband thought they looked crazy, but Aubree LOVED them.
Amber - 4thecoupons@mchsi.com
I like to cook for a few hours every few weeks and then freeze out pre-portioned servings into different containers. On days when I don't feel like cooking...I just defrost it by leaving it in the fridge all day or usually I will put it on low in the crockpot.
My tip is- plan ahead. Use Sunday as a day to get anything you can do beforehand done. That way you are saving time later in the week when things are either already chopped, cooked, etc.
Keep a binder of meals you eat on a regular basis and what you need for each meal, so you can plan a menu for the whole week and know exactly what you need to make the meals. Saving you any unexpected trips to the grocery.
Always have something on hand to make breakfast for dinner in case you are running low on time.
dndavis5@gmail.com
thanks!
toaster waffles and cook an egg and piece o bacon to go with...yummy!
Great give-away! My fast dinners usually consist of hot dogs, which I always keep in stock. My girls love them so if we ever have a busy night, it's usually hot dog night with some microwavable vegetables.
Gina
ginaepley@gmail.com
I am a very satisfied email subscriber! Thanks for all your hard work:-)
Gina
I precook hamburger and put it into one pound packages in the freezer. When I need a quick meal I only need to defrost the hamburger in the microwave and add it to the recipe and I have a quick meal. It also helps with clean up as you only have the mess of cooking the meat once for several meals.
my tip is read directions early on so you know what you're getting yourself in to. it helps to have some things prepped early too so if something happens (child falls, fight breaks out, potty time, etc...) you don't get behind
moneysavinsteph@gmail.com
Keep prepared food in your freezer so you can just pop them out.
My tip is to have a good collection of oils, vinegars, spices, and relishes (capers, olives, etc.). These things can make simple, quick meals taste great.
lauren dot bellomy at gmail dot com
I really like making a lot of meals in 1 day and freezing the rest, so all I have to do is pull it out in the morning to defrost then cook/ reheat for dinner. This is also a great idea if the hubby is needing meals to take with him to work.
I love to use the crockpot. Our favorite- and easiest is putting a pork roast in the crockpot with some barbecue sauce. When I get home from work I pull it with two forks and we have dinner in like 10 minutes. Amazing!
I subscribe to you blog! I love getting your emails!
My Favorite tip is that when I cook I cook extra so I can freeze it and zippydoda reheat it in the microwave.
I like to keep seasoned cooked chicken breast with onions and green peppers in the freezer to use for quesadillas when I'm in a time crunch. Just defrost it in the microwave and put it in a tortilla with quesadilla (white) cheese. I fold it in half and grill it on the George Foreman. Thanks for the opportunity! I also subscribe.
jdonald@clemson.edu
When I've done a big shopping trip, I love to cook up a bunch of meat and freeze it in meal size portions. For example, if I've got tacos on the menu then I will cook up a bunch of ground turkey with the seasoning and freeze it. That way, when it's time for dinner all I have to do is throw a bag of meat in the microwave to defrost for a few minutes and it's ready. Or I'll cook up some diced chicken to have ready for a casserole.
I'm a subscriber!
snbjork@yahoo.com
My tip is to do as much prep as possible the night before. Sometimes it's tough to find the energy or motivation at the end of the day to get ingredients together, but it really helps!
I subscribed
couponmeg@yahoo.com
I am a subscriber chorchner@yahoo.com
tip: make a list for the week of what you will be making for dinner.
My quick meal is to saute leftover sliced chicken in a little olive oil,add garlic and onions and serve over rice.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Email subscriber.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I get as much ready as possible ready in the morning and then at dinner time I put it in the oven.
Thanks!
I just subscribed to your email update. I love your blog and I love Macaroni Grill. Can't wait to try these dinners if I win. Thanks!
lwar@comcast.net
prepared grn beef browned w/diced onion, then frozen in quart sized freezer bags can be used in so many recipes. Here are a few ideas burritos, tacos, chili, beef veggie soup, sloppy joes & spaghetti.
Have a cooking day where you make a few meals for the freezer, so on nights you don't feel like spending much time on dinner, it's ready to pop in the oven and done in no time.
I just did one of these today and I love them. To save time, I grilled chicken yesterday and grilled an extra breast. Then, in stead of cooking the chicken for ten minutes, I just added my grilled chicken at the end. yummy!
I am subscribed by email
Use some of the same ingredients in multiple meals - prep once, use multiple times. This works for things like chopping vegetables, but it also works for things like cooked chicken.
Prepare as much as you can in advance. For example, wash all vegetables as soon as you get them home from the store.
mdhohn(at)msn(dot)com
A quick dinner that I make isn't too Martha Stweart LOL, but it works for us. I cook egg noodles in a pan, then when they are done I add a can of beef stew. heat them together & serve..it's actually really good & more filling than just beef stew alone :)
Tip:
If you cook a lot with onions go ahead and chop them up and freeze what you don't need then you can pull them out in a second and break off what you need.
My tip for quick meals is to get yourself a toaster oven. Mine is more oven than toaster and even has convection.I was wasting too much time(and energy)heating my big oven. When the kids get home from work late they can reheat dinner.Does great on leftover pizza. I've been trying alot of different frozen items since I've been couponing and they taste much better rather than microwaving them. Works great!
Tip:
If you cook a lot with onions go ahead and chop them up and freeze what you don't need then you can pull them out in a second and break off what you need.
Tip:
If you cook a lot with onions go ahead and chop them up and freeze what you don't need then you can pull them out in a second and break off what you need.
Plan your meals aheah of time-make sure your meat or poultry is thawed and you have all your ingrediants. My fave? Crockpot meals! sarahforseen@hotmail.com
I subscribe to your email updates
sarahforseen@hotmail.com
My tip would be to make double of something a few times a month so you can freeze the extra and pull it out to reheat on a busy day! Not really any more prep time on the night you're actually making it, and little to NO prep time to enjoy the second batch later!
-D (DanielleCorrelle@aol.com)
Already a subcriber!
-D (DanielleCorrelle@aol.com)
Okay I subscribed, and my tip is this...
I have been a pampered chef consultant for under a year now, and we always buy tools that make things faster. So having the right tools is a great key to timing...
but my REAL tip is this, have everything chopped up and measured out, so that when you start your meal you just have to read the directions.
Put cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes ahead of time to make grating faster, and use the pampered chef food chopper to chop everything up, instead of doing it by hand...
More details? Let me know if you are interested
I love to cook but I don't have
that much patient, so most of my meal are quicky.One of my quick meal is Fried rice.
When I have time I cut up vegetable
such as green onion,bell papper
etc.. put them in freezer bags and freeze them. Also stock up some frozen or can Vege.
My best friend in my kitchen is Rice cooker. I just set the timer and rice will be done by dinner.
I use veges.and some eggs and whatever meat in hand ( ham or bacon will do too.) to make fried rice. Don't even Take 10 min.
kubachan@yahoo.com
I have not tried these yet but my sis sayd they are yummy!! I just signed up for your $$ saving emails - I love free stuff!!!!!
Thanks
Sarah
Sarakate25@yahoo.com
I just subscribed to your email feed.
Cook a few meals and freeze them on a day you have with extra time. Just remember to defrost the meal during the week, cook and enjoy!
Double the meals and freeze them. also chop your onions and peppers and freeze them as well.
Subscribed for email updates
I cook freezer meals in batches when meat goes on sale. I thaw the dinner in the morning & pop it in the convection oven. Make a salad or biscuits & you're set.
Mrspoofa@aol.com
Thanks!
I will prepared the ingredients the night before and when I get home from work, I can cook the dishes I wish on stove top, which is much faster than baking in an oven.
Thanks.
Whoo Hoo!~My method to dinner in less than 20 min.?: sit on the couch w/a mocha and a good book and put my four boys to work! :) They all like to cook and BBQ!
i microwave steam all our veggies, done in a snap and keeps the nutrients.
heavncentt at gmail dot com
My favorite quick way to cook is to use my crock pot. I can put a meal together in the morning and then at dinner time, it's ready to go.
I use planned leftovers. Sunday chicken dinner can become Tuesday's chicken rice casserole. Monday's meatloaf can become Wednesday's grilled meatloaf sandwiches.
Do your prep on the weekends or during a quiet time and freeze. I cut up my veggies and flash freeze them on a tray then put into the vacuum-sealed bag in the freezer, saves all the time of washing and chopping during the week.
A really quick tip for dinner is to make a large roast of pork on Sunday. Then slice the pieces thin and use them for different meals during the week. I make pork stir-fry, pork with onions and peppers, pan fried pork with instant mashed potatos, etc. Save lots of time durin the week.
Keeping my fingers crossed to win!
Dia
Valencia@post.com
My tip...I brown ground beef/turkey and freeze in 1 lb. bags and I do the same with onions. Then when I'm ready to cook something, there are so many recipes that you have to brown ground beef and onions, that step is already done and it takes no time at all to reheat!
I also subscribe via RSS! Love your site!
tiffanyosheal AT ballstate DOT bsu DOT edu
I also subscriber now!!
I JUST LOVE YOUR BLOG.
Hello from the west coast :)
My tip is to Menu Plan. If I can spend the time to do this each week, then I can maximize using my stockpile and streamline my trips to the grocery store. It always takes me much less time to prepare dinner when I know what it is going to be ahead of time. Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway, your blog rocks!
coupons.for.laurie@gmail.com
I pre-cook all my ground beef with garlic and onion, salt and pepper. Then I portion it out in zip lock bags and freeze it. When I am maing spaghetti, tacos, or chili I just pop one in the microwave to thaw and it saves me half the cooking time!
I am a subscriber.
lists at masondixon dot us
If you have hard corn tortilla shells, taco salads can be quick. Cook up hamburger, cut up tomatoes, avocadoes and salad and you are done. Thanks!
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com
I pre-cook my meat and freeze it cooked. It saves a ton of time.
Thanks
Kim Carlile
kimisslim at hotmail dot com
Make meals ahead of time and freeze....then just pop in the oven!!
Thanks!!
Stef
sja8208@gmail.com
Crockpot meals are great because you just throw everything in and forget about it until dinner time. Also, dinner is done earlier in the day when I still have some energy left!
Chrissy at knittodayAThotmailDOTcom
I subscribed to your emails....& I'd love to win the gift set. I love the "three cheese chicken volia" & the "Garlic Chicken" by birdseye all you add is water & you have a meal in 10 minutes! Try the Tuna Helper Chessy pasta by Betty Crocker...its great with some creamy corn on the side!!
summer_cody_85@yahoo.com
It's a popular tip but you really can't beat a good crockpot recipe. :D
Bless!
xjessieATgmail.com
& I subsribe!
Bless!
xjessieATgmail.com
My tip is to pre-wash everything when you get home from the grocery store. When it comes time to cook, everything is already washed up and cut up. Makes for quick meals.
BTW: I love your blog. Thanks for all your hard work.
anu1c at hotmail dot com
My tip is to pull out that crockpot! twenty minutes in the morning then when you are dead tired at night dinner is already cooked!
nettysgirlATgmail.com
Cool, thanks for the contest! My tip is french bread pizza, which is made from the loaves in grocery stores. Cut it in half, spread with choice of sauce and cover with choice of toppings. I like to do traditional pepperoni pizza, but I also like to do ranch with leftover chicken and bacon.
My tip is to buy a George Foreman grill. It is a quick way to cook lots of different meats, and I like the way it drains off the grease.
bkittie@hotmail.com
my tip is always have a can of cream of something in your pantry. You can mix anything with it and have a meal (:
My tip would be to make big batches of cooked meat & veggies at once & freeze them! scg00387 at yahoo.com Thanks!
I always have onions and peppers diced and frozen ready to go to cut down time.
Also, I pick one day a week and cook several meals for the week. Then I'm ready for the week.
My tip is to buy bulk meats and precook them. Then during the week, just pull out what you need to add to your meal. This works with just about any meat.
I try and leave most of what I need for the evening meal on the counter that morning so when I come home I have everything ready to go and can get things thrown together quickly.
I just signed up for your email alerts. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Have DH make it
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
I'm all about preparing ahead - or purchasing prepared! For example, chop everything the night before and store in the refrigerator - or better yet - buy it chopped and frozen...peppers, onions, etc. Saves lots of time!!
jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
I'm an email subscriber and loving it! :)
jamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
I use a rice cooker at every meal...it especially great for boxed rice...you just throw all the ingredients in and it cooks just like stovetop and tastes wonderful...if you have a crockpot and a rice cooker...who needs a stove?
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